Preview 2025 Round 3 - Hawthorn vs GWS Giants, Saturday 29 March, 7.35 pm UTAS Stadium, Launceston

[Adam Giant]

Even at this early stage of is development I think Gruz brings more to the table structurally in a similar way to Keefe. Riccardi is beaten in the air to often and out marked. Keefe is very good at splitting the contest and Gruz was able to do that against the pies

I'd agree with that.

Kingsley knows the strengths and weaknesses of his players better than any of us. He'd know full well that Keeffe is the least talented of the three, but trusts him to execute the (limited) role he's been given. Max is very young in his career but seems to be trending towards being a player the coaching staff can trust as well.

To be fair to PtP and others, we don't know the pecking order yet because of the suspensions and injuries, but I'm sure Riccardi is in the mix if he's been training well. It's the selection I'm most curious about when the team drops next Thursday.

 

[JC100]

I'd agree with that.

Kingsley knows the strengths and weaknesses of his players better than any of us. He'd know full well that Keeffe is the least talented of the three, but trusts him to execute the (limited) role he's been given. Max is very young in his career but seems to be trending towards being a player the coaching staff can trust as well.

To be fair to PtP and others, we don't know the pecking order yet because of the suspensions and injuries, but I'm sure Riccardi is in the mix if he's been training well. It's the selection I'm most curious about when the team drops next Thursday.

I’ll be amazed if Riccardi comes straight back in given where we are at and we already have Stringer, Briggs and Hogan coming straight back in.

Post match presser Kingsley had very different language for the suspended players v injured. Along the lines of we would get back xxx v they would be available

 

[Adam Giant]

I’ll be amazed if Riccardi comes straight back in given where we are at and we already have Stringer, Briggs and Hogan coming straight back in.

Post match presser Kingsley had very different language for the suspended players v injured. Along the lines of we would get back xxx v they would be available

That’s right. Four changes would be a lot if we assume Hogan, Briggs and Stringer are all back in. I can’t see it happening.

 

[PaythePerryman]

That’s right. Four changes would be a lot if we assume Hogan, Briggs and Stringer are all back in. I can’t see it happening.

I can. It's after a bye. Best available.
Plus throw McMullin in there too.

 

[sydney_gws]

I can. It's after a bye. Best available.
Plus throw McMullin in there too.

I think Kingsley obviously wants to pick the best side to beat Hawthorn. They are pretty quick, I think only 3 changes, I don't know which ones.

 

[Land of the Giants]

The Hawks are looking very mortal against Carlton...

 

[Colonial]

The Hawks are looking very mortal against Carlton...

You see, they’re not machines, theyre men!

 

[Adam Giant]

Plus throw McMullin in there too

McMullin was dropped for the semi final against Brisbane. He’s a good player and I like him, but he’s not a walk up starter by any means. He’d be looking to pinch either Wehr or O’Halloran’s spots, and both have been playing well.

 

[PaythePerryman]

McMullin was dropped for the semi final against Brisbane. He’s a good player and I like him, but he’s not a walk up starter by any means. He’d be looking to pinch either Wehr or O’Halloran’s spots, and both have been playing well.

I just think he's a more versatile option for Sub. But who knows they might make Stringer the sub to ease him in.
I wouldn't drop Xavier....probably Wehr who has been decent but it's a hard squad to get into. You'd love to see Thomas in the squad too after his year last year.
ATM I have

Briggs - Keeffe
Hogan - Gruz
Stringer - Brown
Cogs moved to wing to replace Wehr - Riccardi
Leake - McMullin (sub)

I could also be convinced that Ward may need a rest out on that wing instead of Wehr. Hawks are QUICK out there.

It's a fair amount of turnover but I think worth it to see if this tall forward structure works against a very good defensive unit.
Battle, Barrass and Sicily will have to honour their tall opponents (if Sicily plays back).
Stringer and Toby provide tough match ups (and mid bursts) and we all know what Daniels and Jones provide.

It's shaping up as game of the season so far. Hawks looked slick but not invincible and there's the added factor of Tasmania in the mix.

