Many contemporary AFL blockbusters carry that stature by dint of the size of crowd, and that of the combatants’ fan bases, rather than the quality of the contest.

Geelong v Hawthorn on Easter Monday, however, is an organic rivalry that matches, and can even exceed, the hype. These teams aren’t well-supported stragglers; they’ve been serial winners in the 21st century, and have sketched a full gallery of two-hour masterpieces since 2008.

Shaun Mannagh had a telling impact for the Cats in yet another MCG thriller against the Hawks.Credit: AFL Photos

If this one wasn’t quite Picasso-level, it was Jackson Pollock – you couldn’t take your eyes off it and the chaos only made it more compelling: a messy masterpiece.

Certainly, it is the most high-octane and premier game of the season to date, with a crowd that is the season’s highest yet, and a record for these clubs outside of finals.

Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield, and Tyson Stengle.Credit: AFL Photos

At the denouement, it was Shaun Mannagh, the 27-year-old forward plucked out of Werribee in the VFL as a mature ager, who did what the Hawks had struggled to do in key moments – nailed a critical shot.

A timely tackle by Shannon Neale on Jack Scrimshaw enabled Tyson Stengle to pounce and handball to Mannagh to deliver the most telling goal.

Mannagh was one of the most effective on the field, and a further tribute to Geelong’s inventive recruiting.

James........

© Brisbane Times