AFL preliminary final Geelong vs Hawthorn: Veteran heartbreak after Danger masterclass

There is wretched news for a veteran Cat ahead of next week’s grand final after Patrick Dangerfield’s masterclass against the Hawks.

Geelong has marched into another AFL grand final, riding the brilliance of Patrick Dangerfield and Bailey Smith in a dominant 30-point win over Hawthorn.

The Hawks made a fast start, kicking the first three goals of the game, but the Cats gradually lifted before putting their foot down for a 17.13 (115) to 13.7 (85) win in front of a stunning 99,597 fans at the MCG.

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The Cats finished second on the ladder and impressed in their 38-point win over reigning premiers Brisbane to start the finals series to earn a week off and a spot in another prelim.

Hawthorn had taken the long route to the final four, finishing eighth on the ladder before upsetting GWS and the Crows in successive weeks on the road to lie one win short of a surprise grand final berth.

Patrick Dangerfield put on a show for the ages for the Cats. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Those extra miles may have proven critical for Sam Mitchell’s men, who ran out of puff and couldn’t keep up with ageless 35-year-old Dangerfield or Geelong’s new star in Smith.

Jonathan Brown called Dangerfield’s 32 possessions, eight clearances and three goals “one of the great finals performances” he had ever seen.

It means the Cats can sit back and watch Saturday’s second prelim between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions as they chase a second flag from the last four years.

The major disappointment for Geelong was a concussion to veteran defender Tom Stewart, which means he will be forced to miss next week’s decider.