All the injury news and Geelong updates before blockbuster Hawthorn clash
It has become an Easter tradition and Geelong and Hawthorn have now met on the Monday holiday 10 times. There have been some classics, so which game was the best?
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When you look back over the great clashes between Geelong and Hawthorn since the 2008 grand final, the Easter Monday matches are surprisingly scarce.
The truly great games – Jimmy Bartel’s after-the-siren point in 2009, Tom Hawkins winning it in 2012, the curse busting 2013 preliminary final, Patrick Dangerfield’s five-goal second-half in 2017 – weren’t played on the marquee slot.
But there have been some beauties in the 10 games since the fist Monday holiday game in 2010, so we ranked each Easter Monday game from worst to best.
10- 2017 – Cats win by 86
9 – 2015 – Hawks win by 62
The two forgettable blow outs.
Hawthorn’s 62-point thumping in 2015 was led by five goals to Luke Breust, while the Cats piled on 11 final-quarter goals in 2017 to win by 86.
8 – 2019 – Cats win by 23
Some Gary Ablett magic – a goalsquare screamer and a banana on the run – put the Cats on track in this one as Tim Kelly lit up the MCG with 29 disposals and two goals.
7 – 2014 – Cats win by 19
The highest attended match on the list, 80,222 fans piled in to see the first match up between the two since the 2013 preliminary final.
Tom Hawkins dominated the final quarter, booting five goals in a best-on-ground effort while Steve Johnson kicked three goals to go with 34 disposals.
6 – 2021 – Cats win by 5
The margin was close but this was no beauty as the teams combined for just 19 goals in perfect sunshine.
A Jack Henry intercept that led to the Cats running the entire field and Jordan Clark slotting a memorable goal was a highlight.
5 – 2013 – Cats win by 7
Blown chances in the second quarter could have sealed it for the Hawks, who led by 27 at one stage.
But Joel Selwood led the Cats back to claim a 10th consecutive win over the Hawks.
4 – 2016 – Cats win by 30
A stirring run of goals in the third term put the Hawks in front but this day was all about Patrick Dangerfield.
In his first game for Geelong he reeled in 43 disposals and three Brownlow votes in a domineering performance.
3 – 2010 – Cats win by 9
Just another belter from this era of the rivalry.
Hawthorn kicked the first four goals and looked comfortable in the first half but 38 disposals from Ablett led the Cats back in it.
A Paul Chapman goal with five minutes to play gave Geelong a lead they wouldn’t give up.
2 – 2018 – Hawks win by 1
Billed by some Cats fans as the birth of the “Holy Trinity”, Selwood, Dangerfield and Ablett played together for the first time, registering 95 disposals and four goals between them.
But Tom Mitchell was better, earning three Brownlow votes for his 40 touches and two goals.
In a shootout, the Hawks led by 25 points midway through the last quarter but the Cats roared back to level the scores.
Roughead would kick the winning behind after outpointing Zach Guthrie late.
1 – 2012 – Cats win by 2
A run of five goals for Hawthorn put them out to a 21-point lead in the third term before Bartel (two goals, 20 possessions) and James Podisadly (five goals) led the comeback in pouring rain.
Roughead – in his first game back from his achilles tear – had hands on a mark with 10 seconds to go but couldn’t hold on as the Cats won by two points in a classic.
THE RESULTS
Round 3, 2021 – Geelong 10.9 (69) def Hawthorn 9.10 (64)
Round 5, 2019 – Hawthorn 13.12 (90) def by Geelong 17.11 (113)
Round 2, 2018 – Geelong 18.9 (117) def by Hawthorn (17.17 (118)
Round 4, 2017 – Hawthorn 6.12 (48) def by Geelong 20.14 (134)
Round 1, 2016 – Geelong 18.8 (116) def Hawthorn 12.14 (86)
Round 1, 2015 – Hawthorn 17.21 (123) def Geelong 8.13 (61)
Round 5, 2014 – Geelong 15.16 (106) def Hawthorn 12.15 (87)
Round 1, 2013 – Hawthorn 12.14 (86) def by Geelong 13.15 (93)
Round 2, 2012 – Geelong 14.8 (92) def Hawthorn 13.12 (90)
Round 2, 2010 – Hawthorn 13.13 (91) def by Geelong 14.16 (100)
Wins: Geelong 8, Hawthorn 2.