 

[scrim reaper]

Currently, they're paying $1.49 for a win, as opposed to $2.64 for us. As far as I'm concerned, those are disrespectful odds.

This is the only time we play them in the home-and-away, and if I was Kingsley, I'd be telling them to go and a make a real statement.

I wouldn't be surprised if we win.

Completely agree those are disrespectful odds. Both games last year were about as 50/50 as you can get, both teams exited finals in the same round, and both teams have started well this year. Not sure where people are seeing that amount of separation.

See you next week orange team.

 

[Adam Giant]

Completely agree those are disrespectful odds. Both games last year were about as 50/50 as you can get, both teams exited finals in the same round, and both teams have started well this year. Not sure where people are seeing that amount of separation.

See you next week orange team.

The odds will likely tighten as the game approaches, especially once the teams are announced. That said, the Hawks deserve favouritism based on their form and home ground advantage. If the match was in Sydney those odds would probably be flipped.

 

[Adam Giant]

I just think he's a more versatile option for Sub. But who knows they might make Stringer the sub to ease him in.
I wouldn't drop Xavier....probably Wehr who has been decent but it's a hard squad to get into. You'd love to see Thomas in the squad too after his year last year.
ATM I have

Briggs - Keeffe
Hogan - Gruz
Stringer - Brown
Cogs moved to wing to replace Wehr - Riccardi
Leake - McMullin (sub)

I could also be convinced that Ward may need a rest out on that wing instead of Wehr. Hawks are QUICK out there.

It's a fair amount of turnover but I think worth it to see if this tall forward structure works against a very good defensive unit.
Battle, Barrass and Sicily will have to honour their tall opponents (if Sicily plays back).
Stringer and Toby provide tough match ups (and mid bursts) and we all know what Daniels and Jones provide.

It's shaping up as game of the season so far. Hawks looked slick but not invincible and there's the added factor of Tasmania in the mix.

The team you've picked might indeed end up being our best 23, but I still don't think Kingsley will make five changes to a winning team. Additionally, all of those lads would be playing their first full game of the season and we know it can take some time to build match fitness. Regardless of who they go with, I'm confident we can match it with Hawthorn.

 

[TylerDurden]

Stringer gonna kill us.

 

[GWS Goose]

Stringer gonna kill us.

I hope you are right!

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Stringer gonna kill us.

Sicily - Stringer
Barrass - Hogan
Cadman - Battle

 

[JC100]

Stringer gonna kill us.

Sicily - Stringer
Barrass - Hogan
Cadman - Battle

Greene?

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Greene?

Hardwick in defence
Maginness in the middle

 

[MelbourneGWS]

The odds will likely tighten as the game approaches, especially once the teams are announced. That said, the Hawks deserve favouritism based on their form and home ground advantage. If the match was in Sydney those odds would probably be flipped.

Yes. We have played Hawthorn just 3 times in Launceston in our history, and have never won there against them - our best ever result was a draw in 2017.

Hawthorn on the other hand have played 82 games in Launceston and have an impressive 75% win percentage, and are currently on a 6 game winning streak there.

 

[TylerDurden]

Greene?

Hardwick for sure.

 

[Land of the Giants]

a) We have played Hawthorn just 3 times in Launceston...and have never won there against them...

b) Hawthorn...are currently on a 6 game winning streak there.

a) then we're overdue, and

b) so are they

 

[PaythePerryman]

Stringer gonna kill us.

Gee I hope this is the case. He's always been a tough match up. Much like Toby you can't play a tall on him...and you can really play a small on him. Need that medium defender like an Idun or Maynard.
Now we are forcing teams to have two of those.
Sicily would be good but he might be in the forward line. And will likely be required for one of our three talls.

This is what I like about having Cadman, Riccardi and Hogan in the one squad. Forces a tough match up. Only issue is you lose pressure the other way.
Stringer needs to chase or he will lose his spot to Brown.

 

[Giant Pete]

Last year we were one of the few teams that Hawthorn didn’t want to try and get the game on the outside.
It’ll be interesting to see if they try and push the quick ball movement game against us this season.
The way we were able to damage the scoreboard in the last quarter in the second game might make them think twice.