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The opening match of the 2014 AFL finals sees Geelong come up against bitter rivals Hawthorn under lights at the MCG on Friday night.
September just wouldn’t feel right without the Cats and Hawks squaring off. The rivalry they have shared in recent seasons is both unique and epic, providing AFL fans (of every allegiance) with moments they’ll reminisce upon fondly for years to come.
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After prevailing in the 2008 grand final, the Hawks entered what can (only politely) be described as a tough stretch against the Cats, losing 11 consecutive matches across five seasons – many by the most painful of margins in agonising circumstances.
Looking back it is hard to fathom how the streak survived so long; every time the Hawks appeared destined for victory, Geelong would emerge on the back of a moment of brilliance.
From Jimmy Bartel’s after-the-siren point in 2009 to Tom Hawkins’ 50-metre post-siren bomb in 2012, the rivalry has been littered with moments that forced even the most hardened realist to stray towards belief in the “Kennett curse”.
Then came the 2013 preliminary final. Holding a 20-point lead at three quarter time, the Cats looked destined to extend the streak to 12 matches; that was before an inspired Hawks outfit emerged from the huddle following the final break.
Determined to, at last, put the past to bed, the Hawks powered into the lead in the final term.
The curse did rear its head in the final seconds as Travis Varcoe found himself with a last-gasp shot on goal. But the kick faded wide, and the streak was over.
| Date | Venue | Home vs Away | Result | Disposals | Goals |
| Round 22, 2014 | MCG | Hawthorn defeats Geelong | 94-71 | Duncan 37 | Hawkins 3, Hale 3, Roughead 3 |
| Round 5, 2014 | MCG | Geelong defeats Hawthorn | 106-87 | Johnson 34 | Hawkins 5 |
| PF, 2013 | MCG | Hawthorn defeats Geelong | 102-97 | Mitchell 38 | Johnson 4, J. Gunston 4 |
| Round 15, 2013 | MCG | Geelong defeats Hawthorn | 82-72 | Mitchell 36 | Murdoch 3 |
| Round 1, 2013 | MCG | Hawthorn defeated by Geelong | 86-93 | Mitchell 37 | Hawkins 2, Breust 2 |
The last time these sides met was just two weeks ago in Round 22, a match that saw the Hawks storm home by 23-points following an impressive second half revival.
The Cats held a commanding 33-point lead early in the third term, before a run of 10 unanswered goals left Geelong fans speechless, and questioning their premiership credentials.
But you don’t have to look far to find a Geelong victory Cats’ fans can draw some faith from; in Round 5 this year they got home by 19-points following a 10-mark, five-goal performance from Tom Hawkins.
Brian Lake was subbed out during Hawthorn’s Round 23 match against Collingwood, but they will need him to be at the top of his game to quell the Tomahawk’s influence on Friday.
Another factor missing from their Round 22 clash was Steve Johnson. Although he is just one man, he’s the kind of big-game player that can produce goals when his side needs them most. At the very least, he’s a player the Hawks will need to burn someone covering.
With a second chance at play for the loser, this match does not bring the same bite as their most recent finals playoff, but being two well seasoned squads who know first hand what a win in the first week finals can mean, fans can expect this match to be played as if seasons are on the line.
Recent form tends to mean little when these sides meet – for those with high expectations of the contest, we can only hope this is once again the case.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the Hawthorn vs Geelong qualifying final from 7:50pm (AEST) on Friday.
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