Two arch-rivals, a near capacity crowd at the MCG and a spot in the 2025 Grand Final on the line, the stakes could not have been higher in Geelong's last clash with Hawthorn. 

The teams met in a blockbuster Preliminary Final last year, the Cats were looking to continue their momentum after a dominant Qualifying Final victory over Brisbane, while the Hawks were on the charge with wins in their Elimination and Semi Finals. 

Geelong had prevailed in the traditional Easter Monday clash earlier in the year, leading the majority of the afternoon before withstanding a late challenge from Hawthorn, Shaun Mannagh curling through the sealer late in the last quarter. 

But with the intensity ratcheted up a couple of notches and so much on the line, the Cats would not have it all their own way in the penultimate weekend of the 2025 season. 

Coming off a bye week following their Qualifying Final victory, Geelong took a little longer to adapt in the opening quarter and Hawthorn took full advantage early, registering seven of the first eight scoring shots and carving out a solid lead. 

Fortunately for the Cats, the Hawks were slightly inaccurate in front of the big sticks which limited the damage, Patrick Dangerfield finally getting his team on the board with Geelong's first goal at the 28 minute mark of the first term. 

It was the settler they needed and it proved pivotal as the deficit sat at a manageable 13 points at quarter time, before quick goals to Shannon Neale and Mark Blicavs early in the second term pulled the Cats right back into the contest. 

They would have to withstand another flurry from the Hawks, but then came Geelong's big move between the 20 minute mark of the second quarter and 10 minutes into the third term. 

The Cats reeled off 11 consecutive scoring shots and landed six unanswered goals, edging in front at half time and turning their 15 point deficit into a 26 point lead approaching the midway point of the third quarter. 

Hawthorn narrowed the gap but Geelong re-established their momentum, with goals to Jack Martin, Jeremy Cameron and Shaun Mannagh giving the Cats a 28 point buffer heading into the final term. 

Able to continue impacting the scoreboard in big moments, a third goal to Patrick Dangerfield and another to Gryan Miers kicked the Cats further in front, before Tyson Stengle and Bailey Smith sealed the deal late in the match. 

Geelong ultimately clinched a 30 point victory and stamped their ticket through to the 2025 AFL Grand Final, extending their winning streak over Hawthorn to five. 

At the centre of all the action was Geelong's skipper, with Dangerfield winding the clock back in a sensational performance to inspire his side to victory. 

The champion Cat finished with 31 disposals (20 contested), his highest total in nearly three years, while also winning eight clearances and kicking three goals, recording 13 score involvements in a simply phenomenal performance. 

Bailey Smith (36 disposals) ran amok through the middle of the ground, Mark Blicavs (12 disposals, 29 hit-outs) continued to play a pivotal role in the ruck, while Gryan Miers (14 score involvements) picked apart Hawthorn's defence with his class and decision making. 

2025 AFL Season - Preliminary Final

GEELONG         1.3    6.7    13.11   17.13   (115) 
HAWTHORN    3.4    6.6     9.7     13.7    (85)

GOALS
Geelong: Cameron, Dangerfield, Stengle 3, Mannagh 2, Blicavs, Holmes, Martin, Miers, Neale, Smith 1
Hawthorn: Gunston, Lewis 3, Chol, Ginnivan, Impey, Macdonald, Moore, Nash, Watson 1

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Smith, Atkins, Holmes, Miers, Guthrie
Hawthorn: Amon, Gunston, Nash, Chol, Sicily

Crowd: 99,567 at the MCG