Preview AFL Rd 21 - Pies vs Hawks - MCG Friday night - Changes (Pies unchanged) & Prematch Discussion

[domus]

Because they have played a grand total of 18 games and it is called preservation and proper management you numb nuts. Not only did they come up against the toughest team in the afl but it is on the back of our most physical game the week before and a trip to Sydney.

Great management, you silly person. (see-I can get personal too!) Bring in a player in his thirties who has been injured for about 8 weeks,can no longer jump or run, and performed poorly against a Collingwood reject in the VFL. That should give us a big show of knocking off a team which has dominated us.

 

[Number 10]

Great management, you silly person. (see-I can get personal too!) Bring in a player in his thirties who has been injured for about 8 weeks,can no longer jump or run, and performed poorly against a Collingwood reject in the VFL. That should give us a big show of knocking off a team which has dominated us.

Hudson, Witts. It doesn't really matter. My point stands and you don't get it.

 

[Pera]

Brown to Roughead - Brown has the wood on Roughy in recent times but the big CHF is in All-Australian nick. Should be great to watch.

Goldsack to Franklin - Keeffe isn't mobile enough and Goldsack, although lacking height, has some serious zip and will keep a close distance for most of the night. Buddy isn't a 'great' contested mark, so maybe Goldsack is the way to go.

Keeffe to the resting ruckman.

I think we need to have a shootout with the Hawks if we are to be any chance as I cant see us locking them down for four quarters. The closest we have gotten to them was in Round 1 last year and it was something like 140-125. I'd be backing in our defensive running from recent weeks and hope the spread is as damaging as it has been in the last three weeks.

Hawks by 12 though is my tip.

 

[HeavyPop]

Wow, people are quick to pull the trigger on a player.

Go watch the Sydney game again. Tippet kicks his first goal early after a free kick which Brown actually spoiled, he just got called for holding, which is a tough call in the first 5 minutes of a game. His second goal was a chop of the arms free kick. His 3rd was a pack mark where 5 players all went up and Tippett had the luck to mark it. His fourth he did beat Brown 1v1. 5th goal was another holding free kick and his 6th was kicked on Keeffe, which was impossible for Keeffe to impact.

Brown didn't have his best game, but I don't think any KPD would have kept Tippett quiet on Saturday night. He was marking everything that came his way. Once our midfield got on top, his goals dried up.

If our midfield gets on top come Friday night, I expect Brown will keep Buddy quiet.

 

[Deleted member 133504]

Despite the last forty years, with the likes of the great players through the 70s, 80s, and late 2000s, we did win our first twenty nine games against the Hawks from 1925 to 1941, and then went on another streak after that. I suppose through generations you just find players that match up better, and have contributed to Hawthorn's success. It is run of the grass and played to the conditions. The Hawks are exceptional with their disposal, and you reckon if they get a run on they are hard to beat.

One thing I noticed in round 3, was that we built up such a commanding lead, and just let it crumble away. We have done that a number of times dating back even to both our games against the Hawks in 2001. Six goal first quarters (2001) versus the five goal blitz in the rain in round 3, and yet we conceded late goals and ultimately handed the ascendency back to the Hawks. We were in front in the Qualifying Final last year off the boot of Heath son of Ray, yet again we conceded late goals before half time. If we are to beat them, we need to prevent Franklin's ability to get off the leash, and tie the Hawks down completely. Our concentration cannot waver.

I believe our forward line has become more potent since round 3. Cloke kicked six against the Hawks in both the QF and round 3, and seems to be able to tackle the load by himself. He has been in great form recently, and even well held by Teddy Richards still had an impact. What Reid does is distract the potential for two or three men up on Cloke in marking contests. He has great contested marking ability Cloke, and one on one is hard to beat. Reid and Cloke have the ability to interchange their dominance over teams when on top, and if the ball comes to ground, we have the likes of Billy, Humble, Thomas J, and Rusty who can crumb. We have weapons in the forward line if the delivery is right. Even Sammy Dwyer has great goal sense. It would be nice to see Krakouer come back, but it is not a necessity to rock the apple cart at the moment.

The midfield is the coup de grais, and the way the fab four (finally came up with a nickname) in Beams, Pendlebury, Ball and Swan got involved on Saturday night was enough to have you frothing at the mouth. Apart from McVeigh who was exceptional with thirty five disposals, only one or two others got in the low twenties and the rest in the teens. When you gaze back to 2010, when the Cats pumped us in round 9, you can almost see a similarity in the complete reversal of form the Pies are displaying. We have annihilated a team who was considered the best team pressure was in the competition, we have taken more contested ball, broken even in the ruck and stoppages, and relied amicably on turnovers and breaking out the back. Harry's run off the wing is superb, and our switch play from the wings into the center seems to be coming off. We are timing those players to perfection, and loved our break over the back. The coast to coast goal by Grundy was something to be admired.

