Hawthorn to play finals in 2024?

[Xtreme]

Can we change the thread title can the Hawks make top 4 in 2025?

"Can the Hawks do what Geelong and Collingwood couldn't and go back to back in 2025 ?"

Yes we can!!!

 

[threesixpio]

One of the things being consistently put forward in the off season by the nay-sayers (that I staunchly argued) was that fringe players from other clubs could not possibly improve Hawthorn. That they were fringe for a reason and that we would go backwards as a result of their recruitment.

They were talking about D'Ambrosio - Gunston- Ginnivan and Chol (and referenced Meek as an example of a player unable to improve us).

Similarly, they highlighted that "all teams have draft picks" so highlighted that our draftees wouldn't improve us either.

A few months on and now we have:

D'Ambrosio is in the AA squad and one of the game's best wingers.
Chol has 51 goals + assists, is our leading goalkicker and has laid more tackles than any other KPF in the comp.
Ginnivan has doubled his possessions, doubles his tackles, tripled his clearances, etc, etc and still had 50 shots on goal (25 goals) and 10 assists. (not to mention a main part of his trade cost has turned into a 2nd round upgrade rather than a big downgrade thanks to the turn in fortunes for both Collingwood and Hawthorn)
Even old man Gunston has chipped in with 28 goals from 13 full games (and is top 8 in the comp for marks inside 50)

That's 3 of our top 5 goalkickers this season.

Add in the impact of Dear and Watson from the draft and that makes 5 of our top 8 goalkickers added in the off season, for a total of 128 goals contributed this season.

That's not even counting the impact of the reference point in Meek, who has been highly impactful as the No 1 ruck and averages the 3rd most hitouts in the comp.

What an off season it has proven to be.

Great post.

What is often missing or unknown in predictions are the factors of system and player culture. I was pretty bolshy on the former because Sammy is a genius but had no idea the latter would take off so positively this year - and tbh who would? It’s pretty hard to predict. The latter is so important - I saw it last year and the year before with Collingwood and definitely saw it with the Tiges during their good years.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

As I've been saying for months; this is their bottom-out year.

Nostradamus nails another prediction

 

[Nugett]

Next time.. post the powerball numbers.

No he doesn’t he just needs to pm me those

 

[parsons nose]

Nostradamus nails another prediction

Nostradumbass

 

[RCAB]

"Can the Hawks do what Geelong and Collingwood couldn't and go back to back in 2025 ?"

Yes we can!!!

You know, I thought I was on the Hawks board when I posted this, I'm so confused!

 

[Xtreme]

You know, I thought I was on the Hawks board when I posted this, I'm so confused!

Hawthorn-mania is running wild!!

Freomaniac

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

It's been such an even year - so even that the Premiership will likely come down to who gets lucky with injury; carries form and - yes - the bounce of the ball/umpiring.

As a quick reckoner, Differential SC seems a decent indicator of who the 'best' teams are historically (other than the period 17-20, when the league was at its weakest after the introduction of GC and GWS and dilution of talent across the league).

Team Ratings go back to 2007 courtesy of Footywire.

