Hawthorn demonstrated that it learned more from the previous encounter with Geelong and put it on display at the MCG in the second qualifying final.
When the chips were down, Geelong just could not find that extra gear that it so often used to pull games out.
The hopes of coach Chris Scott that his charges would find their good game when it was most needed fell well short.
It sentences the Cats to hoeing the hard road through the finals, facing the winner of the second elimination final between North Melbourne and Essendon.
It is a similar story to last year, ultimately leaving Geelong just a goal short of appearing in a grand final.
Joel Selwood gave everything he had, but not all his team mates could say the same.
The prediction was that Tom Hawkins needed to assert his dominance and it proved correct. The man mountain was well held and Geelong could only manage three goals after half time.
There’s quite a bit of regrouping to happen at Kardinia Park to ensure Geelong isn’t bundled out in straight sets.
But the real work is ensuring the younger crop of players continues to develop to set the club up for another serious tilt at flag glory in the next two years.
