Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson rues the Hawks' lack of run in the second half. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson conceded the Hawks ran out of gas as Geelong stretched their winning sequence to a perfect 10 at the MCG yesterday.
He said the Hawks' control of vital statistics in the first half of the game did not reflect his side's modest 20 point lead at half-time.
Dubbed the Kennett Curse after former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett questioned the Cats' mental drive in the lead-up to the opening round in 2009 against Geelong, Clarkson said he would prefer to look forward rather than back.
"You like to win games of footy and you don't focus on what's happened beforehand and it's all here and now," Clarkson said.
"We were pleased with a lot of elements of our game today, coming up against a good side.
"Early in the season these games can be just the luck of the draw in terms of who wins them. We were unfortunate day and we just need to keep at it.
"There's no point moping around."
The Hawks have only a six day break before playing West Coast in Perth and are unlikely to recall captain Luke Hodge who resumed with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL on the weekend.
He said Hodge can be recalled for the Eagles, but could also remain in the VFL for another three weeks.
Brian Lake, who withdrew from yesterday's side, must pass a fitness test.Asked about any injuries, Clarkson responded: "Just a bruised ego."
The Cats, which vowed to never lose to Hawthorn again after their shock loss in the 2008 Grand Final, came from 30 points down late in the second quarter to kick six unanswered goals.
Clarkson said Geelong was a very good opponent and had been a great side.
"We haven't got there this time but we'll keep pegging away and we will get there eventually," he said after the seven point loss.
He said that while the Cats kicked inaccurately early in the game, their two goals late in the second quarter perhaps gave them a better score board return for their first half performance.
"We could have gone into half time a little bit further in front, I thought given the way we were playing," Clarkson said.
"As we know with the Cats it's hard to keep them down for four quarters."
Clarkson said youngster Brad Hill was the best example of the Hawks running out of gas as he was probably best on ground in the first half but was nearly "cooked" half-way through the second quarter.
"It sort of symbolised our lack of run, particularly in the third quarter," he said."We challenged them at three quarter time to work hard and dig deep and it didn't help us get the points."
Hawk Jordan Lewis said the players got a bit tired as the game went on, but fought back in the last quarter and had plenty of chances.He said it might surprise a few people, but the Hawk players don't see the losses to Geelong as a streak.
"We always know when we are coming up against Geelong that it is going to be a hard fought contest to the end and it was again. We had our opportunities but didn't make the most of them."
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