Preview AFL Preliminary Final - Pies vs Hawks - Prematch Discussion

[88HawksBestEver]

What are you even talking about? I think my comment went over your head (not surprising). The way Sydney was playing in the first half and the errors they were making had nothing to do with Hawthorn, it was due to their own lack of commitment. Sydney played like absolute crap while Hawthorn did their own thing and piled on the goals. Sydney showed in the 2nd half the difference between being switched on and not. If you seriously think Sydney were playing well in the first half you need to get your eyes checked or actually look at how they played.

Perceived pressure in a final causes these errors. This pressure is caused by your opposition.

I think you are underselling Sydney, they finished the season well beating Geelong at Skilled before cleaning up St Kilda, and if I remember correctly pushed your mob to within a goal mid year.

According to you guys we were playing a suburban reserve grade team.

 

[TradeDraft]

The match will be broadcast live into Melbourne.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...awthorn-showdown/story-e6frf9jf-1226140350114



http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...awthorn-showdown/story-e6frf9jf-1226140350114

Bloody Fantastic

 

[Jules Winnfield]

What are you even talking about? I think my comment went over your head (not surprising). The way Sydney was playing in the first half and the errors they were making had nothing to do with Hawthorn, it was due to their own lack of commitment. Sydney played like absolute crap while Hawthorn did their own thing and piled on the goals. Sydney showed in the 2nd half the difference between being switched on and not.

I fully understood what you (and others) were saying. I think it's rubbish to suggest Hawthorn's football had no bearing on Sydney and that they just fluffed things all on their own.

Sydney played poorly because they were forced to play poorly. All this talk of no intensity is crap. The Swans don't play with no intensity ever - let alone in a knock out final celebrating the 300th game of one of their greatest ever.

If you seriously think Sydney were playing well in the first half you need to get your eyes checked or actually look at how they played.

No, I don't think they played well. That happens when you get outplayed. Not surprisingly when we eased off some after getting 8 goals in front that they made a brief comeback. We soon steadied that ship despite their best efforts and kicked away again.

That's the point. The whole game was played and dictated on how we were playing, not Sydney.




Now, that all means nothing this week. Us pulling their pants down doesn't mean a pinch of goat s*** against you guys. You're a much better team than them and we will have to play a blinder to win.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Forgive me but I am so 'amped' about Friday night. These are my ramblings.......bring it on!

How we win it

1. Cliche but very true vs these blokes - beating them in the middle
2. Run fellas run.......I think we are quite a bit quicker and if we win the clearances our spread and pace will be pivotal
3. Chopping out Buddy......but don’t forget about Hale and Rioli
4. Dawes and Brown need to lift and ensure Gibson gets isolated and not allowed to be 3rd man up.


How we lose it

1. Get burnt in the middle where they are very good and hence deprive us of run.
2. Dont press up on them when they try and chip it around. We are no good when we don’t have the pill.
3. Dont get back and give a chop out when they hit up Buddy.
4. Dont underestimate Hale - he was awesome last week.


My matchups;

Backs / Fwds

Rioli vs OBrien - I would send H to him bc he is the go to guy and will hurt him the other way. He dominates players and plays his best when he has a role. Hugely important to outcome and H or Davis are the blokes. Even Tooves could have a go.

Franklin vs Tarrant - Tazza did the job last time and did it well. Will have the confidence from last time and the backs have a game plan for him which we havent had for years but this guy is a freak and if the Buddy show turns up turn your TV's off and do your bit to save the planet. Reid could go to him as well of course.

Puopolo vs Davis – At different times this year have noticed the Hawks will look at deploying 2-3 tags in their fwd half thru this fella, Ozzie or Whitecross. I think they will try and send Puopolo to Neon. Has the pace and harrasment to worry our bloke but if Neon plays to the standard vs WCE he will win the contest.

Half Backs / Half Fwds

Whitecross vs Toovey - I would send Tooves to him. Kid can be dangerous at times and bobs up for goals so needs to be watched. Wouldnt mind betting Shiels get pushed fwd so Tooves could also have him.

