Widely considered the greatest Grand Final of all-time, it was the Hawks that ultimately prevailed this high-scoring and high-drama affair.
For the Hawks, they were looking to record back-to-back premierships for the first time in club history while history was against the Cats who had not won a flag since 1963.
The opening stages of the game saw arguably the most infamous moment of this storied match, with Geelong’s Mark Yeates ran through Dermott Brereton, leaving him with broken ribs and a bruised kidney.
But Brereton would play on. His courage would help to inspire the Hawks to a level of dominance that saw them lead by at least six goals at every change.
If you thought this was over, you were wrong; the Cats weren’t done with just yet.
Inspired by Gary Ablett Snr who kicked a record-breaking nine goals on the day, Malcolm Blight’s side stormed home in the final term, kicking eight goals to the Hawks’ three, to give the Michael Tuck-captained team an enormous scare.
Ultimately, the Hawks were able to hold on by a kick to claim the club’s eighth premiership victory in an immortal performance.