IT'S always a danger for a young side in a grand final. They're underdogs, there's some nerves and the insane build-up has them feeling liked caged animals by game day.

They pride themselves on their aggression and unsociable football. Past gladiators are glamourising the past, making the '89 grand final sound like the OK Corral. They're told that the opening 10 minutes will produce "mayhem".

But, if they've studied recent grand-final history and the mettle of the Geelong Football Club, the Hawks will avoid crossing that line separating reasonable and unacceptable aggression. More bluntly, don't go the knuckle, Hawks.

The Hawthorn coach describes AFL footy as "jungle warfare". On occasion, his Hawks have engaged in guerilla activity. This is reflected in the number of key players burdened with match review panel "carry-over" points.

Twice this season, opponents have attempted to drag Geelong down by the knuckle.

In round 12, Port Adelaide spend the second quarter taking cheap shots. Each indiscretion resulted in Geelong goals. The game was blown to pieces in about 10 minutes.

Fremantle was no less stupid in round 15, losing its head in a misguided attempt to unsettle the Cats. Dean Solomon broke Cameron Ling's cheekbone in the first quarter, a blow that ended Ling's afternoon and Solly's season. Geelong won by 74 points.

Geelong captain Tom Harley said of the Fremantle approach: "It's not the way to play football."

He might have added that it's not the way to beat Geelong. The Cats don't mind it if the opposition rumbles. Ling, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Joel Corey, Gary Ablett, Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Mooney et al are genuine hardnuts. They'll withstand whatever nastiness is dished out, take the frees and make goals.

In grand finals, umpires are keen to avoid "mayhem" in the opening minutes and to assert control. They will crack down heavily on head-high hits and unnecessary force.

Hawthorn's defeat by North in the second week of the finals is said to have served as motivation for the team's assault — if that's the right word — on the premiership. On that evening, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Shane Crawford were all reported and subsequently suspended. The Roos won the ball.

That game should serve not merely as motivation, but as a template for how NOT to confront Geelong.

And don't let Dermie into the rooms before the game.