While it is quite a small sample size, Geelong and GWS is typically an entertaining battle that has produced some fascinating results since the Giants entered the league in 2012. 

Across 17 matches between the two sides, eight have been decided by two kicks or less with the first of these tight contests coming in Round 18 of the 2014 season, when the Cats ventured to ENGIE Stadium for the second time. 

On paper the clash did not look overly intriguing; Geelong pushing for another top four berth nearing the end of the home and away season, while GWS were improving but still a fair way off the pace sitting in 15th on the ladder. 

But as the great game of Australian Rules Football often does, it threw up a curveball as the two teams went toe to toe in a Saturday night showdown in Sydney. 

Plenty of familiar faces took to the field for the Giants that night, including a 21 year old Jeremy Cameron in his 51st AFL game and two time premiership Cat, Josh Hunt during his one and only season at GWS. 

It was the latter that opened proceedings with a trademark long range finish, launching a left foot missile from outside 50 to put the Giants on the board first. 

Geelong swiftly answered through Cam Guthrie who slotted a brilliant goal on the run, Jordan Murdoch adding a second major shortly after as the Cats took a narrow lead into quarter time. 

GWS snatched the lead back early in the second term as inaccurate kicking plagued the Cats, Geelong finishing the half with four goals from 14 scoring shots but a nice finish from Steve Johnson late in the term gave the Cats a four point lead at the main break. 

With the two teams wrestling for ascendancy, Geelong made their big move in the third term as they piled on four unanswered goals in an eight minute period, finishing with six majors in the quarter to carry a healthy 23 point buffer into the final break. 

The Cats continued their onslaught early in the last quarter with two goals in two minutes to push the lead out to a game high 36 points, seemingly in full control as Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson continued to run amok through the middle of the ground. 

But as it turned out, the game was still far from over as GWS mounted a furious comeback to pull within a kick with just under two minutes remaining.  

Needing someone to stand tall, it was that star duo once again that pulled through for the Cats, Selwood converting a beautiful set shot from the paint of 50 and Johnson sneaking through a crucial minor score, which gave Geelong a seven point buffer inside the final minute. 

The Cats would hang on to win by that margin, moving into the top two on the ladder and registering their third consecutive victory over the Giants.

Johnson (30 disposals, three goals) would ultimately be awarded the three Brownlow votes, while Harry Taylor (30 disposals, 10 intercept possessions) and Selwood (39 disposals, 15 score involvements) also featured in the votes. 

2014 Round 18 – GWS Giants v Geelong Cats @ ENGIE Stadium

GWS GIANTS           2.4       4.6       7.9       12.15     (87)
GEELONG CATS      2.5      4.10    10.14     13.16     (94)

GOALS: Johnson 3, Caddy, Hawkins 2, Bartel, Duncan, Guthrie, Murdoch, Selwood, Simpson 1

DISPOSALS: Selwood 39, Johnson, Enright, Taylor 30, Motlop, Stokes 28, Guthrie 27

BROWNLOW VOTES: Steve Johnson (3), Harry Taylor (2), Joel Selwood (1)

CROWD: 7,697 @ ENGIE Stadium

GEELONG STARTING 22
3. Jimmy Bartel
4. Andrew Mackie
5. Travis Varcoe
7. Harry Taylor
9. James Kelly
13. Tom Lonergan
14. Joel Selwood
16. Dawson Simpson
17. Hamish McIntosh
20. Steve Johnson
21. Jordan Murdoch
22. Mitch Duncan
23. Josh Caddy
25. Jared Rivers
26. Tom Hawkins
27. Mathew Stokes
29. Cameron Guthrie
32. Steven Motlop
33. George Horlin-Smith
36. Brad Hartman
39. Shane Kersten
44. Corey Enright