We’re well into the run home to the finals, and games between teams in the top eight are of critical importance. And we’ve got a ripper of a contest to start this weekend’s action.
Hawthorn and Geelong have had some epic contests over the years. The 1989 Grand Final was one that will live long in the memory.
But it was the last Grand Final clash between the two sides, in 2008, that has assumed particular significance.
Geelong, defending champions, had only lost one game all season and were close to unbackable favourites. But on the day they were stunned, as Hawthorn took control and the Cats lost their nerve; the Hawks taking out an unlikely premiership.
It was a premiership that got away from Geelong, a deep shock to the club that has been such a force in recent years. But the Cats made a pledge after that contest that they wouldn’t go down to the Hawks again. And they haven’t. There’s been some close contests since then, including a thriller on Easter Monday; but Geelong have beaten Hawthorn every time they two clubs have met since that Grand Final.
But this will be a tough one for the Cats in their quest to maintain that record. The Hawks are on a roll. Eight wins on the trot see the Hawks in second place, just one win behind ladder leaders Sydney and with an imposing percentage. Confidence is high in the Hawthorn camp.
The Hawks are still without Buddy Franklin on their forward line, but have plenty of stars around the ground. Luke Hodge returned from injury last week and kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance. Cyril Rioli has been in outstanding form, while
Jarryd Roughead on the forward line has been contributing plenty of scores. Sam Mitchell has been a ball magnet in the midfield.
Last year, Hawthorn were a kick away from the Grand Final, and this year their form has been even better. Many, including GWS coach Kevin Sheedy, have rated the Hawks as serious challengers for this year’s premiership.
But the Cats won’t be lying down. Joel Corey will be a big loss, but the defensive work of Matthew Scarlett will be a welcome addition to the Geelong lineup. There’s still plenty of premiership talent in this Geelong side. Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel spearheads a midfield that includes guns such as Joel Selwood and Paul Chapman. On the forward line, Tom Hawkins is building up to his best form.
Geelong haven’t had everything their own way this season, but with wins in their last two matches they remain in sixth place, within striking distance of the top four and a double-chance in the finals. But to get there, this is the sort of game the Cats will need to win.
It’s an appetising contest to get another great weekend of footy under way. Join us here on The Roar on Friday night as we bring you the action. Post your comments and your observations below, as we look forward to what promises to be another epic contest.
Brewski
Guest
Best game i have seen on friday nioght for a while, probably best all year, i said to everyone at 1/4 time, if i had a TAB phone account, i would back Hawthorn, i just had a feeling, .....glad i don't have one. And i note that the atmosphere at this game seemed to leave the Olypics for dead, at least the times i flicked over.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Heck of a game of footy
Nathan of Perth
Guest
6.2 from Hawkins, what a turn around in form from that man!
Antonio
Guest
Jeff Kennett's Curse, Ha ha
mds1970
Roar Guru
Unbelievable. The Hawks will be wondering how that one got away. But if the Hawks had won, the Cats would have been wondering the same after the first quarter.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Geelong 18.10 (118) d Hawthorn 17.14 (116) Goals : Geelong - T Hawkins 6, P Chapman 4, M Duncan 2, S Johnson 2, A Christensen, A Mackie, J Podsiadly, J Walker. Hawthorn - J Gunston 4, L Bruest 2, S Burgoyne 2, P Puopolo 2, C Rioli 2, D Hale, J Lewis, J Roughead, B Sewell, B Whitecross. Best : Geelong - J Selwood, S Johnson, M Duncan, J Bartel, T Hawkins, P Chapman. Hawthorn - C Rioli, J Roughead, D Hale, S Burgoyne, L Shiels, C Young. What a remarkable game that was. Thanks for joining us here on The Roar for our blog of a game that could have critical importance to how the ladder shapes up at the end of the season. The Geelong run over the Hawks continues, with the Hawks still having not beaten the Cats since the 2008 Grand Final. Both games this season have got to within a kick, but the Cats have emerged with the points. Will the two sides play again in the finals? Thanks for joining us here on The Roar for this game. Have a great weekend, and let's hope there's some more thrilling contests to come.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Absolutely WILD game, possibly best game of the season, amazing start, amazing comeback and then amazing response by Geelong! Hawthorn just went to pieces mentally in the last minute!
mds1970
Roar Guru
What a remarkable game. The Cats burst out of the blocks and looked to have a match-winning lead at quarter time. The Hawks slowly pegged them back, but after not winning the third quarter, the task of a comeback looked a bridge too far. But the Hawks kept coming, drawing level and then taking the lead. Tom Hawkins got the game back to within a kick, but the Hawks kept the ball bottled up forward. They had chances to seal the game, but a poster and then a soccer shot that missed everything cost the Hawks the sealer. Going coast to coast, Tom Hawkins marked 40 metres out. The siren sounded as he lined up his shot. But the pressure of kicking after the siren didn't get to him, as he kicked his 6th; and the Cats completed a remarkable win.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Final score - Geelong 18.10 (118) defeated Hawthorn 17.14 (116)
mds1970
Roar Guru
HAWKINS KICKS IT! THE CATS HAVE WON!!!!
mds1970
Roar Guru
Coast to coast play, and it's marked by Tom Hawkins 40 out. It comes down to a kick after the siren.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Hawks on the forward line, Puopolo looks to soccer the winner, but misses everything. The Cats clear.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Mitch Duncan tackled, turns it over. Hawks snap, looking for a winner, but it hits the post. Hawks by 4
mds1970
Roar Guru
We've got a grandstand finish here - no-one would have predicted this at quarter time. Blood rule - Sam Mitchell departs. 31 minutes, Hawks by 3.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Hawthorn go long, but it's a point. Hawks by 3 at the 30 minute mark
mds1970
Roar Guru
28 minutes - Hawthorn 17.12 Geelong 17.10 Billie Smets smothers on the 50. Gathers. Offloads to Hawkins, who snaps his 5th. The Cats aren't done yet.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Hawks on a roll. Bruest blazes away from outside 50. It's a point, but that makes the margin more than a goal. David Hale gets possesssion, snaps quickly but it's touched on the line. Hawks by 8
mds1970
Roar Guru
25 minutes - Hawthorn 17.10 Geelong 16.10 Hawks clear and take the ball forward, but it goes out of bounds. From thhe throw-in, roved by Sewell and under immense pressure slams the ball through;and the Hawks take the lead for the first time tonight.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Geelong slowly move the ball forward, and it's a ball-up on the forward line.
mds1970
Roar Guru
There'll be no quarter asked or given from here; and the ball's been tied up on the wing since the last score. Scres still level as the clock ticks to 20 minutes.