Isaac Smith, eat your heart out – little-known Hawthorn rookie Kade Stewart has kicked a goal on the stroke of the final siren to defeat Geelong in a Friday night JLT Community Series match in Launceston.
It was a match that tossed and turned like only a meeting between these two great rivals can, with both sides enjoying periods of dominance before a thrilling finish.
The Hawks controlled the first half kicking eleven goals to four, but seemed to take the third quarter off as a tea break – Geelong booted the first seven goals of the second half and had made up a 41-point half-time deficit and then some by the final change.
The two sides then traded goals in the final term before Stewart got his chance in the final moments of the match and sunk a set shot to win the game.
Stewart was probably the most impressive of Hawthorn’s unsung heroes with two goals and 14 disposals, but they also saw an excellent effort from Jaeger O’Meara.
O’Meara played only the first half of the match before sitting out the second as a planned precaution, having a solid impact in that time with 12 disposals and five tackles.
Tyrone Vickery spent most of his time in the ruck and finished with 10 touches and seven hit-outs, but didn’t trouble the scoreboard.
New captain Jarryd Roughead had a nice moment booting a goal in the early part of the game, but otherwise wasn’t overly prominent.
The most impressive of the new faces on the night was undoubtedly Zach Tuohy for Geelong – best on ground showcasing his speed and skills across 33 dispoals.
Of course, he was rivalled for that title by a great haul of four goals from Aaron Black, three of them coming in the Cats’ third-quarter turnaround.
The Cats would also have been happy to see some good moments from draftees Tom Stewart, Jack Henry, Brandan Parfitt and Zach Guthrie.
Jackson Thurlow made a successful return from an ACL injury he suffered in last year’s pre-season, but it wasn’t all good news for Geelong, with Cam Guthrie and Lachie Henderson sitting out the second half with minor concerns.
In the end it was the Hawks, writing another chapter in this engaging rivalry.
Final score
Hawthorn Hawks 0.15.8.98
Geelong Cats 1.13.7.94
Birdman
Guest
yep the Pies usually win flags in trade week and pre-season comp.
Cat
Roar Guru
It's the Pies time of year to look good ... when it doesn't matter.
Don Freo
Guest
Agreed on O'Meara. The Pies and Dons do look better than the Cats and Hawks, though.
Kevin lee
Guest
Watched the game twice on tv. Didn't see Jaeger break out with the ball. But one thing stands out. When he is near the ball did well to trap the ball for ball up. Will be interesting to see how jaeger performs playing a full regular season game. Roughead didn't miss a beat. Didn't look like a player rusty missing a whole season.
Cat
Roar Guru
It was your average first practice match. Lots of players were sloppy.
Kevin lee
Guest
Poor standard? 98 94 scoreline says not. Both sides have many regular 22 not playing.
Penster
Roar Guru
For a risk averse practice match I thought it was ok, training in structures and some key personnel missing from both sides. Geelong started well, the $13 for the flag at the tote looked like a bargain 10 minutes in!
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
About as much excitement as you'll get in a preseason game. O'Meara looked great for the Hawks, and great to see Roughead back out there!
Cat
Roar Guru
No sooking or complaining, just a legitimate question, I assume you didn't even see the incident?
Cat
Roar Guru
Seasons over because of a first up practice match? You must be one of those who were saying how good Collingwood was going to do last year – off the back of one preseason game.
Dr Jones
Guest
Maybe more pressure from two teams who know how to play with spirit. This game was more watchable than a lot of regular season games.
Spruiker
Guest
Cmon Michael, there has only been 2 games and you are writing off two teams already even without seeing the other 14 teams play yet?
Kurt
Guest
It'll certainly give cats fans the opportunity to conduct their own preseason training in the fine geelong art of sooking and complaining about Hawthorn.
Michael
Guest
A very poor standard game low on skill with some terrible decision making. It was clanger central. Lack of match play showed for some of the Geelong players. Thurlow had a Barry Crocker, kept fumbling the ball and handing it back to the Hawthorn forwards. Henderson looked woeful before he went off injured and Tomahawk was totally inaffective. I'd give up on Harry Taylor as a forward. He has the manouverability of a fully laden barge, and we already have a barge at Full Forward in Hawkins. Toohey is a good pickup for Geelong and was easily the best Geelong backman. Stanley will struggle to get a game putting in listless performances like tonight's effort. Great to see Roughy back for the Hawks and he showed his class a few times. Rioli terrorized the Cats backline as usual. Can't see either of these teams in contention for another flag this year.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Ugh, of course I miss this game. Bloody Friday night work shifts. Seemed like a great game. Nice write up, Josh. Now you can have the weekend off live blogging!
Cat
Roar Guru
Be interesting to see what the MRP says about Shiel's head high elbow from behind. Looked deliberate to me.