Preview Changes VS Hawks - Elimination Final @ MCG Friday 6th Sep 7:40pm

[Munnez]

Hope so, he's been revelling in Blake Hardwicks pocket as of late though !

Last few times Hawks have been on top in the midfield battle which is always going to make it difficult for a small forward with pressured entries I50.
Hopefully non timid English shows up and we don't suffer any concussion issues which should even out or tip the midfield battle in our favour.
And this may help bring all our forwards into the match

 

[stevieg1969]

West has to come back in. Has been solid for the whole year and is built for finals type footy. Artie Jones is the one to miss.

 

[TiAn_]

On selection, it’s really a toss up between West & Harmes. If VDM is out I’d select both, but I suspect Jones will stay in in place of one of them. If Jones stays in, then I like Harmes as sub, he’s so versatile, and with a huge game yesterday he seems ready.

As to the game more broadly, last time we absolutely smashed them out of stoppages but just kept repeatedly handing the ball back with poor turnovers, our worst effort in 5 or so years (+20 turnovers for the game). Particularly in our defensive half.



Given our transition from defensive 50 to forward 50 has improved out of sight since early season to become a real strength, I don’t think that game is easily repeatable for the Hawks (or more so, it’d take a significant dip/regression for us to throw away another game the same way).

 

[Libbaaaa]

I feel as if our “Bevo strip club” hadn’t really started yet. We are better equipped to handle our mids not getting first possession but can still be destroyed in that area (see Crows away).

 

[Foxman98]

West has to come back in. Has been solid for the whole year and is built for finals type footy. Artie Jones is the one to miss.

West was out of form before the jaw injury and Arty was substantially better yesterday,

It's between him and Harmes to come in for VDM

 

[Mofra]

I'd bring Harmes in for a defensive forward role on Sicily. We just can't let him run around our backline unopposed - make him accountable.

 

[hutchy31]

we absolutely love it in the rain. There is nothing that make me more confident than wet weather footy.

For those stats obsessed people out there is there a way to look up our recent win loss record in the rain?

I’ll never forget the time Bont walked on water in Adelaide.

Every time there’s a conversation on here about wet weather footy someone mentions this game, and it jolts me back to standing in the pissing rain at AO marvelling at how one player can look so much better than the other 35 on the ground. His decision making, execution, cleanliness with the ball was unreal.

He was already a star of the game, but that night I think I realised he was probably going to be the best player in the comp someday soon. It’s great he’s being recognised as such now.

 

[Doggy]

Haha Dawks supporters thinking our Geelong game was in dry conditions

And then referencing their Norf game as evidence of how good they are in the wet.

 

[bobs head soup]

I'd bring Harmes in for a defensive forward role on Sicily. We just can't let him run around our backline unopposed - make him accountable.

Sicily can be got at as well, can see him losing it in a high stakes game. If Harmes can really dial up his campaigner side, that'd be a plus.

 

[Angak]

Last few times Hawks have been on top in the midfield battle which is always going to make it difficult for a small forward with pressured entries I50.
Hopefully non timid English shows up and we don't suffer any concussion issues which should even out or tip the midfield battle in our favour.
And this may help bring all our forwards into the match

I don't know if anyone else has noticed but English has been dropping so many easy marks. Gets in good positions but I think he is anticipating contact and will get his hands on to it but drops it at the last second.

 

[Doggy]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed but English has been dropping so many easy marks. Gets in good positions but I think he is anticipating contact and will get his hands on to it but drops it at the last second.

Has been that way much of the year really

 

[who_let_the_dogs_out]

we absolutely love it in the rain. There is nothing that make me more confident than wet weather footy.

For those stats obsessed people out there is there a way to look up our recent win loss record in the rain?

I’ll never forget the time Bont walked on water in Adelaide.

This. Libba shines in wet weather games. Bring it on.

 

[Mutt]

There is a possibility that Arty is better at AFL level than VFL

Seems to be better suited to playing in a higher standard league

He moved well and is a one touch player

The higher-tempo game suits Arty. He is the classic example of a player who is better at AFL than VFL level.

 

[ScragCity]

Gosh I hope it pisses down Friday, some of these Hawks fans think we shouldn’t bother rocking up if it rains. They are going to be in for a shock.

Conventional wisdom says that the rain would negate our perceived strength (height and aerial dominance) so I can see why they think the wet weather would favour them. But Dogs fans who watch every game know that wet weather footy is where Bevo ball thrives. When the whole game is basically one big stoppage, we dominate. If our opponent can't get quick, clean ball movement, we dominate. It helps that our talls, especially Naughton and JUH, are fantastic ground ball players.

 

[mattwa]

West has to come in. He's been a top 10 player for us all year and he can play a self less role taking out Sicily. Also his manic attack on the ball is perfect for finals.

VDM for West
McNeil for Arty

Harmes as sub

 

[JohnnySteel]

Hopefully yesterday was just a planned tune up for West and he’ll be in for finals. As others have said - built for it.



On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TiAn_]

Conventional wisdom says that the rain would negate our perceived strength (height and aerial dominance) so I can see why they think the wet weather would favour them. But Dogs fans who watch every game know that wet weather footy is where Bevo ball thrives. When the whole game is basically one big stoppage, we dominate. If our opponent can't get quick, clean ball movement, we dominate. It helps that our talls, especially Naughton and JUH, are fantastic ground ball players.

Darcy was great in the slop against Geelong, had 11 tackles. None of our big boys worry me in slightest if it’s a wet weather game.

 

[Doggy]

Darcy was great in the slop against Geelong, had 11 tackles. None of our big boys worry me in slightest if it’s a wet weather game.

Predictor still says chance of showers all day. It's still a fair way out and I wouldn't be confident of a report even if it was for tomorrow

 

[BrisDog]

West has to play. He has been one of our best players all year. He could well have the job on Sicily.

 

[Unorth]

I have some trepidation that McNeil and VDM will be out there while Harmes and West watch on.

 

[Gene Simmons]

Friday can't come quick enough!

I'm just spewing that 2 of the most inform sides are meeting in an Elimination Final!

Dogs are in their window and were my premiership tip pre-season, realistically I thought Hawks could push for finals but fall just short and hopefully springboard from 2025..

I think when it's all done, a Hawks loss will be disapointing but 2024 will be viewed as an overall positive whereas a Dogs loss will be met with questions and potentially as a wasted opportunity.

My predication, finals experience will prevail and Bulldogs will settle into the game quicker and hit the scoreboard and by the time Hawks settle in they'll be kept at arms length. Dogs by 19.

Enjoy the week and all the best

 

[Doggy]

And they wonder why we're not fans of them

"Party time & blow them away early Hawks by 37
#1dog2cups"

 

[Libbaaaa]

And they wonder why we're not fans of them

"Party time & blow them away early Hawks by 37
#1dog2cups"

I stopped reading their preview thread when someone said Darcy only played well against a bad North side, and it had 10+ positive reactions.

 

[Doggy]

I stopped reading their preview thread when someone said Darcy only played well against a bad North side, and it had 10+ positive reactions.

They're using their Norf game as a reason they should win easily if it is wet

 

[go_sports_team]

They're using their Norf game as a reason they should win easily if it is wet

I'd prefer everyone thought we were going to lose. It's our best preparation.