Hawthorn to play finals in 2024?

[Cuzz09]

They need to win their 2020s flag so building up to finals should begin soon.

Who would write them off really? They just win flags

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[citizen-erased]

They need to win their 2020s flag so building up to finals should begin soon.

Who would write them off really? They just win flags

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17 years between 91 and 08

 

[Red Bull]

They need to win their 2020s flag so building up to finals should begin soon.

Who would write them off really? They just win flags

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Carlton also used to “just win flags”
Times change.
It’s now over 3000 days since they’ve won a final.
They have a rookie CEO and coach.
They are soon to lose their lucrative Tasmanian sponsorship/membership.
They operate out of sub standard facilities,
And they have a date with the HRC looming.
They also have to leapfrog many teams already above them who will also be looking to improve before they exit the bottom 4 and think about playing finals again.
These rebuilds are bloody hard work, good luck to them …

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Carlton also used to “just win flags”
Times change.
It’s now over 3000 days since they’ve won a final.
They have a rookie CEO and coach.
They are soon to lose their lucrative Tasmanian sponsorship/membership.
They operate out of sub standard facilities,
And they have a date with the HRC looming.
They also have to leapfrog many teams already above them who will also be looking to improve before they exit the bottom 4 and think about playing finals again.
These rebuilds are bloody hard work, good luck to them …

It means nothing how long their last final win was. If a team deserves leeway, it's The Hawks.

When you complete your 3rd straight Prem and 4 straight GF appearance 9 years ago it's not that long at all in footy terms. It took you 10 years just to play finals again. Count your lucky stars Petracca was denied a match winning goal or you might have got The Blueywobbles again.

At least they played finals in 2018 btw.

 

[HairyO]

There is no team in the game that relies on 1 player as much as the Hawks. Sicily is their best and most important player by a mile. He missed 4 games in 2023, and the Hawks lost 3 of them by 10+ goals. Backline is a complete rabble without him, and he is awesome in attacking from defence with his kicking.

They need their best midfielder in Day, best forward in Lewis to play practically every game and Chol to kick 50 goals.

It’s amazing how good Breust has been over the years. Hawks leading goalkicker on 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023. He’ll be 34 this year, so need Watson to match his hype.

Can Hawks make finals? It’s possible.
Will they? Highly unlikely.

I think they’ll win around 10 games.

Id be happy with 10 wins in 2024 and finals in 2025.

 

[Cuzz09]

I meant they win at least 1 each decade since the 60s

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[PowerfulPies2023]

I meant they win at least 1 each decade since the 60s

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I know what you meant. That guy is just a jealous poster trying to push his own agenda.

 

[Arr0w]

Have them as the biggest riser this year, but think they will just miss finals

 

[Dangerousfield]

Too many building teams above them and who is dropping out of the eight to make way for them?

Don't see a finals spine at Hawthorn

 

[Cuzz09]

I've got Hawks just missing but very dangerous and ready to jump up over next 3 years

Similar to Adelaides rebuild but a year behind



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[Strapping Young Lad]

It’s now over 3000 days since they’ve won a threepeat.

FTFY.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

I think 2024 is a bit optimistic but 2025 is definitely possible.

Hawthorn still have quite a few holes in their list that definitely need addressing. Their forward line is not brilliant, though their defence and especially their midfield is getting better.

First part is fair but the second part is incorrect. The forward line was addressed over the offseason and is not an issue at all.
Lewis and Chol are more than serviceable bigs and with Bruest, Hardwick, Moore, Ginnivan and Watson up there with them, this area is sorted for years. Gunston is pretty solid depth this year.

Chol is better than Kosi. Ginnivan and Moore are both better than Brockman and Watson might be the best of the lot. Gunston is better than Ryan.

Defence is the issue. Scrimshaw (25 years old and 195 cm) is being trained as a key defender which might free up Sicily. Weddle is exciting but raw and Blanck is young and unproven. Frost will still play most weeks for size and experience - especially against teams with some big dogs - but I think he will be getting phased out.

Hawks will excite this year, how can they not with the small forwards they have, but they will concede some big scores too.

If the injury list stays small and it clicks in the middle so they give enough service to the forwards, there is no reason they cant make finals.

What is crucial is getting another 20 odd games into all these kids.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Too many building teams above them and who is dropping out of the eight to make way for them?

Don't see a finals spine at Hawthorn

Fair enough but who thought Geelong wouldn't play finals in 2023? You'd be laughed at if you suggested it.

Freo looked like they could have a serious crack at it in 2023 especially after they vowed to win the Premiership ( I'm being a smart ass here but they did look like they could mount a serious challenge ) and they didn't make the 8. Credit to Michael Barlow who predicted that.

Dogs, Richmond, same. The point I'm making is these teams inside the 8 and outside of it, it doesn't always reflect on what will happen the following year. You make some valid points and what you say holds a lot of merit. I just feel from one season to the next as we often see, things can change very quickly. History used to suggest two teams drop out, two replace them. Last season it was four. And of course you can also argue this won't always repeat as well. Highly unlikely however.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Also the teams that missed out last year, they were rubbish. The Western Bulldogs had ample opportunity to finish top 4. They threw that away multiple times.

The Bombers? That loss after the siren to Port then the massive contrast and absolute shit show against The Giants. They quit.
Richmond, Freo, terrible. The only side that deserved to play finals last year were Adelaide. They should have replaced Sydney granted they improved out of sight towards the last 3rd of the year or so. But ****ing hell they had to.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

Which teams are hawthorn going to leapfrog in order to play finals this year?

I don't think we are playing finals as we are too young plus rebuilds are hard.

 

[Roddy]

We haven't gone a calendar decade without a flag since the 1950s, I see no reason that will change in the 2020s.

I reckon we'll improve to 10 wins this year, finals next year, flag in '27.

 

[smish]

I don't think so this year. Expecting the year after.

 

[bradfisher14]

I wouldn't be betting on it, but they're definitely in that 6-14 mix. All of the teams in that range could end up in any order and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.

However, I can guarantee the Hawks will be the most watchable team this year outside of the premiership contenders.

 

[Red Bull]

Frosty is very very watchable

 

[Pistol Night]

Hope not. We're their absolute bitches.

 

[unitedhawk]

Tend to agree that 2024 might be a year too early for finals but am not going to rule it out for one reason: Sam Mitchell.

I accept i might be looking at this through a brown-and-gold lens but I sincerely believe our biggest point of difference with others in and around us on the (2023) ladder is the progressive form of football put in place by a clever, innovative coach who knows how to harness and enhance the strengths of the players on our list. That point of dofference may become clearer over the next five-year period, within which I expect Sam to shepherd us to our next flag(s).

 

[matey]

The comp is tight and the gap between the top sides and the bottom is closing so who knows. But the Hawks forward line has transformed overnight with the addition of Chol, Gunston, Ginnivan, the Wizard and Dimma making the switch ….. add in Lewis, Bruest, Moore. Will be entertaining to watch with an attacking young midfield group getting the ball in quickly and look out when the ball hits the ground. Expect a significant improvement in finding options to goal and scoring power.

Watching him a few times now the Wizard is as slippery as they come a jack in the box

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

I could almost cry watching that. Tears. Man, if that doesn't inspire you I don't know what will.

That and Franklins goal '' this man can start a fire ''

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

I just love the commentary with Dews goals and Williams. And Franklins goal in the last. That Granny was one of my favourites.

 

[RUNVS]

I just love the commentary with Dews goals and Williams. And Franklins goal in the last. That Granny was one of my favourites.

I love Dew but that is just not an AFL body.