Despite the two teams currently sitting 17th and 18th on the ladder, there is no doubt that Hawthorn vs Geelong is one of the greatest duels in our game.
With 25 of their last 50 encounters decided by a margin of just two goals or less, every match is bound to be nail-biting.
Two of the most successful teams of the 21st century, battling it out right to the end. Ahead of their yearly Easter Monday clash, let's revisit some of the most memorable and iconic moments in the rivalry.
In front of 100,000 people at the MCG, the 2008 Grand Final did not disappoint. The favourites, Geelong, were eager to win back-to-back flags in their near-perfect season with only one loss. It would be a challenge for the "unsociable" Hawks, led by 102-goal Coleman medallist Lance Franklin.
For much of the game, it was neck and neck, until a memorable burst from Stuart Dew late in the third quarter. In a mere three minutes, he kicked two and assisted another two goals, rapidly shifting momentum. It crucially opened up a 17-point lead for Hawthorn heading into the last break, as they eventually won by 26.
Luke Hodge was named the Norm Smith medallist, with 26 disposals and a goal. The fairytale finish for Shane Crawford was complete, winning a premiership in his 300th and final game. Gary Ablett and Steve Johnson gave it their all in the Cats' defeat, with 34 touches each and at least one goal.
Upon their premiership success and ahead of the 2009 season, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett infamously criticised the Cats.
"They don't have the psychological drive that we have. We have beaten Geelong when it matters," he said.
With that, the "Kennetts Curse" had officially been born.
Up by four points with a couple of minutes remaining and the ball locked inside forward 50, it was Hawthorn's game to lose. After four years, the "Kennetts curse" was certain to be broken, until a turnover with half a minute to go gave Geelong a sniff.
There was another twist in store...
The Cats swiftly moved the ball upfield in a matter of seconds. After taking a mark in the corridor, Joel Selwood found Tom Hawkins 50 metres out, directly front. It was all onto his boot, as the siren sounded right as he kicked the ball. All the Hawks players could do was watch the ball sail through the goals with ease. A composed, 24-year-old Hawkins stepped up to the occasion, and the Cats won by two points.
One of the greatest after-the-siren goals, as Cats fans roared to life.
Slotting a precise six goals and two behinds, we saw a glimpse into the renowned 730+ goal kicker that Hawkins has become today. Selwood was also busy with 29 possessions.
The moment stole a win from the Hawks, breaking their fans' hearts, and it wouldn't be the last time that a shot after the siren would do so.
With seconds to go, Luke Breust found Isaac Smith inside 50 with the Hawks trailing by three. The match was to be decided by an after-the-siren shot at goal yet again. A kick to send Hawthorn into their sixth consecutive preliminary final, and match the iconic moment of Hawkins four years prior.
A kick, not to be, hooking to the right side for a behind. As agony struck one team, the Geelong players celebrated in disbelief.
"It was a night to remember," commentator Bruce McAvaney described, but for different reasons depending on what team you support.
2016 Brownlow medallist, Patrick Dangerfield, carried his form over to the finals with a prolific 35-touch game. Jordan Lewis also collected 36 disposals of his own.
The following week, the Western Bulldogs upset Hawthorn and broke a 62-year premiership drought. In hindsight, Smith's miss erased the possibility of a four-peat and marked the beginning of the end for the Hawks dynasty. Since then, they have been to the finals just once, a straight-sets exit in 2018.
Widely regarded as one of the best grand finals ever, it saw numerous football legends go at it. The likes of Gary Ablett Sr., Paul Couch, Billy Brownless, Michael Tuck, Jason Dunstall, and Dermott Brereton to name a few.
All flares fired early when Mark Yeates deliberately crashed into Brereton, one of Hawthorn's most important players, seconds after the opening bounce. He suffered broken ribs and a ruptured kidney but played through the pain.
Ending with three goals, it was a courageous and inspiring display, in a match where his side had numerous injuries. Johnny Platten suffered a concussion, Robert DiPierdimenico had a broken rib and punctured lung, and Gary Ayers injured his quad.
Amidst these injuries, Hawthorn controlled much of the game and got out to a six-goal lead at three-quarter time.
The Cats threw everything at the Hawks in the last quarter when they looked to cruise home. They reduced the deficit, kicking eight goals, but came up just short as they lost by a solitary goal.
A whopping 42 goals were scored in the game, and the final score was 144-138. Gary Ablett Sr. did no wrong in the game. One of four players to win the Norm Smith as a member of the losing side, he kicked nine goals, the equal most in a grand final.
With three more grand final defeats in the 1990s, it would be a 17-year wait for Geelong to hoist the flag from there, as Hawthorn won their fourth in the space of seven years.
The game epitomised finals football. Electric, frenetic, full of adrenaline, and unpredictable.
Geelong led by 20 points at three-quarter time, yet early goals to Lance Franklin and Bradley Hill in the last reduced the margin to 12. Hawthorn's surge continued, as Jack Gunston's fourth goal narrowed it to single digits.
Then, with five and a half minutes left, Shaun Burgoyne made his mark. His goal to put the Hawks in front erupted the buzzing 'G, but the Cats had one last gasp.
With 40 seconds remaining and trailing by a goal, Steve Johnson spotted Travis Varcoe on his own inside 50. He gathered the ball on the bounce and lined up the goals to level the score. Extra time would likely follow, but Varcoe missed to the near side. With little time remaining, Hawthorn held on to win by five in a famous victory.
"Bring the hearse for the curse," Dennis Cometti said, with Geelong's 11-game unbeaten streak finally coming to an end. Hawks supporters could rejoice at last, with the cheers at the ground so loud that neither the players nor the umpire could hear the final siren.
A couple of weeks later, the team won against Fremantle in their first of three consecutive premierships. It also made up for the bitter defeat against Sydney in the previous year's grand final.
Johnson dominated the match. Amassing 32 possessions, second most on the ground behind Sam Mitchell's 38, and kicking four goals in an admirable effort for the Cats.
Gunston also kicked four, but Burgoyne was arguably the best on ground. A three-goal, 24-touch, six-tackle performance, encapsulated by a match-winning goal that no Hawks fan would forget. A game that rightfully cemented his classy nickname, 'Silk'.
All eyes are on Monday's game, which is a must-win game for Geelong. They will be looking to rebound from their lacklustre start after becoming the first premier in 47 years to start 0-3. Hawthorn on the other hand, are keen to build off of their win last week and see more promise from their young brigade. It's only a matter of days until another chapter in the thrilling tale waits to be unveiled.