Hale vs Reid - Big matchup for me bc Hale is good enough that you have to worry about him and will mean Reid wont be able to zone off. I think when Hale is on vs Brown that maybe when we should worry a bit more.

Burgoyne vs Maxwell - If I was Hawks I would push Burgoyne fwd. He can hurt you and commands attention. Will also mean Maxy wont be able to zone off. Either this or he gets Whitecross or Osborne.

Centres / Rucks

Bailey vs Jolly - Jolly should have his way with him. Problem is Jolly is clearly hurt and isnt jumping or running fwd. He will need to watch Bailey who will run fwd and work him over if he is fit enough after last week or two.

Mitchell vs Ball - one of the most crucial matchups in the game. Ball did a decent job on Priddis who I rate highly. I think Ball was unheralded in taht game where we dominated clearances - i think it was largely bc Priddis was out of it. Would think if he can do something similar on #5 then we are a long way to home. If Mitchell gets to run around the HB / Centre at will he will hurt us massively.

Hodge vs Wellingham - I would send Wellingham to him and would even think about Goldy if he plays (which I dont think he will). Reason why I would go for Wellers is bc they will be looking at Wellingham's work at the stoppages particularly fwd as he has a penchant for goals. It will mean Hodge wont be able to run around at will. If this matchup along with the Mitchell / Ball matchup go in our favour I think we ahve won.

Sewell vs Swan - Pies will hope to manufacture this one. Sewell starts well but his lack of pace seems to find him out late in games. Swan will burn him and whilst Sewell can be damaging at the clearances he isnt known to hurt offensively

Smith vs Thomas - Smith was good last week and seems to relish big games. A fresh Daisy should see to him and whilst Smith has a motor Thomas needs to run him right back and work him over. Watch Smith run fwd though.

Lewis vs Pendles – Lewis has done some very good jobs and I would think he might get sent to Pendles as he did Judd and be set a task of closing him out after what he did to WCE. If we get on top I think #3 will be in trouble as his lack of pace vs Pendles will be an issue. Still, Lewis is someone I rate highly so Pendles will have to watch his defensive run.

Half Fwds / Half Backs

Blair vs Birchall – Blair got the job on Hurn last week and I think he will get a similar task. His lack of height wont be an issue bc Birchall isn’t a big contested mark taker. Birchall will also have to watch him around the stoppages as Blair is a bit like Wellers in that he can find himself in the red zone and dangerous.

Cloke vs Gibson – I will be almost hoping that Gibson gets sent to the big fella bc he struggled with him last time and it will also force Gibson up the ground thereby exposing the other two on the last line.

Beams vs Suckling – Beams will have to watch this kid. He was rested up last week and will be a weapon for them as they chip it around and aim to beat our press. Beams worries me at times bc he doesn’t run defensively that well. Still #31 will have to watch our bloke bc he can bob up and kick 2-3.

Fwds / backs

Krakouer vs Guerra - I rate Guerra very highly and think he is probably their best small defender bc he doesn’t usually get beaten and when he has it in an offensive play can kill you with his precision. Kraks has been pushing up a bit lately so hopefully he can move him around.

Dawes vs Stratton – An in form Dawes vs the underdone Stratton would be a no contest but our bloke isn’t in great nick. Showing little signs but needs to be on the move and leading up.

Brown vs Schoenmakers – the beast vs the rag doll. The rag doll was ok last week but I wouldn’t be averse to seeing Dawes and Cloke push up and leaving Brown and Kraks or Dids very deep.

Interchange

Murphy vs Johnson
Osborne vs Sidebottom
Bateman vs Shaw
Shiels vs Didak

I think our interchange is a lot better.......and its genuinely quick!

 

[Ed D]

Perceived pressure in a final causes these errors. This pressure is caused by your opposition.

I think you are underselling Sydney, they finished the season well beating Geelong at Skilled before cleaning up St Kilda, and if I remember correctly pushed your mob to within a goal mid year.

According to you guys we were playing a suburban reserve grade team.

That's the thing, Sydney were messing it up without pressure. They were kicking it sideways in their own back line and missing targets. They weren't applying tackles, they were ball watching. When they had the ball they'd bomb it high and long to a pack and Gibson was all over it (he played well but Sydney were playing to his strengths).

