Preview 2025 Preliminary Final: Geelong v Hawthorn, 19 September 2025, 7.40pm @ MCG

[SpanishBrowne]

Won’t forget Smith putting the ball into Impey’s head very disrespectful ….. deserves some payback. Hope someone gets into Smith’s face as he will lose the plot and give away 50’s guaranteed!

We all need to bring our cameras. Longest lenses possible. Get into that campaigners face

 

[Flamin Joe]

My only worry is the amount of travel we’ve done recently vs Geelong who will be well rested.

Yes they are well rested but in my oppinion while winning straight through to a Prelim is still the ideal way to go, it's not the huge advantage it used to be since the pre-finals bye was introduced. Having two byes and one game in between in three weeks can upset momentum.

In saying that I don't think it would be a huge factor for them but I think it somewhat cancels out any negatives from us in having to travel.

 

[scrim reaper]

The team knows the chance they have in front of them. This isn't a free hit. We belong here and the entire team knows it because they have earnt the right.

Does anyone think Hardwick or Sis, who missed the 3peat and then played in average Hawthorn teams until now, are not aware of what this means?

What about Ginni, Ward, Scrim, Newc, Battle, Moorey, childhood fans of the club who celebrated flags and get a chance to write their own names in Hawthorn history?

Jack Gunston

19

Jack Gunston

Age

34

Ht

193cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.5

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

5.7

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.9

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

11.2

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

G

0.6

3star

with a potential 4th flag on the line after a career best season to properly solidify himself as an all-time Hawthorn great?

Sam Mitchell with the chance to start building a case to be the all-time Hawthorn great? I could go on with reasoning for the entire playing group and organisation.

We have clearly gone to another level and belief is sky high amongst this group, they won't be overawed by the occasion, they know big crowds and they know big finals.

I've read through the Cats preview thread of this so far, you know it's a bloody good rivalry when both sets of fans seem to be equally traumatised by the other team, it's a pure hatred both ways that can only exist through a subconscious high level of respect.

Make no mistake, these are the two best clubs in the land, and the best rivalry in the game gets a new chapter. Soak it up and enjoy the week everyone.

 

[Hawkspot]

Not sure where the ‘raining all day’ information came from, I can see that Melbourne is 45% of up to 9mm. With the way the MCG drains and the ball changes, I don’t think it will he much of a wet footy game.

It suits Geelong btw, our backline is tall and we’d be silly not to acknowledge how good their small/medium forwards are - Stengle, Miers, Close, Mannagh, Danger, and Martin.

I can’t wait for Friday night.

 

[humid hawk]

Conor Nash

11

Conor Nash

Age

27

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.7

2star

K

3.9

2star

HB

4.8

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.1

5star

CL

0.3

2star

No current season stats available

D

8.4

3star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

0.2

2star

will be almost the most important player on the ground.

We need to tackle hard and make them feel it. Not many sides have a 198cm Irish wrecking ball in the midfield.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Which Geelong turns up you wonder?

The team who torched Brisbane and looked all supreme in finals week 1?

Or the team who scraped in to win against us when we were on our way to struggle street, and working our way through injury and suspension troubles?

They are rested, they are confident. But are they earning themselves some ring rust and complacency after one of the softest draws in the competition?

They're still only 1-2 against top 8 sides since round 12.

3 huge factors that will decide the result.

1. How much can we curtail Cameron?
2. How off the chain can Newcombe get against Mullin?
3. Can Geelong withstand our pressure after one of the softest runs to a prelim that any top 4 side has ever had?

 

[Blackhawk42]

We all need to bring our cameras. Longest lenses possible. Get into that campaigners face

Ginni and CJ need to work Baz into their 'photo' celebration.

 

[Billyc]

Not at all unusual for a sporting team, but our guys play best as underdogs and I like that the expectation here all sits on Geelong.

The Cats are favourites and deserve to be. They are the most steady and consistent side in it and they are fully healthy and rested. We have a couple injury concerns and I worry that the travel and gruelling month might catch up. Cats have had our measure and seem to get in our heads when it comes to simple things like kicking for goal. So they deserve to be favourites

But I see it as a 55/45 type game. Could very much swing either way. We do have weapons in their weaker areas with Meek in the ruck and with our small forwards. Getting the ball to ground and contest in our forward line and not having their defenders intercept and kill us with run on the rebound is critical. Geelong pressure and sweat on turnovers. Lewis, Chol, Gunston and Weddle so important in at least getting it to ground and a contest

 

[Bardo State]

The Weddle/CJ wing move was made for this game.

CJ to come on in second half and spoil Dempsey in the goal square when players are tired and the game opens up.

No change.

 

[Billyc]

Ginni and CJ need to work Baz into their 'photo' celebration.

Nose beer ?

 

[Alex_au]

We all need to bring our cameras. Longest lenses possible. Get into that campaigners face

An entire bay similar to the richies at the cricket, but with long lense cameras would be gold.

