Despite the two teams currently sitting 17th and 18th on the ladder, there is no doubt that Hawthorn vs Geelong is one of the greatest duels in our game.
With 25 of their last 50 encounters decided by a margin of just two goals or less, every match is bound to be nail-biting.
Two of the most successful teams of the 21st century, battling it out right to the end. Ahead of their yearly Easter Monday clash, let's revisit some of the most memorable and iconic moments in the rivalry.
2. 1989 Grand Final - Hawks outlast Cats in high-scoring contest
Widely regarded as one of the best grand finals ever, it saw numerous football legends go at it. The likes of Gary Ablett Sr., Paul Couch, Billy Brownless, Michael Tuck, Jason Dunstall, and Dermott Brereton to name a few.
All flares fired early when Mark Yeates deliberately crashed into Brereton, one of Hawthorn's most important players, seconds after the opening bounce. He suffered broken ribs and a ruptured kidney but played through the pain.
Ending with three goals, it was a courageous and inspiring display, in a match where his side had numerous injuries. Johnny Platten suffered a concussion, Robert DiPierdimenico had a broken rib and punctured lung, and Gary Ayers injured his quad.
Amidst these injuries, Hawthorn controlled much of the game and got out to a six-goal lead at three-quarter time.
The Cats threw everything at the Hawks in the last quarter when they looked to cruise home. They reduced the deficit, kicking eight goals, but came up just short as they lost by a solitary goal.
A whopping 42 goals were scored in the game, and the final score was 144-138. Gary Ablett Sr. did no wrong in the game. One of four players to win the Norm Smith as a member of the losing side, he kicked nine goals, the equal most in a grand final.
With three more grand final defeats in the 1990s, it would be a 17-year wait for Geelong to hoist the flag from there, as Hawthorn won their fourth in the space of seven years.
