The Cats didn't lead until a spectacular Steve Johnson snap early in the last term, and despite the Hawks booting the next two goals, Geelong kicked the final three to win by nine points, 14.16 (100) to 13.13 (91).
Memories of the 2008 grand final abounded - the weather, the intense pressure, Geelong's errant goalkicking.
The game had all the physical endeavour anyone could want, with both sides attacking the ball and the man with equal ferocity.
Geelong coach Mark Thompson said the win was a tribute to his side's ability to keep working when things didn't appear to be going their way, especially against the Hawks, who now have just one win in their last five clashes with the Cats, although that was the 2008 grand final.
"We did it in round 17 against the Hawks too so they must be sick of us doing it," Thompson said.
"It was a fantastic game of footy. They outplayed us early - clearly.
"We looked like we were under a lot of pressure, made a lot of mistakes, but our boys just toughed it out and quarter by quarter got better, so it's a big tribute to them really because they were outstanding."
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said his side had benefited from getting players back, but that they were still underdone.
"We were pretty pleased with the effort with our guys and they're [Geelong] obviously a quality outfit," Clarkson said.
"[We were] in front of the reigning premiers for probably 95 per cent of the game and they just went over the top of us in the last five minutes.
"They're going to do that to plenty of sides, but we'll get better with some of our guys like who haven't played much, like Cyril [Rioli], Buddy [Franklin] and Chance [Bateman], but they'll be better for the run."
A high-intensity first term saw the Hawks lead by 14 before the Cats kicked 1.7 in a horrendously inaccurate second term, allowing the Hawks to increase their lead to four goals.
But Geelong kept trying to move it at every opportunity despite the Hawks' pressure. Their persistence told and the margin was inside a goal at the final change.
The Hawks lost a couple of players to injury in the first term which didn't help their rotations. First Michael Osborne and then Rhan Hooper were helped off, but Osborne returned and kicked a pearler midway through the second, while Geelong lost debutant Steven Motlop with another shoulder problem.
Lance Franklin kicked two goals in his first game of the year, Jarryd Roughead booted four and Brent Guerra did a wonderful job on Paul Chapman in defence.
Sam Mitchell was stellar for the Hawks in the first half as he continually drove the Hawks into attack, free of the attention of opposition skipper Cameron Ling, who opposed Luke Hodge.
Jimmy Bartel had a ripper, gathering 29 terrific touches, with fellow midfielder Corey Enright (28) brilliant when the Cats needed to be pushed along.
Cameron Mooney took the honours with four goals, but his duel with former Roo Josh Gibson was a highlight through the afternoon.
Next weekend, the Hawks face the Magpies at the MCG on Saturday night, while Geelong travels to Subiaco to battle Fremantle on Sunday.
Hawthorn 6.4 9.9 11.10 13.13 (91)
Geelong Cats 4.2 5.9 10.12 14.16 (100)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Franklin 2, Morton 2, Bateman, Hodge, Mitchell, Osborne, Rioli
Geelong Cats: Mooney 4, Byrnes 3, Duncan 2, Chapman, Johnson, Ling, Ottens, Taylor
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Roughead, Franklin, Ellis, Gibson
Geelong Cats: Bartel, Ottens, Mooney, Enright, Byrnes, Chapman, Selwood
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Hooper (hamstring), Lewis (leg)
Geelong Cats: Motlop (shoulder), Scarlett (back)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, McBurney, Ryan
Official crowd: 68,628 at MCG
Full match report to follow
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
