I think many people want Geelong to disappear now. It’s nearly six seasons since their reign began and for them to hang about has been deemed a little unsavoury.
Remove those balding heads, ageing battle-hardened faces and wobbly bottoms from our sight, seems to be the general consensus.
And I must admit, watching the old warrior Paul Chapman waddle about in the change rooms on Friday night, red-faced and glassy-eyed with his Hawthorn grudge made me smile, as did his pronouncement in the pre game promotion: “I just believe that from now on we just make it hard for Hawthorn to beat us”.
I’ve always found the Cats’ grudge ( it’s not a rivalry because the Hawks don’t hold anything against them – as evidenced by the laconic way they ran out onto the field on Friday night) a little curious.
Yes, they lost to them in the 2008 Grand Final but they gave it away… kicking eleven straight behinds. You can’t really blame poor Hawthorn for that.
Yes, there were those 2009 remarks by a premiership smug Jeff Kennett about Geelong’s lack of “quality” and “psychological drive” but the grudge was already in place. Chapman claims his near obsession was instilled in him by coach Mark Thompson’s post match address telling the players that the loss should remain with them.
That speech though would have been partly inspired by Thompson’s own anti Hawthorn obsession from his playing days with Essendon.
Yes, I suppose there is the 1989 Grand Final, when knocking out John Platten, breaking the ribs of both Dermott Brereton and Robert DiPierdomenico, and having Gary Ablett kick nine still couldn’t win them a flag against the damned Hawks.
Grudges are from the past and holding them wastes energy required for what is important now: winning a premiership. The Cats’ nine victories since ’08 obviously haven’t assuaged the pain, so give it up.
But as I watched Geelong smash an admittedly uncaring Hawthorn in the first quarter I slowly began to change my tune about their attitude and their premiership prospects.
They have won two premierships – not against Hawthorn of course – while holding that grudge so perhaps for them it’s a positive mindset. Perhaps it’s not really against Hawthorn at all but against themselves for giving up that 2008 title.
Chapman who walks like an elderly man afflicted with haemorrhoids runs like the wind when a goal is in the offing.
Jimmy Bartel blowing hard and looking older than his 28 years chased down a goal bound Liam Shiels and gangly Harry Taylor somehow kept up with Cyril Rioli for half the length of the field preventing the maestro from threading another glorious goal.
They have retained their marking poise in defence.Then there is the boyish looking Tom Hawkins who was once considered a waste of enormous space.
He is no longer fearful of kicking goals: brilliant snap shots and game winning set ones. The giant has also developed a little mongrel, returning the elbows given to him off the ball.
As far back as the 2010 Preliminary Final when they were run over by Collingwood’s wonder kids, the ageing and success-fattened Cats were expected to be roadkill for most of the competition over the ensuing years. In 2011 they returned to win all but three close games, and stole the Premiership.
Geelong are clearly not the team of last year but other teams seemingly less credentialed than the Cats have been installed – albeit briefly in this schizophrenic season – as premiership certainties.
It would be good for the competition if someone else won the flag but this desperate group of ageing champions continue to provide drama to an already mad season. It will be fascinating to see what they do come finals time. Personally I wouldn’t mind if they pinched another one. If they do, they should probably do the decent thing and exit the stage next year.
There is a gentleman hanging around me in the cafe as I write this. He’s hoping to procure my daily newspaper as he’s had to make do with the local rag and a Dick Smith catalogue. Like the Geelong Football Club, I suspect he will not be going away soon.
Xavier
Guest
No one has won a GF from the bottom four doesn't mean anything, it's because Geelong hasn't done it yet. And the fact is gelling has beaten The Hawks 9 times doesn't matter about who came back or who got the frees or who wasnt playing ( the Cats had 3 key players out ) it only matters who's in front at the final shiren and it's proven to be The Cats the last nine times. We'll see who that team will be at the last game of the year.
