The biggest rivalry of the modern AFL era is about to have another chapter written as the Hawthorn Hawks take on the Geelong Cats under the bright lights of the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
This game is likely to an entrée for what is to come in a fortnight with these two sides likely to meet each other in a qualifying final.
Hawthorn were able to break the ‘Kennett Curse’ during last year’s preliminary final before the Cats again got the better of the Hawks in the earlier encounter this year.
Steve Johnson was the catalyst in that victory and there will still be question marks over him heading into this week’s game.
The Cats are however are likely to regain champion Jimmy Bartel for this epic encounter. I’m also keen to see if Steven Motlop and Tom Hawkins are carrying injuries heading into this game.
Hawkins appeared hindered in last week’s game against the Blues and whether he was just lacking in fitness or not we will soon find out.
As for Motlop who was actually quite brilliant, he limped off the ground after the game, but it did not appear to hinder him as he turned in an awesome display.
Meanwhile the Hawks will be keen to retain Jarryd Roughead for this week’s fixture, they sorely missed him last week when they travelled west in what turned out to be a costly suspension.
Matt Spangher could likely return, while Matthew Suckling is also under an injury cloud.
Brad Sewell and Billy Hartung are also in the mix if coach Alastair Clarkson decides to shuffle his line-up. He is met with a few selection dilemmas with Mitch Hallahan, Kyle Cheney and ruckman Jonathon Ceglar are among a host of Hawks knocking on the door at Box Hill.
With both sides eager to gain momentum heading into finals this match looms as a crucial encounter for the mental state of both sides.
If Geelong win you can almost say they have the mental edge on the Hawks, where if the Hawks win you could probably say they will beat the Cats again in two weeks if they are to meet.
Three quick stats:
1. Geelong is the number one ranked team for marks inside 50 this season, averaging 13.9 thanks to Tom Hawkins who is ranked second, with 3.8 per game. Hawthorn is ranked fourth.
2. Since 2009 Geelong have won 12 of the 13 encounters between the two sides.
3. These teams are heavily contrasted when it comes to tackling: Geelong is ranked second averaging 72.4 per game while Hawthorn is last with 61.2.
Prediction:
This game will be a tight affair, but with Steve Johnson under an injury cloud I think the Hawks might produce just their second victory against the Cats in five years.
Hawks by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Mango Jack
Guest
Yep, they are going to need him in good form in September.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
Poor Gene, he's so typical of Geelong fans these days. It must have something to do with all the success that's been shoveled down their throats since 2007. The poor fools have been conditioned to expect it and readily throw tantrums when things don't go their way!
Tim
Guest
All you can say about last nights game was it was a bit like a 'phoney war', with the real stuff in 2 weeks time From a Hawks perspective, seeing Lake have his head back in order was huge, and could be a key in our pursuit of back/back
Fabes
Guest
Mick, exciting times for your Swannies ahead. Good luck for the finals :) Just wanted to say I find it strange that the commentators were all in awe of young Langford. Watching the Hawks games over the last two months you could see this kid had real talent and a manic desperation for the contest! Nevertheless good on him!!
Majestic Pavlova
Guest
Freo are mudders and love the wet slog.
steveng
Guest
The pussycats were just outplayed and the hawks came home so strongly, what the cats were 57 to 28 at one stage there and then they let the hawks score 7 consecutive goals with only 1 behind for the cats. and then in the last quarter the hawks just took over and never looked like losing the game. A great performance by the hawks and they will certainly be one of the teams to beat for the crown. Watch out swans.
Mick
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree Fabes. Geelong would find it hard to keep that style of play up for four quarters. Langdon was terrific for the Hawks in the second half. Im a swans /port (old SA days) fan but first and foremost just love the game. I think its going to be a great final series but, as they say, "don't get ahead of yourself, take it one game at a time". Still plenty of good footy to come even before the finals kick off.
Don Freo
Guest
Agreed. If the Dockers can control that Brissy midfield with Fyfe and Barlow not there, the other finalists should worry. If they don't control Brissy? Well, we'll console ourselves with the comfort that 3 guns are still to return. Win! Win!
Fabes
Guest
He'll be around Macca. If they get us in two weeks time the comments will be around the fact this game counted for nought. Still you would like to think coaches wouldn't like to mess with form towards the pointy end of the season. Without sounding biased I really enjoy that second half. Nice to get one back on that mob. Carn the Mighty Hawks :)
Fabes
Guest
Freo would be pretty comfortable after their effort against the Cats and then backing that up with s strong win against the Hawks. I think it's a danger game for them this week against Brisbane. Rockliff and Hanley running amok and Brisbane looking to finish the season strong. Should be a great game. It's raining in Brisbane also. Might bring the scores closer.
Fabes
Guest
Hi Mick Good question. Did they? - possibly. However it's dangerous to flirt with form so close to the finals. I doubt the Cats hierarchy would have wanted what transpired in the second half to have happened the way it did. The potential for a psychological advantage to the hawks in a fortnights time can not be underestimated. All in all happy my Hawks got one back on them during the home and away however the result counts for nought come two weeks time. Carn the Mighty Hawks :)
Mick
Roar Rookie
Did Geelong put the cue in the rack after half time? They certainly did not use the same tactics after half time. Rope a dope? Keeping something up their sleeve? Mind you, Hawks did lift in the second half...
Cat
Roar Guru
Take away the stupid comments Bosk and you'd never post again.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
Take aware the umpiring assistance and Geelong are a very average team.
Don Freo
Guest
Hmmm...Derby Grand Final? Freo might have the rest covered.
Jake
Guest
See, look what happens when the umpires aren't gifting Geelong to a win.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Well that's all from me guys, thanks for your companies as always! I think there is plenty of positives to take out of this for both sides, particularly the Cats who despite losing can take some heart from how well some of their younger players played tonight. They will have both Horlin-Smith and Johnson back for the final in two weeks which will make a bit of difference, for the Hawks they will gain a lot of confidence out of this win and now know that what ever situation they are in against Geelong they are a good chance of toppling them. The curse is now dead and buried. My top three for tonight: 3. Mitchell Duncan 2. Will Langford 1. Sam Mitchell
Scuba
Guest
Protected species, the ducking machine will be fine
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Just saw this on twitter, don't think there is much in it but it could come under scrutiny.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Disposal winners: Hawks: 28 Gibson, 28 Mitchell, 25 Lewis, 23 Langford Cats: 37 Duncan, 33 Guthrie, 33 Stokes, 29 Mackie Goals: Hawks: 3 Hale, 3 Roughead, 2 Langford, Sewell, Breust, Ceglar, Lewis, Gunston, Shiels Cats: 3 Hawkins, 2 Murdoch, Bartel, Taylor, Motlop, Selwood, Duncan, Thurlow