AFL 2015 ROUND 1 EASTER MONDAY: HAWTHORN V GEELONG - TEAMS AND MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 3 April 2015

AFL ROUND 1 2015: HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS AFL and the rivalry between Geelong and Hawthorn continues this weekend, the two sides clashing on Easter Monday at the MCG in an away fixture for the Cats. This year the Hawks certainly go in favourites after winning back to back flags, the Cats still finishing top four but struggling to perform in finals the last couple seasons.

Exciting new players set to make their debut for the Cats are Mitch Clark, Nakia Cockatoo and Corey Gregson. Clark of course coming via the Dees and having had a spell on the sidelines while 18 year old Cockatoo is new to the AFL altogether having just been drafted. Clark has been a dominant force up forward in tandem with champion forward Tom Hawkins and together could prove a handful for Hawk key backmen Brian Lake, Josh Gibson and their new recruit James Frawley.

South Australian Gregson was drafted with pick 47 in last year's draft, much to the joy of her mother who is a lifelong Geelong fan. The forward is named on the seven man interchange so may yet sit out the match.

The big decision was who to name in the ruck; the answer came last night with Mark Blicavs named first ruck and Dawson Simpson on the interchange. Hamish McIntosh wasn't named in the side.

Back to back reigning premiers the Hawks are missing Grant Birchall and Matt Spangher but otherwise at full strength. James Frawley is named at full back for his Hawks debut. Birchall and Spangher have been listed on the injury list but earlier this week pronounced fit to play by Hawthorn footy boss Chris Fagan.

Tickets are still available but you'd want to get in fast. 25-man sides will be named on Thursday with final 22 to be confirmed on Saturday. Geelong's VFL doesn't kick off its season until Friday 17 April when it takes on the Werribee Tigers.

JUMP TO FULL TEAM LISTINGS

LAST GAME DETAILS

UMPIRES

TBC

TIP: Cats by 2 points

CATS INJURY LIST

Updated 3/4/2015

Zac Bates Hamstring 1-3 weeks
Cameron Delaney Foot Indefinite
Lincoln McCarthy Foot Indefinite
Daniel Menzel Knee/Hamstring 4-7 weeks
Rhys Stanley Leg/Bone stress 1-3 weeks
Jackson Thurlow Kidney 4-7 weeks
Nathan Vardy Knee 4-7 weeks

* On long term injury list

LATEST LIST

HAWKS INJURY LIST

Updated 3/4/2015

Grant Birchall Knee 1-2 weeks
Kaiden Brand Shoulder 4-5 months
Luke Breust Back Test Named in side
Matt Spangher Calf Test Will miss

LAST TIME

AFL 2014 2ND QUALIFYING FINAL

HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS

FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2014 19:50 AEST

MCG

5 SEPTEMBER 2014 CATS NO MATCH FOR HAWKS

4 SEPTEMBER 2014 AFL 2014 FINALS 2014: HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS; TEAMS AND MATCH PREVIEW

CATS NO MATCH FOR HAWKS
Ben Jensen 5 September 2014

HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG kept pace with Hawthorn until half time but were out-gunned in the second half, going down by 36 points.

HAWTHORN: 3.4, 6.5, 10.8, 15.14 (104)DEFEATED
GEELONG: 2.1, 6.5, 8.6, 10.8 (68)

GOALS
HAWTHORN: Gunston 3, Lewis 3, Puopolo 2, Roughead 2, Smith, Hale, Hodge, Breust, Langford
GEELONG: Selwood 3, Bartel 2, Murdoch, Walker, Hawkins, Blicavs, Johnson

BEST
HAWTHORN: Mitchell, Gunston, Hill, Smith, Lake, Birchall, Burgoyne, Puopolo
GEELONG: Selwood, Bartel, Stokes, Varcoe, Horlin-Smith, Guthrie

INJURIES
HAWTHORN: -
GEELONG: Steve Johnson (foot)

SUBSTITUTES
HAWTHORN: Jonathan Simpkin, replaced Brad Sewell in the final quarter
GEELONG: Jackson Thurlow, replaced Hamish McIntosh in the first quarter

CHANGES
HAWTHORN: NIL
GEELONG: NIL

UMPIRES

Nicholls, Chamberlain, Pannell

TIP: Cats by 2 points

CROWD: 74,753 at Melbourne Cricket Ground

VFL