When you search for the term 'rivalry' in the dictionary, it is described as a competition for superiority in the same field.
In a footballing sense it includes two elite teams, an abundance of talented players, some intense matches and a number of iconic finishes.
Add in fierce passion and the result is one of the great rivalries in AFL history........
Geelong and Hawthorn.
One player that embodied everything this rivalry stood for was mercurial Cat and club champion, Steve Johnson who produced some of his most spectacular performances against the Hawks.
"It was a great rivalry to be a part of because Geelong and Hawthorn had had history, right back in the 1980's and 90's," Johnson told Cats Media.
"That got the fans really involved in it and the playing group, there wasn't too much love lost between the players either. It was always a great game to be a part of with the close games and big crowds at the MCG.
"The 2008 Grand Final, it hurt a lot given that we thought off the back of 2007, that we were the best team again in 2008. But we didn't cap it off, anything can happen on Grand Final day.
"It was disappointing but highly motivational for us to get back and have another crack at making it again, which we were able to in 2009. But the rivalry really ignited after that loss and a few things that were said."
The infamous Grand Final defeat sparked a run unlike any other for Geelong, who went on to to win 11 consecutive games against the Hawks, in a period where they were two of the most dominant teams in the competition.
"Losing the Grand Final was enough motivation to try and get back there, and make sure we were competitive against them every time we played them. I think also having so many close clashes over those years, meant that the build up to each game was just a little bit bigger than what it would be for a home and away game.
"Then the fact that they had some really high quality players in their team and we did also, meant that we matched up really well against each other and the battles were always intense.
"I never liked many of their players at the time, to be honest.
"I would build it up like it was a hatred game, as we did with most of the opposition but they seemed to be on another level in my view. I found myself in a lot of scuffles over the years against Hawthorn, I seemed to always have a fight with Luke Hodge."
Across the 11 game winning streak, nine matches were decided by 10 points or less with Geelong always finding something extra in those tight finishes.
Some of the most iconic moments include Bartel's game winning point after the siren in 2009 and Johnson's favourite moment, Tom Hawkins' long range set-shot to sink the Hawks in 2012.
"I was fortunate enough to be part of the passage of play which lead to it, Mitch Duncan got the ball in the back pocket and hit me up on an exit kick," Johnson reminisced.
"I turned and saw Joel Selwood in the middle of the ground, the kick seemed to hold up a little bit but Joel won the ball in a contested situation, and turned and hit Tommy on the lead. It was an unbelievable moment where we knew there was only seconds left, the siren went when he was on his approach.
"I was standing right behind him to see whether he hit it sweetly, and he had been hitting them really nicely all night.
"As soon as it left his boot, I charged in behind him, I knew we won the game and I tried picking 'Hawk' up. It turns out that he is about 115 kilograms and I just about put my back out, but the rest of the boys arrived and celebrated.
"That was my favourite moment between the two teams."
The Cats play their next three games at the MCG with 80,000+ expected for their home game against the Hawks on Easter Monday!
The best way to secure your seat is with a Melbourne Flexi Membership and attend any Cats Melbourne with a bundle of General Admission tickets, with 2-ticket packages for just $49. Head to membership.geelongcats.com.au today!
