With the Geelong Football Club celebrating its 100-year partnership with Ford in 2025, this article series will take a look back at the 100 most iconic moments from the Cats' history.

The eight part series will be released over the remainder of the year and will cover milestone moments, heartwarming stories, the club's greatest successes on and off the field while celebrating the people that made it all happen. 

Part Six of this series will look back at some of the gritty, determined efforts from both a team and individual perspective, moments that have defined and shaped what the Geelong Football Club is all about. 

Included in this section are some of the Cats most memorable Finals moments, take a look through the list below. 

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100 Moments In The Hoops | Article Series

To celebrate our 100 year partnership with Ford, we'll be looking back at some of the most memorable Geelong moments from the last 100 years. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

62. Tom Stewart's Epic Finals Moment in 2017

The pressure of an AFL Final is an entirely different beast, no matter who the player or team is. 

Throw in a Final at the MCG, against the previous season's Grand Finalist, in just your first season and 20th game at the top level, it was quite a September experience for Tom Stewart when the Cats battled the Swans in a 2017 Semi Final. 

His big moment came late in the second quarter when the ball was launched inside the Swans attacking 50 and Stewart, one out with none other than Buddy Franklin at the time, managed to paddle the ball out of danger and into the waiting arms of Zach Guthrie. 

But he did not stop there, following the ball down the wing and making repeat efforts, laying a big bump on Kieran Jack and finally finishing the play with a monster tackle on Luke Parker. 

He never took clean possession of the ball, but Stewart's inspiring effort advanced the footy nearly 100 metres in Geelong's attacking direction, setting the tone for the night and bringing the Cats crowd to their feet.

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Tom Stewart, take a bow

What about this play by the first-year Cat

63. Cats Push Brisbane to the Final Siren in 2023 Prelim

It was a Cinderella story that nearly produced one of the best fairytale finishes, when Geelong marched through the 2023 AFLW Finals series. 

Heading into the season, the Cats had never won an AFLW Finals match, but they gave themselves a great opportunity when they secured a spot in the post-season at the end of 2023. 

They finally broke through, defeating Essendon in an Elimination Final and setting up a Semi Final clash with the reigning premiers, Melbourne. 

Geelong then produced their greatest performance in the club's AFLW history, taking down the Demons in a thrilling clash to book their spot in a Preliminary Final against Brisbane. 

The Cats pushed the Lions right to the final siren and came within four points of their first Grand Final appearance, but it was a season to savour despite falling narrowly short. 

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AFLW Highlights | Prelim Final

Watch the extended highlights of Geelong's preliminary final clash with Brisbane.

64. Hawkins Announces Himself in 2011 Grand Final

Up until 2011, Tom Hawkins had shown plenty of his potential, but he had not quite grasped the mantle as the future of Geelong's forward line. 

That all changed in a hurry on the biggest stage of all, when Hawkins tore apart the 2011 Grand Final against Collingwood. 

Imposing his presence against the Magpies defence, Hawkins pulled down seven contested marks and six marks inside 50, converting three goals and playing a pivotal role throughout the afternoon. 

His impact went to another level in the second half when the game was on the line, helping Geelong secure their third premiership in five years. 

It also paved the way for an incredible career in the Hoops, with Hawkins etching his name into the record books on numerous occasions and becoming one of Geelong's greatest ever players.

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2011 Grand Final Documentary

AFL Media's '2Hours' Relives all the behind the scenes emotions of the 2011 Grand Final between Geelong and Collingwood. Featuring never before seen on field footage.

65. The Only AFLW Team to Take Points Off North Melbourne in 2024

North Melbourne has been on a very impressive streak in the AFLW, not losing a single game across the last two seasons while also winning their first premiership during that span. 

But while they have not lost any games in two seasons, there was one match where they did not walk away with the full four points. 

That came in Round 2, 2024 when Geelong put in a gritty performance to salvage a draw against the Kangaroos at Arden Street. 

In wet and windy conditions, the Cats went toe-to-toe with the competition's best team, a late Mikayla Bowen goal levelling scores and making Geelong the only team to take points from North Melbourne in two years. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Mikayla Bowen of the Cats (L) celebrates with Nina Morrison of the Cats and Amy McDonald of the Cats after kicking a goal in the final stages during the round two AFLW match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Geelong Cats at Arden Street Ground, on September 08, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

66. Joel Corey's Smother in the 2007 Preliminary Final

He was one of the most underrated superstars in Geelong's champion team that won three premierships in five years, but Joel Corey's inspirational smother in the 2007 Preliminary Final might be one of the greatest Finals moments in the club's history. 

At a crucial moment in the match with two sides fighting for a spot in the Grand Final, Collingwood had hit the lead midway through the third quarter and Chris Bryan found space inside 50, looking to extend their lead. 

It looked like Bryan had ample time to line up the big sticks, but appearing almost out of thin air, Corey arrived in the nick of time and threw himself across the boot of the Collingwood ruckman. 

The smother changed the momentum of the game. 

Geelong would kick four of the next five goals following Corey's moment, gaining the upper hand and eventually booking their spot in a Grand Final, where they would go on to break a 44-year premiership drought. 

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Corey's greatest play

Watch Joel Corey produce on of the game's greatest smothers

67. Jimmy Bartel Goes Back with the Flight in 2004

There is no denying that Jimmy Bartel was a brilliant footballer, with an incredible resume to match his skill level and poise in big games. 

But what sometimes goes overlooked is the toughness he brought to the team, consistently putting his body on the line and never afraid to go in and win the hard ball around stoppages. 

Bartel's very first act in his AFL debut signalled his intent, going back with the flight and wearing a big hit from Essendon's Dustin Fletcher, bouncing straight back up to his feet and getting involved in the play. 

