Updated March 22, 2019 23:14:45

Photo: Joel Selwood shows his joy during Geelong's tight win over Collingwood. (AAP: Julian Smith)

Geelong has squeaked home against the Magpies by seven points following a thrilling final quarter in the Friday night AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

Tom Hawkins booted his 500th career goal with just over five minutes left in the tense contest to put the Cats in front, with Chris Scott's side holding on for 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) win in front of 78,017 spectators.

The Magpies kept coming but their challenge was effectively over when Jeremy Howe turned the ball over to Patrick Dangerfield inside Geelong's attacking 50 with just over a minute remaining.

Photo: Mark O'Connor of the Cats (left) and Jamie Elliott of the Magpies contest the ball. (AAP: Julian Smith)

It was a fitting end for a tense, if at times scrappy, affair in which the margin was never more than 11 points throughout.

In his first game back with the Magpies after a four-season stint with Brisbane, Dayne Beams levelled the scores in a frantic final term with his fine goal in traffic.

Callum Brown put Collingwood in front with a superb snapped effort, but in a goal that appeared to have a bit to do with the league's new 6-6-6 rule, Brandan Parfitt goaled soon after the restart to set up Hawkins's dramatic winner.

Tim Kelly was brilliant for the Cats with 31 possessions and nine clearances, with Dangerfield (27 disposals) and Tom Stewart (26) also important.

Gary Ablett was no less influential spending more time as a forward, booting two goals.

Adam Treloar was in everything for the Magpies with 34 possessions and a goal, with Scott Pendlebury (24 possessions) and Jack Crisp (26) also prominent.

Collingwood eked out a nine-point lead at quarter-time but would rue wastefulness in front of goal.

With their midfield gaining the upper hand, the Magpies had 11 more inside 50s than Geelong in the second quarter but did not manage a goal until Jamie Elliott kicked his third inside the last minute to give his side an 11-point half-time lead.

The Cats' star trio of Joel Selwood, Ablett and Dangerfield sparked a resurgence after the restart, each adding goals.

Treloar and Jordan De Goey hit back, each booting brilliant goals, but scores were level at the last change, setting up the epic finale.

AFL ladder

AAP/ABC

Topics: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, geelong-3220

First posted March 22, 2019 19:18:34