How you saw it: A man on fire lights up the Cats-Hawks blockbuster A man on fire lights up the Cats-Hawks blockbuster [View the story "How you saw it: Cats v Hawks" on Storify]How you saw it: Cats v HawksIt's one of the great modern rivalries and this Easter Monday clash had an even bigger build-up than usual. A bloke by the name of Dangerfield might have had something to do with that. Storified by AFL· Mon, Mar 28 2016 07:50:02A clear but overcast Melbourne day greeted fans from all over Victoria making their way to the 'G to catch a piece of the first round action.The queue at the Grand Final Preplay. Opening Round #AFLCatsHawks @heyjude2590Richard MarlesWhile the Hawks were setting about defending yet another premiership, there were just as many eyes on a new-look Geelong camp.They're in early at the @MCG for what should be a cracking finale to #OpeningRound #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/2jCIhH5ivlAFLReady for round 1 @geelongcats #aflcatshawks #footysback #gocats #cantwaitPaul JamesGetting loose with just over an hour to go #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/abGsry7tOSAFLThe Hawks swung a late change after ruckman Jon Ceglar pulled out with a back spasm, allowing Marc Pittonet to debut on a big stage.Congratulations @MPittonet #HawthornAlways https://t.co/w26w9CEfWLHawthorn FCA beautiful pre-game tribute to Cats great Paul Couch had a large crowd of both Geelong and Hawthorn on their feet to remember the champion midfielder.Remembering Cats great Paul Couch #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/eDLL4eqrwtAFLNice tribute to Couchy at the MCG today #gunplayer #aflcatshawksShane LaffinCouchy's friends and family form a guard of honour at the Geelong race #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/StOOOqHgAAAFLAnd then it was game time for the final match of round one.Footy's back!!! @geelongcats #gocats #geelong #ripcouchy #AFLCatsHawksDave PoultonRound one, yeah! #hawthornalways #aflcatshawksEaster footy if you don't mind #afl #mcg #aflcatshawksPaul RiordanG E E L O N G ⚪ #footysback #aflcatshawks #eastermondayCome on @HawthornFC let's start the season with a win! #HawthornAlways #AFLCatsHawks #TrueColours https://t.co/IkgMARaI8XAlex CoumailleauIt was a slow start from both sides with little in the way of scoreboard pressure early, but Geelong answered Hawthorn's opening goal with four of their own. Former Sun Zac Smith drilled two of those. QT: @GeelongCats 4.0 (24) lead @HawthornFC 1.3 (9). The Cats have the jump on inside 50s 16-9 #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/3aP7jk11AGAFLLove to see a Hawthorn heat map right now. Have played as wide as I've ever seen them. #AFLCatsHawksMatthew BeggsGreat start Cats. Smith has earned his money already! #AFLCatsHawksChris CGood start to Zac Smith's career at Geelong. Two early goals. Great tackle on Ben Stratton set up the last! #AFLCatsHawksJake BozinovskiA good first quarter from @GeelongCats #AFLCatsHawks. https://t.co/VWJOQRkpdtMitchells Front PageLewis, Mitchell, Hodge, Burgoyne, O'Rourke have a combined total of zero tackles. #AFLCatsHawksSimon MorawetzGreat start by the Cats, ran Hawks ragged at times. But Hawks seemed to settle late, even if they're lacking a tall target #AFLCatsHawksNick BowenAnd just as Dylan here requested, the Cats kept building momentum with the first two goals of the second term to make it 6.0 (36). Patrick Dangerfield had an influence on both, bursting out of stoppages to begin the scoring chain.Cats must kick the first goal here of the second quarter. Started well but a long way to go #AFLCatsHawksDylan PiscioneriDangerfield walking into the rooms at HT. #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/ujLPxpDxAeAnte JukićLet's go catters!! Keep it up!! #aflcatshawks #geelong @geelongcatsAlicia WalshbergYou can't keep these Cats down! #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/Uosqo3tvgeAFL.