GEELONG has survived a stunning last-quarter surge from arch rival Hawthorn to win the latest chapter of the clubs' storied rivalry by five points.
The Cats led by 30 points midway through the third quarter but the Hawks piled on six of the next eight goals to cut the margin to four points with four minutes to play in the last term.
However, Geelong held firm to seal a 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64) victory in front of more than 50,000 fans at the MCG.
In a scrappy clash that failed to reach the heights of past editions of the Easter Monday blockbuster, Cam Guthrie was comfortably the game's most influential player with 43 disposals, while Tom Hawkins (two goals) made the Hawk defenders nervous all day.
Former Hawk Isaac Smith was roundly booed by the brown and gold faithful all day, finishing with 14 disposals, including a kick that set up Hawkins for his first goal in the opening term.
Exciting defender Changkuoth Jiath had another strong performance with 23 disposals and 10 marks, while Jaeger O'Meara (33 touches), the returning Chad Wingard (22 disposals, 1.3) and Luke Breust (two goals) were all excellent.
The Cats' win was all the more impressive given they were low on rotations for most of the second half after injuries to veteran recruit Shaun Higgins (hamstring) and young forward Francis Evans (ankle).
GEELONG 3.3 6.4 9.7 10.9 (69)
HAWTHORN 2.1 3.5 5.7 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Henry 2, Parfitt, Tuohy, Blicavs, Constable, Miers, Clark
Hawthorn: Breust 2, Lewis 2, Wingard, McEvoy, Koschitzke, Moore, Brockman
BEST
Geelong: Guthrie, Henderson, Duncan, Blicavs, Henry, O'Connor
Hawthorn: Wingard, Jiath, O'Meara, Scrimshaw, Phillips, Shiels
INJURIES
Geelong: Evans (ankle), Higgins (hamstring)
Hawthorn: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Constable (replaced Evans)
Hawthorn: O'Brien (unused)
Crowd: 50,030 at MCG
