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

[Dixie Flatline]

Job done. On to the next one.

The greatest modern rivalry in the AFL will have another chapter written as the Hawks square off with Geelong for a spot in the 2025 Grand Final.

Preview and changes in here.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Ok, we’ve enjoyed the win a little, time to think about the Prelim.

 

[Nugett]

If Dear is fit, he comes in for Lewis

 

[Billyc]

Ok, we’ve enjoyed the win a little, time to think about the Prelim.

I am a bit worried about this. I didn’t like Gunstons facial and body language on the bench - looked concerned.

 

[cs61]

Interesting as we could have had them in the qualifying final if we made the top 4, but now it is the preliminary final. At the time, it looked brutal, two interstate trips to get here (one ended up being 6 days which was harsh), and no second chances. Yet now we are here arguably this is the preferred route. The week off on balance is arguably a disadvantage now when up against a side in momentum vs play 1 game in 3 weeks. Still a super tough game, Geelong looked a well oiled machine against Brisbane, but no doubt Geelong were hoping to play Adelaide when they looked at the finals fixture initially.

 

[burger09]

Back on the big stage.

You've got to love it.

 

[TylerDurden]

Dear for Lewis. He looks absolutely cooked.

Cats.

God help me.

 

[TazHawk15]

Dear for Lewis. He looks absolutely cooked.

Cats.

God help me.

Pretty sure Dear was ruled out for the prelim.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I am a bit worried about this. I didn’t like Gunstons facial and body language on the bench - looked concerned.

For the first time in my career this season I've dealt with hamstring awareness most weeks. Generally it feels better once it's properly warmed up, even though that in itself is a risk.

Playing in the bush means I'm not risking much by pushing it.

With a week to prepare, and the elite recovery facilities and medical staff, I don't think Jack will have anything to worry about. Either of them.

 

[SSSSSS]

Two finals wins was my expectation going into the season.

Without a fit Day it's exceeded it.

Every win from here on out is gravy for me. Building on finals experience for a long crack at the top with this young group that's emerging in front of us.

We'll throw everything at the Cats but they're an excellent side. Been the best team all year IMO. They've got every advantage on us so it's going to be a tough ordeal.

But anything can happen in finals.

 

[chippie]

BRING IT ON!

 

[Gaborone]

We need to put a hard tag on Miers. He is their most effective link man

 

[Billyc]

Going to be a high anxiety week. All or nothing when it’s the Cats.

This is the biggest test in 10 years for the club. Geelong are a very different beast to the two sides we have beaten who had vulnerabilities Geelong do not.

But, we’re back at the G

Geelongs defensive system, pressure, running power, use of shut down taggers and the best forward in the competition make them a formidable opponent.

Their midfield doesn’t haven’t the dominant attacking stoppage players but their ability to shut down the opposition in the midfield is their strength. We need to protect Newk from the Mullin / O’Connor clamp and need Meek to dominate the ruck contest to win the game.

Cats running power is the best in the business and they will likely close the game out stronger with the week off. Smith, Holmes, Dempsey, Myers all elite runners. Need to hammer them with pressure as not the best ball users and we need to force rushed kicks forward for our back 6 (the best in the comp) to do what they do.

Battle is a great match up for Cameron, but the bloke is a superstar and a massive threat.

I worry about our forwards and their intercept game as Lewis looked off the pace. He (or Dear), Chol, Weddle (the secret weapon - he’s about to explode) and Gunston must bring the ball to ground. Geelongs pressure is elite so we will be rushing the ball forward and can’t afford to have Stewart and co mark and rebound. Bringing the ball to ground for Watson, Ginnivan, Cmac, Moore is pivotal.

Cats will start favourites and deserve to. We know what they will bring and they will bring it. That’s their strength. They don’t beat themselves. You’ve got to beat them. They’re the most reliable side in the comp but our best can beat them. If we can get Meek/Newk clearance supremacy, pressure their forward entries and bring the ball to ground in our forward line, we can beat them.

And obviously need to kick straight which we never do against Geelong for reasons that can only be mental.

 

[TylerDurden]

Barrass for Jezza, surely.

 

[LRobbo]

Mission accomplished for Cats, says Scott

Chris Scott says loss to Hawks was a step forward ahead of finals

www.afl.com.au

Let’s not fall into this imbeciles way of thinking.
Jobs not finished

 

[LRobbo]

Barrass for Jezza, surely.

Barass for Neale, Battle for Cameron.
Plays him as good as anyone in the comp

 

[TazHawk15]

Barrass for Jezza, surely.

Battle for Cameron.

 

[VandoHawk]

I dislike Geelong but I respect them. They have the highest floor in the competition – they play to a system and know how to execute. This stability allows Scott to make positional moves that can hamstring a side (e.g. tagging McCluggage). It is very unlikely that they will be overawed.

The matchups are very even. Our backline is our strength, and TB/Battle are as good as you’ll get for Neale/Cameron. Their smalls and medium players are potent and apply pressure but our running defenders also defend (what a concept).

They play a plethora of interceptors down back so contested marking will be difficult. But they’ve been vulnerable to pressure smalls before, and we have 5. Mobile talls like Cadman and Morris have caused them headaches and we have the prototype in Gunston. It will be difficult, but we have the tools to score.

They have the midfield advantage on paper. They’ll tag Newcombe and back in Holmes/Smith/Atkins who are quality. But Newcombe has refused to be stopped by tags (both GWS/Adelaide tried). Worpel, Nash and Ward have elevated themselves and are playing great team football. Meek gives us an advantage over their ruck. If they can’t stop Newcombe, it will be very winnable.

We might get Weddle vs Dempsey on a wing which would be incredible viewing.

Our best is enough to win this game, but it’s on us to produce it. We’re peaking at the right time but we'll get punished if we slip up.

 

[Newmo89]

Dear won't be ready for this weekend, so Lewis will play next Friday night.
Morrison has been ruled out for the year, so he isn't in contention to come back.
Expect Gunners and Ginni to have a light week on the track and be ready to go for Friday night's blockbuster.
Weddle and Butler both pulled up well, which is fantastic.
Some boys at Box Hill today will be trying to prove that they could be a sub option if we need to makes a change to the line-up.

Barrass to Neale
Battle to Cameron
Scrimshaw to Dangerfield

 

[CaptainPorks]

Geelong had such a soft run into finals. Feels like they haven’t been properly tested by any side for months.

 

[Nugett]

Dear won't be ready for this weekend, so Lewis will play next Friday night.
Morrison has been ruled out for the year, so he isn't in contention to come back.
Expect Gunners and Ginni to have a light week on the track and be ready to go for Friday night's blockbuster.
Weddle and Butler both pulled up well, which is fantastic.
Some boys at Box Hill today will be trying to prove that they could be a sub option if we need to makes a change to the line-up.

Barrass to Neale
Battle to Cameron
Scrimshaw to Dangerfield

Great news regarding Weddle and Buttler. Gunners and Ginni makes sense. Hopefully Lewis plays well enough on Friday to cement his spot for the grannie if we win.

 

[davoss]

Some of this please

 

[I got the outside word]

Barrass for Jezza, surely.

Battle. If he can keep him two and under again we are well and truly on.

 

[TheExtractorFactor]

Hard to believe we are one game away from the big dance. After Day's injury and missing top 4 I had all but given up on properly contending this season.

All the pressure is one them, let's hope they are a bit rusty with both the pre finals and post QF bye and we can get the jump like we so often do on teams.

One thing we know is we won't go down wondering, we will take the game on and play with flair and personality.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Barrass for Jezza, surely.

No way. TB will blow up.

Has to be Battle