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The Hawthorn Hawks have put their hoodoo against the Geelong Cats to bed with a 36-point win in the opening match of the 2014 AFL finals.
The Hawks were too good in the second half and will have a week off before heading into a preliminary final, meanwhile the Cats will next week have to face either the Roos or old coach Mark Thompson’s Bombers.
FINAL SCORE:
Hawks 15.14 (104)
Cats 10.8 (68)
It doesn’t get much bigger than the Hawthorn Hawks versus the Geelong Cats and you can be guaranteed another epic chapter will be written in the rivalry when these two sides meet at the MCG tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
Theses sides met just two weeks ago in what can only be described as a match that Geelong lost.
It was a game of two halves with the Hawks coming out in the second half and blowing the Cats off the MCG in emphatic fashion.
MORE AFL FINALS:
>> Complete guide to week 1
>> Swans vs Dockers preview
>> Power vs Tigers HIGHLIGHTS
>> Kangaroos vs Bombers preview
Based on that win alone it’s very likely that the Hawks will have the mental edge, however recent history hasn’t been kind to the Hawks who have struggled against the Cats, with the win in the last game being just their second in 14 matches.
However, in that last game they showed all the hallmarks of a champion team coming back from the brink to steal the victory against the Cats. But it will count for nothing if they are unable to get the win in this game.
One big factor could be the return of Steve Johnson who was easily the man of the match in the first game that these two sides played this year.
Selection news:
Hawthorn: They have the type of selection drama that you would love as a coach coming into September with four of the side’s best 22 in the mix to make a return this week. Luke Hodge and Brad Hill are set to return from injury while Matt Suckling failed to get recalled.
If Brian Lake passed his fitness test on a corked hip and Ben McEvoy’s knocks on Clarkson’s door went on deaf ears after kicking four goals and having a whopping 46 hit-outs in the VFL. His finals experience looks set to be saved for now.
Geelong: The cats have recalled Hamish McIntosh and Steven Motlop for this week’s final after both were rested during last week’s win. The big in is Steve Johnson who returns after three weeks on the sidelines.
Prediction:
A tight contest and I’ll leave it at that, I don’t think more than three goals will separate the sides heading into the last quarter.
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