Chasing the Cats' 331, the Hawks were never in the hunt, losing 5-176 before Spoljaric played a lone hand scoring 135, his third century for the season.

Roger Sillence (64) and Dale Tormey (21) were the only other batsmen to offer any resistance in the Hawks' total of 270.

The Hawks' lack of strike power was also exposed after the Cats' tail added 44 runs off 35 balls.

With 91 overs to reach the target on a good wicket with a fast outfield, the Hawks were optimistic about their chances, but got off to a horrible start, losing 4-41.

One of the key wickets was captain Simon Dart, caught behind for just four.

Sillence and Spoljaric combined to right the ship, taking the total to 176 before Sillence was run out on the last ball before tea for a well-compiled 64.

Sillence was primarily recruited for his bowling but it has been his batting which has been his dominant skill so far this season.

Spoljaric opened the shoulders after Sillence's dismissal, perhaps acknowledging the lack of depth in the Hawks' lower order, putting on 51 with Cooksen (11) and 35 with Goss (11). At 6-262 with 70 runs to get in the final 12 overs, the Hawks were still in with some chance.

Enter Liam Buchanan, the Cats' part-time off-spinner. His last six balls produced the incredible figures of 3-1. Included in those six balls was a run out.

Spoljaric, who had excelled with the ball taking 4-80 from a marathon 32.5 overs, posted a majestic 135 off 181 balls. A second Ryder medal may not be beyond Spoljaric in his present form, with his all-round skills and ability to bowl a great number of overs.

The Hawks have slipped to seventh on the ladder with several teams within striking distance of them in the top eight.

Games against fellow finals contenders Northcote and Melbourne, as well as top-placed Ringwood, are yet to come.

In the seconds, Geelong passed Hawthorn's total of 6-239. The thirds were dismissed for 215 (Pankhania 60, Pham 30) chasing Geelong's 5-318 (dec), while the fourths provided the Hawks' only win for the day, making 5-274 (Ross 67, Rajkumar 110no, Creed 42) in reply to Geelong's 9-267 (dec).