Two great rivals of recent times will finish off the first round of the 2013 AFL season, as Hawthorn host the Geelong Cats at the MCG for this Easter Monday clash. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.20pm.
Since Hawthorn upset Geelong in the Grand Final five years ago, the Cats have reeled off nine consecutive wins over the 2008 Premiers, most by margins of less than ten points.
In 2012, even though Hawthorn topped the ladder, they still couldn’t break the streak, losing twice by two points.
That run of losses hasn’t really damaged the general opinion that the Hawks are very serious flag challengers in 2013, favourites in many people’s eyes.
But things haven’t really gone their way recently. Injuries to Whitecross and Suckling will test their midfield depth, while Hodge, Rioli and new recruit Brian Lake have had interrupted pre-seasons.
The Buddy Franklin contract drama hasn’t helped either.
This is a chance for Hawthorn to put all of that past them and prove what a great football team they are.
They didn’t finish top of the ladder for nothing last season and with a midfield boasting Mitchell, Sewell, and Lewis and the best forwardline in the league bar none, they have more than enough firepower to go up against anyone with confidence.
The conventional wisdom is that after five years of near-dominance, the Cats’ fall into the bottom half of the eight in 2012 is just the beginning of an inevitable slide for this ageing team.
But they showed no signs of aging in the NAB Cup.
Indeed, the Cats only lost one match, to Fremantle in the West, enjoying wins over West Coast, Adelaide, North Melbourne and Collingwood.
What was most impressive was the way fringe players like Murdoch, Blicavs, Kersten, Caddy and Walker stepped up. All of a sudden it seems Geelong have plenty of depth.
The Cats do have concerns though, particularly over a series of injuries to their ruck division. James Kelly and Steve Johnson will also miss through suspension.
Both sides have genuine superstars in Mitchell and Selwood on the ball, and if either of them has a quiet day that could go a long way to deciding the result. Overall, the two midfields look pretty even.
While this is a close one to call, two factors point to the Cats today.
Firstly, based on the pre-season their preparation seems to be slightly ahead of Hawthorn.
Secondly, the Geelong defenders should be able to at least reduce the effectiveness of the Hawks’ forwardline, with Lonergan, Taylor and Rivers a strong force in the air.
Of course, you have to weight that against the advantage Hawthorn should have in the ruck today, and they probably have a bit more pace around the ground.
But overall I think Geelong should be able to extend this amazing streak to ten games.
Does the Kennett Curse continue? Find out from 3.20pm AEDT.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
On the other hand, those ten losses have arguably been instrumental in costing Hawthorn at least another two GF berths, including a qualifying final. But yes, no substitute for the GF.
MattRusty
Roar Pro
Happy to lose another 10 in a row Jason. There is no substitute for a GF win. Fair to say you don't understand much about GF wins and how rare and valuable they are.
Jason Cave
Guest
Would it be fair to say that the Hawks probably wished they hadn't won the 2008 Grand Final and that Jeff Kennett had kept quiet after the '08 premiership win, if they had known that Geelong would go on to win the next 10 games between the two teams?
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Bwahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
TomC
Roar Guru
That's all from me. What a great finish to round one!
TomC
Roar Guru
So that's the end of yet another extraordinary game between these two teams. The Hawks appeared to be all over the Cats in the first half, but Geelong held in there and went into half-time within twenty points. Then Joel Selwood took control in the third quarter, bringing his teammates into the game with him, and the Cats kicked five goals to two to take the lead at three quarter time. In the final term, they appeared to have a bit more run than Hawthorn, and while the Hawks made a late charge it always looked like the Cats had this one. Selwood best on ground, but big contributions from some of the less heralded Cats players, including Stokes, Mackie, Hunt, Motlop, Christensen and several more. Chapman also had a big game after a slow start. Lonergan also held Franklin to two goals, and he was a non-factor after half time. Mitchell was tireless for the Hawks, while Puopolo, Birchall and Lewis had plenty of it, but they didn't quite have the line breaking ability of some of the Cats' runners. This really was a victory for the consistency, resilience and belief of the Cats squad. Chris Scott has assembled a really good group of players, and even with some players missing today, the quality of their depth shone through.
TomC
Roar Guru
And the Cats win by seven points! Kennett's curse continues!
TomC
Roar Guru
Breust was only about twenty-five metres out there. Only seconds remaining as Taylor takes the mark and holds it up.
TomC
Roar Guru
Hawthorn clear, and Rioli gets a chance, he turns and finds Breust in front of goal. About a minute left. Breust must kick this to give Hawthorn a chance. Boy, he's taking his time. He's missed! Unforgivable!
TomC
Roar Guru
Young Jed Anderson with a chance to send Hawthorn forward again, but his kick falls short and Rivers marks. The Cats go forward through Varcoe.
TomC
Roar Guru
The Hawks scramble it forward, and Breust pops it over the top to Savage for a Hawthorn goal! The game is still alive! Three minutes left, Hawthorn need two goals for an unlikely win. Hawthorn 85 Geelong 93
TomC
Roar Guru
Geelong work it forward to Hawkins on the boundary. Tough kick, but he can absolutely seal the deal here. Across the face and marked by Schoenmakers, but not much time left.
TomC
Roar Guru
Geelong going forward, but Rivers has a brain fade and throws it to Selwood! Free kick paid. Was under no pressure and he's given the ball away. But Mackie takes a fantastic relieving mark in the backline, and the Cats can settle.
TomC
Roar Guru
Breust snaps a smart goal from a boundary throw in! It's taken a long time, but the Hawks have their first goal for this last quarter. The margin is14 points and with about six minutes left they need everything to go right from here. Hawthorn 79 Geelong 93
TomC
Roar Guru
Bartel outmarks Franklin on the flank, and that could be a sign that the Hawks are spent, I reckon. Geelong move forward again, although Franklin now gets it at half-back.
Alan
Roar Guru
Geelong just love beating Hawthorn. Hawks just can't take a trick against them
TomC
Roar Guru
And Duncan kicks what could just about be the sealer! Good goal by the young man from 40m swinging around on his right. Geelong look like they have more legs left than Hawthorn do. Aren't they meant to be a bunch of ageing has-beens? Hawthorn 72 Geelong 93
TomC
Roar Guru
Motlop puts the afterburners on and sprints past a bunch of flailing Hawthorn players. Some excellent endurance by that man. He puts up Smedts, who could make it very difficult for the Hawks from 40 out. But he misses, really should have kicked that. Hawthorn 72 Geelong 87. About ten minutes of gametime left.
TomC
Roar Guru
Back and forth, but no one can break clear at the moment. Geelong by fifteen points still, and players are starting to tire on both sides.
TomC
Roar Guru
Long kick forward by Puopolo, but Harry Taylor steps up and takes a big mark in his defensive goalsquare! Great work.