@ZacSmith_2 is looking comfortable as a Cat He’s kicked three! #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/GVBogizykGAFLHawks fans right now.. #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/gTMUNFSygtNathan KingBut the Hawks aren't ones to give in. At the halfway mark of the quarter, they kicked two in a row through Will Langford and Paul Puopolo to bring Geelong's lead back to 15 points.He likes playing against the Cats, does Langford. #aflcatshawksAshley BrowneSo good to see my man @LincolnMcCarthy out there! Seriously talented.. #AFLCatsHawksLachie NealeQuintessential Melbourne, Easter, family, season opener, female umpire. It's #AFLCatsHawks @GeelongCats @HawthornFC https://t.co/5gB2T5ewWlTracey GaudryBut again the Cats would take the momentum, with the lead back out to 31 points just before half time with an opportunistic goal from Tom Hawkins before Mark Blicavs found himself loose on the forward flank and running into to slot another goal.Can the Cats be stopped? Hawkins soccers one through! #AFLCatsHawks #ohwhatafeeling https://t.co/SeiHiclUGyAFLHT: @GeelongCats 11.1 (67) lead @HawthornFC 5.7 (37). How’s the accuracy from the Cats! #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/SVeQ4AEhXnAFLAs Hawthorn went into the rooms at the main break five goals behind, some were beginning to ask questions. Meanwhile Cats fans were grinning from ear to ear.Hawks play Eagles & Dogs next two weeks. Eagles best forward line in league, Dogs forward line scary as well. #worrying #AFLCatsHawksBrad KlibanskyBeen hard yards for Hawks' forwards in Roughead's absence. Just one goal between talls Gunston, Sicily, Schoenmakers & rucks #AFLCatsHawksNick BowenNot our best half of footy, but plenty of time to turn it around.Your thoughts, Hawks fans?#HawthornAlways #AFLCatsHawksHawthorn FC67 to 37 COME ON GEELONG!!!@GeelongCats #geelongsvshawthorne #AFLCatsHawks #ohwhatafeeling https://t.co/NAi4toX5ERTaraCmonnn the mighty Cattersss @GeelongCats The epic Easter Monday clash vs. @HawthornFC capping off an awesome Easter weekend #AFLCatsHawksSally FitzgibbonsHow good has this been so far?? #AFLCatsHawksOsamaHello paddy ... #aflcatshawksAnthony OakleyGeez Geelong are looking good. Very good. #AFLCatsHawksJohnnyCeeOn to the second half and the Hawks began strongly with goals to Puopolo and Gunston bringing them within three goals.Perfect start to the third term - Puopolo runs into an open goal.#HawthornAlways #AFLCatsHawksHawthorn FCCrucial turnover through Duncan and Motlop on centre wing leads to a Gunston shot on goal. #AFLCatsHawksGeelong CatsSoon after, Shaun Burgoyne threaded a ripper on the run near the boundary line, and then it was Billy Hartung's turn. Suddenly, the Cats lead was just three points.Here they come... #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/9v4xt4VzCmScott FredricksonAnd with a great creaking and gnashing of teeth the machine awokeJordanYou bet he has! Burgoyne boots an absolute beauty from 50 #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/DVlvKpu8TAAFLCracking game this #AFLCatsHawksPatrick McAuliffeAnd as Puopolo kicked his third goal Pagan's Paddock style, the Hawks had the lead and it was Geelong being questioned - on a number of fronts.Geelong hair game is terrible. Look like the cast of a 90s teen drama. #AFLCatsHawksSteveAnd the cats have just stopped #AFLCatsHawksjoffa_boyWhat is going on! #AFLCatsHawksKatLuke Hodge everyone #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/8fzEAa9uygAFL#AFLCatsHawks feels like We've change PMs a couple of times since Geelong scored a goal!!!TITOPoppy the speedster #hawthorn #AFLCatsHawks #goalRachel McInerneyIncredible 3rd quarter by the defending champs. Pupolo a star in the pocket #AFLCatsHawksDavis Harrigan #mcg #footysback #afl #hawks #easter #longweekend #autumnEm ✈ + ⛱At the final change, it was Hawthorn 10.12 (72) leading Geelong 11.4 (70), and suddenly this game was right back where we expected it - up for grabs with one quarter to play.Who wins #AFLCatsHawks?AFLAll the fancy signings in the world won't count for much if we can't produce 4 quarters of consistent football #AFLCatsHawksMatt CroftGo the Hawks #hawthorne #hawks #afl #melbourne #mcg #footy #hawthornehawkscaptainseenGeelong slotted the first goal of the last term through Darcy Lang, but