Hawthorn have snatched a dramatic one-point victory over Geelong in an Easter Monday classic at the MCG, winning 13.14 (92) to 14.7 (91). The Hawks trailed by six points with less than two minutes remaining, but a mark and goal from Mitch Lewis levelled the scores before Jack Gunston kicked a point off the post with under 15 seconds left to seal the win.
Geelong's Shannon Neale appeared to have won the game with a clutch goal putting the Cats up by six with 90 seconds remaining. However, Hawthorn won the next centre clearance, and Lewis marked and converted to tie the game. The Cats won the final clearance, but Hawks skipper James Sicily took a contested mark and quickly switched play, leading to Gunston's match-winning point.
Gunston, who had earlier left the field with a hamstring issue, returned to play a key role. After the match, he joked about the injury, saying he thought it was cramp. On the winning point, he said, 'I hate points, but it was a nice one.' Lewis added that Gunston whispered to him, 'that's the best point I've ever kicked.'
The Cats had opened a 13-point lead with eight minutes remaining after Mark Blicavs snapped a goal. Hawthorn responded quickly with goals from Nick Watson and Mabior Chol, cutting the margin to one point. Chol nearly became a villain after missing two gettable chances, but the Hawks held on.
Jeremy Cameron had a chance to win it for Geelong with a long bomb that fell short, and the ball spilled through for a behind. Neale's later goal seemed decisive until the Hawks' late surge. Hawthorn's Josh Ward (29 disposals) and Connor Macdonald (26) were influential, while Geelong's Bailey Smith (33 disposals) worked tirelessly.
The Hawks will monitor Sicily's right shoulder and Gunston's right hamstring ahead of their Gather Round clash with the unbeaten Western Bulldogs. The win marked a memorable 100th match as coach for Sam Mitchell, with seven lead changes in the game and a frantic finish that delivered one of the season's best contests.
