1. Qualifying final, 2010, MCG:
Geelong 11.13 (79) def by St Kilda 12.11 (83)
The Cats had finished the home and away season in second place on the ladder, a game and a half ahead of the Saints, so Mark Thompson's men went in as hot favourites. But Ross Lyon's St Kilda side controlled the first half, establishing a 20-point lead at the long break. Geelong then hit back with five goals to three in the third quarter, and the contest then went down to the wire. The Saints simply defended for most of the last quarter, and the Cats appeared to have snatched a gutsy victory when Cameron Ling stole a fumbled ball from James Gwilt and kicked a goal on the run. But the goal was disallowed after the umpire paid a push in the back against Cameron Mooney, which led Mooney to protest by saying, "You've just lost us the game." St Kilda hung on and won by four points. The Cats were left to rue missed opportunities after kicking 1.7 to 1.0 in the final term.
2. Grand Final, 2009, MCG:
Geelong 12.8 (80) def St Kilda 9.14 (68)
This was an epic decider. The Saints, who had finished on top of the ladder, looked the better side for much of the afternoon. But the Cats reeled them in by kicking three unanswered goals in the last quarter. No Geelong fan will ever forget Matthew Scarlett's toe-poke in the middle of the ground, which set up Paul Chapman's winning goal and handed the Cats their second premiership in three seasons. Chapman won the Norm Smith Medal, while Darren Milburn, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Harry Taylor were the other standout performers in what was a heroic team effort.
3. Round 14, 2009, Etihad Stadium:
Geelong 13.7 (85) def by St Kilda 14.7 (91)
Both Geelong and St Kilda were undefeated going into the game, and a record crowd of more than 54,000 packed into Etihad Stadium to see it. The Saints kicked the first five goals and were still 23 points up early in the last quarter, before the Cats came storming home. Cameron Mooney bombed through a goal from 60m out, then Mathew Stokes levelled the scores. But St Kilda prevailed by six points after Michael Gardiner took a massive pack mark in the dying seconds, knocking out Harry Taylor in the process, and kicked a goal.
Cats great Cameron Mooney will look back at this match in our next episode of Thirsty Camel Throwback Thursday.
Max Rooke chases Raph Clarke during the classic home and away match in 2009
4. Elimination final, 1991, Waverley Park:
Geelong 15.14 (104) def St Kilda 14.13 (97)
The Saints were playing in their first finals series since 1973, while the Cats were back in the finals action after missing out in 1990, and a crowd of almost 64,000 headed to Waverley Park to witness the show. A classic contest ensued, with Ken Sheldon's St Kilda side making the early running to lead by 19 points at half-time. However, Malcolm Blight's Geelong team kicked nine goals to five in the second half and snatched a remarkable seven-point win. Bill Brownless was the match-winner for the Cats, booting eight goals, while Tony Lockett produced an amazing effort up the other end to finish with 9.5.
Bill Brownless hauls in a mark during the 1991 elimination final
5. First semi-final, 1968, MCG:
Geelong 19.13 (127) def St Kilda 11.17 (83)
The first finals clash between the Cats and the Saints drew a crowd of just under 99,000 to the MCG. Geelong, which was coached by Peter Pianto and captained by Bill Goggin, dominated from the outset and won by 44 points. Doug Wade kicked five goals and John Sharrock booted four. Barry Breen kicked four for the Saints.
