Training 2024 Preseason reports and discussion

[peetoo]

Worps and Nash are frontliners, best 22 every day of the week, the one and only way they will be replaced in the side is if one or more of the fringers improve enough to take their places. So it amounts to exactly the same thing.

Someone else said they should look elsewhere. Baffling.

I was responding to the notion the up and comers would make them VFL footballers by being better.

I said IF that were to happen (which I said in the same post I didn’t believe btw) they wouldn’t stick around in the VFL fo long.

I recall prior to out threepeat we did lose josh Kennedy, but ai suspect playing the SCG helped him become elite there.

It’s not unlikely one may be squeezed out

 

[BIGHAWK23]

anyone can paywall this

 

[Slainte]

Again, the premise is that they're overtaken by the younger guys. No-one is questioning their current state of Best 23.

It's certainly going to be interesting to see how our midfield looks in 2-3 years time. There's going to be some unlucky blokes.

Nash and Worpel are both 25, not 35. In 2-3 years both will be in their prime.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I don't think we should be putting a Pendlebury ceiling on Henry. He will be much better

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I'm not disagreeing with you but when you add Croc, Lewis, Chol and Gunston to that list that makes 9 forwards. Just not sure how we fit them all in. Nice problem to have.

Limited game time for Gunston. He's not going to be part of any future success we have. Hopefully he can pass on his wisdom and take up more of a mentoring and off-field role. I'd rather we play Chol, Lewis and the smalls.

 

[number23]

anyone can paywall this

AFL 2024: Hawthorn star key forward Mitch Lewis lifts lid on pre-season​

Hawthorn gun Mitch Lewis has lifted the lid on Hawthorn’s off-season, opening up on the return of Jack Gunston, looking after livewires Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson, his own fitness and more.
Hawthorn star Mitch Lewis says he is at full fitness ahead of the club’s twin pre-season clashes with the Western Bulldogs as he tipped an early-season selection shock.

The Hawks’ power forward was sorely missed as an impotent Hawthorn forward line struggled without him in 2023, until his round 6 return from a sprained ACL injury.

Suddenly the Hawks are spoiled for choice in the forward 50, with Lewis admitting Jack Gunston’s return was a shock – despite holidaying with Gunston at the time of his trade on an American golf trip.

Lewis lauded the midfield work of 2022’s No.37 draft pick Henry Hustwaite, who he said reminded the players of Scott Pendlebury for his ability to step through traffic after a massive summer.

While Hustwaite needs to build an AFL-ready tank, Lewis said he is set for a big early-season role in another reminder of the selection squeeze in the midfield and forward line.

Lewis also praised ex-Magpie Jack Ginnivan for his no-fuss attitude since arriving at the club, with the key forward thrilled with his quiet brand of leadership and physical shape.

Lewis, 25, was held back from full training until the week before Christmas after recovering from a foot sprain. He promised Hawks fans are in for some excitement from their new-look forward line.
“I am going well, fingers crossed. Ready for an intra-club next week and then the hitouts against the Doggies,” Lewis told the Herald Sun.
“All going well, I will be fit and firing for round 1.
“Pre-Christmas (training scheduled) was modified, and this side of Christmas has been good. I had a rolled ankle, but (only) missed one session.
“I have spent a good chunk of time with Gunners over the last couple of months. We had our 4x15 minute hitout down at Torquay, and he looked really good. He kicked five goals.
“Personally I am a better player when Jack Gunston is fit and firing in our forward line so I hope he can get his body right and play a pivotal role for us.”

Gunston’s single-year experiment with the Brisbane Lions never quite got off the ground, and Lewis said the 32-year-old simply felt it was right to come back to the club where he won three flags.

“I actually didn’t (know) and I was a bit flat on him because I was with him over in America when the news broke as well – and he was keeping it pretty tightly sealed,” Lewis said.
“He had a massive year (with his father Ray’s passing) before going up to Brisbane and he needed a life change as much as a football change.
“He went up there, it didn’t work out, but we took him back with open arms and it feels like he’s never left now.”

Midfielder Hustwaite made a late-season debut last year and while Will Day’s early-season absence to injury will allow Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie more chances, expect to see the 19-year-old given opportunities for the Hawks in 2024.
“(Hustwaite) is going really, really well. He has really impressed me this pre-season and impressed a lot of guys,” Lewis said.

“He doesn’t have those running attributes the other guys have yet. But his work inside, not to put pressure on him, but it’s Scott Pendlebury-esque in terms of the way he has time with the footy and his ability to make blokes miss him in the tackle. It’s as good as we have to be honest.

“I think he will get chances early on, so it will be good to see how he goes.”

Premiership player Ginnivan arrived at Hawthorn with a reputation but Lewis says he has done everything in his power to dispel any myths about how he goes about his business.

