Round 19, 2012, MCG: Geelong 18.10 (118) def. Hawthorn 17.14 (116)
Fast-forward three and a half seasons. 1226 days. Two Geelong premierships. Seven straight Cat victories over the Hawks.
With the scent of finals beginning to linger, the Hawks were in a battle for a top four position while the Cats, having endured a challenging season, were still looking to secure a finals berth.
As it happened, this game saw monumental momentum swings of the most dramatic proportions.
The Cats were able to break out of the gates early, pulverising the Hawks on their way to a 51-point lead early in the second quarter.
But the Hawks did not give in.
Hawthorn would kick 15 of the next 21 goals and, amazingly, hit the lead for the first time at the 24th minute mark of the final term.
But Geelong gun forward Tom Hawkins ruined the comeback fairy tale, kicking the last two goals of the game, including the winner after the final siren, to wrench victory from the clutches of the Hawks.
The Curse seemed unbreakable.
