Geelong defender Harry Taylor says the time is right for the Cats to buck the trend and defeat long-time foe Hawthorn on the big stage of September.

The two clubs will reignite one of the game’s greatest rivalries in Friday night’s qualifying final at the MCG and Taylor wants to make a stand.

“We need to fight back,” the two-time premiership player told Triple M’s Hot Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

“We need to start winning a few more against the Hawks and a few more finals in general.”

The Cats had well and truly held the upper hand over the Hawks in the days of the so-called “Kennett Curse” – winning 11 straight games from 2009 until the 2013 preliminary final loss.

From that point onwards, however, Hawthorn has well and truly dominated the competition to win three grand finals on the trot, whilst the Cats have a 1-5 record in finals since their last premiership in 2011.

“It’s important that we play well in the big games,” Taylor told Triple M.

“We’ve certainly had the wood over them [Hawthorn] in the home and away season but they’ve been right on top in finals.”

“We know down in Geelong here there’s plenty of passionate Geelong fans that want to make sure we beat the Hawks.”

Listen to the full interview with Harry Taylor on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast via the audio player below.