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.
geoff
Guest
Don't underestimate the value of enright who does a superb job on rioli.
Macca
Guest
I can only recall one time he could of had a shot on Thursday and passed, but that was from a tight angle, but again the only way to get over that is to get him confidence in his position. You are right about the 3 ruckmen I think, for a time I thought they could all play due to Hampson & Kreuzer being pretty mobile but it didn't work and is a risk to persist with. Warnock is by far the best tap ruckman and if he can get around the ground like he did at the end of 2011 he will be good, but isn't great at resting forward, Hampson seems the most natural forward, and Kreuzer looked really good on Thursday. Casboult will definitely be a good player and sowed he can pinch hit in the ruck against Richmond (which saw the blues get back into the game). Rowe seems to be a better leading forward than Casboult at this stage and could be worth a go but you don't want ot smash Casboult confidence either. The interesting one is Mitchell, apparently a real gun but hasn't been mentioned as even being close this year. The changes I think could be on the cards for the blues this week are Bell for Joseph, Warnock for Hampson, Rowe for Casboult , Laidler for Bootsma and possibly Menzel in for Betts (although I expect he would be the sub) And I would prefer to see the blues cats game at the MCG, I think you will have the upper hand at Etihad.
Brendan
Guest
I am not saying Hampson cant kick them what i am suggesting he has become a bit gun shy and that is not what you want in a forward.We have discussed the three ruckmen at Carlton before so i dont know how you fit three into two.For me Kruezer is a given and i cant split Warnock from Hampson but what i do think needs to happen is give Rowe a few weeks , Casboult has the look of a young Hawkins to me so time may be on his side.People pay too much attention to the NAB cup yes Brisbane should have won but interstate wins by non-finallist sides are not that common.You could say the same about Stkilda .All i will say about Carlton is im happy to see you win this week providing you lose next week.
Macca
Guest
At one stage last year he was something like 14.1 so he can kick them, he also had 3 shots on Thursday. In the final quarter he created a lot of opportunities for the bluesby drawing the ball and making a contest. For me he just needs some continuity to get some confidence, he has always been fighting with Warnock & Kreuzer for a spot and last year he just started to put together some good footy and got injured, now he has an appendix op, if he can get back quick and play 10 or 12 in a row his confidence will rise and so will his kicking at goal. At least he is clunking some marks these days. I am not too worried about the blues winning or losing this week or for the next month really, even if they are 0-5 I think they could be back to 6-5 by round 11 and full of confidence and be more attuned with Micks plan for the run home, which isn't terrible. If they blues are 2-3 by round 5 I think they will play finals for sure and be pushing for top 4. Brisbane & St Kilda were the big losers from round 1 and those losses will cost them in trying to make finals, Adelaide I have tipped to be a slider a couple of months ago, last year they had a good run and a number of players had career best years, often the combination of self satisfaction and increased scrutiny for opponents makes for a lull before becoming a real force.
Brendan
Guest
Hampson can play Macca but he has an aversion to having a shot so IMO playing him as a forward is a waste.I hope they give Rowe a game this week i think Casboult has to earn his spot so he is on top of his game when selected.This weeks round is huge the loser of the Hawks v West Coast game is going to be under the pump for top four, Adelaide likewise v Brisbane and if the Blueboys slip up your under the pump.
Macca
Guest
Yeah I know about Hunt's performance but when I mentioned it I still copped abuse because I wasn't privy to the coaches instructions to him, as if they told him to have no impact on the game. The other thing was the performance of the rest of the suns team they showed how much they have improved and with the likes of Lonergan, Horlsey & Weller outside the team (plus Bock) Hunts spot will be under pressure. The other hting is that we had to endure BT and Darcy still praising Hunt despite his performance. On the Cats, I was agreeing with you, and I think the height advantage comes more into play because the Cats can effect the Hawks kicking game by making everything a contest, making the hawks put the ball that 6 inches higher (giving the defenders a better chance) then the cats can bomb away (giving their taller forwards more of a chance). On Casboult I did see that article but the name didn't mean a lot to me. It will be interesting to see if Casboult keeps his spot this week, I think he would of if Hampson had of played but playing Casboult, Warnock and Kreuzer might not be the right mix, and Rowe, Casboult & Kreuzer might leave the Blues under done in the Ruck, maybe Warnock, Rowe & Kreuzer is the better option? Hampson really looked good on Thursday.