Love what Keefe has done down back. He has alleviated Reid of his role, which has yet to find fault. It seems as if our forward line, as a result of finding almost an identical key defender, has become unstoppable. I say that in a sense that, despite what opposition coaches might match up on us, we can still take our opportunities and convert. Thought Marley William's break off half back, his courage, his foot skills, and his cooperation with Sinclair, whose run and dash has been a revelation, has highlighted the Pies' resurgence. The Sack played across half back in his hundredth, and did not do a great deal, but he did contribute the one percenters, as did the skipper Maxwell. Must remember that football is not all about kicking goals, but how you get them, and how you out maneuver the other team for possession. Maxwell's spoiling and his ground work should receive gratitude, as should his encouragement and inspiration to the likes of Heath Shaw. Shawy has taken some excellent marks on the last line of defense, and always finds a way to break the lines and dash to set up forward moves.

Grundy and Lynch proved a surprisingly exciting foil for Mumford and Pyke. Mumford was allowed to rag doll Grundy all night, but Grundy was more agile and his disposal and work in the stoppages to free up space and get the ball out for fast breaks was something to be admired. One should not be too shocked, as is VFL form warrants his call up in these crucial clashes, and he is making a great account of himself. For someone so young, he is filling a ruck gap so badly required. Lynch was running up and down the ground, marking, bulldozing packs, and even got a chance at goal. His difference to Dawes is that he can break off his opponent and actually contribute with disposal. He actually marks the ball. Dawes was a victim of the new system Buckley was attempting with ruck/ forward role of Leigh Brown, but Lynch just seems the better fit. Lynch will perform again this week, and guarantee his value to the team continues to be demonstrated.

Browny was stiff this week and against GWS, but it is good to have him back and injury free. He is a key defender, and will be chomping at the bit to take a key Hawk's forward. He will improve his performance, as he is a premiership superstar and deserves his spot. Football is about taking the good with the bad.

Hoping for a great game. Just need to keep our heads down, and take our opportunities like we did against the Swans. If we can keep the Hawks quiet like the Tigers and Cats have done recently, it will go a long way to being a model for success both now and in finals.

Floreat Pica.

 

[mattys123]

Grundy in doubt, visited the AAMI Park medical centre today.

If he has anything even slightly physically wrong with him, rest him, the Hawks rucks are weak and Witts (who was the best of the rucks in the VFL) could come in and play the role well enough, or Hudson of course.

We have to treat Brodie carefully, we want him playing 250 games for us.

 

[Pie eyed]

Cyril Rioli has been cleared of that sling tackle.....I am flabbergasted

Cyril's form has been really poor of late, so much so the coach has had to defend his selection.
Harry to eat him on toast.
We shut down their mid-field and play one on one once it passes the center their way.
Keefe to Buddy with a mandate to niggle as many frees out of him as possible.
Lynch to Roughy.

 

[Fuzzy Happy Poo]

I don't think anyone who played vfl yesterday could be coming in to play hawthorn because of the 5 day break.
was there anyone who didn't play vfl yesterday?

 

[Baird]

Cyril's form has been really poor of late, so much so the coach has had to defend his selection.
Harry to eat him on toast.
We shut down their mid-field and play one on one once it passes the center their way.
Keefe to Buddy with a mandate to niggle as many frees out of him as possible.
Lynch to Roughy.

?

I don't think anyone who played vfl yesterday could be coming in to play hawthorn because of the 5 day break.
was there anyone who didn't play vfl yesterday?

Jolly

 

[SuperSub17]

I don't think anyone who played vfl yesterday could be coming in to play hawthorn because of the 5 day break.
was there anyone who didn't play vfl yesterday?

Just Jolly I think - he might be a chance if Grundy doesn't pull up well.

 

[RuFiO]

Grundy in doubt, visited the AAMI Park medical centre today.

If he has anything even slightly physically wrong with him, rest him, the Hawks rucks are weak and Witts (who was the best of the rucks in the VFL) could come in and play the role well enough, or Hudson of course.

We have to treat Brodie carefully, we want him playing 250 games for us.

I was hoping for 400 games, but okay

 

[Pie eyed]

?

Jolly

Lynch is a mobile big body.

 

[Bring_Back_Brad]

You should just change your sig to Out: Maxwell.
I'll be glad to see the back of you.

Great I'll be glad to see the back of you and your stupid posts

 

[Wooljay]

Cyril's form has been really poor of late, so much so the coach has had to defend his selection.
Harry to eat him on toast.
We shut down their mid-field and play one on one once it passes the center their way.
Keefe to Buddy with a mandate to niggle as many frees out of him as possible.
Lynch to Roughy.

