Geelong earned its place in the penultimate round of the 2025 fixture with a dominant 38-point semi-final victory over reigning premiers Brisbane.
Since earning a week’s break, the side is now primed and ready for tonight’s do-or-die clash.
While Geelong boasts a strong record of 14 preliminary final appearances in the last 19 years, its recent history at this stage is a cause for concern. Since 2013, the Cats have lost six of their last eight preliminary finals under coach Chris Scott, with wins only in 2020 and 2022.
The Hawks, meanwhile, have taken the long road to reach the final four. A thrilling elimination final victory over GWS in Sydney set them up to defeat the Crows in Adelaide in their semi-final last Friday night.
This marks Hawthorn’s first preliminary final appearance in a decade, having suffered straight-sets finals exits in 2016 and 2018, and a heart-breaking three-point semi-final loss to Port Adelaide in their most recent finals campaign last year.