Hawthorn defeats Geelong in dramatic Easter Monday AFL match with last-minute win
Consensus Summary
Hawthorn secured a dramatic one-point victory over Geelong in an Easter Monday AFL match at the MCG, overcoming a six-point deficit in the final 94 seconds. Jack Gunstonâs last-minute goal sealed the win, fueled by Hawthornâs desire for revenge after Geelong eliminated them from the 2025 premiership race. The game featured high-quality football in the early quarters, including Geelongâs Mark Blicavs scoring a standout goal, but descended into chaotic play before Hawthornâs late surge. Both sources agree the win was a significant scalp for Hawthorn, who had struggled against Geelong and Brisbane in 2025. The Guardian emphasized the tactical shifts and individual brilliance, while Newscomau focused on the teamâs motivation and Gunstonâs decisive moment.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Hawthorn defeated Geelong by one point in a dramatic Easter Monday match, winning 94 seconds before the siren.
- Jack Gunston scored the winning goal for Hawthorn in the final minute by kicking a loose ball into the post.
- The match took place at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) on Easter Monday (April 6, 2026).
- Geelong led by six points before Hawthornâs late comeback.
- Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and defender Chris Scott previously emphasized a shift away from free-flowing football, clogging up the game in the third quarter.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The second quarter featured exceptional football with nine propulsive handballs leading to Hawthornâs first goal by Jack Gunston.
- Geelongâs Mark Blicavs scored a career-best goal (299th game) with a snap on his left foot, followed by chaotic play including Mabior Cholâs shambolic goal attempt.
- Shannon Neale and Mitch Lewis provided calm moments of competence to square the game before the final minute.
- Jack Ginnivan marked seconds before the final break and celebrated with teammates, calling it a highlight of his season.
- Earlier in the day, Gunston suffered a hamstring injury during a lead, prompting a crowd groan when replayed.
- Fremantleâs Alex Pearce and North Melbourneâs George Wardlaw delivered dramatic smothers in their respective games on Good Friday.
- North Melbourneâs Carlton game featured moments of self-sabotage before a late surge to victory.
- Hawthornâs victory was fueled by revenge for last seasonâs preliminary final loss to Geelong, where Patrick Dangerfield-led Cats knocked them out of the 2025 premiership race.
- Defender Jack Scrimshaw stated the team was âkeen to getâ Geelong back after losing twice in 2025, including two losses to Brisbane.
- Scrimshaw described the win as a âbig scalpâ and praised Gunstonâs form, calling him âunbelievableâ internally and externally.
- The Hawksâ win was attributed to perfecting individual battles, with Scrimshaw noting the match could have gone either way until the final moments.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian describes the third quarter as âclogged upâ by Sam Mitchell and Chris Scott, while Newscomau does not mention this tactical shift explicitly.
- The Guardian highlights Geelongâs Mark Blicavs as scoring the âbest goal of his 299-game career,â but Newscomau does not reference this specific moment or player contribution beyond the late comeback.
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