I find it inconceivable how the most famous winning streak in the AFL manages to garner so much attention, but subsequently be so ignored.
When Geelong and Hawthorn meet on Friday night, the Cats will be aiming for their 12th straight win over the Hawks – a streak that has now spanned half a decade.
This dominance was in no way faked or fluked, it was earned and won on the back of a simple reality: when matched up, Geelong is better than Hawthorn.
Now this is not to say the Cats are an overall superior team; Hawthorn have proven themselves a formidable force season after season in recent years.
I am purely talking about their relationship as rivals when placed head to head.
There are 153 unique rivalries that exist within the AFL, many of which toss up surprising results; this is due to favouritism being so often heavily based on recent form and not on the intricacies a rivalry can contain.
The rivalry that exists between Hawthorn and Geelong is unquestionably dominated by the Cats, to an extent that is simply stupid to ignore.
But still, every time Geelong and Hawthorn meet, current form overrides recent history, and Hawthorn enter the match as the favourite.
And again I ask, how?
Hawthorn’s favouritism is simply undeserved, and to an extent, it is probably unwanted.
Anyone who has experienced the rough end of an unbalanced sporting rivalry (on any level) will understand how much a history of failure can impact the outcome of a match.
As hard as Hawthorn tries to suppress knowledge of Geelong’s dominance, you can be sure memories of the past five years will emerge in more than a few minds as the game draws to a close.
If the game is tight at the end, you must assume history will prevail.
As much as players talk down its significance (I personally get a kick out of Geelong players dismissing the relevance of their dominance as they hold back a smug smile), the history at play here is incredibly significant, and is only amplified by the pressure provided by a preliminary final.
Now I want to make clear this article is not intended as a prediction for the match – in games that offer such a huge reward, anything is possible.
But when the teams run out on Friday night, I will be looking upon Hawthorn as the underdogs, as Geelong more than deserve the pressure that comes with being the favourite.
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
Hawthorn beats Geelong in the games that matter, especially knockout finals and GF's . That's now Geelong's curse
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
HOW TRUE
Ryman White
Editor
Yep, I have been shown a fool. And to think, it wasn't really that far from 'I told you so!' Great game.
Ryman White
Editor
Purple Rain
Guest
Over Geelong
James Rodda
Guest
Just a little smile reading these comments and the article now for the first time as a hawks supporter. Our dominance of last night's game, except on the scoreboard, was brilliant.
bryan
Guest
You were saying?.............
jase
Guest
You aren't taking into account the curse.
John Fedec
Guest
26 PFs since 2000... 18/18 for higher ranked home teams hosting lower ranked away teams.................Boat 1 3/8 for the reverse...................Boat 2 Both Hawthorn and Fremantle are in boat 1 Hawthorn/Fremantle GF
lach
Guest
not entirely true Gene, the round 19 game last year was all tomahawk and that is barely an exaggeration. he kicked 6, including the last two with one after the siren.
Fitter
Guest
MF1970 - "in the games that matter"? Who won last year's grand final ?
Anthony Mickan
Guest
The Hawks are cherry ripe,have a fully fit team,a fit Hodge and a weeks rest.. The cats are tired ,out of form .no Chappy and battle weary. Losing 11 in a row means nothing in home and away matches,winning Prelims and Grand finals is what our teams play for. The Kennett curse ends tonight.
johno
Guest
I hope its a blood bath with both teams giving it their all and ending up exhausted, sore and with an up hill tasks to get ready for the GF ...... against a rampant Freo!!!!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
There is that small matter of the 89 grand final also. Dunno what Kennett was doing that day but probably fortunate for the Hawks he wasn't in a position to make ludicrous pronouncements.
MF1970
Guest
Couldn't have summed it better Pope and I am a Geelong supporter. It just means the hawks have everything to lose..............I made a comment on here after Rd 15 when we won by 10 points and there were all the usual post mortem articles regarding the so called curse that for every win against them we are getting closer to a loss (don't analyse the pyschology behind that) and I hoped it wouldn't happen during the finals this year. Its now looking more like that is when it will be broken - the Hawks are cherry ripe and we have played 2 decent qtrs in 3 games............ Maybe the last line of Kennets comment all those years ago will come back to haunt Geelong and he will be hailed as a prophet......................that line................."in the games that matter!"
Aransan
Guest
I will be happy with 40.
Daws
Guest
Hawthorn to roll them.
Cat
Roar Guru
Ask yourself this Lroy: 1. Has Geelong ever needed Hawkins to kick 5 or 6 to beat hawthorn? (the answer is no) 2. Cyril Rioli, while brilliant when 'on' also disappears from games for large portions. 3. In 13 career games v. Geelong, Rioli has managed a whopping 12 goals. Not even 1 a game. The Hawks may win, but it won't be by 50.
Matt
Guest
Maybe not in the geelong team, but Jetta showed last year he has the measure of Rioli. Rioli has been rubbish this year frankly compared to his usual high standards.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Could not care less about the success of either, the rivalry or the curse. Hawthorn fighting fit, Geelong sore and players out. Hawthorn convincingly.