Hawthorn and Geelong produce another epic clash in storied rivalry

FOR almost eight years we’ve raved about these two teams. Since the 2008 Grand Final, it’s been absorbing, physical and beautiful and Friday didn’t disappoint.

Captains Luke Hodge and Joel Selwood tangle at the final break. Picture: Colleen Petch

FOR almost eight years we’ve raved about these two teams.

Since the 2008 Grand Final, the 19 contests have been as absorbing, as physical and as beautiful as you would want to see.

Then, in game No. 20, they go and produce another epic, laced with pulsating momentum shifts.

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Of course, it went all down to a missed Isaac Smith set shot after the siren, giving Geelong a direct passage to a preliminary final.

But as soon as Sam Mitchell went toe-to-toe with the two Selwood brothers in the centre square in the second term, you knew it was on.

Luke Hodge went into warrior mode and skirmishes erupted throughout the night.

Sam Mitchell goes toe-to-toe with Cats Joel and Scott Selwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Geelong recruited Scott Selwood nearly 12 months ago with last night in mind.

They needed a man to not only shut down the brilliant Mitchell, the Cats wanted another strong body and steely mind to help protect his brother, Joel.

And at times, it looked like the Cats had worked over their man early, as they pillared Mitchell with a series of wrecking ball blows to his body, sending him time and again to the turf.

Yet the Hawks’ veteran absorbed the punishment.

He barked back in the face of the Selwoods, and then in attempt to mock Joel, Mitchell emulated a ducking motion, shrugging both of his arms above his head.

Yes, this was personal, 10 minutes into the second quarter.

Jack Gunston tackles Joel Selwood. Picture: Colleen Petch

And we all took up a familiar position on the edge of our seats, as the Cats won another thriller on the last kick of the night, which really, could have swung either side of the goal post.

In the second term, you wondered if the result would be different, as Patrick Dangerfield produced possibly the only black spot on an immaculate year.

Dangerfield was running into an open goal in the second quarter when he fumbled a Daniel Menzel handpass, costing them a certain major.

At that point, we questioned whether the rest of the Cats could take up the slack.

Especially as Shaun Burgoyne delivered up to his reputation as the AFL’s best big-game player with two clutch goals at crucial moments.

But when Dangerfield stepped up in the third term, and broke through another tackle that set up a Cameron Guthrie goal, he and Joel Selwood said “follow me”.

Then Tom Hawkins mowed down James Frawley in attack, Lincoln McCarthy produced a miracle snap and the Cats answered the call, piling on three quick goals.

Chris Scott thumped the desk and jumped out of his seat, looking more animated than ever.

They have moved considerably closer to another flag.

And this win against the Hawks, was sweeter than most.