Despite leading by 43 points early in the final term, the Hawks – thanks to the two-pronged attack of Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead – roared home to almost steal the game when it appeared the Cats were safely home.
But Geelong managed to exact some revenge from their famous loss last September as it clung on to win the season-opener, 15.21 (111) to 16.7 (103).
Like last season’s epic, Geelong threatened to kick itself out of the contest, with some awful misses from set shots almost costing Mark Thompson’s team victory.
But thanks largely to the brilliance of Gary Ablett (35 disposals) and Steve Johnson (27 disposals and two goals), the Cats got the four points.
Franklin (five goals) and Roughead (four), while looking dangerous, had been relatively subdued until the final term when star Cat defender Matthew Scarlett began the final term on the interchange.
However he returned late in the match as a worried Thompson looked to shore up his backline.
The action-packed contest could also come at a cost for both sides.
Four players were reported on the night – the most notable being the Hawks’ Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge.
Teammate Simon Taylor and Cats Andrew Mackie and Max Rooke could also be facing the AFL Tribunal after having their numbers taken.
Meanwhile, Hawk Michael Osborne suffered a hamstring injury and looks set for a stint on the sidelines.
The hectic finale seemed improbable after Geelong had got right on top in the third term.
The Cats, who led by two goals at the long break, split the game apart with the first five goals of the third term.
Chapman was in the thick of the action while Ablett underlined his favouritism for this year’s Brownlow Medal with a sterling display.
The Hawks went into the clash down on personnel and were forced to play a somewhat makeshift backline, while three debutants also ran out in front of almost 70,000 fans.
The late withdrawal of Stephen Gilham – who failed to overcome a knee complaint suffered during the pre-season – meant the Hawks were missing seven from their victorious grand final team. The Cats were missing just two.
But the Hawks played with tremendous spirit and showed that when they regain their full complement they will again be a force.
Early on, the season-opener took on an eerily similar feel to last year’s decider as the Cats’ inaccuracy first raised eyebrows, and then became a massive concern.
Despite Geelong appearing the far superior side in the opening term, its goalkicking yips reappeared with Cameron Mooney again holding court.
Ablett, with 23 touches in the first half, was dominating in the midfield but it seemed Geelong’s ascendancy was being wasted by its wayward return in attack.
It was game-on early, with Joel Selwood leaving the field groggy and Taylor having his number taken as a result of the clash.
But the young Cat soon returned and helped his team get on top, although they didn’t have much to show for it.
At one stage Thompson’s team had booted 1.8 from their set shots – many of them ‘gimmes’ on another day – but it seemed the psychological blow the Hawks struck last year was coming back to haunt them.
Osborne had been lively with two goals but the Hawks lost the 100-gamer to his hamstring injury early in the second term.
However with Sam Mitchell upping his workrate, the brown and gold faithful helped lift their side.
When Brad Sewell set up Cameron Stokes, Hawthorn had hit the front, largely due to its efficiency in front of goal.
But Mooney hauled the huge monkey off his back to restore his side’s lead, and when Ablett and Mark Blake slammed home majors the Cats had a little breathing space at the main break.
They would forge on in the third term, but a huge fright was waiting in the last quarter.
Hawthorn 3.2 8.4 10.6 16.7 (103)
Geelong 4.8 8.16 14.19 15.21 (111)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Roughead 4, Dew 2, Osborne 2, Bateman, Rioli, Stokes.
Geelong: Gamble 2, Johnson 2, Mooney 2, Rooke 2, Ablett, Blake, Chapman, Enright, Lonergan, Mackie, Varcoe.
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Franklin, Tuck, Birchall, Bateman, Roughead.
Geelong: Ablett, Johnson, Chapman, Ottens, Corey, Rooke.
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Osborne (hamstring)
Geelong: Scarlett (ankle), Gamble (hip), Chapman (head)
Reports: Simon Taylor (Haw) reported by umpire Ryan for misconduct (kneeing) on Joel Selwood (Geel) in the first quarter.
Max Rooke (Geel) reported by umpire McBurney for engaging in rough conduct on Sam Mitchell (Haw) in the third quarter.
Luke Hodge (Haw) reported by umpire McBurney for striking Tom Lonergan (Geel) in the third quarter.
Andrew Mackie (Geel) reported by umpire McBurney for striking Brent Renouf (Haw) in the fourth quarter.
Umpires: McBurney, Wenn, Ryan
Official crowd: 69,593 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
