Review Box Hill v Frankston Sunday 1 May @Box Hill 2pm

[Easy Slips Catch]

How quick is Willsmore? It sounds
as if his first few rounds have been on fire and we could use some extra pace. Especially if using him as an inside midfielder.

Has not got break away speed. Willi and Coburg were fast tracks, a couple of BHH players were exposed for lack of pace, Willsmore was not so his leg speed is tolerable. Good to see he is producing each week.

 

[Agent Smith]

He is a loper. No genuine speed off the mark. Lopes around the ground at the same pace all day.

27 disposals though. Is there any way he can translate that to AFL at this stage? He's been pretty consistent this year thus far.

 

[mikeder]

So got the FT Stats sheet so here's my 2 cents for the game. Only gonna discuss Hawthorn listed players (ranked by Disposals):

- Willsmore: He played inside midfield (proper centre rather than wing) for the majority of the game but still got a lot of his uncontested marks. Ended up with 27 disposals, 9 marks and kicked 2 really nice set shot goals but missed 2 very gettable ones. Also came 3rd man up in ruck contests a few times ala Jordan Lewis. 4 Clearances shows that he was in the thick of it.

- Whitecross: Was busy today with 25 Disposals. I feel like he played well but honestly nothing extraordinary to note. 3 Clearances. Him and Chris Jones absolutely mucked up a forward scoring situation in the 1st half which Marco Bello wasn't happy about.

- Teia Miles: 23 Disposals, mainly across half back but he did kick an early goal in the game. 16 Kicks (so high K:H Ratio).

- Lachie Langford: Ended up with 21 Disposals mainly in the forward line. Very nice for a debut senior match. He kicked a goal and was very busy in the 2nd half mainly.

- Hardwick: 20 disposals mainly as an inside midfielder/HFF. Had a couple of leads I50 that he marked, similar to a Mark Williams circa 2008. 7 Tackles for the game as well (second highest for the match behind Kade Stewart).

- Hartung: Finished with 20 disposals which I'm surprised about. I thought he was very quiet and didn't see much of his running or pressure until the 2nd half. 2 Tackles and 5 Inside 50s.

- Kade Stewart: My boy had an interesting game. 19 Disposals with 8 marks (2 of which were contested). One of those contested marks was a one handed speccie which let's just say I squealed like a little girl...then he kicked to the other side of the field and turned it over by foot. His kicking was better than vs. Coburg but not as good as earlier in the year which is disappointing. Ended up with 8 tackles plus multiple others that could've easily been called tackles. 2 goals as well to his name.

- Fitzpatrick: Competed very well in the ruck and mainly in the air. He didn't win the hitout battle (he had 28) but had many tackles (5), I50s (5), clearances (3) and a couple contested marks which is what a current Hawthorn ruckman needs to do. 16 Disposals to his name.

- Litherland: 16 disposals, 13 of them were kicks, 3 tackles and the usual litherland silly mistakes at times. Nothing too special to note.

- Heatherley: Really quiet day, surprised he actually had 11 disposals. Barely saw him during the game, mainly because it was barely inside Frankston's 50. 5 tackles as well.

- Spangher: 10 disposals, around 43823 spoils, but that was pretty much it for his day.

- Surman: 1 measly disposal for the game, 1 tackle, 1 HBG and 9 hitouts. I'm not sure where he was most of the day maybe on the bench, I didn't really check.

Anyways average performance but blew them away at the end and now a nice bye.

Thanks for the stats "DTH" !

 

[mikeder]

Goal Kickers

Dallas Willsmore 2
Blake Hardwick 2
Kade Stewart 2
Teia Miles 1
Lachlan Langford 1
Jack Fitzpatrick 1
Angus Litherland 1
Tom Gordon 1
Chris Jones 1
Patrick Lawlor 1
Nick Evans 1

Thanks for the goalkickers "WWSD" !

 

[Lethality]

So got the FT Stats sheet so here's my 2 cents for the game. Only gonna discuss Hawthorn listed players (ranked by Disposals):

- Willsmore: He played inside midfield (proper centre rather than wing) for the majority of the game but still got a lot of his uncontested marks. Ended up with 27 disposals, 9 marks and kicked 2 really nice set shot goals but missed 2 very gettable ones. Also came 3rd man up in ruck contests a few times ala Jordan Lewis. 4 Clearances shows that he was in the thick of it.

Could he play inside midfield at AFL level?

 

[Alcred76]

Did anyone else other than Brand not play today, due to possible selection next week.

Rapt to see young Lachie Langford played well, can we make a comparison on who he plays like.

 

[Ordovician]

I must say that I was quite impressed with that young Langford chappy.

Before the game I was apprehensive that, given his form in the DS which was ok but not really that strong, he might struggle a bit going up a level. What actually happened was that he looked a lot better at the higher level. He lead quite strongly a few times in the first quarter and the boyz honoured the leads and passed the ball to him whereupon he stuck in hands out and took the marks cleanly in the jump and then disposed of he ball neatly and with precision.

