The two sides have a history between them that goes back to the first days of the game. Melbourne was formed in 1858, while the ‘Pivotonians’, as Geelong was called in its early years, were formed in 1859. In the first formative seasons, the two sides shared players, including Tom Wills – prominent in the setting up of both clubs – and his cousin, Henry Harrison.

Since the foundation of the VFL for the 1897 season, the two sides have played each other 201 times previously, with Melbourne winning 83 matches. Sunday’s game marks the 100th time the two sides have played each other at the MCG since 1897.

In recent times, there have been some memorable encounters between the two. Some of the highlights include:

Melbourne met Geelong at the MCG in front of 39, 741 on a day in which temperatures soared into the high 20s. An early lead expanded to a 65 point thumping of the Cats, with Jakovich scoring eight goals and sharing his delight with the crowd, backed up by Lyon with five, and Lovell and Schwarz with four apiece. Down the other end of the ground, Ablett was held to just two goals by the dogged defensive efforts of Sean Wight.

The Olympic Flame returned to the MCG, home of the Games in 1956. The huge crowd of 75, 033 gave a finals-like atmosphere to the game. It was an ideal setting for Melbourne’s first victory against Geelong since Round One, 1994, with seven losses in between. Nicholson dominated the defence, and Anthony McDonald and Johnstone controlled the midfield. Melbourne finished with a three goal win, third place on the ladder, and guaranteed second chance come the finals.

This was captain David Neitz’s 250th game. Combining the games milestone with his 500th goal, the captain’s achievements were the highlight of this MCG encounter. The Rivalry Round faded to a very tame contest early on, with Melbourne running out winners by 48 points.

While the MCG had been the ideal venue for Melbourne successes over Geelong in preceding seasons, this match marked an unexpected win for Melbourne at Skilled Stadium. With the side having lost seven in a row, and with finals seemingly out of the question, there was really nothing to lose. Giving their all, and knowing that victory was all that mattered, the team delivered just that – a win against the odds, full of running and spirit. Robertson led the way with seven goals, and as the final siren sounded, in a heart stopping one point win, it was the side’s first triumph at Geelong since 1988.

In Round 21, 2006, Melbourne and Geelong met at Skilled Stadium. Melbourne 14.10.94 drew with Geelong 14.10.94. Three goals ahead at quarter time, and five goals ahead at half time – it was not enough for Melbourne, playing without Neitz, as Geelong streaked away to kick six goals to two in the third quarter. It set up a heart stopping final term that eventually saw both sides take two points with a draw. The heartbreak, however, was Geelong’s, as they had desperately needed to win to maintain even the faintest hope of finals action. Yze with three goals, and a contender for mark of the year, led the way, while Johnstone and Bruce were major possession getters on the day.