SUMMARY
The traditional Easter Monday blockbuster between these great rivals takes on extra significance falling in round one. Hawks fans will delight in the unfurling of their 12th premiership flag pre-game, but attention will quickly turn to the first step in the quest for a three-peat and AFL immortality for Alastair Clarkson's men. After a straight sets finals exit, Geelong has loaded up with off-season recruits and if Mitch Clark can fire alongside Tom Hawkins the Cats could surge back into flag calculations in 2015. Hawthorn has had Geelong's measure recently, winning three of the past four meetings – including a preliminary and qualifying final – and is seeking three-straight over the Cats for the first time since 2006-07.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Monday, April 6, 3.20pm AEST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
2QF, 2014, Hawthorn 15.14 (104) d Geelong 10.8 (68) at the MCG
R22, 2014, Hawthorn 14.10 (94) d Geelong 11.5 (71) at the MCG
R5, 2014, Geelong 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 12.15 (87) at the MCG
1PF, 2013, Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d Geelong 15.7 (97) at the MCG
R15, 2013, Geelong 11.16 (82) d Hawthorn 10.12 (72) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1.The Cats need to stop Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell. The star midfielders combined for 53 possessions and a goal in Hawthorn's round 22 triumph over Geelong last year and 56 touches and three goals in the qualifying final win.
2. The Hawks are renowned for their pressure, but they only ranked 18th for tackles last year (62.3 per game). Geelong laid the third-most tackles (69.8).
3. Having broken the 'Kennett Curse', the Hawks have won three of the past four against their arch rivals. On Monday, they will be aiming to win three straight over Geelong for the first time since 2006-07.
4. Tom Hawkins has been a thorn in Hawthorn's side over the years and looms large on Easter Monday. The powerhouse forward took the most contested marks (56) and marks inside 50 (97) last year.
5. Hawthorn was outstanding at the MCG last season, winning 13 of 14 games. Its only loss was to Geelong by 19 points in round five.
6. Emerging midfield star Will Langford shot up the Official AFL Player Ratings by 185 positions to 357th after round 16 last season. Expect the young gun to keep climbing in 2015.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
James Frawley and Mitch Clark. The ex-Demons will line up for their new sides for the first time and could play on each other. Frawley looked increasingly comfortable in Hawthorn's defence during the NAB Challenge and could prove pivotal in the push for a third successive premiership. Clark, who is returning from nearly two years out of the game, booted six goals against Adelaide in pre-season and might be the recruit of the year if he fires alongside Tom Hawkins.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 13 points
