Forget Buddy and Cyril ...

[disgruntled goat]

IF Luke Hodge is not fit and firing, you can forget Hawthorn. Hodge is a champion, and the heartbeat of the Hawks.

I'm not saying that they're not a very good footy team anyway, but if they're going to be a genuine top four team and challenge Collingwood, Hodge needs to be able to play as he did against the Dogs.

I did wonder if he'd be able to get back to near his best this season, and I suspect he's still not quite there yet, but a fit Hodge lifts Hawthorn to the status of Collingwood's main danger.

Oh, and Max Bailey staying upright will help a bit, too.

 

[m7jebus]

Take Franklin out of that team and Hodge's form and fitness is nigh on irrelevant. No slight on Luke - terrific footballer - but Buddy is the indisputable X-factor at Hawthorn.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think this will be the third week Hodge will have been able to train more than once, for the week (full intensity training). He's nearing his full-fitness and it's being reflected by his better performances.

Personally I think he's the key to any success we have, just like he was back in 2008. He was immense that season - and stepped up another level during the finals series. Though hopefully our defence is more settled (than it was back then) and is able to be covered by our game-plan, which will allow him to be released into the midfield, or up forward (like we saw against the Dogs and Sydney).

 

[Upgrayedd]

we've won all bar one game when he's struggling with his achillies and basically on the field only so he wont lose match-fitness

While Buddy is playing his best season, collecting 20 touches a game, 6-8 marks and about 3-4 goals a game, And he can still hasnt had a game where he's come out and booted 9...hes due

You tell me who Freo will be more worried about next week

 

[Chewy]

Hawthorn is lucky to have three genuine matchwinners

General Hodge - unbelievable football brain, reads the play very well, very tough and courageous, has very good skills and has a scything left boot. Hodge is a great competitor and a great leader. Not the most athletically gifted, no slouch in this tespect, but there are faster fitter footballers. Nevertheless, he is a unique package. Champion.

Buddy Franklin - unbelievable athleticism for such a big guy, combined with a never-ending belief in his own ability to get things done. When he misses a goal, drops a mark, gives away a free kick or gets caight in possession, he gets down on himself only for a second or two, then he immediately sets about trying get involved again and kick another goal. He doesn't get fazed by his embarrassing clangers. He just keeps at it and at it. Super consistent. Every minute, every quarter, every week. He won't be denied. Even when he kicks 2.11. Champion.

Cyril Rioli - good football brain, great agility, quickness and reflexes. Catlike evasiveness. You can't teach what he has. Rioli thinks his way through most situations before the other players have even thought of their first move. This enables him to beat anybody in a one-on-one contest and also win or break even in many 2 vs 1 contests. Cyril is the Hawk with "X factor". A champion in the making. The only thing stopping him from joining the game's elite is his dodgy hamstrings. Would love to see him get his body right and have a clear run for three seasons.

These three guns give me hope that we can beat anyone on our day, but the truth is games aren't won or lost by individual efforts. Teamwork is the thing that counts. Hawthorn has a pretty solid team right now, but we also have a few injuries too. If we can stop losing one or two players to injury every weekend.... and if Geelong and Collingwood can get a few injuries of their own, then the Hawtks are definitely in the hunt for this year's flag (despite what that tosspot Mike Heahan says about us.)

Hawthorn's last 25 games: 18! wins, 6 losses, 1 draw

We can go all the way. We"ll need a bit of luck, but then who doesn't?

 

[IRememberJeff]

i like em this year chewy...i like em
can you make a case for playing Hodgey in the forward line this year?

 

[Chewy]

i like em this year chewy...i like em
can you make a case for playing Hodgey in the forward line this year?

Hodge is very versatile and the coach has often used him to plug holes. Sometimes down back, sometime up forward, but usually in the middle. I like seeing Hodgey play in the guts, then float forwards and kick a goal, then drift back into defence and take a saving mark. Bit of everything. Most footballers aren't very versatile. They need to be settled and lock down a position. But Hodgey can play a variety of positions. Why place limits on him?

 

[feathers]

when we take the pies out in the grand final,which we will,i won't be forgetting buddy and cyril.

 

[David the Cat]

I am one of those rare Cat fans who enjoys Hawthorn and their style of play. There is no game I look forward to more than Geelong v Hawthorn.

Luke Hodge is my favourite non-Geelong player. He is in my mind the epitome of sportsmanship and a fantastic player. Hawthorn are clearly a lesser team without him fit and firing.

But Franklin is the key for the Hawks. If he is held, they will struggle to win it this year.

The big step forward for the Hawks IMO is Savage, Suckling, Shiels and Breust...these four worry me as a Cat fan.....they offer something that may make the Hawks even more competitive in the coming years.

Crikey...they may even beat us

 

[feathers]

I am one of those rare Cat fans who enjoys Hawthorn and their style of play. There is no game I look forward to more than Geelong v Hawthorn.

Luke Hodge is my favourite non-Geelong player. He is in my mind the epitome of sportsmanship and a fantastic player. Hawthorn are clearly a lesser team without him fit and firing.

But Franklin is the key for the Hawks. If he is held, they will struggle to win it this year.

The big step forward for the Hawks IMO is Savage, Suckling, Shiels and Breust...these four worry me as a Cat fan.....they offer something that may make the Hawks even more competitive in the coming years.

