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Cornes: How much psychological damage does this defeat do to the Hawks?
SEN • August 2nd, 2025 2:48 pm
SEN’s Kane Cornes has pondered how much psychological damage Hawthorn may have suffered following the Hawks’ 14-point loss to Adelaide on Friday night.
The Hawks had ample opportunities to win this match following their hot start to the game, which saw them kick the first five goals of the match.
Hawthorn was also in the lead at three-quarter time, but goals from Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker in the final stages of the match would prove to be the difference between the two sides.
This means that the Hawks are now vulnerable to losing their spot in finals with games against Collingwood and Brisbane left to play.
Reflecting on the result, it led Cornes to wonder what effect a result like Friday night could have on the playing group with three games left to go in the home and away season.
“How much psychological damage does a defeat like that put on you?” Cornes pondered on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“Because you are going to have to recover and butter up and go, ‘Gee, what a missed opportunity.’
“So, Sam Mitchell had them behind closed doors for 13 minutes after the game last night.
“I think that is unusual for him. I haven’t seen them do that before.
“Clearly, that would be about reinforcing the positive aspects of the game. You couldn’t be too negative considering the path that is in front of you.
“I’d just be reinforcing that if we’ve played that way, like, c’mon, we’re probably going to win two of the next three.
“But it’s a tough scenario. If they get there, they are going to deserve it. If they get there, they are going to be in good shape.”
Hawthorn’s next match will be against the ladder-leaders in Collingwood on Thursday night at the MCG. The game will start at 7:30pm AEST.
