Geelong have held a strong record over St Kilda at Kardinia Park for quite some time, winning 51 of 64 games between the two sides at the venue dating back to the 1941 VFL season.
A number of iconic players have come and gone for both sides, but the Cats have maintained their stronghold in this particular battle, winning the last 13 consecutive games against the Saints at GMHBA Stadium dating back to the turn of the millennium.
But despite Geelong's dominance, there have been particular periods that have produced some classic battles between the sides, including the 1990s which saw eight consecutive matches decided by under 30 points.
One of those occurred in the opening round of the 1993 season, when Geelong and St Kilda played out a brilliant and high-scoring contest at the Cattery, in a match that hung in the balance until the final quarter.
Both teams were feeling their way into the contest in the opening term and with Gary Ablett Senior watching on from the sidelines, Geelong were keen to capitalise on their opportunities in front of the big sticks early.
The Saints struck first but 'Buddha' Hocking found an immediate reply, curling home a beauty on his left foot to kick the Cats' first goal of the season.
The sides traded blows in an entertaining first quarter but the Cats finished with a flurry, Hocking slotting his second major just before quarter time to give the home side a four point lead at the first break.
Andrew Bews set the stadium alight in the second term with a remarkable finish on his left foot, with David Mensch also creating plenty of headaches for the opposition inside forward 50.
Robert Scott punched home another major on the stroke of half time, capping off a brilliant quarter of footy for the Cats as they took a 14-point lead into the main break.
The ball was parked in St Kilda's forward half for an extended period of time to start the third term, but Geelong's defence stood tall and eventually the tide turned back in favour of the home side, with the Cats kicking three unanswered goals to reach a game-high 24-point lead.
Mensch and Scott continued to apply scoreboard pressure, Leigh Willison finished off the quarter with his first goal on debut, but the Saints refused to go away and kept the margin at 14-points heading into three quarter time.
Both teams were eager to start their season with a win and St Kilda continued to close the gap, kicking the opening two goals of the final term to pull within a solitary point, with still plenty of time on the clock.
But Geelong's response was swift, Scott getting the ball rolling with his fourth goal of the contest from a forward stoppage, Mensch followed suit shortly after and Steven Handley also hit the scoreboard, giving the Cats an important buffer at a crucial stage of the match.
Darren Forssman curled home another ripper from the pocket and Mensch sealed the result with his fifth goal, the Cats ultimately prevailing by 24 points in a fascinating contest at Kardinia Park.
Tim McGrath (19 disposals) took out the three Brownlow votes, while Leigh Willison received two votes in his AFL debut, one of only three career games that he would play in the AFL.
Mensch (five goals) was brilliant up forward, as was Scott (four goals) as the Cats kicked off their 1993 season in brilliant fashion.
1993 Round 1 – Geelong Cats v St Kilda
GEELONG 6.2 10.5 15.9 20.16 (136)
ST KILDA 5.4 7.9 12.13 16.16 (112)
GOALS: Mensch 5, Scott 4, Bews, Forssman, Handley, G.Hocking 2, Mansfield, Steele, Willison 1
DISPOSALS: G.Hocking 21, Scott 20, McGrath, Riccardi 19, Couch, Hinkley 17
BROWNLOW VOTES: Tim McGrath (3), Leigh Willison (2), Lawrence Bingham (1)
GEELONG STARTING 20
1. Steve Hocking
6. John Barnes
7. Paul Couch
8. Robert Scott
9. Leigh Willison
14. Steven Handley
15. Peter Riccardi
16. Billy Brownless
17. Tim McGrath
21. Michael Mansfield
22. Mark Neeld
25. Darren Steele
26. Barry Stoneham
27. Andrew Bews
29. Ken Hinkley
31. David Mensch
32. Garry Hocking
33. Darren Forssman
37. Sean Simpson
42. Adrian Hickmott
