Autopsy Hawks vs Swans - Let the feathers fly here

[grizzlym]

Is Buddy hurting his knee a blessing in disguise?? He is having to play closer to goal, which a lot of people on here have been asking for all season.

I'm not so sure. Big hole in front of the big fella, which if we had a Roughy rolling around or another marking target, it would be a god send. We'll see.

Also, Suckling has to start for my money.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

I hate to say this Phil, 'cause it sounds like a cop out, but there was a certain feeling that we played tempo footy a bit tonight. You just knew we would come out in that last quarter and kick-away. I got the feeling, again, that we had more... bit like the Carlton game, I guess.

Jordan was massive tonight. That non free was a disgrace, and then to put his head back over the ball in a few heated contests was inspiring. I'd like to see him run with Swan next week. Although, shutting Ball down is a key in my book.

Interesting point about tempo. I think it's ok to pull that stuff in home and away games but not in finals. I reckon we underestimate how good Sydney were in the 3rd too. They looked bloody dangerous.

I reckon Lewy will get Pendles next week.

 

[macdaddio]

what ever happens from here on is just a bonus, we achieved our goal for the year by making a prelim.
wether we make the GF or not im proud of this club and proud of our young guys for getting us to top 4.

 

[hawksfan71]

Things are starting to shape up for a grand final appearance! Felt a bit like a training run in patches tonight, just took the foot off the gas at times and then back on when Sydney came back at us, I was pannicking a bit when they got within 19 in the last qtr, but thankfully we pulled it together. No offence to Sydney, but WOW, what a difference between playing cats and swans? I know we can beat the pies, but it will require 4 quarters of intensity, and when was the last time we had that? Another Friday that cant bloody come quick enough......

 

[markr]

I hate to say this Phil, 'cause it sounds like a cop out, but there was a certain feeling that we played tempo footy a bit tonight.

I need to watch the tape again when I've calmed down, it felt like in the third when the Swans got the run on I didn't see Hodge, Mitchell and some other A graders anywhere near the middle. Now it might just be that they where getting beaten by their opponents, but Hodge at least was in the back line every time I saw him, so I was wondering if we were trying to give those guys a rest since we had the lead? I couldn't really tell since I was too caught up in the game.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Lewis, Gibson, Buddy, Hodge, Puopolo.

Five courageous, A grade performances there.

 

[market]

I hate to say this Phil, 'cause it sounds like a cop out, but there was a certain feeling that we played tempo footy a bit tonight. You just knew we would come out in that last quarter and kick-away. I got the feeling, again, that we had more... bit like the Carlton game, I guess.

Jordan was massive tonight. That non free was a disgrace, and then to put his head back over the ball in a few heated contests was inspiring. I'd like to see him run with Swan next week. Although, shutting Ball down is a key in my book.

Nowhere near enough love for him in this thread!!!!!!!!

He was awesome when the Swans were making the comeback...he put his head/body on the line and helped turn the game with critical efforts....

Massive Jordan!!! Thanks for that.

 

[rick_422]

Anyone else feel that their third quarter burst was also assisted by shocking centre bounces by the umpires? I've never seen so many that have not being straight allowed to be played.
Seemed that they fortunately for Sydney put our guys out of position and theirs into advantage....

 

[Badesumofu]

bear in mind as well, we never let them closer than 18 points. I think they were trying to run the game out easy after half-time, Swans got a wiff and capitalised. We put it away in the last, though.

Sydney aren't the type of team to simply not show up until half-time. I don't believe that happened. We are the kind of team to try to minimise exertion when we think a game is done. When it mattered, we creamed them. Also, don't forget, most of their period where they scored, Gibson was off. Half their goals in the first half came via abberations (dodgy umpiring decision, Osborne brain snap).

I honestly believe that the scoreline flattered them. I hope Collingwood believe that we're just a bit iffy. There is no way that we will do anytihng but keep the foot firmly on the pedal the whole match next week.

19 - 5 for the season, so far. 9 - 1 in last 10 matches. Things looking good.

 

[Bosk]

Very solid effort from the team tonight, especially Gibson who was in top form.

As far as I'm concerned my expectations for the season have been well & truly satisfied by making the prelim, given the amount of injuries we've suffered and our drastic improvement on last year.

Anything from here on is a bonus I reckon.

 

[RogerC]

For mine, the problem's not the bad stuff we did, it's the good stuff. What you saw in the good patches was us playing well because a side on the second tier let us. We took the ball out of the middle with ridiculous ease at times, and found teammates loose ahead of the ball on a number of occasions. That's not the sort of thing Collingwood or Geelong are going to let us get away with.

But to be honest, I'm not fussed at all. We've proven we belong in the top four this year, and that's quite an achievement in my book.

I don't mind about our 3rd quarter lapse either - mainly because the 4th quarter proved that we had more than enough in reserve. We won't let up next week - that's not to say we'll get over the line, but we will put in for the full 100 minutes.

I'm keeping the expectations on a short leash this week. I want to see us give Collingwood a good shake. I'd love it if we beat them, but we'll need a bit of luck to do that.

What the hell - we're in a Prelim for the second time since 1991. We should enjoy it.

 

[Trighawk]

Great effort by Buddy to get up for tonight; looked a bit unsure early but really kicked on as the game progressed. Bateman was much better tonight hopefully he can hit top form next week.Would still like to see Breust in our forward line not sure who for though. Collingwood are definately beatable next week but we must put the pressure on for 4 qrts not 2 and a 1/2.Gibbo fantastic tonight.And well done to stratts for getting up for the finals, go the Yallingup kid. Cmon lets kill those ferals next week.