And I think it's the opposite of underselling Sydney. They showed how good they have been in those previous games you mentioned. They played nothing like that in the 1st half against Hawthorn, that's what the argument is.

Sydney had a rubbish 1st half while Hawthorn played their own brand of football. The game wasn't even close in the first half and Hawthorn deserved the lead because they were the much better side. But Sydney improved a lot in the 2nd half and made a contest of the game.

My point is it wasn't Hawthorn that caused Sydney to play so poorly, Sydney did that to themselves. They weren't switched on and were making basic errors. Hawthorn capitalised on this like all teams should.

 

[Zahki]

That's the point. The whole game was played and dictated on how we were playing, not Sydney.

Dunno what would make you think that. From where I was sitting both sides were playing terribly, Hawthorn just slightly less. I dunno what Hawthorn could've done to make Sydney players make basic skill errors like missing 30 meter kicks to players in the clear, did the Hawks put roofies in the Swans drinks or what?

People actually watched the game, if hawthorn were doing something to force Sydney to play badly we would've seen it. We didn't, Sydney were playing badly because they just played badly. Hawthorn also played badly luckily their players were a class above Sydneys and they got the job done.

That's the thing, Sydney were messing it up without pressure. They were kicking it sideways in their own back line and missing targets. They weren't applying tackles, they were ball watching. When they had the ball they'd bomb it high and long to a pack and Gibson was all over it (he played well but Sydney were playing to his strengths).

This. The mistakes Sydney were making were not under any pressure so Hawthorn can't take any credit. They capitalised on the errors, but they weren't forcing Sydney to make them, anyone who watched the game could see that.

 

[Terex8]

He'll play but Buddy didn't train today. Going to be interesting to see how he recovers, normally a player does very well the first game back from injury but then has a let off the week after. It's a physical matter as much as it's a mental issue.

 

[Ed D]

I fully understood what you (and others) were saying. I think it's rubbish to suggest Hawthorn's football had no bearing on Sydney and that they just fluffed things all on their own.

Sydney played poorly because they were forced to play poorly. All this talk of no intensity is crap. The Swans don't play with no intensity ever - let alone in a knock out final celebrating the 300th game of one of their greatest ever.

I'd agree with you on the pressure thing if they were making mistakes while being tackled or chased. When they're making errors from sideways kicking in their backline, not applying tackles and ball watching, going on runs and bombing it to nobody in their forward line, that's not mistakes from being under pressure.

I mean how does Hawthorn's pressure have anything to do with allowing a guy like Bailey to be on his knees, pick up the ball, have 3 or 4 Sydney players run past him and then he fires off the handball without being tackled? That's the type of play I'm talking about. I couldn't care about times when Sydney players got caught with the ball, there were too many instances where Sydney players should have tackled and nobody did. There were too many basic skill errors from players standing on their own.

It seems like anyone who was barracking for Hawthorn didn't see or notice this.

No, I don't think they played well. That happens when you get outplayed. Not surprisingly when we eased off some after getting 8 goals in front that they made a brief comeback. We soon steadied that ship despite their best efforts and kicked away again.

That's the point. The whole game was played and dictated on how we were playing, not Sydney.

So you're saying Hawthorn allowed Sydney to get within 1 or 2 kicks? That's pretty arrogant.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Dunno what would make you think that. From where I was sitting both sides were playing terribly, Hawthorn just slightly less.

No. Hawthorn at no stage played terribly. They won a final convincingly. That doesn't mean they played a brand of awesome Collingwood football but they certainly were not terrible. Foolish to suggest they did, regardless of what you think of how Sydney played.

I'd agree with you on the pressure thing if they were making mistakes while being tackled or chased. When they're making errors from sideways kicking in their backline, not applying tackles and ball watching, going on runs and bombing it to nobody in their forward line, that's not mistakes from being under pressure.