Most Brownlow votes: Sam Mitchell – 9
Most goals: Tom Hawkins – 22
Average attendance: 69,411
NERVES NO WORRY FOR DE KONING
Rising Geelong big man Sam De Koning will lean on his experienced teammates for advice ahead of the biggest game of his career so far, a blockbuster Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn.
De Koning has slotted in as a key defender with the Cats this year and acquitted himself well in two big outings at the MCG, against Essendon in round 1 and Collingwood two weeks later, with both games drawing more than 50,000 fans.
The occasion will go to another level on Monday, with all eyes in the AFL world on the stand-alone battle between bitter rivals, the Cats and Hawks.
De Koning, 21, had a chance to relax with his family on Saturday at their permanent caravan in Torquay for an Easter breakfast, and he also planned to take in some of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach to get his mind off the pending game.
He said he would look to defensive teammates like Mark Blicavs to calm his nerves before the first bounce.
“Obviously as a kid you dream of playing on the big stage at the MCG and on a day where everyone has the day off and is watching, it is really huge,” he said.
“I am just trying to not let the situation get into my head and just try and focus on my job and try and get it done. At the end of the day, it is for four points and we are looking to try and get the win and get it done.
“Obviously I have only played the four games but I do feel like I am slowly getting more comfortable at the level. I did get a bit nervous early but hopefully that will die down a bit as I get a few more games in but you do talk to all the players, I spoke to ‘Blitz’ (Blicavs) before a game and he said he still gets nervous.
“It is more about trying to use those nerves to advantage and know that you have prepared well rather than letting it get too much.”
The Cats and De Koning will have an extra tall to prepare for in the Hawks attack, with key forward Jacob Koschitzke back into the side to team with Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston.
Hawthorn has been deadly at times in the opening month thanks to some daring ball movement and De Koning said his defensive group would be prepared for the aggressive Hawks.
“We just have to stand up and be ready for some attacking ball movement so I think as a defensive group, we are ready for the challenge and can’t wait for it,” he said.
WHY CENTURIAN PARFITT IS A PLAYER EVERY CLUB WANTS
Hard-nut Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt has been labelled by his coach Chris Scott as the type of player every club wants on the eve of his 100th match.
The nuggety inside-midfielder brings up the century milestone on Monday against arch rivals Hawthorn, nine days out from his 24th birthday.
Parfitt’s engine room will be bolstered for the Easter Monday marquee clash by the addition of Joel Selwood, who was named in the Geelong side to return from a rest along with vice-captain Tom Stewart (gastro).
Making way for the pair are Quinton Narkle (ankle) and Jake Kolodjashnij, who was the man managed this week by the Cats.
Injured pair Esava Ratugolea (ankle) and Shaun Higgins (concussion) were named as emergencies, alongside Kolodjashnij and Zach Guthrie, who played in Geelong’s VFL loss on Thursday night.
Hawthorn has swung the axe on former Geelong Falcon James Worpel after his career-low five disposal effort last weekend, with the midfielder omitted alongside Daniel Howe and Finn Maginness, while Will Day misses for the Hawks with concussion.
Into the Hawthorn side comes veterans Liam Shiels and Tom Phillips, plus forward Jacob Koschitzke.
Playing almost exclusively as a centre-bounce midfielder this season, Parfitt has raised his clearance average to 5.8, rated above average in the AFL, while maintaining his strong tackling and averaging a career-high 21.8 disposals per game.
Scott said Parfitt was the kind of player the Cats, and all other AFL clubs, would like to build a side around given his experience at a young age.
Aside from a hamstring injury that curtailed his debut season in 2017, Parfitt has played 18 matches or more in each of his five completed AFL campaigns and hasn’t missed a game yet in 2022.
