Preview 2015 Grand Final: Hawthorn v West Coast Eagles - Gunston IN, Hartung OUT

[MightyHawks]

Forecast currently is no rain, 26 not 28 degrees, winds of 15-25km/h increasing to 20-30km/h

Considering the eagles are a quick team and it will be a reasonably warm day, it's essential we have the 3 runners in the side Billy/Smithy/Hilly

We have played with 3 runners for most of the year, and noticeably only had two of them in the Qualifying Final

I am hoping that it's an easy decision for Gunston to not be able to play, really wouldn't want to see Shoe dropped for an anything less than 100% fit Gunston

It's always good to have some players in a Grand Final who are yet to win a premiership and it looks like we'll have 2-4: Frawley/Billy & possibly Shoe & Cegs

No chance of going with one ruckman - North were bashing into Goldstein at every opportunity last night. Can't just have McEvoy

Duryea should play the whole match, which means the sub options are only Suckling & Billy - I think it'll be Billy

 

[MightyHawks]

The only problem with that is West Coast don't like to rest their ruckman in the forward line. They prefer to keep their forwards mobile with Kennedy, darling, Cripps, Hill, and Le Cras. The only time the ruckman goes forward tends to be a slow play into the forward line. That was the problem we had in the qualifying final.

Frawley to Kennedy is a must

Whether Lake is on Darling, resting ruck or a spare is fine

 

[Turly]

Very concerned about the weather.

28 degrees with an ageing squad, off 2 Perth trips in 4 weeks is going to be brutal

The extra days break came at a perfect time

 

[Turly]

What are we going to do with Lake?

Frawley on Kennedy,
Gibbo on Darling,

Big call, but what about Gunston in for Lake, if fit?

Sinclair?

 

[Since 2001]

Td is not tall??
Has also burnt the ball a lot this year..

I never said he was tall....? I think he has kicked the ball well this season

 

[heh]

I never said he was tall....? I think he has kicked the ball well this season

Soz. It was in response to the geelong quote..

 

[Hawker55]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Schoey in the role he's playing helps our forward line a lot more structurally than Jack does. Gunston is a better player and more versatile, but Schoey gives us a focal point and breaks a pack. We haven't had a bash and crash forward for years really - Rough has never been the bloke to break a pack and Buddy was a leading forward. Given our fantastic small forwards, Schoey brings them into the game a lot more than Gunston does.

I also don't think we should flirt with form, Schoey is playing very well, Jack was quiet before the injury and hasn't played for 3 weeks.

 

[hawker30]

Frawley to Kennedy is a must

Whether Lake is on Darling, resting ruck or a spare is fine

There's no way Lake could play on Darling, due to mobility.

Unfortunately, Lake can't play as the spare either because we don't want him nor Frawley to be the guy disposing the ball from the back 50, and he does not have the tank or mobility.

 

[B&GBlood]

You guys must be getting sick of Grand Finals by now, surely?

Yeah just give us the cup already

 

[Pessimistic]

There's no way Lake could play on Darling, due to mobility.

Unfortunately, Lake can't play as the spare either because we don't want him nor Frawley to be the guy disposing the ball from the back 50, and he does not have the tank or mobility.

So lake for gunston may be seriously considered ?

Pity as lake is a good luck charm

Btw weve had extreme weather forecast and tipped to assist our opponent. Its been tipped to favour our opponents. Its either been forecast wrong or actually favoured us

 

[B&GBlood]

It depends on whom we play. If it's west coast, Perhaps saving some explosive pace for the last stanza is in order. If it's north, the hawks should run a comp on their website, the winner gets to come on in the last 5 minutes when we're 74 points up, to enjoy the moment and get a premiership medallion. It'd be awesome seeing Mrs Gladys Williams, 76, of
Pittswood Crescent, Herston in the forward pocket, because it wouldn't matter.

Not sure we could fit Gladys under the salary cap

 

[madhawksfan]

Weather forecasts are rarely correct but sunny weather doesn't hurt us.

A fine day helps us as it brings our kicking skills to the fore. If he possess the ball effectively and West Coast have to defend it will wear them down.

Conversely, it helps their marking forwards.

Which ever team wins the ball at the contest and uses it better will win.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

I think the warmer weather will suit us OK. We seem to play quite well in warm/hot weather. We beat West Coast over in Perth on a really hot day in 2013 and smashed the Suns in really humid conditions up on the Gold Coast in 2014.

 

[JustKickIt]

Not sure we could fit Gladys under the salary cap

I heard she would be happy with a Lamington and a cup of Earl Grey in a Royal Doulton fine china cup after each game

 

[Turly]

For anyone worried about 26 and sunny....


2008, 2013, 2014

 

[The Lemon]

Time for a thread title update

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

I heard she would be happy with a Lamington and a cup of Earl Grey in a Royal Doulton fine china cup after each game

If she's anything like the other Gladys we had on our list I say sign her up ASAP!

 

[The Lemon]

For anyone worried about 26 and sunny....


2008, 2013, 2014

2013 was rainy and shittish

 

[Brishawk]

For anyone worried about 26 and sunny....


2008, 2013, 2014

2013 wasn't sunny. And it wasn't 26! I was freezing haha

 

[mustang]

Weather forecasts are rarely correct but sunny weather doesn't hurt us.

A fine day helps us as it brings our kicking skills to the fore. If he possess the ball effectively and West Coast have to defend it will wear them down.

Conversely, it helps their marking forwards.

Which ever team wins the ball at the contest and uses it better will win.

Did in 1987 when we played as many finals and played on 27 deg on GF day

 

[moginie]

Did in 1987 when we played as many finals and played on 27 deg on GF day

We are nowhere near as banged up as we were in 1987.

 

[Hawkk]

Did in 1987 when we played as many finals and played on 27 deg on GF day

With all due respect West Coast circa 2015 is no Carlton 1987

That team was steeled by the 1986 GF defeat (like we were in 1986)

 

[Hawkk]

We are nowhere near as banged up as we were in 1987.

Agreed. Full bill of health (Gunston aside)

We went into 1987 without Dunstall and Gunston is no Dunstall!

 

[Turly]

2013 wasn't sunny. And it wasn't 26! I was freezing haha

Should have stuck to 08 and 14

 

[JoeHawk]

Did in 1987 when we played as many finals and played on 27 deg on GF day

If I recall it was 30+. A huge difference from 26. But we're still a week away and a lot can change with the forecast. Let's wait until midweek. I'm currently holidaying in point Lonsdale and the forecast for today two days ago was 20 now it's changed to 17.