I mean how does Hawthorn's pressure have anything to do with allowing a guy like Bailey to be on his knees, pick up the ball, have 3 or 4 Sydney players run past him and then he fires off the handball without being tackled? That's the type of play I'm talking about. I couldn't care about times when Sydney players got caught with the ball, there were too many instances where Sydney players should have tackled and nobody did. There were too many basic skill errors from players standing on their own.

Not an unreasonable post but I think it is a little too simplistic. They made blews under no direct pressure (occassionally) but to suggest that was all that happened is overstating it by a long shot. Even then there is implied pressure.

It seems like anyone who was barracking for Hawthorn didn't see or notice this.

In this thread anyway. Doesn't matter. We're used to being talked down when we lose but over looked when we win.

I'm used to Collingwood fans not giving credit to opposition in games they play but there seems to be a lot of you trying to convince yourselves how awful we were on the weekend. Perhaps we would have been more convincing if we were only able to just get up......

So you're saying Hawthorn allowed Sydney to get within 1 or 2 kicks? That's pretty arrogant

No, never said that. Your responses have been reasonable (even if I disagree with them) so not sure why you need to try and twist my words for point scoring. I said we were 8 goals up before Sydney had a decent run at it. I think it's fair to suggest that if anyone was down on intensity at any stage it was us after we had established such a commanding lead, rather than Sydney playing an entire half not switched on in a knock out final that also coincided with the 300th game of one of their greats. Sydney don't ever just not have a crack - let alone in these circumstances. They just weren't good enough for us. We certainly didn't allow them back (3 goals was as close as they ever got btw) but we eased off. Not deliberately I'm sure, but it happens. However, that ship was righted fairly quickly.

 

[raff23]

Forgive me but I am so 'amped' about Friday night. These are my ramblings.......bring it on!

How we win it

1. Cliche but very true vs these blokes - beating them in the middle
2. Run fellas run.......I think we are quite a bit quicker and if we win the clearances our spread and pace will be pivotal
3. Chopping out Buddy......but don’t forget about Hale and Rioli
4. Dawes and Brown need to lift and ensure Gibson gets isolated and not allowed to be 3rd man up.


How we lose it

1. Get burnt in the middle where they are very good and hence deprive us of run.
2. Dont press up on them when they try and chip it around. We are no good when we don’t have the pill.
3. Dont get back and give a chop out when they hit up Buddy.
4. Dont underestimate Hale - he was awesome last week.


My matchups;

Backs / Fwds

Rioli vs OBrien - I would send H to him bc he is the go to guy and will hurt him the other way. He dominates players and plays his best when he has a role. Hugely important to outcome and H or Davis are the blokes. Even Tooves could have a go.

Franklin vs Tarrant - Tazza did the job last time and did it well. Will have the confidence from last time and the backs have a game plan for him which we havent had for years but this guy is a freak and if the Buddy show turns up turn your TV's off and do your bit to save the planet. Reid could go to him as well of course.

Puopolo vs Davis – At different times this year have noticed the Hawks will look at deploying 2-3 tags in their fwd half thru this fella, Ozzie or Whitecross. I think they will try and send Puopolo to Neon. Has the pace and harrasment to worry our bloke but if Neon plays to the standard vs WCE he will win the contest.

Half Backs / Half Fwds

Whitecross vs Toovey - I would send Tooves to him. Kid can be dangerous at times and bobs up for goals so needs to be watched. Wouldnt mind betting Shiels get pushed fwd so Tooves could also have him.

Hale vs Reid - Big matchup for me bc Hale is good enough that you have to worry about him and will mean Reid wont be able to zone off. I think when Hale is on vs Brown that maybe when we should worry a bit more.

Burgoyne vs Maxwell - If I was Hawks I would push Burgoyne fwd. He can hurt you and commands attention. Will also mean Maxy wont be able to zone off. Either this or he gets Whitecross or Osborne.

Centres / Rucks

Bailey vs Jolly - Jolly should have his way with him. Problem is Jolly is clearly hurt and isnt jumping or running fwd. He will need to watch Bailey who will run fwd and work him over if he is fit enough after last week or two.