Jack Gunston replied almost instantly.Lang snaps a beauty off his left. Cats back in front! #AFLCatsHawksGeelong CatsDespite controlling the early possession and two brilliant forward marks from Dangerfield, the boom recruit missed both relatively simple set shots.DANGERFIELD! #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/b2slSRfX3nAFLWatching Dangerfield dominate 4 the Cats against the reigning Premiers is like seeing your ex girlfriend kiss Orlando Bloom. #AFLCatsHawksRyan FitzgeraldMost disposals by a player on debut for a new club38 - @dangerfield35 @GeelongCats 201637 - Greg Williams SYD 1986#AFLCatsHawks #AFLSwampGeez 35 for the Cats can play Josh JenkinsPaddy Dangerfield. Wow #AFLCatsHawksJack LonieCats fans after every Dangerfield possession #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/kP0oWcq5o8Jeff WortmanAs great as Dangerfield has been, they are two really important misses in the context of the game. Not much talk about that #AFLCatsHawksSmokie DawsonAfter a number of missed opportunities, another new Cat stood up, with Lachie Henderson slotting a set shot from 35m out to give Geelong an 11-point lead at the halfway mark of the last.Great work Lachie! #AFLCatsHawksAlison SmirnoffFooty's pretty good sometimes. #AFLCatsHawksluke henriques-gomesWhat a cracking contest #AFLCatsHawksJames AvemargThis really is the worlds best game @AFL #gohawks #aflcatshawks #mcg https://t.co/AoaS9QJUNwDangerous DaveThe Hawks tried to peg the margin back as Breust kicked truly but in the end the Cats proved too strong as they finished with the last four goals of the game.Cats fans can feel it now! #ohwhatafeeling #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/ttjWzJVA6EAFL#WELCOMETOGEELONGCats soar over the Hawks in the last quarter to win by 30 points. #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/imem4XV41eGeelong Cats We are Geelong #ohwhatafeeling #AFLCatsHawks https://t.co/R52lNI46RhAFLYou beauty! Great effort lads Mitch ClarkWith Geelong's 30-point win over the reigning premiers bringing the opening round to a close it's clear to see the footy community is simply wrapped to have footy back.Fabulous start @GeelongCats. Welcome Dangerfield, bring on @AFL 2016. #gocatsMartine OglethorpeWhat a first roundAdam TomlinsonCouldn't have dreamt of a better way to start the season!! Let's go Cats! @GeelongCats #AFLCatsHawks #KennettCurseMichael JordanWhat a fantastic game, Cats played so well & hard. A great way to start the season #AFLCatsHawksHer GourdlinessAnd all is good again.... Footy's back #GoHawks #AFLCatsHawksAnthony PeridisWhat a return to @afl football this weekend has been! Unreal matches and fantastic results all round :) #Round1Kirstie FitzgeraldThey're happy with that one! #ohwhatafeeling #AFLCatsHawks #TrueColoursafl
26:20 Hawks' surprise plan, 'big four' contracts, who leads Lions? Cal Twomey and Josh Gabelich head around the grounds to dissect key pre-season talking points
03:24 Dawson on fallout from Curtin injury, the 'privilege' of pressure Crows captain Jordan Dawson reflects on wrestling drills, Dan Curtin’s knee setback and the pressure-cooker environment at Adelaide Oval
15:32 Devils plant trade seeds, Buckley links, theme song progress Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale joins Cal Twomey for a one-on-one chat
02:17 The official trailer for 'Final Siren: Inside the AFL' Prime Video has released the official trailer for 'Final Siren: Inside the AFL'
Blues pair to miss start of season in double injury blow The Blues have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the start of the season
New signing deadline revealed as 14 players fight for AFL spots A handful of players will get more chances to impress for a spot on the list in 2026
Footy Shorts returns for 2026: Another chance for footy-loving filmmakers Four emerging Victorian filmmakers will get the chance to make a film celebrating Australian football's connection to the community
Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy news: Lock in young Sun, Port gun unsure on role Stay up to date with all the Fantasy news this pre-season