Dixy
Guest
They are a very good side, but it's an even year, so they won't win
brendan
Guest
Yeah there form is ordinary hawker but this year if you throw form out the window you get it right more often.The top four shouldn't change my main point is that loss to Geelong has put Hawthorn under pressure.There were three parts to that game Geelong's big lead Hawthorn's comeback to lead and Hawkins kicking two big goals to wim it.I find it astonishing as does Alistar Clarkson that Hawthorn are premiership favourites when IMO the Swans by virtue of home finals should get the nod.
hawker
Guest
Brendan I don't know if you've see west coast go round lately but they'd be looking to hang to 5th or 6th for a home final than getting 4th.
hawker
Guest
" The AFL have confirmed it was the right decision" yes of course according to the little known prior opportunity clause for duncan being 'blindsided' and in the act of 'steadying to take his kick' written in invisible ink.
Me too
Guest
Well I picked the hawks to finally throw off the psychological shackle and win by four points. At the siren I was spot on - but couldn't help cheering on Hawkins kick all the way home. What a team. I read this piece as a tongue in cheek commentary on the rivalry - how else could it be read? Surely the author, regardless of which team he supports, couldn't be so delusional. Rather, he is likely to be chuckling at the debate. And although they had the weather and the umpiring assisting a hard fought win over my beloved saints in 2009, I can't help but hold the cats in the highest regard. They have just put another pretender back in their place. The hawks would be devastated.
Deep Thinker
Guest
Ummm... Brian - that's a contradiction. On the one hand they were better on GF day yet Geelong won because they were better in the wet???? Doesn't that suggest Geelong were better on GF day? It was a 50-50 contest that could have gone either way - but Geelong played the final moments better. It is not about who has a better season (applies equally for 2008) but who rises to the occasion and plays better in the crunch. Hawks deserved to win the GF in 2008 because Hawthorn didn't squander the opportunities that Geelong squandered. They were better, and deserved it. Period. I still think Geelong had the better A game, but didn't produce it when it counted so didn't deserve it.
Deep Thinker
Guest
I see what you mean but I'm not so pessimistic. The fact that Geelong got that lead in the first place and Hawthorn came back tells a story in itself! That is, that both sides can damage each other when on song. I don't think either Hawthorn or Geelong would give up 51 points to each other if they play again this year. Geelong has 4 games to improve, with Wojinski, Corey and Varcoe coming back. Hawks have Franklin coming back - which could either increase their level, or disrupt their structure. I may be wrong, but I can't remember Franklin ever really dominating Geelong.
John Ascenzo
Guest
Look. I am a Geelong fan but we will not play in the GF. The 10 goal turnaround against Hawks tells the story, but we are rebuilding. Hawthorn Swans or Collingwood for the flag and Cats for 2013. Free kick counts even out especially as so many are awarded in the AFL. Just compare AFL frees with one incorrect penalty in football that could decide a World Cup played for by more than 200 nations.
Deep Thinker
Guest
Btw - to clarify - the indication that Hawks have peaked has been their form over the last 2 months!
Deep Thinker
Guest
Btw - to clarify - the indication that Hawks have peaked has been their form over the last 2 months!
Deep Thinker
Guest
Not proof, but a very strong indication. If we are talking about history, history shows that Geelong in form has not tended to blow big leads like that, or against Adelaide the week before. Based on this transitional season, they may not get to that level again - remains to be seen. Yes, I think Hawthorn have peaked - they may sustain it. If they do, they should win the flag if (1) they get over the psychological issue, and (2) if Geelong doesn't raise their level to previous heights - in which case, it is a toss of the coin. Those other Geelong losses were all with the team out of form and everyone writing them off as "past it". BUT - Collingwood won after blowing a big lead to an out of form Geelong on the back of 2 goals in the last 45 seconds - the first after a dubious 50m penalty against Josh Hunt. Sydney blew a big lead against an out of form Geelong and won in the last minute. The other Adelaide and Collingwood games - yes, easy wins, although Geelong won the second half of both (after the sting went out of the game). Yes - agree - lots of work to do for all teams (including Hawks to figure out how to contain Hawkins, Cloke, Pavlich etc
Brian
Guest
Its not correct in the 2008 prelim's Hawthorn thrashed St Kilda whilst Geelong just beat the challenging Bulldogs (whom Hawthorn had thrashed in Round 1 of the Finals). Hawthorn than won the GF by 5 goals, Geelong supporters keep thinking it was 5 pts or something. If 5 goals is stealing a game than it happens 3 times every weekend. If anyone stole a premiership it was Geelong in 2009. St Kilda were the better team all year and on the actual GF day but could not put Geelong away and Geelong hardened bodies were better in the wet.
