Geelong has prevailed in a classic Easter Monday clash, taking down Hawthorn by seven points in front of a record home crowd in a home and away match (88,746) at the MCG. 

In a dramatic final quarter the two sides traded blows with neither team able to pull away, before Shaun Mannagh rolled through his third goal and the sealer, helping the Cats secure their third consecutive win. 

Mannagh was extraordinary in his Easter Monday debut, finishing the match with 17 disposals, three goals and a game high nine score involvements. 

Bailey Smith (28 disposals) found plenty of the footy, Mark Blicavs (15 disposals, five intercepts) and Lawson Humphries (seven intercepts) dominated down back, while Patrick Dangerfield (three goals) once again impressed up forward. 

00:41

Danger Delivers After Team Transition

Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield finishes off a sublime team play with a textbook snap

The game lived up to the hype in the opening term with both teams playing a free flowing brand of football, but it was the Cats who made the most of their opportunities to open up an 11-point lead at quarter time. 

Tom Atkins picked up where he left off with a dominant start collecting three clearances and four score involvements in the first quarter, while Shaun Mannagh and Patrick Dangerfield were also heavily influential. 

Geelong continued their momentum booting three of the first four goals early in the second term, but Hawthorn arrested momentum late with the Cats taking a 10-point buffer into the main break. 

A telling factor for Geelong in the opening half was their forward pressure, laying eight more tackles inside forward 50 and forcing the Hawks to commit seven more turnovers. 

Shaun Mannagh was immense kicking two goals to go with five score involvements and three intercept possessions, well supported by Bailey Smith (15 disposals) and Max Holmes (12 disposals, five intercepts). 

00:39

Mannagh Moves Fast

Shaun Mannagh snaps a ripper after Hawthorn is left reeling from a tough call

The two teams continued to trade blows after half time, Geelong kicking three goals in the third term but the margin was trimmed to just six points by the final break. 

Jack Bowes was particularly important in the third quarter collecting eight disposals, while Lawson Humphries picked off another three intercept possessions to thwart a number of Hawthorn attacks. 

In a tense start to the final term, the Hawks broke through with two majors to level scores with just over 11 minutes on the clock. 

The epic battle continued with neither team able to land a decisive blow, before Shaun Mannagh seized his moment and rolled through the sealer to secure a seven point win for the Cats. 

Geelong will return to the MCG next week for the second game of their triple-header at the venue, taking on Carlton on Sunday afternoon. 

2025 AFL Season - Round 6

GEELONG         4.5       7.8     10.12     12.14    (86) 
HAWTHORN     2.6      5.10     9.12      11.13    (79)
 
GOALS 
Geelong: Dangerfield, Mannagh 3, Cameron, Dempsey 2, Stanley, Blicavs 1
Hawthorn: Gunston, Chol 3, Watson 2, Hardwick, Sicily, Macdonald 1

DISPOSALS
Geelong: Smith 28, Atkins 24, Holmes 20, Dempsey 19, Stengle, Mannagh 17
Hawthorn: Amon 29, Newcombe 28, Morrison 23, Scrimshaw, Worpel 22

INJURIES
Geelong: Miers (concussion)
Hawthorn: Moore (head)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Oisin Mullin (hip) replaced in the selected side by Ted Clohesy
Hawthorn: Nil
 
SUBSTITUTES 
Geelong: Ted Clohesy (replaced Gryan Miers in the third quarter)
Hawthorn: Changkuoth Jiath (replaced Luke Bruest in the third quarter quarter)

Crowd: 88,746 @ MCG