Training 2024 Preseason reports and discussion

[Judd2Sewell]

With regards to Ryan do track watchers think he has an AFL body / fitness base yet?

If Hardwick does indeed play forward there is a spot for someone to play that mid sized hard nosed defender / offensive Backman hybrid role which seems to be right in Bodies wheelhouse.

When I was there he was struggling with the running come the end of the session, which is probably normal for new draftees - Ward and Weddle being the exception.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hardwick forward, reminds me of Campbell Brown playing up forward. Had a huge impact there in Q1 of the 2008 grand final.

Difference is we had a side ready to challenge and had a settled backline at the time - Guerra, Birchall, Gilham, Ladson, Hodge, Croad. Guerra was already a proven quality back pocket.

Right now we don't have a settled backline, nor do we have another proven quality back pocket (as it stands).

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Dimma fwd won't work. He's a defender all day, and we have no one else to take the small fwds.

Don't see either. I hate the idea of moving our best small defender forward, especially when we don't really have a settled backline or a proven replacement.

IMO if we want to send a back pocket forward why not Mitchell? He has skill, pace and goes hard.

 

[Adebisi]

I gotta say - I'm pumped for this season.

More than for quite some time.

It's not the end of 2024 season finish place - I'd happily take being in contention with the 8 up until the last few rounds as a 'good result' - it's the potential growth that has got me buzzing.

I want to see where Sams footy brain takes us with better personnel and an extra year of coaching into the 'kids' - to see the tweakes and variations that a better fitter squad bring.


I want to see individual improvements - some I think likely (injuries permitting) are:


Duke to score more, and increase his influence- and get top 3 in the Brownlow

Chol to kick 45+

Lewis to get career high goals scored.

Watson and Ginnivan to learn from Punky and become a true small forward 'deadly duo'

Hustwaite to have a real breakout.

CJ to own a wing / HHF role

Weddle to spend much more time roving through the midfield

Reeves to take the next step - more marks, more tackles, and hit the scoreboard regularly, and become a true A grade ruck.

Blanck to take real steps to becoming a genuine 10 year KPD

Gunston to show everyone he isn't cooked - and more.

Ward, CMac, Mackenzie, Butler, Mitchell, CJ, Weddle,D'Ambrosia maybe BMac and Ryan - all make the step up to the next level.

DGB to find a spot, own it, and keep it.

Nash to be finally acknowledged as a very good player by the media

More players in AA squad

Seeing many, many more hawthorn fans at the games - even with the dreadful timeslots!


Genuinely excited for what shapes up to be a season to begin an era of success.


Thrashing the * would be a great start.

Go Hawks in 2024 - and Merry Xmas to the Brown and Gold hordes!

Chol is the one. If he fires we will be very dangerous.

 

[Lawsy]

I remember Seamus took a kick in against GWS hit the short target, followed up received and hit the next on the wing/half forward. Absolutely opened them up. For the rest of the game Sic and Hardwick kicked in, each one was a 50-60 metre kick to a pack that came straight back in. I reckon it was Seamus first or second game and can’t remember him doing it again for the season.
I’m all for both Mass and Seamus getting their hands on the pill and slicing teams open


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Late in the game at Norwood. I think it was his first game too.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Don't see either. I hate the idea of moving our best small defender forward, especially when we don't really have a settled backline or a proven replacement.

IMO if we want to send a back pocket forward why not Mitchell? He has skill, pace and goes hard.

If Sam is serious about prioritising winning games next year then we play Hardwick back pocket every week.

I thought it was a weakness of the team last year in that we seemed to tinker a lot with the back six (ie swapping Scrimmers for Bramble).

A stable backline is a must if you want to make the finals.

 

[FB19]

It’s fun to think about how insanely good Newk is going to be when he’s 25-26 and is in his prime. He’s going to absolutely destroy sides.

With his bare hands! His bare enormous hands!!

 

[grumbleguts]

Kicked the first or second goal from on the paint of 50 if memory serves me correctly

Bateman kicked the first.

 

[kazzooka]

Hopefully this works. As I said this was Newk’s third in a row from the same spot on his left and the Wiz and Bruest didn’t nail any of them so he was pretty happy

Bruest and Watson were aiming for the posts. Goals are too easy.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Chol is the one. If he fires we will be very dangerous.

If he goes from a streaky forward to a consistent performer, we probably play finals. We won't want for F50 entries if our team stays fit.

 

[The Chad and I]

If he produces to his full potential Chol coujd almost be as good for us as Buddy was for Sydney.

He has the football and athletic talent.

 

[Roddy]

If he produces to his full potential Chol coujd almost be as good for us as Buddy was for Sydney.

He has the football and athletic talent.

Hey hold up just a minute, we need to keep a lid on this, and not get too far ahead of ourselves....

 

[The Chad and I]

Hey hold up just a minute, we need to keep a lid on this, and not get too far ahead of ourselves....

60 goals a year for 9 years.
Take it to the bank!

 

[peetoo]

If he was that good, he’d be in a swans jumper right now. The league would make it so

 

[Roddy]

If he was that good, he’d be in a swans jumper right now. The league would make it so

Yeah, the Swannies have always had a freakish way of somehow landing the best key position forward talent in the league, Plugger, Hall, Bud...

I wonder who it's going to be next.

 

[FB19]

Yeah, the Swannies have always had a freakish way of somehow landing the best key position forward talent in the league, Plugger, Hall, Bud...

I wonder who it's going to be next.

JUH.

 

[Alex_au]

Has anyone seen Cyrils posts on the Hawthornzone instagram now. Pretty cryptic, surely not!

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Has anyone seen Cyrils posts on the Hawthornzone instagram now. Pretty cryptic, surely not!

Also this. Very strange posts but you know what they say where’s the smoke there’s fire

 

[matey]

Has anyone seen Cyrils posts on the Hawthornzone instagram now. Pretty cryptic, surely not!

No way! That would be the biggest comeback in history ……. imagine the Ciz and Wiz show

 

[TylerDurden]

Ciz playing mind games.

 

[Mojo]

Chol is the one. If he fires we will be very dangerous.

Has he ever had a game at AFL like that; where he's broken out?

 

[Mercy Seat]

Ciz playing mind games.

Clearly he’s joking around. We’re coming on 6 years out of the game for a guy that will be 34.

 

[eldorado]

Clearly he’s joking around.

Well, at least that's a step in the right direction...


(Please come back into the fold, Cyril )

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Clearly he’s joking around. We’re coming on 6 years out of the game for a guy that will be 34.

He'll be fit. Cherry ripe. No injuries.

Probably has another 3 or 4 years left playing 70% game time.

 

[TylerDurden]

Clearly he’s joking around. We’re coming on 6 years out of the game for a guy that will be 34.

Hammy's wouldn't last a qtr. But gee it'd be fun.