Brian
Guest
Agreed but if Hawthorn can't beat West Coast in Round 23 (in Melbourne) then making the top 4 for a trip to Sydney will be hardly worth it. It looks like Adelaide & Sydney will finish top 2 so the big question is whether Hawthorn or Collingwood will manage to win an away final and bring things back to the MCG whilst they are still in contention.
me, I like football
Guest
not to mention the dubious "push-out" from Mackie, the down-field advantage, the high on Lonergan that wasn't there, which all resulted in goals to Hawthorn. I don't think the Hawks have any right to complain about the umpiring on Friday night.
Brian
Guest
So Hawthorn coming back is proof Geelong hasn't peaked and Geelong winning is proof that Hawthorn has? History tells us we don't know who has peaked. As I said before even if you believe that Geelong has a mystical grip over Hawthorn, that they control 50/50 at best umpiring decisions etc. Geelong has lost to Collingwood twice and Sydney and Adelaide away. They have a lot of work to do to get to Hawthorn in September. They may also meet North again in Round 1 of the finals. Geelong had a good win but in terms of the flag its the top 4 - Sydney, Adelaide, Hawthorn & Collingwood.
Deep Thinker
Guest
If it is about free kicks, what about the Hawks clear throw at 3 quarter time in the goal square? These things even out. The AFL have confirmed it was the right decision, yet been willing to admit the Harry O'brien decision was wrong. Geelong haven't peaked yet. Hawthorn have. And Geelong beat them (just). Can the Hawks sustain their peak form for another 2 months? Will Buddy disrupt their forward line structure? Lots of questions for Hawthorn. Geelong have been managing their list very carefully and specifically for September and introducing a lot of young players. With experienced guys to come back the Geelong team in the finals will have a different look to what you’ve seen most of the season. Geelong have been out of form all season yet Hawthorn have only one more win. Credit to Hawthorn for coming back from 51 points down. It shows that Geelong has not peaked yet. Hawthorn won’t outscore Geelong over 3 quarters like that come September.
brendan
Guest
Brian Geelong wont win the flag but however you read that loss it could be costly.Assuming West Coast beat Geelong they play Port at AAMI a probable win , Collingwood in Perth and Hawthorn in the last game.Given Hawthorn is only one game ahead of West Coast and Geelong and you still have Sydney too play it is quite conceivable the last game of the year between West Coast and Hawthorn could be for fourth spot.
The Pivotonian
Guest
Correct. And they put to bed Hawthorn's finals hopes in 2009 and dented the Hawks' finals tilt in 2011.
Brian
Guest
Geelong jumped Hawthorn and Hawthorn responded in the same way that Collingwood jumped Geelong and the Cats couldn't respond. Games decided by a kick from outside 50m could obviously go either way. It is a very even competition this year and very hard for anyone to win against the good sides consistently so for Geelong to do that 4 times in a row in September including interstate, its not impossible but very unlikely on what we have seen this year and the last 12 years. As for Hawthorn backline yes they struggled with Hawkins but he is in great form just like they contained an out of form Cloke a few weeks back. I believe flags are won in the midfield, I've heard Malthouse say similar things previously and I don't think this Geelong midfield is good and deep enough to win 4 in a row in September.