It was a night of celebration for Geelong, as Joel Selwood broke a 25-year record during the Cats round three clash with Collingwood in the 2022 AFL season. 

Featuring in his 227th game as Geelong captain, Selwood moved past Stephen Kernahan's record to become the longest serving captain in AFL history. 

The night provided a chance for Cats fans to celebrate the milestone of a club legend, but the match also became famous for a different reason. 

At three quarter time Geelong were on the canvas, conceding nine goals in the third term and staring down the barrel of defeat as Collingwood raced away to an unassailable 30-point lead. 

Or so it seemed. 

06:29

Time Cat-Sule | Epic Cats Comeback Against Pies

Ahead of a big MCG game against the Pies, let's look back at this instant classic from 2022, where the Cats came from the clouds in Joel Selwood's captaincy record-breaking game!

The two teams traded blows early in the first quarter, Collingwood wasted a number of opportunities but still held a 10-point lead over the Cats at the first break. 

With work to do in the second term, Geelong's leaders started to rise to the occasion as they booted four goals to one, taking a five point lead into half time. 

In an incredible feat, Selwood had won every milestone match up until that point and had a good chance at continuing that streak, with Geelong gaining the ascendancy heading into the main break. 

But in a remarkable 20 minute patch to start the third quarter, Collingwood flipped the match on its head and threatened to ruin Selwood's big night. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Stephen Kernahan, the former record holder who captained 226 games for the Carlton Blues and Joel Selwood, Captain of the Cats who is about to captain his 227th game, becoming the new record holder for most games captained pose for a photo during the 2022 AFL Round 03 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 02, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

After Tom Hawkins booted the first goal of the second half, Collingwood kicked seven unanswered goals in a 15 minute stretch, before adding two more late in the term to cap off a nine-goal quarter. 

In the blink of an eye, the Cats trailed by 30-points heading into the final quarter and looked all at sea under immense pressure from the Magpies. 

But this game had another unbelievable twist in store, Geelong regrouped and composed themselves at the break and came out breathing fire in the final stanza. 

Mitch Duncan got the ball rolling with a beautiful set-shot, Mark Blicavs followed suit shortly after and then Jeremy Cameron took control with back to back majors, his fourth and fifth of the night. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 03 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 02, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Brad Close curled home another and all of a sudden, scores were level with still plenty of time on the clock. 

The tension was palpable as the two teams then struggled to land a decisive blow, before Jeremy Cameron nailed a set-shot for his sixth goal, putting the Cats seven-points ahead with 90 seconds remaining. 

Tom Hawkins put the cherry on top with an impressive finish from the boundary, as Geelong sealed a 13-point win and a 43-point turn around in the final term. 

To this day, the comeback is the fifth biggest three quarter time deficit Geelong has overcome in the club's entire V/AFL history, a game that was certainly worthy of the occasion. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Joel Selwood of the Cats celebrates with fans as he leaves the field during the 2022 AFL Round 03 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 02, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

2022 Round 3 – Collingwood v Geelong @ MCG

COLLINGWOOD       3.7     4.11     13.12    13.13     (91)
GEELONG CATS       2.3      6.4       9.6      16.8     (104)

GOALS: Cameron 6, Hawkins 3, Blicavs, Close, Dangerfield, Duncan, Homes, Parfitt, Smith 1

DISPOSALS: Stewart 29, Dangerfield 25, C.Guthrie 22, Parfitt, Selwood 21

BROWNLOW VOTES: Jeremy Cameron (3), Tom Stewart (2), Jamie Elliott (1)

CROWD: 52,974 @ MCG

GEELONG STARTING 23
1. Rhys Stanley
2. Zach Tuohy
3. Brandan Parfitt
4. Shaun Higgins
5. Jeremy Cameron
7. Isaac Smith
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
9. Max Holmes
14. Joel Selwood
16. Sam De Koning
17. Esava Ratugolea
18. Tyson Stengle
22. Mitch Duncan
24. Jed Bews
26. Tom Hawkins
29. Cameron Guthrie
30. Tom Atkins
35. Patrick Dangerfield
38. Jack Henry
40. Luke Dahlhaus
44. Tom Stewart
45. Brad Close
46. Mark Blicavs