The Cats rode a nine-game winning streak into Monday's game that had included several almost implausible comeback victories and stretched back to their 2008 Grand Final loss to the Hawks.
A 10th consecutive Geelong win seemed a long shot when the Hawks got out to a 30-point lead late in the second quarter on Monday, especially when the Cats had kicked just three goals at that time and were playing an uncharacteristic error-riddled brand of football.
But Geelong fought back to win by seven points in another gripping chapter of the Cats-Hawks recent rivalry.
But Clarkson said the Cats' recent hold over his team had not entered his mind during Monday's game.
"You'd just like to win games of footy. We don't focus on what's happened beforehand, it's just all the here and now," Clarkson said.
Asked whether he ever asked himself just what Hawthorn had to do to beat Geelong, Clarkson said the Hawks' time would come.
"They're a very good opponent, they've been a great side," Clarkson said of Geelong.
"We haven't got there this time, but we'll just keep pegging away and we'll get there eventually."
Clarkson said he thought the 20-point lead the Hawks took into half-time on Monday had not reflected their control of general play.
But he said the Cats had turned the game on its head after half-time, with Hawthorn unable to halt their momentum and get back into the contest until early in the last quarter.
"That happens round one, we had so much energy for the contest," Clarkson said.
"We ran hard, worked for one another, but we ran out of gas in the end.
"Young 'Hilly' (Bradley Hill) was probably the best example. He was near best on ground in the first half, but halfway through the second quarter he was nearly cooked the poor lad, so it sort of symbolised our lack of run, particularly in the third quarter."
Clarkson was hopeful former Western Bulldog Brian Lake, who was a late withdrawal from Monday's game, would be fit for the Hawks' round two match against West Coast at Paterson's Stadium on Sunday. But he said skipper Luke Hodge's availability would depend on how he recovered from his game for Box Hill in the VFL last Saturday.
Clarkson said Lake had made a late run to play against the Cats after overcoming a calf injury suffered in round one of the NAB Cup, but a "corkie" at training last Wednesday ultimately ruled him out.
"We recruited him for these type of roles against (Tom) Hawkins and (James) Podsiadly, so we gave him every chance, but he ran around at training yesterday but just couldn't stride or kick," Clarkson said.
"So we thought we'll leave him out this week and hopefully get him right for next week."
Clarkson said Hodge might not return to the Hawks' team for another three weeks.
"We could bring him in next week or it might not be for another three, but we'll work that out.
"It depends on how he recovers, how he feels like he's performing (and) his confidence in his body."