YEAR	300+	251-300	201-250	151-200	101-150	Premiers <100
2024 (5 Teams >100)​					Lions 24
					Giants 24
					Power 24
					Bulldogs 24
					Swans 24
2023 (3)​					Crows 23
					Magpies 23
					Blues 23
2022 (4)​				Power 22	Dockers 22
				Blues 22
				Cats 22
2021 (3)​			Cats 21	Swans 21	Demons 21
				Power 21	Bulldogs 21
2020 (2)​		Cats 20		Power 20		Tigers 20: -0.4
2019 (2)​				Giants 19	Cats 19	Tigers 19: -9.3
				Magpies 19	Power 19
2018 (2)​				Magpies 18	Demons 18	Eagles 18: 62.6
2017 (2)​					Crows 17	Tigers 17: 22
					Giants 17
2016 (5)​				Giants 16	Bulldogs 16
				Cats 16
				Swans 16
				Crows 16
2015 (4)​			Hawks 15	Swans 15	Tigers 15
					Dockers 15
2014 (3)​			Hawks 14		Swans 14
					Power 14
2013 (5)​				Hawks 13	Tigers 13
				Kangaroos 13	Magpies 13
					Cats 13
2012 (6)​			Hawks 12	Eagles 12	Swans 12
				Tigers 12	Saints 12
					Dockers 12
2011 (4)​		Hawks 11	Magpies 11	Cats 11
			Blues 11
2010 (4)​	Cats 10		Magpies 10	Saints 10
				Swans 10
2009 (4)​	Cats 09				Bulldogs 09
	Saints 09				Crows 09
2008 (5)​	Cats 08				Hawks 08
					Tigers 08
					Bulldogs 08
					Swans 08
2007​	Cats 07			Eagles 07	Swans 07

 

[Malik_90]

Hawthorn are not just playing finals, they could very well go all the way this year.

15 wins - 4 losses since Round 5.

 

[Franko Armani]

That's my bold prediction. I'm either going to look like a genius or fall completely flat on my face. Then again they could just miss out so not all doom and gloom

There's usually one surprise team that steps up. Last year we had Saints, Blues, Giants, Port in the 8 as opposed to the year before granted these teams had been lurking for a few years though appearing in finals or just missing out. Except for the Blues but they did go close in 2022 and should have participated in September.

The thing that I like about the Hawks is they have that intensity about them. They're bold. They take risks and they have young talent. They take the game on. They're emerging. I feel they and The Blues are going to have a serious say in the comp for a while to come and although Carlton have already established themselves I just got a feel about the Hawkers. You could see it last season already how they beat both Grand Finalists and pushed The Dees and The Giants.

Seven wins last season, I reckon at worst they go 9-13. Should get at least 11 but if there's on surprise team in 2024, surely it's The Hawks?

That's my bold prediction. My boldy is The Brown and Goldy so I'm on The Hawkers for the new up and coming youngsters in 2024!

GENIIUS!

 

[Sizzlesilk]

Agree.

Hawks don't have enough of a spine to threaten finals yet & also 2nd most inexperienced list which needs a couple of years to get games into the youngsters.

Ps. This thread needs a poll.

We do need a Poll!!!!

 

[peetoo]

Average age 23.6 17th in the league average games 57 16th
In 2008?
Average 22.7 14th. Average games 51 14th
In fact geelong 23y and 60 games that year

This is total list

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

List age and experience will get a small jump next year with Battle and Barass joining but we’ll still have 10+ under 24 in our best 22, which bodes well for the future and growth of the squad.

 

[Nugett]

At 0-5, even 6-1. I was more pessimistic than optimistic. You could how ever see them improving slightly each game. Then as they kept winning, and they kept improving, this team is a great chance to win the premiership this year. The only team, I think that can match us is GWS. The rest I have no fear of.

 

[Xtreme]

Premiership or bust now

Reload for next year if they lose orrrrr RELOAD and get ready to NOT do a Geelong/Collingwood and go for back to back flags

3 more wins and the prophecy remains true (a premiership every decade since the 60s)

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

List age and experience will get a small jump next year with Battle and Barass joining but we’ll still have 10+ under 24 in our best 22, which bodes well for the future and growth of the squad.

If things fall our way, that list profile suggests we could even be ready to contend for a spot in the top 8...

...oh wait.

 

[Seattle Mariners]

Swans V Hawks on the Friday night for prelim weekend.
You guys will get the 8 day break if you win the prelim.

 

[matey]

Which teams are hawthorn going to leapfrog in order to play finals?
The hawks will obviously be hoping to improve, but the same would hold true for every team already above them.
These rebuilds are bloody hard work …

Carlton …… and totally agree rebuilds are bloody hard work when some clubs go through rebuilds a number of times across 3 decades.