 

[Flukey!]

Schoenmakers still suspect

A good win by 6 goals and thats the best you can go with?

 

[MinerBoy]

Bit of negativity about letting them back into it in this and the game thread but I'm not too worried.

For a start, we aren't Collingwood or Geelong, so there's no point lamenting what they can do and what we aren't doing. They're ahead of us at this point in time - BUT - that doesn't mean we can't beat them on any particular day. And if anyone thinks they don't have lapses in games they are kidding themselves anyway. If that was the case, neither of them would have had to come from behind last week to win.

Looking at this game in totality, it was just a terrific effort. A really committed team re-grouped and never looked like losing. We smashed them completely in the first half, conceded ground in the 3rd Q and then ran away in the last. Give the Swans credit - they have plenty of ticker. We were never going to dominate the entire game without them throwing the kitchen sink at us at some stage. It's a knock out final FFS, they weren't going to go away without a fight. However, we absorbed their hits and then finished them off.

Very happy. Will it be enough to beat Collingwood? Maybe not, but I'm not writing us off. We have enough talent in Bud, Hodge, Mitch, etc and now all those young blokes have 2 finals under their belt and more importantly, a finals WIN. Let's put the Pies under the pump and let the doubts creep in.

Points of interest from this game:-

Buddy - a great effort. Yeah, he kicked some goals but it went beyond that. He looked up for the fight. He tackled and he chased early even when he wasn't scoring goals. He was there to help Hawthorn win a final. Nothing more. His pain or personal output wasn't a consideration. Respect.

Rucks - flipping A. Especially early absolutely controlled the tap outs. Killed them in the area they could have hurt us. Both men hit the scoreboard too. Massive result for us. Hats off to Max and Hale.

Gibbo - That's how you do it lads. Just give it the old Gary Ayres belt into the 5th row. Again and again and again. Terrific game from the pussy cat doll. Just like Buddy it was etched on his face early. Hawthorn are winning a game of football today.

Stratton - Massively important. Always calm. Takes the right option. Gave the boys down back a real lift.

Cyril and Burgoyne - Really lifted. First half particularly they provided us with some real class and looked to impose themselves on the match more.

Overall a great team effort. Everyone did their bit and those that were down last week were better this week. Certainly the determination was there for every player. Shoe was better, Changa gave us something.....

.....forgot Puopolo. Impossible not to love him. What an influential first half. The guy is a tank...a goal kicking, goal stopping, human battering ram.

Finally, Jordan Lewis. On this site there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. You love what he brings or you want him traded. I'm in the Fan Club and reckon he gave plenty of you the bird tonight. It's no coincidence that this club started improving from the moment he walked in the door. He isn't the only reason (of course) and isn't even the most important reason, but he plays football the way Hawthorn plays its football when Hawthorn plays football well. Great game son.

 

[hawk for 37]

Well 26 weeks into the season and our Hawks are in a prelim.

Can't do any better than that.

We are now equal with Collingwood and Geelong.

They are in an elimination final just like us and we are 2 hours away from a Grannie. Just like them.

Anything can happen. 2008 showed that.

Well done Hawthorn.

 

[JustKickIt]

Second, if Sydney are capable of kicking 5.5 in the third quarter, Collingwood are good for 10 goals if we serve up that rubbish

Collingwood had a similar bad period against West Coast last week themselves and let West Coast back in.

 

[dipper86]

I was watching Stratton when he came back out after half time, he was walking with a limp........then he was subbed off late in the 3rd, doesn't look good, I thought he was excellent, came of his man a few times and killed the highball, we could have really used him last week.

 

[Salisbury]

Glad we got the win.

Side note: Really disappointed in the Hawthorn Cheersquad compared to how organised the Swans Cheersquad where with their coordinated chants. Hawthorn could learn a thing or two from them.

 

[JustKickIt]

Credit to the Swans for their never say die attitude after half time. It does continually frustrate me that we have too many lulls in games, I think that's our biggest problem facing a Geelong or Collingwood. They run 4 quarters out better.

Collingwood didnt last week....

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Collingwood had a similar bad period against West Coast last week themselves and let West Coast back in.

Valid point. I just hope we get the same opportunity against them next week.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Lewis played well, but he should be doing that every week. Sometimes he gets these 15 possession games which is disappointing because he should be a ball magnet.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Lewis played well, but he should be doing that every week. Sometimes he gets these 15 possession games which is disappointing because he should be a ball magnet.

You mean when he is told by the coach to tag?

 

[Brown n Gold]

Plan A

Plan A

Seems to be come out of the blocks at 1 Million miles an hour, MANIC pressure on the opposition... All hands on deck at the clearances, generally over exuberance results in missed opportunities in front of goal.. Followed by 2.5 to 3 quarters of holding on while our spent players get run over the top of....

Plan B

I dont think we really have one??

 

[Dangas]

Well done Hawks! Clearly the better team tonight, good luck against the Pies, should be a cracker! PS: Buddy chant (you all know ), actually great to listen to

 

[themarkedman72]

shoe was much improved and played quite well.

stratton being back...AWESOME!!

we switched off mentally...put the cue in the rack in the third term....then rallied when we needed.

Bring on the pies....with stratton back we have a bit of a chance.