There are some rivalries in sports that stand the test of time, not simply because two fanbases are fuelled by hatred for each other, but because the two teams involved are so consistently successful that whenever they meet, the stakes are incredibly high.
Take Barcelona and Real Madrid or the All Blacks and Springboks. It doesn't matter when these sides meet, there's always a sense of extra edge to the fixture.
You can throw Hawthorn and Geelong into that category too.
While this is the first September fixture between the two clubs since 2016, and the Cats enter as significant favourites, it's undeniable that form, recent history and even the venue doesn't matter when these sides play for a spot in the Grand Final on Friday night.
The clubs' fierce rivalry with each other will ensure a captivating contest regardless, one that has brewed for decades, reached a boiling point during the late 2000's and early 2010's, hardly settled even in Hawthorn's rebuilding years and is now back on the AFL's biggest stage with a plethora of the league's most polarising talent headlining the contest.
Yet, to Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins, it's irrelevant for the Cats as the blockbuster awaits.
"I'm certain for supporters [the rivalry with Hawthorn is there] but for us and myself, I'm just so focused on trying to win and trying to do my job," Atkins told media this week.
"Nothing else enters my mind. It's probably consistent across the playing group, I reckon.
"It doesn't matter who we play, we need to be at our best. The goal is to get to the Grand Final, but it's exciting for supporters, I can understand that."
This latest instalment of September folklore between the blue and white and brown and gold armies has a number of exciting narratives to keep an eye on, but the majority of them stem from the midfield battle.
Whether it's Hawks gun James Worpel potentially playing in his last game for the club before reportedly taking his talents to these very Cats in 2026, or the looming challenge of the AFL's latest Mr September, Jai Newcombe, there's plenty to unpack.
Atkins said he was excited to line up against Hawthorn's star-studded midfield group, but possessed confidence Geelong could get the job done defensively, regardless of who gets the nod as tagger.
"[The Hawks midfield] have had a great couple weeks. GWS are a really strong midfield as well and Adelaide have some great players in there too. It's an exciting challenge for us," Atkins said.
"We really feel like we've got good understandings now of what makes us a good midfield and how we can implement that against any team, so we're really looking forward to coming up against them.
"The beauty about our team is we have multiple players who can play that defensive role. I'll wait to get my orders from the coaching staff and then I'll try and do it to my best ability."
Atkins starred in Geelong's thrilling Easter Monday win over Hawthorn earlier this season, collecting 24 disposals, 16 contested possessions, seven clearances and laying nine tackles. The Cats will be hoping he provides a similar effort on Friday night as they look to secure a third Grand Final appearance this decade and avoid another devastating preliminary final exit under Chris Scott.
"I just love playing footy and trying to do my role for the team. Whether that's playing on Jai or being more of an attacking contested option, whatever I'm told to do I want to do that as good as I can," Atkins said.
"That's consistent across the group as well. If we're all able to play our roles then that will go a long way to us winning."
