Time and time again, Geelong's never say die attitude has seen them claw their way back from some near-impossible situations and produce some mind-boggling results. 

Thinking back through the club's history, there may not have been a better comeback than their 2016 triumph over Richmond at the MCG. 

Celebrating Harry Taylor's 200th game, the Cats were fighting for a top four spot with three games remaining in the home and away season, with second to fifth on the ladder tied on 56 points and only seven percent separating all four teams. 

It was not expected to be a close game with Richmond sitting in 13th place on the ladder, but footy has a funny way of throwing up curveballs when everyone least expects it. 

05:29

Time Cat-Sule Round 24 | Harry & Hawkins Clinch The Tigers

In an epic comeback, Geelong clawed their way back into the contest before a hectic finish at the MCG.

Big ruckman Zac Smith got Geelong off to a nice start with a good contested mark inside 50, going back and nailing the set shot to open proceedings. 

The two teams traded goals in the opening term and the Cats trailed by a couple of points at the first break, but there was no reason to panic after a slow start. 

But then everything changed in a hurry. 

In a brief period of dominance during the second quarter, Richmond kicked four unanswered goals in under seven minutes and Geelong struggled to slow the momentum. 

Joel Selwood hit the scoreboard which proved to be the Cats' only goal for the term, the Tigers extending the margin to 21 points at half time. 

Things did not get much better after the main break for Geelong, their inaccuracy plaguing any comeback attempts during the third quarter, the Cats kicked a run of nine consecutive behinds before Lincoln McCarthy split the big sticks at the 16-minute mark. 

While Geelong were wayward in front of goal, Richmond continued to surge ahead with four more goals of their own to extend the lead to 35 points at three quarter time. 

The biggest margin Geelong had ever overcome at three quarter time was 38 points (1907 & 1936), with the Cats staring down the barrel of a near-impossible task heading into the final term. 

But the Cats fired an early warning shot when Josh Caddy stormed into an open goal, just 15 seconds into the last quarter and the entire feeling around the MCG shifted in an instant. 

The footy lived in Geelong's end for an extended period of time, generating numerous scoring shots with Lincoln McCarthy and Sam Menegola kicking important goals, bringing the Cats back within 12 points halfway through the term. 

Despite dominating every facet of the game, Geelong continued to squander opportunities managing just three goals from 11 scoring shots but despite the points piling up, they still pulled within striking distance late in the game. 

Then came another decisive period in the match. 

Steven Motlop got things started with his first goal of the afternoon, Harry Taylor converted a set shot in his milestone game and Tom Hawkins nailed a half volley that Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of. 

In the space of three minutes, Geelong kicked three crucial goals and all of a sudden held a nine point lead with four minutes left in the game. 

But there was still one more twist in the tale, with Richmond finding a late goal to pull back within four points, just 21 seconds before the final siren. 

The Tigers charged forward with one last roll of the dice, but Geelong were able to kill the contest and held on to secure a famous victory at the MCG. 

Patrick Dangerfield featured in the votes on Brownlow night, Joel Selwood and Sam Menegola were both heavily influential, and the Cats got the opportunity to celebrate Harry Taylor's milestone in style. 

2016 Round 21 – Richmond v Geelong @ MCG

RICHMOND    2.4     7.4     11.6     12.6    (78)
GEELONG        2.2     3.7     4.13    10.22   (82)

GOALS: Menegola, McCarthy 2, Caddy, Hawkins, Motlop, J.Selwood, Smith, Taylor 1

DISPOSALS: J.Selwood, Dangerfield 30, Enright 26, S.Selwood 25, Guthrie 23, Menegola 21

BROWNLOW VOTES: Dustin Martin (3), Alex Rance (2), Patrick Dangerfield (1)

CROWD: 45,667 @ MCG

GEELONG STARTING 22
1. Rhys Stanley
3. Jimmy Bartel
6. Lincoln McCarthy
7. Harry Taylor
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
9. Zac Smith
13. Tom Lonergan
14. Joel Selwood
16. Scott Selwood
18. Josh Cowan
22. Mitch Duncan
23. Josh Caddy
25. Lachie Henderson
26. Tom Hawkins
27. Sam Menegola
29. Cameron Guthrie
32. Steven Motlop
35. Patrick Dangerfield
36. Tom Ruggles
39. Shane Kersten
44. Corey Enright
46. Mark Blicavs