In a Tweet


The Rundown

While the Cats were unveiling their star midfield trio of Selwood, Dangerfield and Ablett, the Hawks had their eyes well and truly set on causing an upset.

Kicking three of the first four goals, the Hawks looked to be on song before suffering a major blow as veteran Shaun Burgoyne’s day ended after suffering a hamstring injury.

Holding a two-point lead at the first break, Hawthorn then piled on six goals to three as they raced to a 24-point lead, with the side’s small forwards piling on the pressure.

The Hawks looked to have the upper hand with a 25-point advantage in the final term before the Cats fought back to level scores late in what was a frenetic quarter of football.

However it was the Hawks who held on, clinching the win by a single point in a clash that saw one of the competition’s fiercest modern rivalries continue.

The Star

Just two games into 2018 and Tom Mitchell looked to be on the verge of an even better season than he’d had the year before.

The 24-year-old collected 40 disposals and 13 clearances while also kicking two goals to claim best-on-ground honours and a likely three Brownlow Medal votes.

The Moment

In classic fashion, the clash between the two sides went right down to the wire.

With scores level and just over a minute remaining, Isaac Smith found himself with the game in his hands having marked the ball outside 50.

The midfielder pumped the ball deep in to the pocket where skipper Jarryd Roughead had managed to position himself one-out against a smaller and far less experienced opponent in Zach Guthrie.

The key forward was able to take what appeared to be a routine grab before going back, taking his time and slotting a critical behind to put his side ahead.

A tense final 60 seconds ensued, with the Hawks clinging on for a one-point victory in what was yet another famous encounter between the two sides.

The Coach

“We just needed to be tough and composed in a pretty frenetic and frantic last few minutes. We played some good footy and we’ve played some good footy against the Cats before, however, and still lost the chocolates at the end, so it was good to get a little bit of composure there in the end.”

  • Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson

 

GEELONG        5.1       8.2       12.7     18.9  (117)
HAWTHORN    5.3       11.8     14.13   17.16 (118)

GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Stanley 2, Dangerfield 2, Parsons 2, Selwood, Ablett, Kelly, Fogarty, Gregson, Hawkins, Menegola, Parfitt
Hawthorn: Henderson 2, Smith 2, Impey 2, Gunston 2, Mitchell 2, Roughead 2, O'Meara, Shiels, Puopolo, McEvoy, Howe

BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Selwood, Dangerfield, Kelly, Menzel, Tuohy
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Impey, Smith, O'Meara, Henderson, Brand

INJURIES
Geelong: Duncan (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Cockatoo, Ratugolea (hip flexor) replaced in selected side by O'Connor, Henry (concussion)
Hawthorn: Frawley (foot sprain) replaced in selection side by Brand, Burgoyne (left hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Pannell

Official crowd: 73,189 at the MCG