“We always had high hopes for Brandan, he is someone who came into our system and played pretty much straight away, we found a way to force him into our team because we were so optimistic about the player he could have been,” Scott said.
“100 games makes you a pretty experienced player and he is a pretty experienced, young player and every club wants those.
“Obviously we have a more experienced list than most, we would prefer to have really experienced guys who still have 8-10 years of footy left in them and Brandan, he leads that group of players we think can play together for close to a decade which even makes him more important than just his individual contribution.”
COACH-IN-WAITING NIGEL LAPPIN IS HAPPY WHERE HE IS
Experienced assistant coach Nigel Lappin says he would be “the first not to put my hand up” and lead Geelong if senior coach Chris Scott went down with Covid, as the admired mentor reiterates his lack of desire to step into a top job.
Lappin was singled out by Scott before the season began as a member of the Geelong coaching panel who “should” become a head coach but “wont”.
The former Brisbane Lions champion has been with the Cats since 2009 and is widely admired inside and outside GMHBA Stadium for his selflessness and care for development.
He said one day he would like to coach his own side but he doesn’t see that in his near future and it wouldn’t necessarily be at AFL level.
“I’m pretty comfortable with being an assistant at this stage, with no real desire to take that next step up,” he said.
“I always have a huge desire to learn and get better and put myself in a different position. I would like to coach my own team at some point but it doesn’t really matter to me what that team is and at what level.
“I would never say never (to a senior job) but I am just loving the role I am doing at the moment.”
For Lappin, the time spent on the training track learning the game and getting better with players is what keeps bringing him back to footy.
“The part that brings me the most joy is actually taking a bag of footies on the ground and working with our younger players and trying to help them learn and grow and be part of the facilitating of their learning,” he said.
“I really believe the fundamentals and the grassroots stuff is what really matters and I feel that is where I make the biggest difference.”
St Kilda assistant Brendon Lade will take over from Brett Ratten as coach this weekend with Ratten out due to Covid protocols, a common sight so far this year.
Caretaker coaches have gone 5-0 in the first four rounds of 2022, but Lappin said he wouldn’t rush to take the job if Scott was ruled out for a game.
“I would be the first person not to put my hand up, probably because it worries me very little whether I do it or not,” he said.
“All the other guys we have got would be capable of doing it and it would be a collaborative process for whoever had the title.”
COY CATS WAIT ON RATUGOLEA, HIGGINS BEFORE HAWKS CLASH
Geelong coach Chris Scott has warned not to read too much into the final 22 the Cats will name on Saturday for its big clash with Hawthorn, with the club yet to finalise its team for the Easter Monday game.
With the marquee match still days out, the Cats are unsure whether midfielder Shaun Higgins or forward Esava Ratugolea will be passed fit and whether they will face the Hawks even if available.
Star pair Joel Selwood (rested) and Tom Stewart (gastro) will return for the Cats, with Quinton Narkle (ankle) the only confirmed out from the side that beat the Brisbane Lions last week.
Under AFL rules, the Cats have to trim the extended squad named on Thursday into a 22 with four emergencies on Saturday, but will keep its options open to use those emergencies until gametime on Monday.
Of the 26-man squad, only Zach Guthrie played in Geelong’s VFL loss to Southport on Thursday night, likely ruling him out of contention for the AFL game.
Scott said the side named on Saturday may change come Monday, but that wasn’t due to tactical changes.
“No-one should make the assumption that when we lodge our team, that is the team that will play,” he said.
“It has virtually nothing to do with gamesmanship or tactical issues and virtually everything to do with the fact we need to lodge a team but we aren’t certain what that will be (by the game) given our policy to give our players up until the last minute and that is an hour before the game.
“If we have guys that are a 10 per cent chance of playing, we tend to pick them knowing that it is unlikely (they play) but we don’t want to not pick them and have them come up.”
Both Higgins and Ratugolea started training on Thursday morning with the main group, while star Patrick Dangerfield trained away from his teammates and sported strapping on his left calf.
