Hawthorn will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its 2008 premiership when the club takes on Geelong in Round 21 next year.

The blockbuster fixture will be held at the MCG, the venue where Sam Mitchell raised Hawthorn’s 10th premiership cup almost a decade ago.

Of the 22 men who were part of the Hawks’ drought-breaking premiership side, only three remain on Hawthorn’s 2018 playing list – Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli and Grant Birchall.

Geelong may also field three members of its 2008 grand final team, with just Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett (who has returned to the Cattery after a seven-year stint at Gold Coast) remaining on its senior list.

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Based on recent results between these two sides since the 2008 grand final, the clash looms as a blockbuster in its own right. Over their last 21 encounters, the average winning margin is a mere 3.5 points, tilting slightly in the Cats’ favour. If not for an 86-point defeat in Round 4 of this year, the Hawks would have the upper hand – despite the infamous ‘Kennett Curse’ accounting for much of this period.

The Round 21 clash will mark the second time these two sides meet in 2018, with the annual Easter Monday hit out scheduled for Round 2.

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