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Hawthorn vs Geelong - Preliminary Final 1: AFL live scores, blog

20th September, 2013
Teams

Hawthorn

B: B Stratton B Lake B Guerra
HB: S Burgoyne J Gibson G Birchall
C: I Smith S Mitchell J Hill
HF: L Breust L Franklin J Gunston
F: P Puopolo J Roughead C Rioli
FOLL: D Hale B Sewell L Hodge
I/C: J Lewis M Bailey B Whitecross L Shiels
EMG: M Spangher J Anderson K Cheney

Geelong

B: J Rivers T Lonergan J Hunt
HB: A Mackie, H Taylor J Bartel
C: J Kelly J Selwood M Stokes
HF: A Christensen N Vardy S Motlop
F: J Podsiadly T Hawkins J Caddy
FOLL: M Blicavs M Duncan S Johnson
I/C: J Corey C Guthrie J Murdoch T Varcoe
EMG: T Hunt S Kersten T West

First Bounce: 7:50pm AEST
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Last Meeting: Geelong 11.16 (82) def. Hawthorn 10.12 (72)
Historical: Hawthorn 67, Geelong 84, Draws 1 (At the MCG – Geelong 14, Hawthorn 4)
Last Five: Hawthorn 0, Geelong 5 (Geelong has won the last 11 matches against Hawthorn)
Betting: $1.39 Hawthorn, $3.10 Geelong
TV: Seven Network (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Roar Guru
20th September, 2013
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A battle of wills and mild-witchcraft awaits us for the next two and a half hours as Hawthorn and Geelong battle for the first spot in the AFL Grand Final. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 7.50pm AEST.

Let’s just clear the air right now – Kennett’s Curse is absolutely real.

It has been for the last five seasons since then-Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said, “…they don’t have the psychological drive we have. We’ve beaten Geelong when it matters.”

Well, if ever there was a time to beat Geelong when it matters, it is certainly tonight!

Hawthorn has lost their last eleven matches against Geelong, of which the biggest margin has been just 31 points, while nine matches has seen a margin of two goals or less.

Undoubtedly Hawthorn are playing some exquisite football right now, especially their second half against a battle-hardened Sydney Swans in the Qualifying Final a fortnight ago, which saw the Swans outscored eleven goals to three in the second half.

The focus for the week has been on Cyril Rioli and whether he would return to the team.

His performance on the training track on Tuesday suggests his ankle injury has healed and should be good to go for tonight’s game.

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Add the forward potency of Lance Franklin coming back from suspension, and the Hawks line-up is the strongest it has been all season.

The back line is top-notch too with Josh Gibson and Brian Lake holding up their end of the bargain for the year.

The Hawks are as well prepared as any to take a grand final spot.

But… there’s the lingering seed of doubt in the back of the mind of every Hawthorn player as they come to the realisation that they haven’t beaten the Cats in eleven matches.

There’s no excuses past tonight – they just have to get the job done.

But we cannot possibly right off the Cats, a side that is aiming for their fourth Premiership in seven seasons.

A team that were close to written off after a poor Elimination Final loss to Fremantle at the MCG last season.

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They bulked up their list with great youth and managed to finish second on the table.

A team that some had questioning after a loss in a Qualifying Final to Fremantle at their very own ground, Simonds Stadium, leading into their match against Port Adelaide.

And while challenged throughout the contest, still came away booking their spot into tonight’s preliminary final.

The biggest downside of that match is the loss of Paul Chapman, despite the fact his form leading into the finals had been under serious question.

Corey Enright’s defensive role will need covering, being ruled out during the week with a knee injury.

While you have a better chance hitting a 180 on the dartboard than working out with confidence whether Tom Hawkins will play or even be influential.

However, there’s an aura around this team every time they take on the blokes from Glenferrie Oval.

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Is that enough to get them over the line? Look, probably not.

But I wouldn’t want to be Hawthorn taking the Cats lightly, because there’s still plenty of talent in this team that can break you in an instant.

At Hawthorn, prayers are being made… fingers are being crossed…and fans are being prepared.

Just one step away from another grand final appearance, but having to face the most horrendous of curses.

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