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The Geelong Cats have won a thriller final that is sure to be remembered as a classic, coming off two point better after Isaac Smith missed a shot on goal after the siren that would have won the game.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Geelong Cats 12.13.85
Hawthorn Hawks 12.11.83
Finals football has finally arrived! Which must mean it’s time for another instant classic between the two pre-eminent teams of the past decade, as the Geelong Cats get set to host the Hawthorn Hawks in the second qualifying final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
After missing the finals for the first time in nine years, the Cats have rebounded this season in emphatic fashion – led by the transcendent play of boom recruit, Patrick Dangerfield. A choking team defence and continued excellence from stars Joel Selwood and Corey Enright have also led to a resurgent season from Geelong.
With a seven-game winning streak to close out the season, Geelong have once again proven they deserve to be considered amongst the premiership favourites.
The Hawks meanwhile, will look to create history by becoming only the second team to achieve four successive premierships.
In spite of missing champion forward Jarryd Roughead, Hawthorn have managed to fashion a potent attack on the fly, led by All Australian Cyril Rioli and ably supported by fellow smalls Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo.
In a testament to the coaching nous of Alistair Clarkson, the Hawks have created a small forward line which is sure to create some matchup headaches for opposing teams.
The Hawks will enter the qualifying final in questionable form, after dropping two of their last four games to end the season. Despite winning one more game than this time last year, the three-time reigning premiers find themselves in the odd position of occupying underdog status prior to Friday’s clash.
However, it would be remiss of the football public to underestimate the champs as Clarko’s men have proven time and time again that they reserve their best football for September.
No team would be more aware of this than Geelong.
Friday night will mark the fifth meeting between the two teams in the finals since the 2008 Grand Final. Hawthorn have outplayed the Cats in these recent finals, winning three out of the past four contests.
The most recent clash, a qualifying final in 2014, proved to be anticlimactic with Hawthorn pulling away in the last quarter to coast to a six-goal victory. Of note, on each occasion the victor of the contest has gone on to hoist the premiership cup.
In team news, former West Coast vice-captain Scott Selwood is the only inclusion for the Cats, as youngster Jed Bews is the unlucky player forced to make way. The inclusion of Selwood suggests the Cats plan to put a heavy tag on Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell.
Hawthorn will have their ruck stocks bolstered, as number one ruckman Ben ‘Big Boy’ McEvoy makes his return. McEvoy was a late scratch from the Round 23 clash against Collingwood due to a back injury. He replaces youngster Marc Pittonet.
Defender Ben Stratton also makes his return after recovering from a torn pectoral, having missed the last three games of the regular season.
It is a timely inclusion for the Hawks, as they have missed the versatility Stratton provides with the flexibility to man a big or small forward. Also spare a thought for Billy Hartung who has now been axed three years in a row on the eve of a final.
Key Players
While he will not take the field on Friday night, Hawthorn’s coach Alistair Clarkson will arguably be the most important man in the MCG.
Although Clarkson has already cemented his legacy as an all-time great coach, navigating this Hawks team to their fourth consecutive premiership would be his crowning achievement.
After Dangerfield torched Hawthorn in round one with 43 disposals, if Clarkson and his assistants can formulate a plan to curtail the Cats superstar, it will go a long way in ensuring a Hawks victory.
Exploiting Geelong’s aging defence and lack of speed, with the Hawks quick small forwards, will also be a key factor in deciding Friday’s match.
On the other side of the field, given the wet conditions forecast Geelong will be looking to counter the Hawthorn defence with their own small forwards, Daniel Menzel and Steve Motlop.
After a horror run of injuries, Menzel is just three victories away from capping a fairy tale comeback. Five years after suffering his first knee injury, Menzel finds himself a key cog in the Geelong forward line, where his strong marking overhead and smooth skills at ground level could prove invaluable.
The same also applies for Motlop, who even after an inconsistent season managed to kick 36 goals. With sufficient talent to destroy teams on his day, Motlop could be the X-factor for the Cats in this finals series.
Prediction
With an expected crowd of more than 85,000, and seven of the last nine premierships belonging to these two teams, it is fair to say that finals football doesn’t get much better than this.
As these modern-day rivals get set to resume hostilities, regular season form suggests that Geelong should be the more favoured competitor.
Boasting a dynamic midfield group ranked second in center clearances, and a big forward line that is likely to stretch the Hawthorn defence, the Cats have the tools to derail the Hawks tilt at history.
But with a significant downpour expected on Friday night, the conditions may help the Hawks smaller line up. A legendary coach at the helm and a line up littered with champion players who live for finals footy may just be enough for Hawthorn to prevail in what should be an epic encounter.
Hawthorn by 3 points
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