Preview Marsh Week 2 - Hawthorn v Melbourne - UTas Stadium - Friday March 6, 7.40pm

[Luv_our_club]

The view that Clarkson doesn't take pre-season seriously is partly correct, but in my experience the Hawks play around 1 or 2 quarters seriously in preseason games then put their clubs away. But I haven't seen even a 10 minute period where we got our game going this preseason.

If we become a "new" team in Round 1 i will be very happy and surprised, as i didn't think we could afford that sort of hubris.

I really don't want another season where we win games late in the year and go into 2021 with hope.

 

[TylerDurden]

Was a "full dress rehearsal" in their words. That's what worries me.
We put the queue in the rack at 3 qtr time, coz the game was already lost.

 

[lethalselbow]

Is part of the problem trying to work out how to play so many talls in the side? Not sure how it's going to work.

Hated seeing the ball go to Patton, at full forward, and hit the deck with zero support. Got mopped up repeatedly.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Worrying signs and I’m not talking about the results as we generally lose in pre season.

Worrying signs are I can’t remembef the last time we didn’t at least play one fluent quarter in pre season, all 8 quarters were very poor and mistake ridden.

Worrying signs because all the things that hindered us in 2019 did in these two games, shocking ball movement, poor clearance work and always being outnumbered in our forward line ( which probably comes down to our shocking ball movement).

 

[Linda CRS]

There are two certainties about the footy side now, as serviceable as Ceglar was last night he’s never going to dominate a game and Mitchell will suffer without McEvoys centre square presence. Brooksbys on the run recruitment demonstrates the lack of confidence in the Ceglar experiment, injury or no injuries. The other certainty exemplified last night was leadership, until Stratton O’Meara and Mitchell demand a standard there will be none. The opposition whoever it is like playing Hawthorn; nothing to fear, nothing unpredictable and very much your line and length footy side. That’s not to say the 22 guys each week aren’t courageous and I think we have a list that should be able to mix it with the best. For 12/24 months we have operated without true spirit, the defining spirit that seperates the top sides from the middle. That’s been ok to date but now these new leaders need to bookmark the side, Clarkson can do many things but he can’t manufacture spirit. O’Meara particularly needs to become a brut and opposition need to fear playing Hawthorn due to pressure, tackling and intensity. All great teams grow but the age demographic of our recruits means there time is now. Strangely enough the natural leader of the side being McEvoy is now not in his true leadership position. By posts we all agree this list has super talent but last night proves the small issues might be the difference between 4th or 14th, are we the nice side of the early 2000s or are we the ruthless growing group of 07/11? Today we are the nice boys.

 

[PT Bar None]

What was the score?

 

[Luv_our_club]

What were some positives from last night?

CJ again looked excellent.
Frawley looks match fit and ready.
Mitch is back, at 80% and climbing.
Scully is clearly going to be a better player and has a great attitude.
Ceglar is a fighter.
Nash is fit.
McEvoy has no lingering injury.

This was supposed to be a positive post. But it turns out not to be.

We can't play worse. That is probably the good news.

 

[WWSD]

The current lineup is too tall at both ends. I don’t like McEvoy in defence one bit, kinda defeating the whole purpose of getting Frost and Hartley.

The issue with Ceglar in his career has been his inconsistency. There’s no guarantee that he will dominate let alone be the number one ruck at the club.

 

[Luv_our_club]

There are two certainties about the footy side now, as serviceable as Ceglar was last night he’s never going to dominate a game and Mitchell will suffer without McEvoys centre square presence. Brooksbys on the run recruitment demonstrates the lack of confidence in the Ceglar experiment, injury or no injuries. The other certainty exemplified last night was leadership, until Stratton O’Meara and Mitchell demand a standard there will be none. The opposition whoever it is like playing Hawthorn; nothing to fear, nothing unpredictable and very much your line and length footy side. That’s not to say the 22 guys each week aren’t courageous and I think we have a list that should be able to mix it with the best. For 12/24 months we have operated without true spirit, the defining spirit that seperates the top sides from the middle. That’s been ok to date but now these new leaders need to bookmark the side, Clarkson can do many things but he can’t manufacture spirit. O’Meara particularly needs to become a brut and opposition need to fear playing Hawthorn due to pressure, tackling and intensity. All great teams grow but the age demographic of our recruits means there time is now. Strangely enough the natural leader of the side being McEvoy is now not in his true leadership position. By posts we all agree this list has super talent but last night proves the small issues might be the difference between 4th or 14th, are we the nice side of the early 2000s or are we the ruthless growing group of 07/11? Today we are the nice boys.

