Looking Back: The Easter Monday Blockbuster Delivers

The Easter Monday blockbuster between Geelong and Hawthorn delivered everything and more, as a fantastic thriller played out between two of the AFL's heavyweights.

Geelong deployed it's star midfield trio of Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett Jr and Joel Selwood together for the first time, but it was to no avail as the Cats fell short of a dramatic late comeback.

Hawthorn's fourth quarter lead of 25 was a game high as their win probability jumped to 94 percent. The Cats fought valiantly and their straight goal kicking helped their cause, but Hawthorn held on.

It was a seesawing contest from the first bounce, and the first quarter and a half was a back and forth between both sides before Hawthorn took control of the game before halftime when they took a comfortable four goal lead.

Geelong were put under immense pressure in the third quarter, unable to get the ball out of their back half for long periods to begin the term. Eventually they held firm, but could only trim the lead to 18 points at three quarter time setting up a frantic final term.

The Hawks were the better side for most of the contest, but it appeared Geelong's comeback was really going to happen when Brandan Parfitt levelled the scores 26 minutes into the fourth quarter.

Hawthorn Captain Jarryd Roughead marked deep in his forward line with just over a minute to go however, and kicked the behind which proved to be the difference in an enthralling contest.

Another Easter Monday classic is in the books, as the AFL's most enthralling rivalry continues to deliver with the Hawks the team to take home the chocolates on this occasion.