And that’s the same mentality the Hawks will enter tonight’s second semi-final against Golden Square at the QEO with.

The Hawks had gone into last week’s qualifying final against the Bloods as the underdogs, but coach Derrick Filo’s simple message to his players of go out and enjoy yourselves, take the game on, take risks and back yourselves reaped stunning rewards with a 38-point victory.

Tonight the Hawks will again be the underdogs against the minor premiers, but they showed last week when they are at their best just how dangerous they can be.

“We said at the start of the finals that we’re going to have fun and enjoy it and just take it on,’’ Filo said yesterday.

“We think that’s the only way we’re going to be a chance. So if we make mistakes, we make mistakes, and we know at times we’ll give up goals from turnovers.

“We conceded four goals from turnovers last week through taking the game on, but I’ll wear that.

“Once you start going into your shell you’re done and dusted, and when you play teams like South Bendigo and Golden Square, you can’t beat them playing safe footy.’’

Golden Square convincingly won both games against the Hawks in the home and away season.

In round seven at Canterbury Park the margin was 70 points, while in round 16 the Bulldogs prevailed by 47 points.

Although, that 47-point margin in round 16 – which was just four weeks ago – flattered the Hawks after they had earlier trailed 11.7 to 1.3 at half-time.

“Probably up until the last game or two we were just a little bit in-between in the way we were playing our footy,’’ Filo said.

“It just seemed that we weren’t really defending, and we weren’t really attacking.

“But now we have had a better balance over the past couple of weeks.

“And we’re playing better team footy now than what we had been.

“But to be honest we’re still a little unpredictable because the way we’re playing now, we haven’t done it all year.

“I suppose at the end of the day, while Golden Square and South Bendigo have been the best teams for five months, all we’ve got to do is play well for one month.’’

Since their loss to the Bulldogs in round 16, the Hawks have won their past three matches against Kyneton (134 points), Kangaroo Flat (85), which was playing for its season in round 18, and last week’s victory over the Bloods.

The Hawks have won 11 of 12 quarters during those three wins.

The Hawks regain reigning best and fairest Gareth Crawford tonight, while Bendigo Pioneer Mitch Dole has also been added to their squad.