I was concerned by the fact that Patton came into the group and clearly had a such a large influence as a leader over the preseason. What has he achieved?

Nothing against Patton personally, but i thought it showed we have vacuum.

 

[play2win]

As the season unfolds we will look back and regret letting the 4 points slip away in this game

 

[Bumps"N"Grins]

The current lineup is too tall at both ends. I don’t like McEvoy in defence one bit, kinda defeating the whole purpose of getting Frost and Hartley.

The issue with Ceglar in his career has been his inconsistency. There’s no guarantee that he will dominate let alone be the number one ruck at the club.

One simple thing that would change the Ceglar dynamic is to change the way or angle he sets up to mark the footy. He always sets up to run at the footy like a hit up forward, that's okay when playing forward as a ruck he needs to change angle to impact contests from the side. Reason being that leading at the footy or straight lining the pack from behind makes it far to easy to be knocked off balance just prior to launching at a pack or footy, running angles from mid to outer will allow a better run at the pack and if not able to win the mark then he should be able to nullify the contest by clearing to the boundary.
Long explanation, simple fix.

 

[Hodgey 15]

As the season unfolds we will look back and regret letting the 4 points slip away in this game

I actually thought I'd slept through the season and we'd.played in and lost a GF based on some of the shit the bed comments last night. Lol.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Blackhawk42]

Frustratingly last night I felt that Nash, Scrimshaw, Ollie, CJ and Harry (especially Harry) played pretty well. It's frustrating because the most expendable players still contributed, so I have no idea what changes can be made heading into round 1 that would actually improve the side.

I did feel that we looked a tad tall, and the two main players to return are Gunston and TOB. That's problematic also.

 

[daniel23]

Frustratingly last night I felt that Nash, Scrimshaw, Ollie, CJ and Harry (especially Harry) played pretty well. It's frustrating because the most expendable players still contributed, so I have no idea what changes can be made heading into round 1 that would actually improve the side.

I did feel that we looked a tad tall, and the two main players to return are Gunston and TOB. That's problematic also.

Wow really I thought all of them were average besides cj when he finally came on and nash .

Morrison's stats look nice but he is just way to hesitant, when a opposition is going direct for the ball he always seems to stop and prop for a second and his lack of pace means he applies zero defensive pressure. Yes he has neat skills but he doesnt take any attacking risks which we are crying for off half back to set up play .

Hanrahan just annoys me the fact it's noted he isn't a hard trainer is probably part of it. For a guy on the cusp of the 22 he should be training the hardest, as a small fwd he barely pressures , always shits himself in contests and consistently fumbles . Would be happy to persist with nash in his role every game but clarko seems to love him for some reason .

As far as the talls go based on form and injury I'd be only playing
Frawley, frost, ceglar, obrien and Patton that is absolutely enough why we are going the other way to teams and be coming taller is confusing

 

[Linda CRS]

One simple thing that would change the Ceglar dynamic is to change the way or angle he sets up to mark the footy. He always sets up to run at the footy like a hit up forward, that's okay when playing forward as a ruck he needs to change angle to impact contests from the side. Reason being that leading at the footy or straight lining the pack from behind makes it far to easy to be knocked off balance just prior to launching at a pack or footy, running angles from mid to outer will allow a better run at the pack and if not able to win the mark then he should be able to nullify the contest by clearing to the boundary.
Long explanation, simple fix.

