It's a rivalry that won't die and Geelong coach Chris Scott says he hopes the Cats play Hawthorn during the finals series for the good of the game.

In six clashes since Hawthorn's win over Geelong in the 2008 AFL grand final, the Cats have won on each occasion.

Five times the winning margin has been under 10 points, including Saturday's night's 13.10 (88) to 13.5 (83) victory before 63,476 fans at the MCG.

The Cats stay on top of the ladder with an 11-0 record after 12 rounds at the halfway point of the season.

"I hope we get the chance to play them in the finals because it's going to be great for footy because they're always good contests," Scott said.

"What happened three or four years ago in my mind is ancient history but there's no doubt our players hurt a little bit when they recollect 2008."

While the Cats have continued their remarkable winning streak against the Hawks, premiership defender Darren Milburn says the match could have gone either way.

Milburn says experience counts in the clinches with players such as Matthew Scarlett stepping up with five marks in the tense last quarter when Geelong kicked 3.4 and the Hawks were scoreless.

"We've been playing a long time, the boys down back, so we know what's going on," said Milburn, 34.

"We just played a cool head. We've got some experienced people down there who know where the ball's going and can intercept the ball.

"It's just one of those games when the pressure's on and whoever is in front at the time (wins).

"It could have been them, it could have been us."

Milburn admitted he was anxious when the Hawks launched one last attack in the final minute and big forward Lance Franklin fell in a marking contest as he appealed for a free kick for a push in the back.

"I was just hoping one of our boys would mark it," Milburn said.

"Andrew (Mackie) said he lost it in the lights but he ended up taking the mark which was good.

"I don't know ifit was a push or whatever. But it was paid a mark so we'll take the points.

"We've played some great games against them since the grand final and they've all been pretty tight."

Milburn, who was injected into the game late in the third quarter, gathering six possessions, said he didn't particularly enjoy the role of substitute.

"It is hard but you've got to deal with it. There's no point sulking and whinging," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP