Preview Prelim Final 25 - Geelong V Hawthorn Fri 19th Sept 2025 740pm @ MCG

[captain amazo]

I'm going to embrace defeatism so i'm not sick with nerves all week.

Hawks look very good and play to a true team game plan, their win last night wasnt bruising, they look perfectly fresh and are going to have a massive supporter turn out on Friday night.

Data has conclusively proven the pre-finals bye hampers the "home" prelim teams, as they come in to the match so underdone.

This will take a quite a big effort.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Expecting an arm wrestle before the Cats benefit from fresh legs and pull away in the home straight.

It’s a high intensity running game AFL finals. Hawks fans telling me they’re worried about Geelong’s leg speed and quick ball movement.


Only way I see Hawks beating us is a fast start and Geelong having a really off night. $1.60 - $2.30 on Sportsbet is about right I think.

 

[Mattlock]

I have a funny feeling Shannon Neale is going to truly announce himself in this game. He got well and truly beaten by Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

200cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

, but never gave up. The reward comes here.

 

[Tony Barber]

Only watched last nights game until 1/2 time. It actually lacked finals intensity.
That should help the Hawks.

I'm not like others, I don't have any ill feeling towards the Hawks.

But from the other thread I think people have identified 3 guys that need to watched.
Newcombe, Weddel, and that wizard dude.

Weddel actually reminds me of Blakey.

 

[Alex Matt]

I watched the game last night and there was zero pressure on Hawthorn from Adelaide. At times it looked like a training run. Has Hawthorn played a tough final yet? I reckon Geelong will dish up a serious next level amount of pressure on them which they haven’t seen yet. I’m just hoping we don’t let them off the leash early and have to play catch up for 3 quarters.

 

[Cataholic]

I watched the game last night and there was zero pressure on Hawthorn from Adelaide. At times it looked like a training run. Has Hawthorn played a tough final yet? I reckon Geelong will dish up a serious next level amount of pressure on them which they haven’t seen yet. I’m just hoping we don’t let them off the lease early and have to play catch up for 3 quarters.

That's my biggest concern.

We've had games where we've been quite sluggish from the opening bounce, and if we repeat that against the Hawks, let them get their tails up, let them get some belief...... they'll make it hard.

 

[Silver Cat]

Anyone know when/if open training sessions are being held this week?

 

[Overhang]

I watched the game last night and there was zero pressure on Hawthorn from Adelaide. At times it looked like a training run. Has Hawthorn played a tough final yet? I reckon Geelong will dish up a serious next level amount of pressure on them which they haven’t seen yet. I’m just hoping we don’t let them off the lease early and have to play catch up for 3 quarters.

Yeah this is the thing that sucks a bit is that you really want the semi final teams to beat/tire the crap out of each other in a close contested game but Adelaide played absolutely toothless last night and Hawks even got to walk the final qtr home. Tonights final will not be like that, Collingwood will get to play the winner of a hard contest.

I am confident though that if we turn up the same way we did week 1 then we will not be beaten by the Hawks

 

[IMCat]

Cats come out with the same intent and focus as the Lions game, but with better accuracy......then I back us.
Anything less.....ouch!

If we're as primed as it felt our last game, then watch out!
Looking forward to getting to the 'G for an absolute cracker of a prelim.

Go Cats!!

 

[BotsMaster]

Last time:

AFL Tables - Geelong v Hawthorn - Mon, 21-Apr-2025 3:20 PM - Match Stats

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

Might be in the minority here but I’m glad we aren’t playing Adelaide. Would be a soft 120 point hammering.

This game is going to be massive and I can’t wait. True rivalry here.

Time to make up for last years heart breaking prelim.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's my biggest concern.

We've had games where we've been quite sluggish from the opening bounce, and if we repeat that against the Hawks, let them get their tails up, let them get some belief...... they'll make it hard.

We've also had plenty of games where we started well. If we get our tails up, get some belief....we'll make it hard for them.

 

[Munich]

Hope we put this to bed early.

I don't want another stressful prelim like last year.

 

[Cataholic]

We've also had plenty of games where we started well. If we get our tails up, get some belief....we'll make it hard for them.

It's important we're 'on' from the first bounce and don't chase tail.

I'm wary of the week off. It could make for a slow start, but then we should run the game out better being less banged up.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

We play like we did against Lions and we stop Newcombe and Gunston, I can't see the Hawks going with us.

Unless we can't kick strait.

 

[Mr Meow]

It's important we're 'on' from the first bounce and don't chase tail.

I'm wary of the week off. It could make for a slow start, but then we should run the game out better being less banged up.

Agreed. We did have a similar situation against Brisbane last year and started that game well, but missed some golden opportunities (like last week too!).

 

[callmeX]

The umpires are an inconsistent lot, and the hawks get away with a bit.

Last night we saw:

• Ginnivan continuously be a pest, and receive warning after warning but no penalty
• in the first quarter chol shoved a crow with two hands in the back in front of 3 umpires and nothing was paid
• Moore dropped a mark yet it was paid
• hawthorn player handed the ball to a fellow hawk not to the ump and was not disciplined unlike our game
• Ginnivan threw the ball at a Crow after a ball up was called, ala Baz, and nothing done

The AFL is just a game of inconsistencies

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Did I hear correctly that Dear wouldn’t get up for the prelim?

Stanley very unlikely for us which is disappointing. Blicavs does ok but he’s more of a weapon as a Swiss Army knife

Sounds like dear will be out which is good for us because Lewis is in poor form. Should be able to take care of him which frees up sdk or blitz to ruck on meek which is a big job. Mullin to newcombe.
I expect we are unchanged except maybe whether they swap Clark for knevitt (but the 22 will stay the same).
Sounds like stanley wont be right for this-could be 50-50 for the GF-will be a big call whether he plays or not if we get there.

 

[cats_09]

Anyone know when/if open training sessions are being held this week?

It'll most likely be treated like a normal week where the media is invited to a session earlier in the week, but no formal open training sessions like we see during school holidays

 

[you pick one]

Been away chasing Barra again since early Monday morning off grid I've got lots to catch up on over the day and this evening but the big question is what's happening with Stanley any news from the club?

 

[Riff]

Mullin to Newcombe
Henry to Gunston

Game over!

 

[Tony Barber]

Been away chasing Barra again since early Monday morning off grid I've got lots to catch up on over the day and this evening but the big question is what's happening with Stanley any news from the club?

1-3 weeks

 

[bombersboy]

I have a funny feeling Shannon Neale is going to truly announce himself in this game. He got well and truly beaten by Harris Andrews, but never gave up. The reward comes here.

There are 3 or 4 really good match ups on Neale at this stage of his development and Barass is one of them. Weedle is also about the perfect match up on Dempsey - just as quick with same endurance plus he is taller, a better mark and defends well.

 

[you pick one]

1-3 weeks

Bugger!but thanks.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

We have more members than the Hawks these days. We can pack out the G just as much.

Hawks supporters only turn up and buy memberships when they're winning. That'll rise next year and there will be plenty of them there.