BIG games. Blockbusters. Whatever you want to call them, there is nothing like playing in one.And to my disappointment, my broken collarbone is forcing me to sit out what I believe are three ofthe biggest matches of the year for Hawthorn.I am putting our clashes with Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in this category.Every team has what are classed as ‘‘traditional’’ rivals.But when it comes to gauging the biggest encounters as a player, it is more than that as far as I am concerned.For me, it’s all about atmosphere, pressure and thequality of the game itself.In most cases the best of these factors rise to the top for teams when their is a history of classic battles in finals between them in the previous one or two seasons.Given the Hawthorn-Geelong clashes of the past few years — who could ever forget that famous day in September, 2008 — it is obvious why every Hawthornplayer fires up when meeting the Cats.What I would have given to be in the fray on Monday.You could feel that something special was about to happen in the lead up.It started on the training track and then spilled into the rooms on the day.Some say we pinched the premiership from Geelong twoyears ago.The Cats certainly think so.They are now out to get us every time we meet, while we are desperate to show that we can return to the form that allowed us to reach the pinnacle.Next on the agenda for us is the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium tomorrow.Like Geelong, the Bulldogs are shaping as one of the top four.That’s where we want to be again.When we met in round 14 last year, the Bulldogs smashed us — 19.19 (133) to 6.9 (45) — in frontof 36,000 at Etihad Stadium.That followed our win over them in a 2008 qualifying final.Some of our players felt the physical wear and tear of the intensity of the Geelong encounter.Knowing that it’s going to be on again against the Bulldogs, the boys have had a relatively light week in readiness to whatever Barry Hall and co throw at us .There will be no rest.From there it is Collingwood under lights at the MCG nextSaturday.There’s nothing like playing a big game under lights in front of a full house at the MCG.It’s hard to explain it.This is something you have to experience.It’s electric.There is always a buzz against Collingwood given thepassionate nature of its supporters.It is even more so with the Pies in what they believe is apremiership window.We are confident that with one win and having pushed Geelong all the way, we are on the right path after the disappointment of missing last year’s finals.There is nothing like meeting the best in the competition to bring out the best in us and over the next couple of challenges we will find out where we sit.
Clash of the titans is what it's all about