Brendan
Guest
Macca i dont know if i mentioned this to you in another article but watched Karmicheal Hunt in the Suns game he did nothing to disprove your theory on him.My main point with Hawthorn is there has to be a logical reason why a team with so much talent loses the big matches so often.For mine i think there too small all over the ground and as the game wears on they cant jump as high.Look at there last three games Adelaide almost over-ran in the final Qtr, Sydney who were one point up at three qtr time beat them by 10 and on Monday Geelong were two points up at 3/4 time got out to a twenty point lead and won by seven.As an aside was researching on the Blueseum trying to find the Ablett relative who played for Carlton ( Alf Williamson around the first world war) and learned Levi Casboult is related to Gordon Challis.
Macca
Guest
Brendan - So and average of about 4.5cm per player which is significant, especially considering Gellong gave up about an inch in the ruck.
Macca
Guest
The Hawks have never been quick but they could look quick when allowed to use the ball well by foot.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Chapman's soul is surely black as coal at this stage from all the deals with the devil he has been doing for these matches!
Brendan
Guest
Hawker not being a know all but had a close look at both teams.Geelong had seven players under 185cm whereas Hawthorn had ten in this range.Overall Geelong had a height advantage of over 100 cm between the two teams .There has to be something in this as that old adage states "" big guys dont get any smaller as the game goes on"" .
Brendan
Guest
Hawker Hawthorn have a very poor record in big games since the 2009 g/f so there must be a logical reason.I quoted the stat that had the most disparity in the match contested marks .Geelong dont have an excuse nor need to offer one against Fremantle last year they weren't good enough.Geelong dont have to prove a thing three flags in five years does the talking for them.Ironically it was the Hawthorn sides of the eighties when they would always beat Geelong with there bigger bodied players+Platten aside-that made me realise it is a factor.With regard too your key defenders comment the recruitment of Lake shows the club is trying to adress this issue.
Hawker
Guest
Hodge hasn't 'turned a game' since 2010. Hawthorn miss the run of whitecross and suckling more, they need to fast track the development of Hill and Anderson to fill the need for runners.
Hawker
Guest
hang on last year it was "hawthorn don't have key defenders" well hawkins was handled by schoenmakers now its "too many small runners".. What's Geelong's excuse for being pantsed by Freo in Melbourne?? Since we're bringing up past finals failures...
Mango Jack
Guest
Absolutely. Hodge can turn a game and lifts his players. sorely missed yesterday.
Redb
Roar Guru
Hawthorn needed Hodge out there, he is as important as Selwood is to the Cats.
Mango Jack
Guest
Agree they looked slow, bilo, particularly the 3rd qtr. Possibly reflects their ageing midfield. But I was impressed with their defence overall. Shoenmakers has bulked up a bit and grown in confidence. Gibson always spoils well and Stratton showed good composure. But the weight of centre clearances in the 3rd and 4th killed them. Also agree re Buddy. He is a big moment player, not a big game one.
Brendan
Guest
MAF1970 watch the video to Jeff Kennett from Geelong on You Tube and laugh about this so called curse.The chances of Geelong v Hawthorn in a grand final are fairly remote- IMO both sides wont make it this season.All these Hawthorn supporters can hang there hat on is that they will beat us when it matters.I was at the game and Hawthorn deserved there lead at half time but Geelong kicked five points before they scored a goal and were rusty early on and as the game wore on Geelong gained more composure.Hawthorn have West Coast and Collingwood in the next two weeks so they need to lift there game or they could be right under the pump.
MAF1970
Guest
Bilo - I'm a died in the wool Geelong supporter and honestly thought yesterdays game would be the one that broke this so called hoodoo - very happy that it wasn't and that we showed the pluck to come back from 5 goals down - but the longer it goes on the more I get concerned they will break it in a match that really means something...................and we will cop the wrath of Hawthorn supporters for all of eternity.
bilo
Guest
The Hawks look slow at times, especially in the 3rd quarter when Motlop, Selwood, Christensen and Stokes starting to run them around. Rioli looked underdone and Franklin goes missing sometimes when they need him the most. Buddy needs to step up in those game the way Wayne Carey used to for the Roos. Also Hawks defence still looks undersized, maybe Lake will make a difference when he returns. Perhaps Roughie could also be used as a CHB? Although, if these two sides met again on Grand Final day for some reason I'd back the Hawks to end the hoodoo! Wouldn't that burn Geelong!