Let Harry roam free on the wing like the wild animal he is, and set Marley onto poor Silly Ravioli.

 

[Pie eyed]

Great I'll be glad to see the back of you and your stupid posts

I'll still be here when you're on your 50th incarnation.

 

[Somebody]

Lynch is a mobile big body.

Could work if Boofhead is used as second ruck, and Lynch follows him. Otherwise Lynch too important in 2nd ruck.

 

[BLPC08]

We've been in horrific form over the past month. Cyril has been turning it over non-stop, our kicking at goal has been atrocious and we've been struggling to play four consistent quarters week after week. Our only solid result has been the convincing win over Essendon (who've looked mentally shot).

Conversely, you've hit peak form over the past two weeks. The big five have been doing as they've pleased, Reid and Cloke are forming an imposing forward duo and Grundy looks like he could be the next Dean Cox. On form, I can't see us winning.

However, we do match up well with your mob and I wouldn't be surprised at all if we won by 45+. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if you won by 45+.

It's going to be a cracking game, i'm tipping your mob by 28 points with the big five being too much for our mids.

 

[BLPC08]

Grundy in doubt, visited the AAMI Park medical centre today.

If he has anything even slightly physically wrong with him, rest him, the Hawks rucks are weak and Witts (who was the best of the rucks in the VFL) could come in and play the role well enough, or Hudson of course.

We have to treat Brodie carefully, we want him playing 250 games for us.

I wouldn't worry about that. Hale is a complete spud (possibly the slowest player over the past 10 years) and Grimley is still in the early stages of his development. We wouldn't be winning the game in the ruck if Jamie Elliott got the gig, put it that way.

 

[SuperSub17]

I wouldn't worry about that. Hale is a complete spud (possibly the slowest player over the past 10 years) and Grimley is still in the early stages of his development. We wouldn't be winning the game in the ruck if Jamie Elliott got the gig, put it that way.

I've heard from a few that Bailey might be playing - is that a possibility?

 

[Somebody]

It's all about Cloke and Reid, they are our most important players right now. As we know, in previous games the Dawks have closed down our scoring (as have most teams this year) by shutting down Travis.
I'd like to see multiple options for the tall forward roles so we aren't totally dependent on these 2. Currently if one of them goes down I think we'll be back in the forward doldrums.

If Lynch's back problem is successfully managed I think he will continue to improve and once again be a good marking forward option for finals - and hopefully go around again in '14. Other possibilities for the role are Witts, Keefe and even the Sack. Witts may even turn out to be more valuable as a marking forward than in the ruck, especially at this stage of his career.

 

[nahnah]

hawthorn are a bunch of head cases. they see blue and white rings and they can't do a thing... but when they see black and white stripes they kick the most ridiculous goals....there isn't much we can do about it, watch the last 7 games of them against us(except the prelim) they kick goals that can't be stopped.

 

[Baird]

hawthorn are a bunch of head cases. they see blue and white rings and they can't do a thing... but when they see black and white stripes they kick the most ridiculous goals....there isn't much we can do about it, watch the last 7 games of them against us(except the prelim) they kick goals that can't be stopped.

Extreme levels of rage over Hodges 2 goals in round 3

 

[nahnah]

Extreme levels of rage over Hodges 2 goals in round 3

that 50 metre snap from the ball up was annoying, who many times have bruest and guns ton slotted goals from crazy angles under pressure or rough head slot goals from 55 out on the boundary. Don't even bother going through buddy, rioloi and hodges goals.

 

[Brown n Gold]

Cyril's form has been really poor of late, so much so the coach has had to defend his selection.
Harry to eat him on toast.
We shut down their mid-field and play one on one once it passes the center their way.
Keefe to Buddy with a mandate to niggle as many frees out of him as possible.
Lynch to Roughy.

Don't believe the hype, Cyril hasn't been that bad... hasn't hit the scoreboard as much as we are used to but had 12 score involvements at the weekend.. He was awesome against Essendon.. had a very poor game against Richmond but he wasn't on his Pat Malone there..

Should be a cracking game, if our intensity isn't at 100% I don't expect to win this one. You blokes have been red hot the last 2 weeks and we have been rubbish the last 2 weeks.

Good luck, I hope it is a good night and a MASSIVE crowd!!

 

[Somebody]

2 bogey sides to go, hopefully just Freo left after Friday night.
I just hope Cloke kicks better this week, cost us the GC game (ie very likely top 4), and had some shocking kicks at goal vs Swines, and this one will probably be close (that is if Dawks don't thrash us again but not expecting that).