It’s a battle of strengths and a battle of wills. Tonight, we will learn plenty about the top two teams as Geelong and Hawthorn square up at the MCG. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 7.40pm AEST.
Geelong had a blip two weeks ago when they mentally let go a comfortable lead against the Brisbane Lions.
But they then summonsed one of their best defensive performances of the year against a side led by one of the most brilliant of tacticians, Ross Lyon.
Harry Taylor showed the reasons why so many at the Cattery want him to stay with his spoiling and intercepting a feature of the night.
While Jimmy Bartel showed his class again with 24 disposals, eight marks and three tackles.
Hawthorn continued their sensational 2013 season with a solid win at their home away from home, Aurora Stadium, when they got past the Lions.
It was another clinical performance that saw Jarryd Roughead continue his exemplary form, Brad Sewell pulled out another searing game in the midfield, while Buddy Franklin’s two minutes of mayhem in the second quarter was enough to show he’s ready for grander things to come this year.
The win now means they’re on a twelve game winning streak, which matches a club record that existed in 1961 between Round 9 and the grand final victory.
But for the Hawks, a few things remain.
The only team to beat the Hawks in 2013: Geelong.
The team with the biggest current streak against Hawthorn: Geelong.
The team the Hawks fear the most: Geelong.
This bizarre Kennett Curse that envelops the Hawthorn Football Club traces back to an episode of the ABC’s Offsiders program in early 2009, when then-President Jeff Kennett questioned Geelong’s mental aptitude to defeat the Hawks.
“What they don’t have, I think, is the quality of some of our players,” he said.
“They don’t have the psychological drive we have. We’ve beaten Geelong when it matters.”
Ten matches later and Hawks fans are wishing they could take that moment back from Kennett.
Geelong has not fluked any of their ten straight victories against the Hawks.
They’ve consistently kept themselves close enough in each of the matches, to give themselves a fighting chance.
That’s not to say they haven’t been helped by their opponents.
Fade outs are something that Hawthorn doesn’t do too often, but when it happens, it seems to be against Geelong.
While it’s not at the proportions of The Curse of the Bambino or the Socceroos’ Witch Doctor Curse, what Jeff Kennett has been able to provide the Geelong players, coaches and supporters is the ammunition to beat one of the best teams of the last five years, time and time again.
Sir David Attenborough has been called; he’s provided the tranquilizer guns.
Now it’s up to the 22 playing for Hawthorn tonight to make the right shot to quell the navy blue and white gorilla that is on their back right now.
How important is it for Hawthorn to win this game tonight?
Well, you’d prefer to win now than lose again and hope they break it in a final or grand final, because there won’t be much confidence in the unit then.
Does it make it impossible for the Hawks to win the flag if they don’t win tonight?
Well of course not, as there’s many other teams that are in contention that Hawthorn has the wood over.
Win tonight, and end speculation over their heavyweight opponents and give their season that much needed spark in a time where they could be feeling quite battle weary.
Hawthorn, the ball is in your court.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Two from two for me! With a little cherry on top in the form of a good pre-season hit out for Perth Glory.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 11.16 (82) def. Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Quarter by Quarter Geelong Cats 5.2 6.8 6.15 11.16 (82) Hawthorn 2.3 3.8 4.11 10.12 (72) Goalscorers GEEL (9) – Jordan Murdoch 3, Taylor Hunt 1, Steven Motlop 1, Mark Blicavs 1, James Podsiadly 1, James Kelly 1, Joel Selwood 1, Jesse Stringer 1, Josh Caddy 1 HAW (7) – Jarryd Roughead 2, David Hale 2, Luke Breust 1, Lance Franklin 1, Paul Puopolo 1, Jack Gunston 1, Shane Savage 1 Team Stats Disposals: HAW 349-348; Disposal Efficiency: GEEL 72%-67%; Kicking Efficiency: GEEL 70%-56%; Contested Possessions: GEEL 146-140; Uncontested Possessions: LEVEL 205-205; Marks: GEEL 104-75; Clearances: LEVEL 36-36; Tackles: GEEL 79-65; Inside 50’s: HAW 59-50; Hitouts: HAW 39-36 Player Stats Sam Mitchell (HAW) 37 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 6 marks, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50’s, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Joel Selwood (GEEL) 34 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 8 tackles, 1 goal James Kelly (GEEL) 23 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50’s, 1 goal Mitch Duncan (GEEL) 22 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 9 marks, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Jimmy Bartel (GEEL) 22 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 rebound 50’s, 7 one-percenters Andrew Mackie (GEEL) 22 disposals, 6 contested possessions, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50’s, 4 tackles Corey Enright (GEEL) 22 disposals, 9 marks, 7 rebound 50’s, 5 one-percenters, 1 goal assist Jack Gunston (HAW) 22 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 11.16 (82) def. Hawthorn 10.12 (72) An amazing Q1 set up the win for the Cats... but they oh so almost coughed it up in a crazy 7 minute spell, as Hawthorn launched a serious attack. Q2 & Q3 felt a little weird - a lot of pressure, but only 3 goals total from those 2 quarters. But the teams found some space in the final quarter and the battle raged. The Cats had done enough though. They win... go level with the Hawks at 12-2... and yes, Kennett's Curse continues!