- Jun 28, 2013
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The hokball thing had a mini wiff of flash in the pan kids but Sammy…just would not let that happen. And we have some genuine leaders in this group. It’s looking good hey?
Training 2025 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion
- Thread starter Pinoy Hawk
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- Jun 28, 2013
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With the cricket on it usually takes me a while to warm up to the prospect of a new footy season but this post has got me very excited!Thank you everyone for posting on today’s session. With everything going on around the ground it’s hard to watch it all so with all the contributions it provides more of a complete picture
Was awesome seeing Lewis and Blanck today. They have significantly stepped up since the last time I saw them before Xmas. They were doing repeat sprints at high intensity (at one stage Amon yelling out “wow Lewy”) and first time saw Lewis doing some running with a change in direction. It was moderate but awesome to see him doing stuff other than just straight line stuff.
Wiz was on a modified program 3 weeks ago but at least he was doing a lot of laps. Today he didn’t do much with only some very light running and an early finish. Saw a couple of stretches he was doing to a particular area/side but I’m not speculating or know anything other than he is getting over a sore spot/soft tissue type of something. Didn’t even practise goal kicking. Only did a few short kicks/20 metre passes with an assistant coach on both sides. Nice left foot!
Ginni was also taking it easy but he spent at least an hour practising his goal kicking at both ends of the ground and 80% of his shots were on his left hooking it around his body. Tell you what he would have had 100 shots and he nailed most of them! He has a solid/consistent technique
CJ, Finn and Morrison all had a great session with plenty of energy and run. No surprise given the competition for spots! CJ was especially up and about and his running technique is so pure …… it’s like he floats across the ground. Hope he has a good crack at it this year
Barrass and Battle wow wee. The presence they both have on the ground is so noticeable. Two experienced AFL players just landed through the door BANG! Barrass is like a wall when playing down ball as a kid in marking contests ….. great spoiler. And Battle he can play tall then quickly switch into a running link up player. Beautiful kick/disposal and makes a beautiful sweet sound off the boot when he kicks it. Two new great leaders for the club
Skaife does look trim/fit since last year. Massive kick! Serong looks a footballer and doesn’t mind the body stuff he’s a competitor. We all know how good he is but could be the year that Dimma really announces himself to the outside world as an A grade footballer/swing man. He is really really enjoying himself out there. When Frenchie kicks the ball another player that makes that beautiful pure sweet sound off the boot. He will become and be known as one of the best kicks in the league! Beautiful technique always balanced. Dear just walking. No Ward. Mass modified but did a lot of laps. Reeves had angry pills today nearly took young Ryan’s head off with a head high tackle ….. maybe he’s working on this part of his game. Looks a little more mean with his new hair cut. The way Amon romped home passing a few at the very end was a highlight reminded me of Forrest Gump. Day and Siss pretty much back doing everything. Siss was doing a bit of goal kicking practise 40/50 metres out front on from goal ie. not from the pockets/boundary line. Weds practised his goal kicking but he does most sessions. Beautiful mover for his size but Mraz does have a slightly awkward drop of the ball when kicking. Needs to guide/trust his right hand more.
Mitchell is always observing and thinking out there. He just moves around the ground watches players around him and then when he sees something will walk up and have a chat give advice. He pulled out a bit of paper from his pocket to read some notes ….. things he wanted to cover for the session I guess. All coaches have to love footy but he genuinely lives, thinks and breathes it. As a player his footy smarts were off the charts which has flowed through to his coaching. And what a great group of assistant coaches he has assembled. The players are surrounded by some legends. And Rats every time I cross paths and see him he looks you in the eye and says hi ….. quality person.
It’s also great getting to know some of the Hawk regulars. Their passion and knowledge of the players is great listening ……. big year coming up. Go Hawks!
Quite the facelift to add to a side with a demographic that should lead to natural improvement from many young players already.
I think if we didn't get Battle and Barrass the talk would be about how exciting it is to get a real fullback in Blank back in, how exciting having Serong now with some finals experience ready to tear it up. McCabe with a full pre-season ready to make an impact in year 2. The what ifs of Frost, Mackenzie and Day playing the semi final and how far we could go in 2025 with all of them fit.
