West Coast, Hawthorn, Geelong win 3 in a row

Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — West Coast, defending champions Hawthorn and Geelong remained the class of the Australian Football League on the weekend as they posted their third consecutive victories to start the season.

The Eagles beat St. Kilda 12.11 (83) to 8.10 (58) and are in in first place on percentages over Hawthorn, which beat Fremantle 21.11 (137) to 11.13 (79) in a rematch of last year's grand final.

Tom Hawkins' four second-half goals proved the difference as Geelong beat Collingwood by 11 points — 12.15 (87) to 11.10 (76). It was Geelong's first victory over Collingwood since winning the 2011 AFL title.

Among other results, Gold Coast beat Brisbane 17.12 (114) to 9.7 (61) in a local Queensland state derby and Sydney defeated Adelaide 21.8 (134) to 9.17 (71).