Mitchell vs Ball - one of the most crucial matchups in the game. Ball did a decent job on Priddis who I rate highly. I think Ball was unheralded in taht game where we dominated clearances - i think it was largely bc Priddis was out of it. Would think if he can do something similar on #5 then we are a long way to home. If Mitchell gets to run around the HB / Centre at will he will hurt us massively.

Hodge vs Wellingham - I would send Wellingham to him and would even think about Goldy if he plays (which I dont think he will). Reason why I would go for Wellers is bc they will be looking at Wellingham's work at the stoppages particularly fwd as he has a penchant for goals. It will mean Hodge wont be able to run around at will. If this matchup along with the Mitchell / Ball matchup go in our favour I think we ahve won.

Sewell vs Swan - Pies will hope to manufacture this one. Sewell starts well but his lack of pace seems to find him out late in games. Swan will burn him and whilst Sewell can be damaging at the clearances he isnt known to hurt offensively

Smith vs Thomas - Smith was good last week and seems to relish big games. A fresh Daisy should see to him and whilst Smith has a motor Thomas needs to run him right back and work him over. Watch Smith run fwd though.

Lewis vs Pendles – Lewis has done some very good jobs and I would think he might get sent to Pendles as he did Judd and be set a task of closing him out after what he did to WCE. If we get on top I think #3 will be in trouble as his lack of pace vs Pendles will be an issue. Still, Lewis is someone I rate highly so Pendles will have to watch his defensive run.

Half Fwds / Half Backs

Blair vs Birchall – Blair got the job on Hurn last week and I think he will get a similar task. His lack of height wont be an issue bc Birchall isn’t a big contested mark taker. Birchall will also have to watch him around the stoppages as Blair is a bit like Wellers in that he can find himself in the red zone and dangerous.

Cloke vs Gibson – I will be almost hoping that Gibson gets sent to the big fella bc he struggled with him last time and it will also force Gibson up the ground thereby exposing the other two on the last line.

Beams vs Suckling – Beams will have to watch this kid. He was rested up last week and will be a weapon for them as they chip it around and aim to beat our press. Beams worries me at times bc he doesn’t run defensively that well. Still #31 will have to watch our bloke bc he can bob up and kick 2-3.

Fwds / backs

Krakouer vs Guerra - I rate Guerra very highly and think he is probably their best small defender bc he doesn’t usually get beaten and when he has it in an offensive play can kill you with his precision. Kraks has been pushing up a bit lately so hopefully he can move him around.

Dawes vs Stratton – An in form Dawes vs the underdone Stratton would be a no contest but our bloke isn’t in great nick. Showing little signs but needs to be on the move and leading up.

Brown vs Schoenmakers – the beast vs the rag doll. The rag doll was ok last week but I wouldn’t be averse to seeing Dawes and Cloke push up and leaving Brown and Kraks or Dids very deep.

Interchange

Murphy vs Johnson
Osborne vs Sidebottom
Bateman vs Shaw
Shiels vs Didak

I think our interchange is a lot better.......and its genuinely quick![/quote
this is actually a very good analogy, a couple of points however harry o can try and hurt cyril the other way but cyril is as good defensively as he is offensively, he is playing angry as well because of the criticism he copped after the geelong game, harry o will need to be at his absolute best to win that matchup. Davis will most certaintly get puopolo as osborne will go to shaw, poppy is a tough little unit with extreme speed who will make things very difficult for neon, he also wont allow him to run around doing as he likes, crucial matchup imo,

Your respect for whitecross is appreciated, is very underrated and slips under the guard of many teams, was 1 of our best against the cats. Bailey was very good in the 1st half against the most in form ruckman in the comp, dont be fooled by mumfords huge 3rd qtr, had little influence the rest of the match, bailey is 1 of the reasons we have gone so well this year and should be able to at least hold his own, is getting better with every match. A fully fit stratton against a fully fit dawes is a more reasonable assessment, your right they probably cancel each other out atm but remember he wasnt there last time we played, is imo our best 1 on 1 defender. Everywhere else is pretty much spot on, it will be won and lost in the middle, lewis shuts down pendlebury and it will go a long way to winning the game, is gaining a reputation as a very good tagger in a matter of weeks. His big body will bang into pendlebury all day, we will see what happens.