Higgins suffered delayed concussion symptoms after the Collingwood win in round 3 and was ruled out of the Lions game.
Scott said he still had concussion hurdles to clear before being up for selection.
Ratugolea was subbed out of the Collingwood game with an ankle injury and despite being close to playing last week, was given more time to rest up.
Scott hinted the big man may miss selection even if capable of playing, with the Cats keen to get him close to 100 per cent fitness before his AFL return.
“For us it is not necessarily a binary decision that he is right so he plays or he is not so he doesn’t, there are a few more things we need to consider,” Scott said.
“We want him in such physical shape that he can perform really well and not just get through.”
TOM HAWKINS KEEN TO PLAY ON FOR MULTIPLE YEARS
Evergreen Geelong star Tom Hawkins is keen to play on for “another one or two years certainly” and possibly even longer.
The full-forward has become an AFL marvel in recent years as he continued to improve after his 30th birthday and he is the equal-leader in the Coleman Medal with 13 majors, while his seven goal assists leads the competition.
He booted five goals to earn best-on-ground honours last weekend in a win over the Brisbane Lions.
Hawkins’ two-year contract extension signed in 2020 expires at the end of this year but he is keen to build in his 16 seasons with the Cats, even as he prepares to turn 34 in July.
“I understand it is harder to get up for games, I see myself playing for another one or two years certainly and beyond that, who knows,” he told SEN.
“I am not putting a number or a limit on how long I can play for. I will just continue to keep playing as long as I enjoy the game, which I really am.”
An all-time Geelong great and likely future AFL Hall of Fame inductee, Hawkins’ 678 career coals sits behind only Gary Ablett Sr (1021) and Doug Wade (834) in Cats history.
Unless injury hits this season he will go past 700 goals, a mark only reached by 24 players in VFL/AFL history.
The big Cat has won his club’s goalkicking in each of the past 10 seasons and said being part of a consistently successful side has helped him carry on and improve in recent years.
“I’m really enjoying football, I am really enjoying playing in a side that continues to push (for the premiership),” he said.
“I know the narrative of Geelong is that we haven’t been able to get it done in the last 10 years but boy we have been a really successful side and I have enjoyed being a part of that.”
CATS PUT A LINE THROUGH NARKLE FOR HAWKS CLASH
Geelong is confident Quinton Narkle has avoided a long-term injury to his ankle but the midfielder is set to miss Easter Monday’s blockbuster clash with Hawthorn.
Star duo Joel Selwood (rested) and Tom Stewart (gastro) are ready to return for the Cats to face their traditional rivals after missing Friday night’s win over the Brisbane Lions.
Forward Esava Ratugolea is in the frame after missing the Lions clash with an ankle injury of his own and he will be tested later in the week.
Narkle was subbed out of the Lions game in the third quarter after his left ankle twisted in a nasty fashion and was seen at Geelong’s open training session on Monday in a moon boot.
While he will miss the Hawks clash, Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd said he was hopeful Narkle wouldn’t be sidelined for too long.
“Quinton will be unavailable this week, it is a lateral ligament injury,” Lloyd said.
“It all depends on how he progresses his movement and hits markers over the coming week to see where things are at.
“The positive was there are no fractures and it is not a syndesmosis injury so we expect it to be short-term.
“He will have a period of time in the moon boot and he will be assessed as he resumes running.”
Both Sam Menegola and Shaun Higgins have been running at training as they plot returns from concussion and both will hope to clear the league’s concussion protocols later in the week.
Menegola will likely play again in the VFL is he is passed fit, while Higgins continues to recover after he felt symptoms in the days after the round 3 win over Collingwood.
All-Australian defender Stewart was dressed to play against the Lions before the medical team ruled him out and Lloyd said the Cats vice-captain hadn’t passed on his gastro to his teammates.
“Tom did everything humanly possible to make himself available to play and the medical team and coaching staff had a good look at the situation and decided to make a call in Tom’s best interest,” Lloyd said.
Originally published as All the injury news and Geelong updates before blockbuster Hawthorn clash
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