Geelong coach Mark Thompson is far from satisfied with his AFL's team's form, despite ending Hawthorn's seven-match winning streak to retain top spot.

The Cats trailed at every change, before a strong last quarter helped them win 12.13 (85) to 11.17 (83) at the MCG on Saturday, maintaining their perfect record against Hawthorn since their 2008 grand final loss

Forward pocket Mathew Stokes starred with four of his side's seven second-half goals, while Hawks star Lance Franklin kicked 3.3.

The Hawks had several chances to snatch victory in the dying minutes.

Geelong defender Harry Taylor did well to spoil a Franklin marking attempt in the goalsquare, Hawthorn's Clinton Young just missed with a snap, while a hopeful Franklin long bomb as the siren sounded sailed wide.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson rued some inaccuracy in the third quarter, while Thompson acknowledged the only real difference in the match was the Cats happened to be in front at the end.

But he said the victory did not dispel some concerns in attack.

In the first 12 rounds, Geelong scored less than 100 points just twice, but have done so in each of their past three games.

That includes a goal-less second half against St Kilda in round 13 and Thompson said they could not dismiss the issue because they had a 12-3 record and top position.

"We're the No.1 attacking side in the competition, but against good defensive teams - and everyone's getting better defensively - we've failed to kick big scores, so we have to be better," Thompson said.

"We might be winning a lot of games of footy, but we're not going to be a team that accepts playing not to a certain standard and I thought we've got a lot of work to do in a lot of areas.

"One of them is kicking scores when opposition put a lot of defensive pressure on."

Thompson said his attack - missing suspended stars Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney - were beaten in the air and on the ground, fumbled too often, were too easily caught in tackles and did not tackle hard enough.

He said he moved midfield stars Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman forward in the last quarter to provide stronger contests, with a late Chapman goal from a free kick proving crucial.

Stokes was vital, kicking the Cats' only three goals of the third term, then putting Geelong in front with a brilliant last quarter snap, before setting up another major to teammate James Podsiadly.

A big positive for the Cats was the solid return of Brad Ottens, after being out since round six with a foot injury, but Joel Corey was rested after experiencing soreness following his return from a knee injury last round.

Hawks defender Josh Gibson made it through his first senior game since badly injuring a hamstring in round three.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was philosophical about the loss, after last weekend's three-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.

"Last week we win it, this week we don't," he said.

"... We'll take a lot of confidence out of the fact that we can run the premier side in the competition to a really great game of footy."

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