HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson says the time for honourable losses against Geelong is over, and his team simply must win the preliminary final on Friday night.
The rivalry between the Hawks and Cats has been one of the most talked about in modern football, with nine of Geelong's 11 straight wins coming by 10 points or less.
Gibson said the time was right to end the remarkable streak.
"We've lost to them 11 times in a row, which is not acceptable," the All Australian-nominated backman told AFL.com.au this week.
"We've had a week off, we've got no injuries, so there's no excuses.
"We're in a good position to play our best footy, and that's what's going to be required.
"Honourable losses, I'm not interested in them, and neither is the rest of the team."
Gibson also quashed any notion that Geelong had a psychological hold over the Hawks.
"I don't think it's a mental hurdle [that we need to overcome]," he said.
"It's just about applying ourselves for four quarters, which we haven't done in the past.
"Most finals games are all about contested footy, and who can do it for longest.
"So it's going to be a tough game, we're under no illusions, but it's time to have a win."
The Hawks will regain stars Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli for the clash, with Geelong to be without Paul Chapman (suspended) and Corey Enright (knee).
Following a strong week of training last week designed to keep players sharp and focussed, Gibson said the mood around the club was upbeat.
"It's a great time of the year to be playing footy," he said.
"It's funny – as soon as the finals start, the sun comes out, and the boys go up a level on the training track.
"Once you've played in a finals series, you want that every year.
"It's good to be back there again this year and getting another chance at a prelim."
Although they will enter the match as favourites, the Hawks know nothing can be taken for granted.
After the disappointments of the past two seasons – a three-point preliminary final loss to Collingwood in 2011 and last year's 10-point Grand Final defeat at the hands of the Sydney Swans – there is a steely determination to finish the job this time.
"It's what we play for – to win premierships – and when you get as close as we have in the last two years, it just keeps driving that hunger," Gibson said.
"It would be nice to feed that hunger this year."
