Grand Final Rematch: Hawthorn vs Fremantle - Who will win?

[Arcassius]

Given the tough slog in the wet and the short turn around - I wouldn't be surprised if we come out a bit flat against the hawks. 50/50 game for mine

 

[Arcassius]

The way Sandilands is playing (58 hitouts, 21 to advantage last night), he will destroy McEnvoy and Hale and give Fyfe, Mundy and Barlow first use of the ball.

Against boys Our advantage here will be reduced a little against more experience - I still expect a 40-45 hitout run from Sandi, but 58 isn't exactly your average day out.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Fremantle - known and hyped up as - The Purple Haze - well lets hope they wear the Purple jumper - instead of that sickly blooody white thing they wore in the GF

Apperently they could have worn their Purple jumper in the GF - but would have had to wear white shorts with it - so they knocked it back - god football clubs make stupid blooody decisions

 

[estibador]

Apperently they could have worn their Purple jumper in the GF - but would have had to wear white shorts with it - so they knocked it back - god football clubs make stupid blooody decisions

The stupid decision was the AFL deciding brown shorts clashed with purple shorts.

Meanwhile, two rounds later it's fine for Carlton to wear a dark navy blue jumper against a team who wears a black strip.

 

[ep2018]

The stupid decision was the AFL deciding brown shorts clashed with purple shorts.

Meanwhile, two rounds later it's fine for Carlton to wear a dark navy blue jumper against a team who wears a black strip.

We had to wear our home kit with white shorts because Carlton didn't want to wear their baby blue away kit in 2011... even though it was our home final.

 

[samFFC]

Lots of talk about Hawks injuries, but let's not forget Freo will still be missing Griffin, Bradley and Gumbleton as talls, and likely Zac Clarke as well as he is still recovering. Testament to the team that our 4th ruckman/back-up KPF (Hannath) can go alright and hold his own. (Not to mention Tanner Smith and Matt Taberner who are also talls, but wouldn't be best 22).

Also missing new recruit Sylvia. And Morabito.


Obviously Hodge/Mitchell/Sewell are super important players, but it's not like both sides are well definitely short of their best 22s for this week's clash. Lake was just thuggish, can't have any complaints there.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

The real question is who will Gerard Healy tip?

 

[estibador]

The real question is who will Gerard Healy tip?

NicNat of course.

He'll tip NicNat even if Hawthorn play Geelong in the granny.

 

[hench]

Is it Mitchell in, Hodge out?

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Think Freo will win fairly comfortably.

We are well off our best at the moment and Freo are looking really good so far.

If hawks win I will be happily surprised.

 

[estibador]

NicNat of course.

He'll tip NicNat even if Hawthorn play Geelong in the granny.

Ha I thought I was in the eagles/Dockers GF thread when I posted this. Doesn't actually make much sense in this thread.

Still true though.

 

[Suma Magic]

Hawks would win at full strength. Too many injuries though, Freo should get up.

 

[treefingers]

If Mitchell's out again I'll be pretty shocked if we get over the line.

 

[Aeon05]

Need some big IN's for the hawks before I tip them, Freo look to be playing better than us at the moment.

 

[latrell]

Hawks will be itching to get back to the mcg. U will find the hawks will be able to play with no restrictions and if they get on a roll will be hard to stop.

Freo will have all the pressure and expectation on them and the jury is out on how they perform under pressure. In the first 2 rounds freos best have been the usual suspects. It's going to be a long year for them if all the work has to be done by mundy fyfe Barlow etc. they need to learn to share the load like hawthorn otherwise fatigue and injury will play a part. But we all know Ross is a rigid coach and if he could play the same 22 week in week out he would. Inevitably ruining a clubs future... Ie st kilda

 

[estibador]

But we all know Ross is a rigid coach and if he could play the same 22 week in week out he would.

Whereas Clarkson in his infinite genius loves dropping his best 22 players to the reserves of course.

 

[Hawkinspired]

One of the peculiarities of BF. Often happens before an important game. I believe it is a ploy by supporters to justify a loss and/or magnify a victory.

Although there are always emerging teams in a new season, expectations for the two previous grand finalists are very high. I haven't seen much of Fremantle play, and although the scorecards look impressive, are those opposition teams going to be contenders this year? Whilst I personally don't think there outs are that significant, it will certainly strengthen them when they come back.

Hawthorn on the other hand have debuted 3 players this year as well as giving regular game time to Langford who played 1 game last year. Having 3 of your best 4 back men out hurt. Lake will be back against the Gold Coast but Stratton and Schoenmakers could be weeks away. I mean seriously, Kyle Cheney is playing full back so us Hawks fans have every right to be a bit nervous about Fremantle.

We saw what happened when Hodge left the ground, and IMO Mitchell has always been our most important player so those two will be significant outs if they don't get up. And do you really want a 90% Mitchell up against Crowley?

The MCG is an advantage, but when your coming up against a team hungry to make amends for last years grand final and they have close to their best side to choose from, it will be hard to beat them.

I'll tip Hawthorn if Hodge and Mitchell get up, but as a punter I'll tip Fremantle regardless.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Whereas Clarkson in his infinite genius loves dropping his best 22 players to the reserves of course.

No, but Clarkson will give someone like Langford a tagging job on an opposition senior player for experience even though we expect to lose that contest. Greater good and all that.

 

[Tasmaniac]

At this stage no confidence at all. Fremantle will whack us..

 

[clogged]

No, but Clarkson will give someone like Langford a tagging job on an opposition senior player for experience even though we expect to lose that contest. Greater good and all that.

Langford's hardly an 18 year old rookie though.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Possible changes for Freo
In - Clarke, Ibbotson
Out - Hannath, Sheridan or Suban

Hawks changes??
Out - Hodge
In - Mitchell

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Langford's hardly an 18 year old rookie though.

He's really inexperienced and lightly built.

I just can't imagine Ross giving a Langford type that sort of responsibility. He tends to bring inexperienced players in on the periphery, with bit roles until they prove themselves.

It's just a different approach. Clarkson prioritizes flexibility and uses this method to fast track youngsters. Ross seems to pick the absolute best possible every week, with an emphasis on specialised roles for each player.

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

The stupid decision was the AFL deciding brown shorts clashed with purple shorts.

Meanwhile, two rounds later it's fine for Carlton to wear a dark navy blue jumper against a team who wears a black strip.

brown shorts do clash with purple shorts. from far away when things are moving quickly there is barely any distinction in colours, the eyes only really see light and dark. every week home team should wear their home strip and the away team should wear a 90% white strip so the contrast is clear. nothing worse than watching Richmond vs westcoast both wearing home jerseys.

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

without Mitchell, hodge and host of defenders I can see this being 'relatively' comfortable for freo.

 

[clogged]

He's really inexperienced and lightly built.

I just can't imagine Ross giving a Langford type that sort of responsibility. He tends to bring inexperienced players in on the periphery, with bit roles until they prove themselves.

Cam Sutcliffe has only a little more games experience but is basically the goto guy for running the ball out of defence.