 

[mdc]

Whitecross & Puopolo are both badly underrated because any time the ball is forward of centre for the Hawks, the commentators are in paroxysms over "Buddy" and "Cyril" (regardless of who actually has the ball or is doing the work).

Osbourne has also been very good in both finals as an agitator, although I think he's more likely to try to take Leon than Shaw (Shaw won't be affected by niggle, Leon might).

 

[Ed D]

No, never said that. Your responses have been reasonable (even if I disagree with them) so not sure why you need to try and twist my words for point scoring.

Just going off your "The whole game was played and dictated on how we were playing, not Sydney" comment. Sounded like you were implying that the scores were going by what Hawthorn were allowing and you were giving the Swans no credit for a comeback.

Anyway this talk is all starting to get a little pointless. Pies play Hawks this week, Sydney are out. It will be a totally different game and I can't see the Pies playing how Sydney did that match!

 

[raff23]

Whitecross & Puopolo are both badly underrated because any time the ball is forward of centre for the Hawks, the commentators are in paroxysms over "Buddy" and "Cyril" (regardless of who actually has the ball or is doing the work).

Osbourne has also been very good in both finals as an agitator, although I think he's more likely to try to take Leon than Shaw (Shaw won't be affected by niggle, Leon might).

in regards to puopolo he is starting to get the recognition he deserves and not before time, theres this perception we are a 2 man team up forward, its all ive been reading in the papers and it irritates me. Whitecross has generally been the linkman between the midfield and franklin, finds space exceptionally well and has genuine speed. Osborne will be told to be more dangerous offensively friday night, is quite capable of kicking 2-3 to make shaw honest, is a good mark overhead and a very good kick for goal so he is the ideal matchup for shaw who is also good overhead. Osborne is a much better player than just simply being used as a niggler ala stevie baker.

 

[mdc]

Osborne is a much better player than just simply being used as a niggler ala stevie baker.

Wasn't meant negatively mate, more in the sense that despite only kicking 1 goal the past 2 weeks he's been good.

Don't think the Shaw match-up will eventuate unless Osbourne is willing to run with him on the wing - that's more where Shaw's been playing these days.

 

[raff23]

Just going off your "The whole game was played and dictated on how we were playing, not Sydney" comment. Sounded like you were implying that the scores were going by what Hawthorn were allowing and youcome on mate blind freddy were giving the Swans no credit for a comeback.

Anyway this talk is all starting to get a little pointless. Pies play Hawks this week, Sydney are out. It will be a totally different game and I can't see the Pies playing how Sydney did that match!

come on mate blind freddy can see we switched off the intensity for a good 30 mins there, the least amount of possession we have had in 1 qtr all year doesnt just happen by coincidence sure the swans lifted all over the ground but the way they were winning the clearances reeked of us going through the motions. We picked it up in the last and they couldnt go with us, we did what we had to do to get the win, you dont get 4 points or percentage in finals, I highly doubt we will be anything but flat out the whole 4 qtrs friday night, whether it will be good enough time will tell.

 

[raff23]

Wasn't meant negatively mate, more in the sense that despite only kicking 1 goal the past 2 weeks he's been good.

Don't think the Shaw match-up will eventuate unless Osbourne is willing to run with him on the wing - that's more where Shaw's been playing these days.

more clarkos decison i was implying mate, i like that he gets under the skin of his opponents but i feel he gets wasted a bit just doing 1 specific role. Osborne can play midfield so if shaw goes to a wing osborne will go with him.

 

[rhys_22]

I'm sorry but the swans were pathetic for alot of the game and it wasn't due to hawthorns so called pressure..Hawthorn are a good side,capable of beating anyone,but IF we bring our best we should win.Last time buddy didn't play well because we now have a backline that takes him out of the game. Hopefully we can do that again this friday.I am so nervous already.Come on Pies!!

 

[Ed D]

come on mate blind freddy can see we switched off the intensity for a good 30 mins there, the least amount of possession we have had in 1 qtr all year doesnt just happen by coincidence sure the swans lifted all over the ground but the way they were winning the clearances reeked of us going through the motions. We picked it up in the last and they couldnt go with us, we did what we had to do to get the win, you dont get 4 points or percentage in finals, I highly doubt we will be anything but flat out the whole 4 qtrs friday night, whether it will be good enough time will tell.

