FOOTY’S greatest rivalry this century added another incredible chapter on Monday, with Hawthorn grabbing victory over Geelong in the final seconds of another MCG special.
The Hawks and Cats have played in six finals this century and have turned Easter Monday into an unmissable annual blockbuster.
We’ve gone back through the past 20 years of Hawks v Cats classics and picked out 11 of the very best.
Grand Final, 2008: Hawthorn 18.7 (115) d Geelong 11.23 (89)
Geelong was the reigning premier and a heavy favourite to go back-to-back after losing just one game through the season, while the young Hawks had arguably reached a Grand Final ahead of their time under fourth-year coach Alastair Clarkson. The Cats were inaccurate in the first half and fell victim to a thrilling third-quarter burst from Stuart Dew, who inspired one of the great Grand Final upsets and kickstarted a modern rivalry. Luke Hodge won the Norm Smith Medal, while Sam Mitchell was a premiership captain in his first year as skipper.
Round 17, 2009: Geelong 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98)
Leading into 2009, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett questioned Geelong’s mental drive, with the Cats players making a private pact to never again lose to the Hawks. The Cats won the first clash of 2009 by eight points, but the second leg was a classic, with Geelong fighting back from 22 points down at three-quarter time to level scores late in the final term. Champion midfielder Jimmy Bartel marked in the pocket with just seconds on the clock, kicking the match-winning behind after the siren. The ‘Kennett Curse’ was born.
Round two, 2010: Geelong 14.16 (100) d Hawthorn 13.13 (91)
The first Easter Monday clash was played in front of 62,628 fans, starting a traditional fixture that has delivered in spades. It was an instant classic, too, with Hawthorn again impressing early and taking a four-goal lead into half-time. The Cats fought back and trailed by three points as time-on hit in the fourth term, with Paul Chapman and Shannon Byrnes sealing the win with late goals. Gary Ablett was brilliant for the winners with 38 disposals.
Gary Ablett jnr in action during the R2 match between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG in 2010. Picture: AFL Photos
Mature-age recruit James Podsiadly became a key figure in this rivalry in 2012 by inspiring Geelong to fight back from 21 points down in the third quarter to win an eighth straight game against the Hawks. A premiership player in 2011, Podsiadly kicked five goals – including three in the final quarter – as the Cats surged to win a thriller in the wet. The Hawks kicked 0.5 in the final term, with Jack Gunston missing a chance to win the game with a snap in the final seconds that dribbled wide.
James Podsiadly celebrates a goal during the R12 match between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG in 2012. Picture: AFL Photos
A rare blowout between these teams looked likely when Geelong raced to a 45-point lead at quarter-time on a Friday night late in the season, but Hawthorn produced a spirited fightback through the middle stages and took the lead late. Clinton Young could have sealed victory in the final minute but hit the post before Paul Puopolo’s mid-air attempt was also wayward. Trailing by four points, Geelong surged forward with 30 seconds to play and Joel Selwood hit Tom Hawkins on the lead 50m from goal, with the champion forward converting after the siren for a famous victory.
After 11 consecutive losses against Geelong, things were again looking grim for the Hawks as they entered three-quarter time of their third consecutive preliminary final trailing by 20 points. The fightback wasn’t pretty, but it was effective as the Hawks dug in and produced a gritty win that finally buried the Kennett curse. Sam Mitchell was outstanding with 38 disposals and 11 clearances, while Shaun Burgoyne pushed forward to kick three goals. There were jubilant scenes in the stands and the rooms post-match before the Hawks quickly focused in on the task of beating Fremantle in the Grand Final.
The opening Friday night of the 2016 finals saw Hawthorn and Geelong meet for the fifth time in September since 2008, with the teams producing a see-sawing classic at the MCG. Neither team could break away, with Josh Caddy giving Geelong a one-point lead deep in the fourth quarter before a pair of behinds from Steven Motlop stretched the lead to three. Isaac Smith had a chance to win the game for the Hawks with a set shot after the siren from 35m out in front, but his kick sailed wide, forcing the Hawks into a cutthroat semi-final against the Western Bulldogs and an eventual straight sets exit.
The unveiling of Geelong’s ‘holy trinity’ of midfielders, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett, was a special occasion as 73,189 fans turned out for another Easter Monday classic at the MCG. The Cats trailed by 25 points early in the final quarter but surged late to level scores when Brandan Parfitt converted. Hawthorn would not be denied, however, and captain Jarryd Roughead outmarked Zach Guthrie in the final minute and kicked the match-winning behind. It was a thrilling final quarter, with nine goals kicked as Tom Mitchell (40 disposals, 13 clearances and two goals) upstaged the Cats’ trio of superstars.
Jarryd Roughead gets clear of Joel Selwood during the R2 match between Hawthorn and Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 2, 2018. Picture: AFL Photos
One of the biggest upsets in the history of this rivalry came in 2022 when a young Hawthorn team led by first-year coach Sam Mitchell pulled off an Easter miracle to beat the eventual premiers by two goals. Midfielder Jai Newcombe was playing just his 12th game, but the powerful onballer inspired his team through a fast start that saw them race to a 23-point lead at the first break. Dylan Moore also booted four goals in the first half before Geelong pair Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle led the fightback as Geelong grabbed a 12-point lead at the last change. The experienced Cats were wayward in the final term as Luke Breust and Mitch Lewis kicked crucial late goals to seal an improbable victory.
Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh was the unlikely hero in 2025’s Easter Monday thriller. In front of a massive crowd of 88,746, the Cats sealed their 12th win from 15 Easter Monday clashes, holding off the Hawks after they drew level with 12 minutes to play. Nick Watson and James Sicily missed late chances, with Mannagh’s third goal ultimately sealing victory for the Cats. Bailey Smith was enormous for his new team with 28 disposals.
Oliver Dempsey and Patrick Dangerfield celebrate during the R6 match between Geelong and Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 21, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
A classic that featured 12 lead changes and where the margin was less than 10 points for 95 per cent of game time, it’s no surprise that this contest came down to the final two minutes. Shannon Neale’s mark and goal put the Cats up by six points with 94 seconds remaining before Jai Newcombe won a pivotal centre clearance, sending it forward for Mitch Lewis to mark, goal and level the scores again. With 51 seconds left, the Cats this time won the centre clearance but a superb intercept mark from James Sicily put the Hawks on the attack again. From a scrappy contest in the forward 50, Jack Gunston hammered the ball into the post with 15 seconds remaining to put the Hawks in front. The roar when the final siren sounded, which shook the broadcast cameras, said it all.
