TonyK
CibbuanoWe believed: Clarkson
September 27th 2008 17:42
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson said his team had 'an inner belief' going into Saturday’s grand final against Geelong.
The Cats had won 42 of their past 44 matches but were denied back-to-back premierships by a gutsy Hawthorn side that prevailed by 26 points.
Clarkson said after the game that his side’s record against Geelong in recent times had given the playing group of lot of confidence going into the premiership decider.
"Our form against them (Geelong) despite our lower ladder position and Geelong's dominance over the past two years has been quite good," he said.
"In 2006 we beat them twice and last year we won the one (and only) game in Tasmania by four points and it was such a great battle in Round 17 (when the Hawks lost by just 11 points)."
"So the players had an inner belief that despite Geelong's outstanding form as a side that if we played our best footy we could stack up well against them because we match up well against the Cats generally."
Despite winning the flag, Clarkson said the Cats were still the league’s benchmark team.
"I suppose the whole competition will look at us that way now because everyone always judges the premiers in that manner," he said.
"But I still expect Geelong will continue to be a dominant side next year."
"And while we got the victory today it could have been a different result and I wouldn't suggest for one minute that that (win) elevates us above Geelong because we still respect them enormously."
"They are still a more experienced group than us and we still think we have to chase them in terms of improving our performance in the couple of years ahead."
The Cats had won 42 of their past 44 matches but were denied back-to-back premierships by a gutsy Hawthorn side that prevailed by 26 points.
Clarkson said after the game that his side’s record against Geelong in recent times had given the playing group of lot of confidence going into the premiership decider.
"Our form against them (Geelong) despite our lower ladder position and Geelong's dominance over the past two years has been quite good," he said.
"In 2006 we beat them twice and last year we won the one (and only) game in Tasmania by four points and it was such a great battle in Round 17 (when the Hawks lost by just 11 points)."
"So the players had an inner belief that despite Geelong's outstanding form as a side that if we played our best footy we could stack up well against them because we match up well against the Cats generally."
Despite winning the flag, Clarkson said the Cats were still the league’s benchmark team.
"I suppose the whole competition will look at us that way now because everyone always judges the premiers in that manner," he said.
"But I still expect Geelong will continue to be a dominant side next year."
"And while we got the victory today it could have been a different result and I wouldn't suggest for one minute that that (win) elevates us above Geelong because we still respect them enormously."
"They are still a more experienced group than us and we still think we have to chase them in terms of improving our performance in the couple of years ahead."
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