21 disposals was a very solid effort and whilst he did not exert a great influence on the game unlike say Willsmore, he presented, marked cleanly, ran around a lot, got a lot of the ball and used it constructively. He even slotted a goal.

So considering he was playing as a medium sized flanker/forward pocket i.e. in starvation corner, he had a very good outing and an excellent debut albeit against one of the weakest teams in the competition.

Well done little Lachie !

 

[deano the hawka]

Did anyone else other than Brand not play today, due to possible selection next week.

Rapt to see young Lachie Langford played well, can we make a comparison on who he plays like.

Brand was the only one who wasn't injured (I think). JML, Pittonet, Webster and JOR were out. So yeah basically Brand is the best guess for seniors.

Clarko was there today hopefully keeping a keen eye on the young players, hopefully Stewart somehow comes in.

 

[Ordovician]

Could he play inside midfield at AFL level?

No. Sadly he is nothing like an inside mid perhaps a winger or a HBF would be his ideal position and he could slot into a HFF with relative ease as well.

His closest match to his role in the senior hawks structure would be Birchall in that he plays a bit behind the ball and directs the ball forward while running through HB to the centreline. They seem to use him as an outlet kicker a lot because he is such a clean user of the ball by foot.

 

[Lethality]

No. Sadly he is nothing like an inside mid perhaps a winger or a HBF would be his ideal position and he could slot into a HFF with relative ease as well.

His closest match to his role in the senior hawks structure would be Birchall in that he plays a bit behind the ball and directs the ball forward while running through HB to the centreline. They seem to use him as an outlet kicker a lot because he is such a clean user of the ball by foot.

Yes that is my impression of him, a Suckling replacement if anything.

 

[deano the hawka]

Could he play inside midfield at AFL level?

Don't think he knows the craft yet and he doesn't get down low on the ground and fight for the ball so don't think so from what I've seen. One who actually really stood up in midfield was Max Warren, definitely the best inside mid today

 

[MrPremiership]

Is chopper the nickname for Kade Stewart?? I like it!

Nah Chopper is Lovell, i posted that before knowing he Lovell was going to debut.

Stewart needs a nickname, how about The Chad?

 

[SSSSSS]

Glad to see Willsmore has found some consistency this year. Was his biggest problem last year IMO. Would standout with a huge BOG performance one week and plod on for another two weeks.

Havn't been able to follow Box Hill too much this year compared to previous years but cheers to everyone for the updates.

 

[MrPremiership]

None of the BHH boys will get a run for Hawthorn next week owing to the 5 day break.

Brand and Pittonet were rested so thats perhaps a sign that Frawley won't come up from his concussion and Brand could debut against Richmond.
Pitt out might be to give Cegs a rest as Cegs hasn't been amazing this year or perhaps a lingering niggle.

Willsmore was probably BOG today. 27 disposals and kicked a couple, could have had 4 but sprayed a few. Has been very good all year.

more detailed obersevations to come. sometimes can't be bothered because people just shoot down your opinions on this board, but will see what i can do

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

...more detailed observations to come. sometimes can't be bothered because people just shoot down your opinions on this board, but will see what i can do

I hear ya. I missed this week's game and really appreciate those that post their own opinions rather than their opinion of someone else's opinion.

How did LL get his possessions?

 

[dermott]

No. Sadly he is nothing like an inside mid perhaps a winger or a HBF would be his ideal position and he could slot into a HFF with relative ease as well.

His closest match to his role in the senior hawks structure would be Birchall in that he plays a bit behind the ball and directs the ball forward while running through HB to the centreline. They seem to use him as an outlet kicker a lot because he is such a clean user of the ball by foot.

I haven't seen him this year but this sums up my opinion based on the past two years. To give him his due he does seem to be kicking the door down for senior selection and will undoubtedly be rewarded at some stage. Pleased to see that he seems to have kicked on this year as I had difficulty working out where he would play at AFL level.

 

[Rowie6]

Whats has happened to JML?

 

[moginie]

Whats has happened to JML?

Grandfather died and he went back to see his family.

 

[Boo71]

None of the BHH boys will get a run for Hawthorn next week owing to the 5 day break.

Brand and Pittonet were rested so thats perhaps a sign that Frawley won't come up from his concussion and Brand could debut against Richmond.
Pitt out might be to give Cegs a rest as Cegs hasn't been amazing this year or perhaps a lingering niggle.

Willsmore was probably BOG today. 27 disposals and kicked a couple, could have had 4 but sprayed a few. Has been very good all year.

more detailed obersevations to come. sometimes can't be bothered because people just shoot down your opinions on this board, but will see what i can do

 

[Rowie6]

Yeah I think Dallas Willsmore,deserve a go with the way he is knocking on the door each week!

 

[Boo71]

I haven't seen him this year but this sums up my opinion based on the past two years. To give him his due he does seem to be kicking the door down for senior selection and will undoubtedly be rewarded at some stage. Pleased to see that he seems to have kicked on this year as I had difficulty working out where he would play at AFL level.

But he's always had the one thing that cannot be taught - awareness.

