Last time they met - Qualifying Final 2011
Geelong 2.0 7.2 12.6 14.14 (98)
Hawthorn 3.5 4.8 7.12 9.13 (67)
In what was a tight and tough opening term, the Hawks managed to take a 13-point lead into the quarter time break, only to face a rampant Cats outfit in the second term. After quarter time, the Cats outscored the Hawks in each quarter to send the Hawks into an elimination final against the Swans.
Looking ahead
Tom Hawkins seems to have taken the mantle as the Cats’ number one key forward since the qualifying final against the Hawks last season. The retirement of Cameron Mooney has spurred on the Cats’ big man, with career best performances in the finals series and last week against the Dockers in Perth. Many will recall Hawkins’ breakout performance in last year’s grand final, where Hawkins’ body work and ability to read the footy in the air highlights of his game. After an impressive performance against Collingwood’s Travis Cloke last week, Ryan Schoenmakers could be in line for another big job against the Cats’ forward. There are a number of options in the Hawks backline, however, with Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton, and second-gamer Jarrad Boumann all fit and ready for their next challenge.
In the midfield, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood has enjoyed a remarkable record against the Hawks. The midfield star seems to be enjoying his new found leadership role, with an outstanding first outing as Cats skipper last week. Selwood gathered 33 touches and laid four tackles in Geelong’s loss to Fremantle. Since making his AFL debut in 2007, Selwood has featured heavily in all nine matches against the Hawks (missing only one match). In that time, he has averaged 27.7 disposals per game, with a best effort of 42 possessions, career-high 10 marks, 11 tackles and booted a goal in the Cats’ 1-point victory over the Hawks in Round 17, 2009.
Similarly, Hawks’ clearance-king Sam Mitchell too, has enjoyed a successful stretch of games against the Cats since 2007. The three-time Peter Crimmins medalist averages 27.4 disposals against the Cats in their last nine encounters (also missing one match). Twice, Mitchell reached 38 possessions against the Cats, in Round 17, 2009 (the same game in which Selwood managed his 42 disposal effort) and Round 12 last season. If these numbers are anything to go by, the contest between the two hard nuts will be one of the highlights on Monday.
Tackling was a feature in Round 1 for both sides, as the Hawks laid 78 tackles, while the Cats were the top ranked side in Round 1, with 82. A tough and hard contest is to be expected whenever the Hawks and the Cats meet, with both sides possessing players with hardened bodies that have experienced the rigors of finals footy.
Brendon Bolton: "It's the team that can maintain their structures on both sides of the ball, when they've got it, and when we've got it for the longest period of time. That's a real mindset and having a steely resolve to do it for the whole two hours. That's what you've got to go with when you come up against Geelong because you know if you slacken off, they can open you up pretty quick."
Josh Gibson: “They’ve got a really good mix in terms of forwards with Pods (James Podsiadly) and Hawkins, then they’ve got guys like Steve Johnson so it’ll be tough. Hawkins has always been a great player, he’s a good contested mark and he’s been kicking some goals.”
David Martin: “As always, it’s going to be a cracking contest in the middle. It'll come down to a few things in my opinion. How Broc McCauley does in the ruck, how our defence goes managing Pods and Hawkins, and how well we can stretch their defence with Scarlett out.”
