It was a special night for everyone at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on Saturday night. 

After playing three games in Melbourne, one on the Gold Coast and one in Adelaide, the Cats finally made their way home for a rematch with vanquished 2022 Grand Final opponent Sydney. 

And weren’t the fans pleased to have their side back where they belong.

The 23,134 fans that turned out marked the biggest crowd at the ground since just before the pandemic and they witnessed a Geelong outfit who just two weeks ago may have been 0-3, suddenly look like world beaters again. 

The faithful got to relive the 2022 triumph one more time as the club officially unfurled their 10th premiership flag, and Joel Selwood led a procession of Cats greats from 1963 premiership captain Fred Wooller, to former president and life member Rex Gorrell to 63 year member Ian Hurley among others.

There was also the always moving ceremony to mark ANZAC Day on Tuesday. 

Tom Hawkins, speaking to media post match couldn’t hide his pleasure at being back at the Cattery. 

“[Tonight] was very special, especially to be back down here, we've been away from our home, our fortress, so it's nice to be back," he said.

“It was brilliant, we were brilliant around the footy, rock solid in defence, and pretty sharp up forward until that last quarter where we put a couple in the behind column but all in all a really pleasing performance.”

Hawkins was superb in a record breaking night for him, kicking five goals to draw level with Barry Hall on the all time goal kicking list while also officially passing Corey Enright to be second all time among Geelong players for games played. 

It was also coach Chris Scott's 79th win at the ground for just 13 losses, 29 of which were by over 50 points and 12 of them over 80, including Saturday night's 93 point win over the Swans.

The faithful won't have to wait long to have their heroes back home, Geelong will face the Crows in the traditional Saturday afternoon slot on May 6.