But does it matter, against a 3rd string ruckman last year playing the eagles he was ok. That’s what’s remembered, reality is compared to McEvoy who was 3rd best ruck in the comp big Jon is somewhere between 15th and 20th in the comp. Pittonet probably higher? Regardless moving McEvoy could define our first 5 rounds and given Clarkos stubbornness when’s he’s emotionally connected to a decision it won’t change and could be a tough start. Hope I’m wrong and Clarko knows more about it than me but first use is everything in the 6/6/6 era. Strange we have an abundance of tall backs and manufacturing another is occurring.

 

[Bumps"N"Grins]

But does it matter, against a 3rd string ruckman last year playing the eagles he was ok. That’s what’s remembered, reality is compared to McEvoy who was 3rd best ruck in the comp big Jon is somewhere between 15th and 20th in the comp. Pittonet probably higher? Regardless moving McEvoy could define our first 5 rounds and given Clarkos stubbornness when’s he’s emotionally connected to a decision it won’t change and could be a tough start. Hope I’m wrong and Clarko knows more about it than me but first use is everything in the 6/6/6 era. Strange we have an abundance of tall backs and manufacturing another is occurring.

All good

It's just if Clarko wants to stay the journey with BB then I don't want Cegs to stay around 15 to 20th best in the comp hence my little bit of online coaching.

Personally I didn't rate his game as much as others last night.

 

[Davo23]

I actually thought I'd slept through the season and we'd.played in and lost a GF based on some of the shit the bed comments last night. Lol.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yep, just a hitout, nothing to get worked up about.

I was watching to see the new dynamics in the midfield and the backline. Mitchell was like a new player, his teamwork with Worpel and O’Meara will take some time to develop, it’s not easy to know where everyone is in a hot midfield area. As the season progresses, I think that will get better and better, as theyre all smart footballers.

In the backline, it’s Dimma out and Morrison and Sam Frost in, that will also take time. A few times there was uncertainty between them, and with forward pressure these days, defenders have to get their moves automatic, or they are in trouble.

I think people have to realise that the new players have to adjust to our system.

Be patient and it will happen.

 

[MJA33]

The main thing that frustrated me was only giving CJ a quarter. He looked good when came on. We should be giving him as much game time and experience as possible as we need him with the loss of Hardwick and Impey.

 

[Rev08]

We lost by 5 goals, only kicked 6 ourselves and we're all worried about a ruckman that played half the game on one of the best rucks in the league and had 30ho, 17d and 5 clearances (equal 3rd most on the ground) from 71% game time. We have plenty to be concerned about, but Ceglar's ability to play number one ruck ain't one of them.

 

[threesixpio]

Better to be shit now than in the season

 

[Iceman!]

Was tough viewing but Scully was outstanding and Morrison showed some signs. Lot to improve on still.

 

[Lickmesocks]

At the moment Wingard is nowhere near our best anything, great to see he's invested by his pressure acts but his actual output has been crap and way less than we expected......

Wingards best position has always been inside the forward 50 where he can do his best work and influence games with scoreboard pressure.


Stats can be misleading when playing midfield as so many blokes rack up 20+ rubbish stats and escape scrutiny.

I suspect we are caught in a tough position here.

Wingard inside forward 50 with decent delivery would provide us 35-45 goals per season which would be huge .

Can we eek out 1 more year from poppy in this position to allow Wingards class in the middle to help us in an area where we need some flash and class vs getting him to play the Cyril role and perhaps have 10-12 possessions a game only kick a couple of goals and set up a couple with some creative genius play.

I suspect at some stage the club may decide 80% Wingard inside 50 might be the long term GO for us.

 

[dermott]

Interesting that Cal Twomey named Sicily as Hawks best yet he was not rated highly by posters here.
I didn’t watch the game so I have no opinion other than to suggest that nominating best players is often a subjective exercise.

 

[Billyc]

The list is healthy and the team looks good on paper. Symmetry seems to be lacking and we will have to wait and see on the game plan. Lack of pressure forward remains a major concern. No need to panic based on poor pre season performances but if we were looking for comfort or confidence out of the games, it wasn’t there.

 

[Lickmesocks]

Interesting that Cal Twomey named Sicily as Hawks best yet he was not rated highly by posters here.
I didn’t watch the game so I have no opinion other than to suggest that nominating best players is often a subjective exercise.

Cal missed the game. Trust me.