“He actually surprised me with how quiet he was when he first got to the footy club, “ he said.
“I was expecting, from what you see in the media, him being quite out there and you see him with the high tackles and his teammates having to get around him.
“I was very surprised with how he presented himself with his personality. His work ethic has been absolutely fantastic. I didn’t realise he looked so muscular.
“I thought he was a bit shorter and a bit stockier but he’s quite trim and fit and works really hard, eager to learn, quite vocal in meetings. He’s only 21 years old so he’s really impressed me with his atmosphere.”
It doesn’t mean Ginnivan and new teammate Nick Watson won’t play the role of on-field agitators when round 1 hits.
“Nick Watson is very lively,” said Lewis.

“Once we get to opposition games you see his under 18 highlights and he’s always getting under the skin of ‘oppo’. I am looking forward to seeing that

“Cholly (Mabior Chol) and I might have to look after these guys a little bit because I think they are talking a little bit of smack which I don’t mind. I don’t really do it too much but I will fly the flag and support the guys. It will be interesting to see how we shape up.”

 

[peetoo]

Nash and Worpel are both 25, not 35. In 2-3 years both will be in their prime.

The usual posters will have turned on the youngsters they are pumping up now for younger with ‘more potential’

Not to hope for misfortune but having multiple options gets you through tough seasons.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Would not blame Worpel or Nash to look elsewhere. They won’t be vfl standard for several years yet.

But I believe the club does not share this view which pops up in here now and then

Worpel maybe. But Nash is a freakin unicorn. He is taller than Cameron, Naughton, MacDonald, JUH, Petty, Allen, Hawkins, Weitering, DGB, Himmelberg.... And he is a mid who grew up learning how to tackle so it hurt.

The potential upside (more than already) is absolutely worth sticking with Nash for.

 

[peetoo]

Worpel maybe. But Nash is a freakin unicorn. He is taller than Cameron, Naughton, MacDonald, JUH, Petty, Allen, Hawkins, Weitering, DGB, Himmelberg.... And he is a mid who grew up learning how to tackle so it hurt.

The potential upside (more than already) is absolutely worth sticking with Nash for.

Context friend. Re read my post

 

[Sixpence]

Nash and Worpel are both 25, not 35. In 2-3 years both will be in their prime.

And?

 

[smish]

I think Hustwaite's ability to go forward to exploit a mismatch may be viewed as very valuable. He outmarked Petracca in his first match. If the oppo changes the matchup for him that has a flow on effect for our other forwards too.

 

[DogDaySonny]

anyone can paywall this

Any paywalled site can be archived and viewed at Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

 

[Slainte]

And?

There are two reasons young players go past older players. One is they are simply better. The other is that older players pass their peak. My point is that the second reason won't apply. Worpel and Nash are both very good so the first reason might not apply either.

 

[Sixpence]

There are two reasons young players go past older players. One is they are simply better. The other is that older players pass their peak. My point is that the second reason won't apply. Worpel and Nash are both very good so the first reason might not apply either.

Sure, but again, the premise of the argument, which I reiterated in the post you quoted, is that they do go past those two, not that they will or might.

 

[Mr Lizard]

more wizard, less gizzard.

 

[arupist]

There are two reasons young players go past older players. One is they are simply better. The other is that older players pass their peak. My point is that the second reason won't apply. Worpel and Nash are both very good so the first reason might not apply either.

There is only one reason and that is your first. Older players don't (or shouldn't) get selected based on their peak. They get selected on what they can do NOW. So whether they are past their peak or not, they get passed by someone who is better. At the moment, Worpel and Nash are better. But for how long?

 

[moginie]

The modern day guerra story?

Guerra played at Centrals under Clarkson, so when he was headhunted he was a known product. There's no comparison.

 

[hawkmang]

If we’re at a point where Nash and Worpel can’t crack the league side that’s exciting as it means our young players are even better.

 

[hawk65]

I think Cyril will struggle to get a spot in the team when he makes his long awaited comeback

 

[Dewnior]

more wizard, less gizzard.

thanks lizard

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Context friend. Re read my post

Huh? I'm not arguing with you, just adding to the discussion. All good

Sent from my SM-G990E using Tapatalk

 

[rei154]

When you watch his highlights in isolation it's not hard to see where the excitement comes from.

 

[H00t]

When you watch his highlights in isolation it's not hard to see where the excitement comes from.

He definitely does some really nice things with ball in hand.

What’s going to determine if he makes it or not is how much he can gets his hands on the ball both in congestion and general play.

As well as if his foot speed doesn’t hold him back.

 

[threesixpio]

 

[threesixpio]

“Cholly (Mabior Chol) and I might have to look after these guys a little bit because I think they are talking a little bit of smack which I don’t mind. I don’t really do it too much but I will fly the flag and support the guys. It will be interesting to see how we shape up.”