Crikey...they may even beat us

i'm banking on hawthorn not having to play geelong in the finals of course!

 

[David the Cat]

i'm banking on hawthorn not having to play geelong in the finals of course!

Mate, thats what I am waiting for...

 

[feathers]

Mate, thats what I am waiting for...

i have to say david,i would love to see it myself. it would be on for young and old !!!!!

 

[David the Cat]

i have to say david,i would love to see it myself. it would be on for young and old !!!!!

Wouldn't it though?

Lets enjoy a taste of this years GF in a couple of weeks!!

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

All I can say is it takes more than one player to win a flag. Not interested in who is better between Hodge, Franklin or Rioli, we need them all firing in the finals to be a chance.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Round 4 2010.

Hodge plays, no Buddy, Collingwood wins by 9 goals

Round 22 2010.

No Hodge, Buddy plays, Buddy kicks 6.2 and Hawks scrape in by 3 points.



OP fail.

 

[yirra_kurl]

Round 4 2010.

Hodge plays, no Buddy, Collingwood wins by 9 goals

Round 22 2010.

No Hodge, Buddy plays, Buddy kicks 6.2 and Hawks scrape in by 3 points.



OP fail.

I like you're widely selected sample for proving statistics.


This rnd 22 clash, was when you guys were a lock for top spot wasn't it?
and you were 5 goals up in the last, with our season on the line??

Mate, even I as a hawks supporter dont rate that win all that highly.

I think Adelaide_Hawk said it best: It takes more than one player to win a flag.

 

[tazhawk]

Round 4 2010.

Hodge plays, no Buddy, Collingwood wins by 9 goals

Round 22 2010.

No Hodge, Buddy plays, Buddy kicks 6.2 and Hawks scrape in by 3 points.



OP fail.

Talk about being selective.

2008 Grand Final.

By Buddy's standard he has a very quiet game.

Hodge tears Geelong a new one and wins the Norm Smith

Result the Hawks win.

Try not to act dumb and try to understand what the OP was saying.

Take it from a long time Hawk member, Hodge is the heart beat of our team.

 

[TimmehJC"]

I think this will be the third week Hodge will have been able to train more than once, for the week (full intensity training). He's nearing his full-fitness and it's being reflected by his better performances.

Personally I think he's the key to any success we have, just like he was back in 2008. He was immense that season - and stepped up another level during the finals series. Though hopefully our defence is more settled (than it was back then) and is able to be covered by our game-plan, which will allow him to be released into the midfield, or up forward (like we saw against the Dogs and Sydney).

Unfortunately the umps didn't see that, 2 brownlow votes.

 

[Wernumberone]

While Buddy is playing his best season, collecting 20 touches a game, 6-8 marks and about 3-4 goals a game, And he can still hasnt had a game where he's come out and booted 9...hes due

The Essendon game is coming up

 

[JoondalupJ]

IF Luke Hodge is not fit and firing, you can forget Hawthorn. Hodge is a champion, and the heartbeat of the Hawks.

I'm not saying that they're not a very good footy team anyway, but if they're going to be a genuine top four team and challenge Collingwood, Hodge needs to be able to play as he did against the Dogs.

I did wonder if he'd be able to get back to near his best this season, and I suspect he's still not quite there yet, but a fit Hodge lifts Hawthorn to the status of Collingwood's main danger.

Oh, and Max Bailey staying upright will help a bit, too.

Goat please stop chewing on the outdoor furniture. no no NO NOT MY FOOTY RECORD!!!!

 

[Pessimistic]

I thought hawks were dong "just enough" v the bulldogs

Remember also it was wildcard Stuart Dew who won the final in 2008

Could easily be a savage or a suckling this year

 

[satan1]

i like em this year chewy...i like em
can you make a case for playing Hodgey in the forward line this year?

Suckling has been able to fill that long kicking quarter back type role that hodge used to, this had enabled us to use hodge forward more. I think hf and rolling through the midfield more like Paul chapman will be his go this year.

 

[krusden]

Talk about being selective.

2008 Grand Final.

By Buddy's standard he has a very quiet game.

Hodge tears Geelong a new one and wins the Norm Smith

Result the Hawks win.

Try not to act dumb and try to understand what the OP was saying.

Take it from a long time Hawk member, Hodge is the heart beat of our team.

all of this.

after watching the hawks game versus west coast i gained a new appreciation for hodge, his ability and the work he does both on and off the ball.

great player to watch in action.

 

[QuietB]

IF Luke Hodge is not fit and firing, you can forget Hawthorn. Hodge is a champion, and the heartbeat of the Hawks.

I'm not saying that they're not a very good footy team anyway, but if they're going to be a genuine top four team and challenge Collingwood, Hodge needs to be able to play as he did against the Dogs.

I did wonder if he'd be able to get back to near his best this season, and I suspect he's still not quite there yet, but a fit Hodge lifts Hawthorn to the status of Collingwood's main danger.

Oh, and Max Bailey staying upright will help a bit, too.

Agree 100%. As others have said you need 22 up and firing but without Hodge that 22 is a lot, lot weaker.

 

[giantsully]

i like em this year chewy...i like em
can you make a case for playing Hodgey in the forward line this year?

What do Hawks' fans think of Paul Roos' call that Hodge can get caught playing the "general" too much as a defender and end up bleeding goals? Have to say I was disappointingly surprised by the Hawks no-names defence against us the other day.