HAWTHORN's 31-point loss to Geelong will only sharpen the Hawks' hunger, according to captain Luke Hodge.
Speaking in the Hawks' desolate changerooms after the match and with countless ice bags strapped to his legs, Hodge said he was already focused on his next opponent, which will be the winner of Saturday night's elimination final between St Kilda and the Sydney Swans.
"When you come off a loss you're always hungry to play the next game. I can tell you there's 22 [players] plus others who didn't play who are hungry to play next week," Hodge said.
"We'll sit down and watch the St Kilda v Sydney game, we'll take notes and it is going to be a more spirited effort next week."
Hodge dismissed concerns over his own body as just a corkie, saying he was not in doubt for Hawthorn's semi-final.
The Hawks also have concerns over Lance Franklin's knee and Max Bailey's calf but Hodge said what hurt more than injuries was Geelong's dominance.
"It's a game of footy. Injuries happen in football. The more frustrating thing was they dominated the contested footy," he said.
"It was embarrassing how they beat us in and under. I guess the luxury of getting top four is having another chance. We've ruined the first one and we'll come out firing next week."
Hodge said he felt Hawthorn was every bit as good as Geelong on its day, but the Cats' endeavor won out.
"They are a quality midfield and we reckon we can match them when we stick to our structures and I guess tonight they wanted it more than us," he said.
"They were more hungry, they were determined. It was a disappointing performance by the side."
Hodge refused to lay blame on Hawthorn's back line, which struggled to cope with constant bombardment.
"I guess you've got to feel for the defenders when they have 69 inside 50s, they are bound to pluck a few marks out of there," he said.
"They had 20-odd contested marks. When the ball is coming in that often, you feel for the defenders."
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
