If one ever wanted the definition of a team ‘beating itself’, they need look no further than Hawthorn's performance on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, where a prime example of this was on display as Hawthorn carried Geelong over the line. From a Hawthorn perspective, the game was truly infuriating on so many levels, predominantly as a result of Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield, who, despite being stricken in the early throes of the match, was the difference between the two clubs. After seeing the Cats' star go down and being sent forward, showcasing Geelong’s over reliance on him, it offered the Hawks the chance to exploit the situation and with it gain a decisive ascendency in the contest. Cast as an old style one out full forward, Dangerfield operated largely in the forward 50 whilst the rest of the Geelong attack played higher. It was bemusing to see him in constant one on one duels where he was allowed to hold the whip handle against a predominantly inexperienced Hawks defence. The frustrating aspect wasn't so much their inadequacies when matched against arguably the AFL's premier star, but the fact that everyone else was assigned to a zonal defence instead of someone running shot gun for Dangerfield’s direct opponent. After witnessing James Sicily in the win against Adelaide sit 10 metres in front of Eddie Betts in support of Blake Hardwick, a move that proved pivotal in the win - why wasn’t the same tactic employed here? It would not only have limited Dangerfield with third up support, but also ignited the Hawks' rebound due to his inability to chase. The other main theme of the defeat was the constant failure to execute, which was highlighted in the ultimate hammer blow of Isaac Smith curiously deciding to play on rather than go back and take responsibility for the shot on goal. Flawed decision making, which was the difference between winning and losing, was frustratingly seen on too many occasions throughout the game. There were too many missed handballs or substandard kicks which fractured the chain in transition when out and leading to turnovers which killed us when inside 50. Also, once more, our inexplicable tendency to miss set shots on goal was the final nail in our coffin. The Hawks' forward line, which has been excellent in recent weeks, had a look of imbalance to it. There was too much emphasis on manufacturing goals due to the pressure acts of the many defensive forwards without the structural support of more attacking entities. Taylor Duryea and Ryan Schoenmakers were stellar, particularly Duryea in the job he did limiting Harry Talor’s influence. With Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston playing roles largely in the midfield, it deprived the forward line of their pre-eminence as goal kickers and creators. In particular, Gunston playing on the wing and deep in defence rather than forward, where he has been a consistent 50+ goal kicker for the last three seasons, would have delighted the Geelong coaches. The frustrating irony is that it was Gunston who passed the ball to Isaac Smith in the dying seconds of the game to set up a shot on goal. If Gunston had of been stationed more permanently forward perhaps the outcome would have been better for Hawthorn. Lastly, to 'The General’, Luke Hodge: with the game in the balance, 10 points down, under a minute left to play and surrounded by Cats players, he got the ball outside 50 and pinged it through the big sticks off two steps on his non-preferred right foot to give his team a chance at a remarkable late victory. This showcase moment reminded all of us privileged Hawthorn fans how lucky we have been to witness one of the greatest the game has ever seen.