The Geelong and Hawthorn rivalry will be reignited when the heavyweight duo meet in a final for the first time in nine years on Friday with a spot in the 2025 AFL decider up for grabs. The Cats have recent history on their side with six wins in their past seven matches against the Hawks, though the balance has been tipped the other way when the clubs have met in cut-throat finals over more than five decades.
The Hawks have knocked out the Cats in all four finals clashes since 1963 when there is no second chance for the loser. That streak most memorably includes the Hawks’ premiership triumphs in the all-time classic 1989 grand final and the 2008 upset-for-the-ages, both at the Cats’ expense.
Geelong have gone a long way to easing the pain of those defeats as they have become one of the powerhouses of the AFL. This will be the Cats’ 14th preliminary final in the past 19 seasons – a formidable record that includes reaching at least the penultimate week in 10 of coach Chris Scott’s 15 years in charge.
Hawthorn, on the other hand, return to this stage of the season for the first time since going on to seal a three-peat in 2015. The Hawks lost a qualifying final to their rivals a year later when Isaac Smith missed a set shot after the siren, and the future Cats’ side was bundled out in straight sets a week later.
Where the game will be won – and lost
Geelong could hardly arrive at the preliminary final in better condition as they are well-rested after running hot across the past two months. The Cats brushed aside any concerns about their form wavering during a comfortable run home when they trounced the Lions in the qualifying final to make it seven consecutive wins by an average 55 points. They wore down the reigning premiers before blowing them away in the second half to arguably leave them as the team to beat.
The Cats take more marks inside 50 than any other side at an average 16.2 a game, and were able to turn to their tall targets against the undermanned Lions. With spearhead Jeremy Cameron setting the tone during a blistering opening term, Geelong went on to finish with 21 marks inside the forward arc to Brisbane’s six in a show of strength at either end of the field. The Cats have a variety of options in attack but will face a Hawks defence with prized recruits Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, as well as captain James Sicily, that can control the airways and has limited their opponents to the fewest marks inside 50 in the competition.
Geelong have a wealth of finals experience and a playing list in rude health. But they will hope for a fast start to eliminate any doubts over how battle-hardened they are in what will be just their second game in 27 days. Hawthorn, meanwhile, have momentum behind them from back-to-back wins while travelling interstate for a pair of do-or-die finals. The Hawks’ resounding win over the Crows allowed them to rest some sore but significant pieces of their puzzle through the dying stages including Jack Gunston, Jack Ginnivan and Jarman Impey.
The semi-final victory at Adelaide Oval was set up by a stunning dominance in centre clearances. The imperious finals performer Jai Newcombe won the first four balls out of the middle on the way to again being the highest-rated player on the field. But the Cats can more than match the Hawks at stoppages, just as they did when finishing one down for clearances when the sides met in round six this year. The difference in style became apparent in that game as the Hawks had 171-119 handballs while aiming to slice the Cats open with their run, before falling seven points short in a tense Easter Monday tussle.
Game shapers
Geelong: Bailey Smith – the Cats star is never too far away from the spotlight but brought unnecessary attention to himself when taking exception to being photographed at a training session last week. Smith apologised to the female photographer on the receiving end of his verbal tirade and must now let his football again do the talking against the Hawks. The 24-year-old showed he is made for the big stage when helping to lead former club Western Bulldogs to the 2021 grand final. Since moving to Geelong, Smith has regularly hit the same heights and become one of the hardest working and most damaging midfielders in the game, while averaging a career-high 31.2 disposals.
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston – the Hawks veteran is not so much turning back the clock as going back to the future as he delivers a career-best season at the age of 33 and becomes the key to his side’s premiership hopes. Gunston was on the brink of retirement after a failed move to Brisbane, but has now booted a career-high 70 goals from 22 matches as his experience and guile, as well as his athleticism and aerial prowess, make him a difficult matchup to contain. The Hawks have a wide spread of firepower with fellow tall Mabior Chol, and livewires Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan, Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald, but after being a sidekick at times during the three-peat earlier in his career, Gunston is now the main man in attack.
Early prediction
Geelong have the experience and big-game performers to handle the occasion to get one over their arch-rivals Hawthorn and reach a third grand final in six years.