He always seems to have time and space because he is aware of where each player is, sometimes this trait is seen as lacking urgency because these types of players aren't rushed, making them appear to be lazy (nothing to do with running themselves into the ground 'lazy'). This can also make it hard for them to play 'up tempo' footy because they get away with just 'cruising' (at lower levels) since they have time and space through awareness and positioning - but he may have found 'urgency' and 'up tempo' simply by acting quicker with the ball in hand using the same time and space he has always had and working harder to get to that position more often.

This can make it harder to judge than a player who crashes and bashes to get the ball, because there desire is evident more so then these types.

I hope that makes sense


Anyway, encouraging signs he's willing to add work onto a natural talent.

 

[MrPremiership]

Haven't seen the stats, but here are my views:

Nice to see Peter Schwabb around and chatting to the assistant coaches and Mark Evans. Mixed effort as a coach, but always a Hawthorn great.

Willsmore - BOG for mine. Has had a ripping year and should come into contention for a senior debut soon. Has played as a quarter back, setting up play, sort of a mix of a suckling and Mitchell role. Yesterday was more midfield and equally as damaging. Can't play as an inside mid as someone asked, has more outside nous to his game. Not quick but fast enough. Would be a more damaging player if he drifted forward and used his size to out mark smaller players. Kicked a couple yesty, but could of had 4. Has come on really well.

Miles - was clean yesterday in a scrappy game. Seems comfortable at the level and not rushed. Creative and a good use of the ball. I've been critical of him in the past and said i haven't seen development in his game, but he is starting to prove me wrong.

Spangher - very happy to see him play. Don't think he had more than 15 touches, but got to a million contests and was a brick wall down back. Seemed to have built his fitness and managed most of the game. Should come into senior contention in 2 weeks.

Billy - had it quite a bit and tried to be creative. Wasn't dominant, and had quite a few errors. Wasn't the type of game for Billy to excel at, very sloppy and in tight which doesnt suit. I'm not sure what the point of dropping Billy was. If the Club wants more inside players, then thats just not Billys game. He won't be that player. His prowess is outside running which he's been ok at. Similar type game yesterday that he's been providing at senior level. Gets a fair bit of it, makes some errors. Didn't stamp himself on the game. Was a tad more physical than normal. Appears to work really hard and want to succeed.

Whitecross - solid game. Is the onfield leader. A couple of clangers as normal. Has been quite good for BHH all season and on the periphery for senior selection. Probably needs to up his disposals, reduce errors, improve kicking by foot.

Litherland - Thought he was quiet to be honest. Saw somewhere that he was amongst the best, but I barely noticed him in the first half, except when he got the ball in back 50, ran 15 then bombed it 60m down the line to the oppo.

Fitzpatrick - competed well in the ruck and was solid enough around the ground. Is a very good mark, a bit sloppy at ground level. Provides a solid contest, but is at least building fitness and stringing solid games together at BHH so he can come in and do a job at senior level if injuries come.

Heatherley - very quiet game. Not much influence. Not much to note. Got into a bit of biff late on, standard for Kiwi.

Hardwick - snagged a couple of goals, got involved. Provides really good movement and seems really comfortable at the level already. Would love to see him spend more time on ball.

Surman - quiet game, probably played 60% of it. Competed ok in the ruck, but nothing super special. Just learning the craft. Is quite slow off the mark but good hands. Has plenty there to work with, but a long way off. Good rookie selection.

Stewart - great speccy and typical maniacal pressure and tackling. Tackles and hurts players, which is amazing as he weighs as much as a wet rag. Turned the ball over a bit but was involved all day. Huge raps for the kid. Should be elevated at end of year. Playing a half forward role and a few minutes in the middle.

Lachie Langford - came more into the game late, great kick for goal. Played predominately as a deep forward and struggled at times with the poor delivery. Would be happy with his debut and will stay in the seniors. Good hands and repeat efforts. Still seems to lack a bit of fitness or has no engine. Spends a lot of time on the bench.

Chips and coffee were good. Hotdogs need improvement.

Bye next week and the boys are 4-0 after a pretty tough first month.

Good to get a win, but scrappy game against a terrible team to be honest. 1 win in nearly 2 years.

 

[MrPremiership]

I haven't seen him this year but this sums up my opinion based on the past two years. To give him his due he does seem to be kicking the door down for senior selection and will undoubtedly be rewarded at some stage. Pleased to see that he seems to have kicked on this year as I had difficulty working out where he would play at AFL level.

He'd be a wingman really. Perhaps a more advanced Birchall role.

Needs to work on the defensive side of his game.

 

[Ordovician]

Lachie Langford - ... Still seems to lack a bit of fitness or has no engine ...

He has a very solid tank but has had some ongoing knee issues at times during the pre-season, so in my best estimation these are either still lingering in a mild form hence the tape on the knee, or they have affected his fitness base to some degree.

 

[MrPremiership]

He has a very solid tank but has had some ongoing knee issues at times during the pre-season, so in my best estimation these are either still lingering in a mild form hence the tape on the knee, or they have affected his fitness base to some degree.

Would love to know what it is. Spends a lot of time on the bench, even during games at Dev Squad last year.