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 11.16 (82) def. Hawthorn 10.12 (72) Bounce in the middle - Rioli kicks to the forward line... no one gets it cleanly, Franklin taken out of bounds. SIREN!!! Geelong win again - it's 11 in a row!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:33 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 10.12 (72) At AAMI Stadium, WCE kick the last 2 goals, win by 6 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:33 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 10.12 (72) Duryea kicks inside 50 for the Hawks and finds Shane Savage. I think he knows time's against him. Tries to kick quickly... GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:00 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Jimmy Bartel and Tom Lonergan have been amazing in defence tonight!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:50 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Back inside 50, Franklin in the right forward pocket... snaps... but gathered by Bartel on the goal line! Stops any score, then the Cats clear. Time running low now for the Hawks!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:00 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Play back on. Hawks going forward. Gunston at half forward, to the pocket... ball knocked out of bounds. From the stoppage... Franklin almost keeps it in to kick on goal... but the ball drifted out of bounds again. Ball in - Hodge side steps two, kicks to the pocket - but cleared by the Cats!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:59 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Meanwhile, at AAMI Stadium - ADEL 69, WCE 63 with 3 mins to go.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
And looking more at the replay... Andrew Mackie's gone into the Hawks huddle to say a few words... that's a little silly!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
And now there's a bit of fire between the two teams... a bit of a mini-melee on. The Cats team-mates have seen the replay... they're not happy with it. They want to remonstrate!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:59 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Word on the infringement "AFL interchange steward still confident on the right decision... but not able to confirm." That comes from Cameron Ling on the boundary for Channel 7. Meanwhile, there's an injured player on the ground - Joel Corey's been ridden into the ground... and his head's hit the ground hard. He's being attended to at the moment.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
He's kicked 3 now!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:19 left | GEEL 11.16 (82) | HAW 9.12 (66) Cyril Rioli kicks into the forward line... Savage couldn't mark... Roughead nearby... can't gather. Burgoyne has a snap... but marked in defence by Enright. The twitterati is blowing up on the interchange infringement - it seems there could have been a wrong call on Tom Lonergan being the offender. Now down the other end, Jesse Stringer kicks into open space in front of Jordan Murdoch.... Lake tries to chase him down... can't! Murdoch gathers, snaps - GOAL!!!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:35 left | GEEL 10.16 (76) | HAW 9.12 (66) Isaac Smith slung to the ground in a marking contest in the back pocket - wins a free... But the Cats coming back again. Josh Caddy marks inside the forward 50. On the boundary, 40m out. Kicks on goal... SNUCK IT HOME - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:35 left | GEEL 9.16 (70) | HAW 9.12 (66) James Kelly runs through the middle... wanted to hit Selwood... dropped it. Then Allen Christensen settles it, at half forward chips short to Selwood! Marks 45m out. Handballs off to Duncan... kicks... POSTER!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:26 left | GEEL 9.15 (69) | HAW 9.12 (66) Isaac Smith off the wing, kicks to half forawrd... FREE KICK to Franklin. Being held off the ball. Plays on at 50m... gets it to the pocket, Rioli can't gather... ball near the boundary... eventually a ball up. Cleared by Mackie... James Kelly run down... comes out to Mitchell. Kicks inside 50 to Luke Breust - TOUCHED OFF THE BOOT! Play on... comes to Jon Simpkin, snaps... GOAL!!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:00 left | GEEL 9.15 (69) | HAW 8.12 (60) Heck! Josh Hunt ran onto the ground too early... then Tom Lonergan after coming off, came straight back on! Total brain melt from both of them! The reason for the Interchange Infringement.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:27 left | GEEL 9.15 (69) | HAW 8.12 (60) The Hawks have been thereabouts since the 2nd quarter... but just haven't been able to score. INTERCHANGE INFRINGEMENT!!! Against Geelong! Oh wow! David Hale wins the free kick AND A 50M PENALTY! He's going to kick on goal 30m out. This is a remarkable turnaround. David Hale... kicks... A GOAL!!!!!!!!!