His most memorable showing of determination however came in 2004 against the Western Bulldogs, once again running back with the flight and taking a spectacular mark. 

With eyes only for the football, Bartel launched himself over the top of a pack and hauled in an incredible grab, embodying what it meant to wear the blue and white Hoops.

68. Dangerfield Dominates on One Leg Against Hawthorn

You could not have an article outlining some of Geelong's heroic performances, without including Patrick Dangerfield's day out against Hawthorn in 2017. 

At the peak of his powers in season number two with the Cats, most expected Dangerfield to dominate through the middle of the ground as he did most weeks, but an early collision saw the superstar hobbled and sent down to the rooms for an extended period of time. 

Dangerfield would re-emerge, limited by his injury and lined up at full forward, but what transpired in the following quarters was simply extraordinary. 

Starting with his first major midway through the second term, the Cats champion would kick five of Geelong's next six goals while recording 11 scoring shots on the day, also taking eight marks inside 50 and four contested marks in a phenomenal display. 

The performance steered Geelong to a memorable three-point victory over their arch-rivals, certainly stacking up as one of Dangerfield's top games across his illustrious career. 

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Bruised, Battered..Brilliant

After sustaining an injury early, Patrick Dangerfield's five-goal performance was a match-winning one

Ford 100 Moments - List To Date

Part One: Milestone Moments

1. Joel Selwood Becomes Longest-Serving Captain in V/AFL History 
2. Geelong's First AFLW Game and Win in 2019
3. Gary Ablett Senior Reaches 1000 Goals
4. Cats Register Highest Score in a Match
5. Geelong's First Ever Women's Captain, Audrey Cope
6. Tom Hawkins Breaks Club Games Record
7. Cats Set Record for Longest Winning Streak in the 1950's
8. Maddie Boyd Kicks Geelong's First Goal in the AFLW
9. Chris Scott Surpasses Reg Hickey to Become Geelong's Longest-Serving Coach
10. Cats Farewell Trio of Premiership Legends in 2015
11. Selwood Sets the Record for Most Finals Appearances

Part Two: Exhilarating Moments

12. Varcoe Sets the 'G Alight in the 2011 Grand Final
13. Cranston Blitzes the Dockers 
14. 'Cometh the Moment, Cometh the Man.... the Son of the Man'
15. High Flying Scheer Soars into Orbit
16. Ablett Senior Pulls Down Mark of the Century
17. As Perfect as Football Gets in 2011 Demolition of the Dees
18. Ottens' Launches Skyward to Win Mark of the Year
19. Ablett Junior Defies Logic from the Pocket..... Twice
20. Leaping Chapman puts the Cherry on Top in 2007
21. Humphries Sinks the Crows with First Career Goal

Part Three: Heartwarming Moments
22. Joel Selwood's Fairytale Finish
23. Renee Garing's Return
24. Saying Farewell to the Little Master 
25. An Irish Flavour to the Team Song (2022 S7)
26. Tom Lonergan's Remarkable Comeback
27. Erin Hoare Pulls on the Hoops Again
28. Joel Selwood and Sam Moorfoot's Iconic Grand Final Celebration 
29. The Famous Rankin Name Returns to Geelong 
30. June Ford, Carji Greeves' Daughter Visits the Cattery
31. Opening of the Parents Room
32. Cameron Ling Caps off a Sensational Career
33. Angus and Tom Stewart's Special Bond
34. Acknowledging a Club Great, Vic Fuller
35. Ablett Sets the 'G Alight in First Game Back
36. Garing and Hoare Embrace after Return Game
37. Scott Reaches the Pinnacle in First Season at Geelong
38. Esther Brings up the Ton 
39. The Selwood Stand Officially Unveiled 

Part Four: Success Moments

40. Stevie 'Norm' Johnson Sets the 2007 Grand Final Alight
41. Cats Record Greatest AFLW Victory in 2023 Semi Final
42. Geelong's Six Coleman Medal Winners
43. Ollie Dempsey Caps Rapid Rise in 2024
44. Amy McDonald Goes Back-to-Back-to-Back in the AFLW Best and Fairest
45. Emerging Stars Announce Themselves in 2002 VFL Grand Final
46. September Specialist, Jimmy Bartel Dominates the Magpies in 2011
47. Seven Cats Triumph on Brownlow Night
48. Ablett Senior's Extraordinary Performance in the 1989 Decider
49. Dangerfield Inspires the Cats through September in 2022
50. Joel Selwood Starts Writing his Legacy in 2007 
51. Geelong Reach the Holy Grail of Football on 10 Occasions
52. Paul Chapman Guides Cats Home in 2009
53. Isaac Smith Torches Sydney on the Last Saturday in September

Part Five: Indigenous Moments

54. Ronnie Burns Sets the Cattery Alight in 2000
55. Polly Farmer's Game-Changing Handball
56. Motlop Soars into the Geelong Sky
57. Lawson's Sensational and Emotional Moment in Adelaide
58. Varcoe Tears Apart the 2011 Grand Final
59. Tyson Stengle Caps Off a Remarkable 2022 Season
60. Australian Football's First Indigenous Player, Albert Pompey Austin
61. Stokes Guides Geelong to Drought-Breaking Grand Final

Part Six: Effort and Determination Moments

62. Tom Stewart's Epic Finals Moment in 2017
63. Cats Push Brisbane to the Final Siren in 2023 Prelim
64. Hawkins Announces Himself in 2011 Grand Final
65. The Only AFLW Team to Take Points Off North Melbourne in 2024
66. Joel Corey's Smother in the 2007 Preliminary Final
67. Jimmy Bartel Goes Back with the Flight in 2004
68. Dangerfield Dominates on One Leg Against Hawthorn

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as we continue to recap the top 100 moments in the Hoops.