WHETHER or not Hawthorn has gained a psychological edge over Geelong will be plain to see in next month's finals series, when the two great rivals clash again.
But rest assured, the Hawks are taking plenty of positives out of their triumph in last Saturday night's round 22 clash.
Trailing by 31 points at half-time, the second-placed Hawks lifted with an 11-goal second half to win by 23 points against the third-placed Cats.
"It's always good to beat Geelong," Hawthorn's star defender Shaun Burgoyne said on Monday.
"Those wins have been (few). There haven't been too many over the last few years."
It was Hawthorn's second win in their past 14 games against Geelong and Burgoyne says the result boosted the defending premiers' self-belief.
"The games against Geelong are probably a bit different to most," Burgoyne said.
"We've had games where we've been a few goals in front and Geelong have come right back and beaten us. In those games you're never safe.
"That's one thing to take out of it. It does give you belief that your game plans and your structures that you have in place hold you in good stead, even when you are five goals down, that you can come back and have a win.
"We had some young players stand up and play some good footy and be exposed to a high-intensity game.
"To see Will Langford play the way he played was very encouraging."
The second-year player helped spark Hawthorn's comeback, finishing with 23 disposals and two goals.
Coach Alastair Clarkson's passionate address at half-time was also crucial, Burgoyne said.
"I've seen it a few times since I've been here, when he's let go at us," Burgoyne grinned.
"But we deserved everything that he said.
"We had no one winning their position. So we were all in the gun."
The Hawks face injury-hit Collingwood in the final round on Friday night at the MCG, but Burgoyne is expecting another tough game against the ninth-placed Magpies.
And that's all the Hawks want at this stage.
"Last week against Fremantle, against Geelong and this week against Collingwood, it's good preparation for finals footy," Burgoyne said.
"These are the games you want to have leading into finals because they're going to be pretty physical, tight, tough games."