Funny when the shoe is on the other foot...

 

[lozza63]

Spesh - Toovey ahead of the Sack due to Tooves superior pace. Dont you just feel pumped when Tooves runs blokes down? Gotta have Tooves ahead on that basis alone!
Really we dont need to go in overly tall against the Hawks - Hale and Buddy are the only guys over 6'2 in their forward line so Sack wouldnt really have a decent match up either.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Spesh - Toovey ahead of the Sack due to Tooves superior pace. Dont you just feel pumped when Tooves runs blokes down? Gotta have Tooves ahead on that basis alone!
Really we dont need to go in overly tall against the Hawks - Hale and Buddy are the only guys over 6'2 in their forward line so Sack wouldnt really have a decent match up either.

Toovey's greatest asset is his pace.

Having said that, Goldsack isn't exactly slow.

 

[Snoop Dog]

[/quote
this is actually a very good analogy, a couple of points however harry o can try and hurt cyril the other way but cyril is as good defensively as he is offensively, he is playing angry as well because of the criticism he copped after the geelong game, harry o will need to be at his absolute best to win that matchup. Davis will most certaintly get puopolo as osborne will go to shaw, poppy is a tough little unit with extreme speed who will make things very difficult for neon, he also wont allow him to run around doing as he likes, crucial matchup imo,

Your respect for whitecross is appreciated, is very underrated and slips under the guard of many teams, was 1 of our best against the cats. Bailey was very good in the 1st half against the most in form ruckman in the comp, dont be fooled by mumfords huge 3rd qtr, had little influence the rest of the match, bailey is 1 of the reasons we have gone so well this year and should be able to at least hold his own, is getting better with every match. A fully fit stratton against a fully fit dawes is a more reasonable assessment, your right they probably cancel each other out atm but remember he wasnt there last time we played, is imo our best 1 on 1 defender. Everywhere else is pretty much spot on, it will be won and lost in the middle, lewis shuts down pendlebury and it will go a long way to winning the game, is gaining a reputation as a very good tagger in a matter of weeks. His big body will bang into pendlebury all day, we will see what happens.

Yeah Harry is going to need to be on his job but Rioli could also push up into the midfield group and help them push thru the press as well. I think your mids are a bit one paced and so he presents a problem if he pushes up but equally I dont want him deep fwd. Pies might also send Davis to Rioli if they dont Puopolo on him. Dangerous little bugger that #28 - perfect finals player. Is going as well as Blair was for us this time last year.

Lewis could do the job on Pendles but I will back Pendles in the open play. Lewis will be hoping for lots and lots of stoppages and I think Mick will be trying to get the game opening to a fast tempo.

In the end the tempo of the game may dictate the winner and loser. A slower tempo favours the Hawks and a faster one us.

 

[Sloth]

Will be great to see all six of our AA player fit & firing in the same team

 

[Kurtley Beale]

I'm sorry but the swans were pathetic for alot of the game and it wasn't due to hawthorns so called pressure..Hawthorn are a good side,capable of beating anyone,but IF we bring our best we should win.Last time buddy didn't play well because we now have a backline that takes him out of the game. Hopefully we can do that again this friday.I am so nervous already.Come on Pies!!

That was our doing we were getting smashed in the midfield without Lewis and Sewell so we flooded back causing Buddy to have Reid Tarrant and Maxwell hanging of him all day.

 

[rustyg70]

I wonder how many time the Hawks will use David Kings "Third Man Up" theory against us on Friday night?
I noticed they did it a few times against the Swans.
I also noticed that whenever Gibson spoilt the ball in that same game he tried to clear it out of the immediate area of the contest.
If he tries that against our press,he would basically be punching the ball straight into the hands of our boys who have pushed up the to form the defensive line across the half forward and centre lines.

 

[Ed D]

Who do we normally play on Rioli? His record against us is really poor apart from the round 24 2010 game which was a bit of a non event.