 

[StillAtLarge]

We all need to bring our cameras. Longest lenses possible. Get into that campaigners face

 

[DearJai]

Hawthorn in a Prelim on the MCG?



The travel is over, and we need two in a row to achieve what the pundits were saying at the start of the year.

Eminently doable for this group if they turn up.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

lol sorry I meant who do you think comes in?

Oh.

I'd prefer BMac for Jiath

Lewis probably stays after Ramsdens performance yesterday

 

[cyrilicious]

man this makes my blood boil
hope impey can pay him back good

 

[Simon Crawshay]

View attachment 2425743

man this makes my blood boil
hope impey can pay him back good

Regardless of whether he is a good player or not I'm so glad we didn't get that flog to our club

Imagine doing that to Jars, one of the fairest players and nicest blokes you would ever meet.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Oh.

I'd prefer BMac for Jiath

Lewis probably stays after Ramsdens performance yesterday

Bmac can't play wing

 

[humid hawk]

View attachment 2425743

man this makes my blood boil
hope impey can pay him back good

I have a profound dislike of Bailey Smith. It's great to bring discussions about mental health into the mainstream, but it also doesn't excuse you from behaving like a ****ing flog.

The truest reflection on someones character is how they treat others - especially those who are in service industries. When I was putting myself through Uni I worked as a bartender, security, in construction, in call centres, even flogging horrible surveys door to door (worst job ever, I quit after kids with water bombs chased me down the street. No money was worth that, lol). That has shaped my perspective ever since - if you're the kind of person who punches down and is a self-entitled Karen to people who are just doing their jobs, you can go and get absolutely ****ed. I've backed out of hiring people and even business deals because I've seen how they treat others when they get a chance.

So screw Bailey Smith. Mouthed off at a female photographer just doing her job (which she was invited to do by his footy club), then fired off a text like it’s an apology. Same week as his coach was cautioned for abusing someone else who was probably just doing their job.

There is something rotten festering in the culture down the highway at that footy club and I can't wait to see the lads take it up to them this weekend. People like Ginni and Wiz cop a lot of grief from the media, but they are friendly lads who have time for people. Such a contrast to Bailey Smith who is a self-entitled Karen without an ounce of contrition. I hope someone collects him with such a hard tackle this weekend that his hairplugs explode.

 

[diggydig]

View attachment 2425743

man this makes my blood boil
hope impey can pay him back good

Guarantee you that if we do that they will get a shot at goal from straight in front.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

10am tomorrow for tickets.
I feel like one might fill up.

 

[LRobbo]

What’s the go with tickets tomorrow morning?
My usual ticket buyer for finals has a meeting at 10 so I’m on duty to get it done.
Is there a recommendation for a time to log on to get tickets? A waiting area before being logged in or is there a 15 minute time out like I’ve heard about?
I assume tickets won’t last to long for this one

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

What’s the go with tickets tomorrow morning?
My usual ticket buyer for finals has a meeting at 10 so I’m on duty to get it done.
Is there a recommendation for a time to log on to get tickets? A waiting area before being logged in or is there a 15 minute time out like I’ve heard about?
I assume tickets won’t last to long for this one

Check your emails.
Members sale 10am
I remember least year elimination sold out real quick.. so I wouldn’t fluff about. Just log in 20 min before and wait in line. Log in and have your card details pre-saved. Should be fine

 

[Xtreme]

Guarantee you that if we do that they will get a shot at goal from straight in front.

It would be worth it

Especially if Hawthorn have a 10 goal lead

 

[Sturty]

Looking forward to the Ticketek queue tomorrow....

 

[madhawksfan]

After rewatching the Crows game, Lewis holds his spot. Was missed by the kicker on three occasions, two of which would have been shots for goal. His pressure and ability to bring the ball to ground were good. Did not get outmarked once either.

As much as I don’t trust CJ under the heat, he will stay in the side. Only change will be if Ginni is ruled out. In which case Frenchie comes in and he and Butler split time between midfield and HFF.

A quick start will be crucial. Teams coming off a long lay off often start slow. If we can get a 2-3 goal jump on them it would make a nice change from the usual script where we are chasing them.

They will be fresher and are good at running out games so getting an early lead and making them spend tickets to catch up is our best chance.

Our backline matches up well with their forwards. Miers is a tough matchup because he gets up the field and uses the ball well. Impey to go with him as he can hurt him the other way with his run and carry. Dimma on Stengle, Battle on Jezza, Scrim and Sicily to share responsibility for Danger and Barrass to take Neale.

Need the versions of Meek, Ward, Worps and Nash that we had on Friday. Can’t expect Newk to dominate like he has against an experienced and disciplined unit. Other guys will need to win clearances and run interference for him.

What an opportunity against our biggest modern day rival. Great experience for the boys regardless of result.

With that said, let’s smash these pricks. Sick of Smith and Dangerfield’s smug faces.