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So what next for Hawthorn? Hypnotherapy? Psycho-analysis? Perhaps they should hold an exorcism to try and rid this team of the obvious demons that still lurk in their minds any time they run out against Geelong.
It must now be impossible to deny that there is some sort of psychological block for the the Hawks when the Cats roll into town.
It is now ten in a row for the Cats over the Hawks, which is quite an amazing statistic for two teams who have both finished high on the ladder consistently for the last five years. There have been examples of bigger winning streaks, but they have generally been with teams positioned at opposite ends of the ladder.
Rarely have two finals rivals had such a one sided ledger, and this is purely because one side believes it can, and the other hopes.
It’s not as if the Hawks haven’t had their chances to break the run. Most of these games have been up for grabs in the last minutes, and unfortunately for Hawthorn, they cannot conjure a way to end up in front at the end.
Today, the Hawks dominated the first half, and really should have been much further in front at half time. They looked confident and assured, but failed to turn that into scoreboard pressure.
This failure would also have been well and truly in their minds as they entered the rooms at half time, particularly given that the Cats pinched the last two goals of the half against the trend. The mental difference between being 32 points up compared with 20 points would have been significant given the teams history.
In contrast, you could see that the Cats were buoyed by their late goals, and would have thought that they had played poorly for a half but were well and truly still in the game. And all this Cats team needs is a sniff of weakness in their opponent to re-ignite the belief in their ability to triumph.
The second half played out as if it was a foregone conclusion. Geelong was meant to win, and the Hawthorn players played like they knew that yet another loss was inevitable. Take nothing away from this Cats team, who, lead amazingly by Joel Selwood, proved yet again that they will be a force this year.
It won’t only be the Hawks who get beaten by this side that boasts great talent and self belief, a perfect combination for a successful tilt at a top four spot.
You can blame lots of things for close losses.
Poor kicking, injuries, sometimes even just a bit of luck going the way of your opponent.
However, when you lose continually in close games to the same opponent, an opponent who on paper is very evenly matched in most aspects of the game, there has to be some serious questions asked about the mental fragility of the team.
Geelong are a great side and have been for some time, and it is no disgrace to lose to them.
However, the Hawks are an impressive team as well, and have not had anywhere near the same issues with other strong teams such as Collingwood, the Swans or West Coast.
“Kennett’s Curse” will once again be bandied about, and Jeff probably perversely enjoys the notoriety!
But a one liner by a club president cannot be the reason for such a puzzling inability to beat the Cats.
Until now, the Hawks have played down the significance of the psychological hurdle they face to beat their most difficult foe. It will be interesting to observe just how the Hawks spin this loss, as their supporters have had more than enough.
Cats fans, however, look forward to this clash more than any other each year, as they, like their beloved players, believe they know what the result will be.
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