Our fringe/depth players are now guys in 3rd or 4th season with a bunch of games under their belts. Butler, Mitchell, Hustwaite, Serong, Blank, B. Macdonald, Reeves, Ramsden.
That alone would be cause for improvement.
But bring in 2 absolute GUN key defenders has changed everything. I just hope we get selection and the positional shifts right so it works. We don't want a Melbourne and Grundy situation, I know that Frost was promised that there is a spot for him and Battle and Barrass etc... but if it's not working or we want to keep sic or weddle back due to it not working in other positions or us lacking the run and kicking in the back half we do what's best for winning not for those who we thought would have a spot.
I thought the backline of Sic, Weds, Scrim, Frosty, Dimma and Imps held up extremely well as it was for much of last year. Add the two Bs in there, plus some fringers keeping the pressure on for spots, that backline looks beyond formidable….
Manila_Hawk
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Our first game is Sydney for Round 0.
Will be interesting to see how many Sydney can kick.
Hodgey 15
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Not me.
I've been hanging out for the footy to start again since GF.
Been a long 5-6 months. Bring it on.
We have good match ups for McLean, McDonald and Amarty.
Will be Papley and Hayward that could worry us.
Changa10
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Lol Hodgey. You really have been hanging out for the footy as it's only been 3 months since the GF
CaptainWorpedo
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3 months too longLol Hodgey. You really have been hanging out for the footy as it's only been 3 months since the GF
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I reckon he would have just cruised through it IMO, not over exerting himself, knows what he is capable of.
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Impey takes one, think Seamus gets the nod if the club believes he can find the level he did in 2023, otherwise Dimma in a break glass situation.
Something tells me that Dimma would relish playing a role on a showboat type player like Papley (who I love to watch do his thing).
cryptor
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I really doubt he or anyone else would consider cruising through. They're all competitive and out to prove themselves. Also looked like he was trying in the video the club had up on social media yesterday.
SSSSSS
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Really started to grow into his neck.
You reminded me of a game we played against Adelaide in Round 14, 2007 (I looked it up) - we'd won 5/6 games going into Round 14 by fairly large margins.
At the time, I remember feeling really confident; I actually couldn't visualise us losing (we ended up losing to the Crows by 71 points).
My mindset changed after that game - I remember learning that all teams have to face all matter of obstacles in order to win a premiership. We were obviously complacent on the day, but we did learn a required lesson that ultimately allowed us to salute in 2008.
Hodgey 15
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Feels like 6 months Changa.Lol Hodgey. You really have been hanging out for the footy as it's only been 3 months since the GF
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That the club has been reading our posts.
moginie
Brownlow Medallist
Interesting you say we were "obviously complacent on the day". Time dims certain facts.
This was the game where we'd flown in the day before and we were staying at a particular Adelaide hotel in the city and the fire alarms were set off twice overnight, deliberately. It had happened before, but this one really had a terrible effect on the team. Hawthorn has never stayed at that hotel since.
The weather that night suited the home team extremely well too. I know that you've shat on me and where I live before, but that night at Football Park the wind was blowing from the south west, through the gap in between two stands. The ground was very heavy and didn't suit our style of play at all. It's one of the most miserable nights I've spent at the football.
Complacency, if they weren't thoroughly exhausted by the carry-on the night before, might have been a fine thing.
All was redeemed though as the next time we played them crannypete was able to exact revenge.
I don't mean to be mean, Mogine, but using the weather and a hotel alarm for being thrashed is a little embarrassing.
It's the same immature mindset of those that have an excuse for everything; victim mentality stuff. Society would be a nicer place if people could simply take responsibility for their actions.
moginie
Brownlow Medallist
Dunno about you, but that not the only time we've played below our best due to unusual or unique circumstances.
Round 21 2015 and round 11 2017.
Pretty rich saying it's victim mentality. It's unfortunately real life and footballers are susceptible to it.
What's the expectation for Barrass re: games for the year?
A lot of talk about how bad his back is and how it will require constant maintenance, but so far I've not heard anything over the pre-season about where he's at with it.
A lot of talk about how bad his back is and how it will require constant maintenance, but so far I've not heard anything over the pre-season about where he's at with it.
