1. Finals bring out Hawthorn's mean side
The ruthlessness of Hawthorn's leaders is well known, but the term unsociable is used less in 2016 to describe the triple premiers. It was a description that fitted their approach on Friday night. There was a testiness about the Hawks' leaders that boiled over at times. One minute into the second quarter Hodge gave away a free kick off the ball to Selwood, who was on top of his rival skipper at that point. Fuming at the decision, Hodge pointed aggressively at the umpire and gave away a 50m penalty and a goal, giving the Cats a 13-point lead. The niggle wasn't one way, with the Cats taking every opportunity to lay into Sam Mitchell around the ball.
2. The rivalry delivers again
For how long will this epic modern rivalry produce thrilling contests like Friday night's? Personnel has turned over significantly since it started in 2008, but fans know what they're going to get eight years on. This might even have been the best, with Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith missing a set shot after the siren, which could have won the Hawks the game. Geelong had won just two of the past seven going in, losing both finals in that period in 2013 and 2014. This win gives them a direct path to a home preliminary final and puts them in prime position for a premiership tilt. There were an incredible nine lead changes in the second half as the teams traded blows in thrilling style. For the 87,533 at the MCG, it will live long in the memory.
3. Contested ball wins out
This match pitted Geelong's contested style against the masters of the uncontested, high possession game. The Cats won the contested ball count 170-118 and the Hawks took the uncontested ball 260-188. But it was one hard-won ball that in the dying minutes put Geelong in a position to win. Geelong captain Joel Selwood attacked the footy in the centre square and broke tackles from Luke Breust and Jack Gunston before putting Harry Taylor into space. Taylor's kick inside 50 found Josh Caddy who walked in and kicked the goal that put Geelong ahead by one point, winning his team the game. It was a contested ball that finished the Hawks and Selwood was the hero.
4. There is no one answer to the Danger question
The biggest talking point going into Friday night was Patrick Dangerfield and how Hawthorn would stop the Cats' superstar. The Hawks' answer was unexpected, with captain Luke Hodge taking on the task for long periods at the MCG. In the second quarter, when the match turned the Hawks' way, Dangerfield had five possessions and two inside 50s. He was rushed whenever he won the ball and 19 minutes into the quarter he fumbled a handball when the opportunity to run into an open goal presented. Liam Shiels also had his periods on 'Danger', who recovered in the third quarter to rack up 10 possessions. He matched that effort in the fourth and finished with 35, eight clearances and six inside 50s. It wasn't his most effective game, but he was there when the whips were cracking.
5. Shaun Burgoyne's finals record stacks up with the best
The man they call 'Silk' at Glenferrie Oval played his 32nd final on Friday night, overtaking Collingwood's Gordon Coventry to sit second in the history of the game, trailing only Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck (who played in 39 finals). His experience manifested in another classy performance, kicking two goals, including a 50m bomb on the run in the fourth quarter to give his team a four-point lead. The 318-game veteran couldn't add to his 20 finals wins, but he will be a player to fear in next week's semi-final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
