One of the great modern rivalries is set to write another chapter in round six, with Geelong set to face Hawthorn at the MCG in the traditional Easter Monday clash. 

There is plenty of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming match, with both teams starting the 2025 season strongly and currently occupying positions high up the ladder. 

Geelong will come into the game fresh off a famous win in Gather Round, taking down Adelaide by 19 points on their home ground. 

To begin the build up for Easter Monday, take a look back at five iconic games from Geelong and Hawthorn's storied history. 

1. 1989 VFL Grand Final  

Widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in Australian football history, the 1989 Grand Final went right down to the wire as Gary Ablett Senior nearly dragged the Cats to premiership glory. 

The Cats kicked eight goals in the final quarter to trim a 36 point deficit to just one straight kick, but it was not enough as the Hawks hung on in one of the greatest matches ever seen. 

Ablett booted nine goals and won the Norm Smith Medal, one of just four players in V/AFL history to win the award in a losing side.  

Geelong and Hawthorn ruckmen contest centre bounce during the 1989 VFL Grand Final between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the MCG.

2. 2009 Round 17 – Bartel Outpoints the Hawks

An early instalment of the “Kennett Curse”, Jimmy Bartel kicked one of the most famous behinds in AFL history to take down the Hawks in 2009. 

The Cats trailed by 22 points at three quarter time, kicking five goals to one in the final term to tie the scores, before a floating kick from Joel Corey found Bartel and set up the match winning moment.

Joel Selwood was enormous picking up 42 disposals, nine clearances and laying 11 tackles while Max Rooke booted a team high three goals.  

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Bartel's point sinks Hawks

Re-live when Jimmy Bartel sunk the Hawks with a point after the siren

3. 2012 Round 19 – The Cat is still on the back

There could not be a Geelong and Hawthorn list without making mention of the famous 2012 clash, when Tom Hawkins broke Hawks hearts with an absolute missile after the siren.  

The game itself was fascinating; the Cats booted nine goals in the first quarter to jump out to a 51 point lead, before the Hawks came charging home to set up a grandstand finish.  

Hawkins slotted a late goal to keep the Cats within reach, before the game finished with the ball in his hands at the top of the 50 metre arc.  

The big Cat launched through his sixth goal of the night, as the Cats recorded their ninth straight win over the arch nemesis in the most dramatic fashion possible.  

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A goal to remember

Round 19, 2012..the siren sounds as Tom Hawkins lines up for goal against the Hawks. Re-live this special moment

4. 2016 Qualifying Final – Smith Miss Sends Cats to a Prelim

Who could forget when the two teams clashed in the 2016 finals series, villain turned hero Isaac Smith missing the chance to send Hawthorn to a Preliminary final after the final siren.  

It was a typical see-sawing encounter between the two powerhouses, neither team able to breakaway with seven points the biggest margin at any break.  

Josh Caddy put the Cats in front late, before the Smith set shot sailed right as Geelong held on.  

5. 2024 Round Three - Hawkins Celebrates 350th in Wet and Wild Contest

The most recent Easter Monday clash was as memorable as any other, with the Cats prevailing by 36 points as they celebrated Tom Hawkins' 350th game early last year. 

Geelong jumped out to a big lead early, Hawthorn fought back, the Cats kicked away again which basically followed the pattern of most other clashes between these two teams. 

But the game will be most notably remembered for what happened at three quarter time, with both sides confined to their rooms due to dangerous weather, the game delayed for nearly an hour.