Grant Birchall – 8
Should have a sponsorship with a cleaning company given his proficiency for mopping up across half-back. Racked up 10 touches in the first term alone and his raking left boot constantly put Geelong's defence under pressure.

Luke Breust – 8
Worn like a glove by Andrew Mackie early but only needed an inch and he took a mile with a two-goal second term. Threaded the eye of the needle with a miraculous set shot just before three-quarter time and terrorised the Cats' defence all night.

Full match coverage and stats

Shaun Burgoyne – 8
Looked a Rolls Royce weaving in and out of traffic while others crashed like bumper cars around him. The Hawk known as 'Silk' booted a sublime 45m goal off a step in the second term against the flow and another beauty in the final term. Still going strong after 32 finals – the second-most in history behind Michael Tuck (39).

Ryan Burton - 2
Bounced back from a nervy double-fisted spoil early on with a breathtaking attack on the contest immediately after, before roving the crumb and launching the ball forward. His first final and just fourth career game was unfortunately ended early by a calf injury in the opening half.

Five things we learned: Geelong v Hawthorn

Taylor Duryea – 6
Not even a suspected broken bone in his hand could stop the flint-hard defender. Did his job with typically uncompromising toughness and distributed the ball with confidence. 

Jack Fitzpatrick – 4
Could've kicked three goals in his first final, but couldn't replicate his round 23 heroics opposed to one of the best in Cats backman Harry Taylor.

WATCH: The last two minutes

James Frawley – 5
Had some nervous moments with ball in hand and needed as much support as possible to contain the awesome power of Tom Hawkins. However, he would've snapped your hand off if you offered him only two goals and four marks to the big Cat before the match started.

Josh Gibson – 5
Couldn't find any time and space to unleash his damaging left boot with Jimmy Bartel applying the leash from the opening bounce. Teams are finally paying him the respect he deserves.

WATCH: Top five plays

Jack Gunston – 8
Ran himself into the ground to provide options to the Hawks coming out of defence. Two goals, two score assists and 20 touches was an outstanding effort in a match where forwards had to earn every kick. 

Bradley Hill – 6
His back and forth with Paul Puopolo to create space where there was none and kick the Hawks' first goal was the stuff of genius. Hill tried his guts out but didn't have a huge influence from his 17 touches.

Luke Hodge – 8
Nobody has a better grasp of what's at stake this year than Hodge and it was an angry Hawthorn skipper who rocked up to the MCG. Stepped over the line by pointing a finger at an umpire and gifting 50m and a goal to Joel Selwood, but was otherwise superb. Ended the game with his customary bandaged head.

Daniel Howe – 4
Was a late inclusion for an ill James Sicily and never really got into the game with seven touches, although he laid five tackles and will be better for his first finals run. 

Jordan Lewis – 9
When the stakes go up a notch, the Hawks onballer lifts his game accordingly and Lewis was outstanding. His nine first-quarter touches were sheer class and every time the pressure ramped up Lewis wanted to be involved. Finished with 36 touches in his best game of the year. 

Ben McEvoy – 6
Was a workhorse performer in his return from a back issue, winning a game-high 30 hit-outs and pushed hard both ways. Didn't have a heap of possession but his double-grab mark before half-time saved a certain goal and he did his job. 

Sam Mitchell – 8
Had Scott Selwood in his face all match but the champ still racked up 30 touches for the 13th time in finals. Never drops his standards and almost willed Hawthorn over the line.

Paul Puopolo – 5
Seems to be in a weekly contest with Cyril Rioli to see who can take the biggest screamer. Rioli probably took the chocolates this time, but Puopolo's hanger over Rhys Stanley was some fly. Didn't have a massive influence but set panic amongst Geelong's defence.

Cyril Rioli – 8
Does any player have a better highlights reel? The MCG is Cyril's house and the superstar's third-quarter screamer would've made Alex Jesualenko tip his hat. Remarkably only had nine touches for two majors, but that doesn't include a sublime tap to set up a Breust goal or do justice to his nerve-jangling pressure.

Ryan Schoenmakers – 7
Worked his way into the game and was a crucial part of Hawthorn's third-term surge in his 100th match. Provided the aerial contest the Hawks desperately wanted and finished with two quality goals but is still chasing a win over Geelong after 11-straight losses.

Ryan Schoenmakers provided a forward target for the Hawks. Picture: AFL Photos

Liam Shiels – 7
Lifted after a quiet opening term and tackled anything that moved. The tough-as-teak midfielder never fails to give his all and was a key player in the Hawks' second-quarter surge.

Isaac Smith – 7
Will have nightmares about his kick after the siren but without his last-quarter heroics the Hawks might not have been close enough for it to matter. Smith had nine touches in the final term as his freakish aerobic ability came to the fore while those around him ran on the spot.

Ben Stratton – 6
Back after missing three games with a torn pec and barely skipped a beat. Crashed packs with reckless abandon and had no regard for his own safety throwing himself on loose balls. Would like a shocking turnover kick to Jimmy Bartel back in final term, but otherwise a solid return.

Brendan Whitecross – 8
Had waited for this moment since he ruptured his ACL for the second time in the 2013 preliminary final and played like a man on a mission. His cool head and razor-sharp disposal across half-back can't be underestimated this finals campaign.