Geelong's five best home and away wins of the modern era

• High Five: Our AFL summer series

Geelong has won three flags and some big finals in the last eight years alone. But the Cats have also racked up some fine home and away wins over the modern football era. Here are their five best.

1. Hawthorn v Geelong (Round 19, 2012, MCG)

Geelong might have beaten Hawthorn 11 times in a row after losing the 2008 grand final, but this was the pick of the crop, indeed one of the best of the club's entire history. Unstoppable early, the Cats led by 51 points early in the second term. But Hawthorn began to chip away at the lead, reducing it to just 19 points by the final change. When the Hawks slammed on four goals in a row, Brad Sewell giving them the lead for the first time, the gig appeared up. Enter Tom Hawkins. With just over three minutes left and Geelong trailing by eight points, a curling snap from the big man gave Geelong hope. With 22 seconds to go, he marked Joel Selwood's pass on the lead. The siren rang as Hawkins ran in for his kick. But from outside 50 metres, he never looked like missing. Commentator Dennis Cometti summed it up. "They've done it again!"

Tom Hawkins kicked the match-winner. Photo: Getty Images

HAWTHORN'S BEST FIVE WINS
 

2. Richmond v Geelong (Round 6, 2007, Telstra Dome)

Seldom have turning points, not only in an AFL season, but in terms of a club's entire history, loomed as large as this one. The Cats looked set to disappoint once again in 2007, 2-3 and having just lost at home to North Melbourne, senior hand Paul Chapman giving his teammates a severe public bollocking afterwards. And what a wake up call. Richmond were put to the sword as years of unfulfilled Geelong promise suddenly turned into action. It was 20 goals to two at half-time, a scoreline of 35.12 (222) and a 157-point victory the final toll. And far from a novelty, it proved the first of 19 wins from 20 games on the way to a record grand final win over Port Adelaide. Over a three-season period, Geelong would win 63 of 70 games, play in three grand finals and win two flags. That's what you call being stung into action.

Tom Hawkins, Nathan Ablett and Travis Varcoe celebrate a goal in the Cats' huge win. Photo: John Donegan

3. Collingwood v Geelong (Round 10, 1989, MCG)

In their first season under Malcolm Blight, the Cats came into this big round 10 clash having won their past three games all by more than 100 points, but still, remarkably with a question mark. Those beltings were against strugglers St Kilda, Richmond and Brisbane, and the Cats' only previous game against a top five rival saw them infamously lose a 56-point lead to Hawthorn. But despite their equal ladder status, Geelong looked a class above Collingwood in front of 65,000. The centre pair of Paul Couch and Mark Bairstow were on fire, Bruce Lindner damaging with four goals. And then, of course, there was Gary Ablett. With the Pies somehow still within 21 points at the last change, an eight-goal last term demolished them, led by "Gazza", who finished with 28 disposals and seven goals, one amazing individual effort inspiring commentator Sandy Roberts' memorable line: "What more can you say!" The Cats had arrived.

Bruce Lindner marks in front of goal. Photo: Ray Kennedy

COLLINGWOOD'S BEST FIVE WINS
 

4. Geelong v Hawthorn (Round 17, 2009, MCG)

Geelong had beaten the Hawks in their first meeting since the 2008 grand final disaster, but looked in trouble for the second, particularly once key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor limped off in the first half with groin injuries. With Lance Franklin in great touch with four first half goals, Hawthorn led by 28 points early in the last term, despite Andrew Mackie having shut down Franklin's threat. Inspired by an amazing game from Joel Selwood, who finished with 42 disposals, the Cats gave it one last crack. Quick goals to Simon Hogan, Travis Varcoe and Joel Corey got them back within 10 points, Matthew Stokes and Max Rooke added two more with the Hawks only able to kick behinds, until with scores level, Jimmy Bartel marked on a tight angle in the forward pocket, the siren sounding as he walked back to kick. Any score would do, and a behind was enough to get the Cats home.

Geelong players celebrate Jimmy Bartel's point after the siren to win the game. Photo: Vince Caligiuri

5. Geelong v Collingwood (Round 20, 1972, Kardinia Park)

Geelong had an ordinary year in 1972, and by the time of this late-season clash were third-last on the ladder, Collingwood third and preparing for finals. That's the way the first half panned out, too, the Pies - with Peter McKenna racking up goals (nine by the finish) and Len Thompson dominant in the ruck - 49 points up by half-time. Despite an improved third term, it was still 33 points the difference at the last break. But with David Clarke terrific up forward with four goals, and wingmen Wayne Closter and Mike Woolnough providing plenty of drive, the Cats found form previously elusive. Slamming on seven goals to two, they had levelled the scores when half-forward Ken Newland marked on the siren. Even his behind from point-blank range was enough for a famous one-point victory, perhaps even more famous after Newland's response when asked how he'd managed to miss the goals. "What's better than beating Collingwood by six points?" he laughed.

Ken Newland.