Whenever Geelong and Collingwood meet, you can almost bet your bottom dollar that it will result in a close finish.
Since 2017, the two teams have met 13 times and eight of those were decided by 13 points or less, with only one ending in a margin greater than 22 points.
It has been one of the great rivalries in the modern era and last year was no exception, with the sides locking horns in an enthralling battle that might be one of the greatest chapters in this story.
Both teams looked like they had the ascendancy at stages, neither willing to give an inch and it resulted in a shot after the siren with the chance to win the game, in front of 82,514 at the MCG.
The main headline in the build up to the game surrounded Jack Crisp in Round 8, as the Collingwood stalwart broke the record for the most consecutive games played.
But it was equally as important for the Cats who held a 4-3 record through the opening seven weeks of the season, looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Carlton the week prior.
If the early portion of the game was anything to go by, Geelong were certainly out for redemption kicking the opening three goals of the match, building an 18-point lead to put the Magpies on the back foot in the first quarter.
But it did not take long for Collingwood to work their way back into the game, kicking five unanswered goals between the first and second quarter, flipping the Cats' early lead into a 14-point deficit in the blink of an eye.
Geelong would steady as the scoring dried up in the second term, kicking two goals to pull the margin back to just seven points heading into half time.
Bailey Smith was heavily influential on the wide expanses of the MCG, using his running power to find an abundance of space and finishing the half with 15 disposals and 337 metres gained.
Just when it seemed like the Cats had clawed their way back into the contest, their hard work was undone after the main break as Collingwood wrestled back momentum and kicked away to a 20-point buffer.
The feeling around the ground was that Geelong were barely hanging in the game, but if this rivalry has taught fans anything in recent history, it is to expect the unexpected.
The Cats then flipped the game on its head, pulling the margin back to seven points at three quarter time before kicking the first four goals of the final term, building a 17-point lead at the 27-minute mark and seemingly putting the result out of reach.
Patrick Dangerfield was the prime mover accumulating 13 disposals, 10 contested possessions and five score involvements in the fourth quarter alone, while also kicking a crucial goal of his own in a remarkable display of power and skill.
The Cats had taken full control of the contest and had the four points in their pocket.....or so everyone thought.
With two and a half minutes on the clock, Brody Mihocek split the big sticks for the Magpies and then shortly after, he kicked another to pull the margin back to four points with 20 seconds remaining.
Still, it did not seem like there was enough time on the clock, but Collingwood won a free kick out of the centre stoppage and roosted a kick inside 50, which landed in the lap of Jack Crisp in his milestone match.
The siren rang out around the MCG, Crisp went back and dragged his kick well right, the Cats hanging on by the barest of margins to win an instant classic at the MCG.
Dangerfield was inspirational, Smith (34 disposals) was crucial and Shaun Mannagh (18 disposals, two goals) played a brilliant role up forward, steering Geelong to a memorable victory.
2025 AFL Season - Round 8
COLLINGWOOD 4.5 7.7 10.10 12.15 (87)
GEELONG CATS 4.2 6.6 9.9 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek 4, Cameron, Cox, N.Daicos, Elliott, Hill, Houston, Membrey, Pendlebury 1
Geelong Cats: Mannagh, Dempsey 2, Henry, Smith, Dangerfield, Bowes, Cameron, Blicavs, Neale, Wiltshire 1
BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Cameron, J.Daicos, Sidebottom, Mihocek
Geelong: Dangerfield, Smith, Blicavs, Holmes, Atkins, Dempsey
Crowd: 82,514 at the MCG
