Preview Preliminary final - Hawthorn v Port Adelaide, MCG, 20 September 2014 @ 4.45pm

[savagelunchbox]

I'm tipping a fitness test on match day that doesn't get passed by Suckling and he won't play.

He's not that bad an inclusion for this game, but he'll need to find a new string to his bow if Port sit a defensive forward on his left leg because if he doesn't, he'll be as good as useless.

 

[Roy boys]

I'm tipping a fitness test on match day that doesn't get passed by Suckling and he won't play.

He's not that bad an inclusion for this game, but he'll need to find a new string to his bow if Port sit a defensive forward on his left leg because if he doesn't, he'll be as good as useless.

But if they do sit a defensive forward on him it will allow burgoyne and birchall to get off the leash which is a positive. Sewell was a ripping finals player between 07-12 but you have to remember he was average in last years prelim and gf wins and again 2 weeks ago. I think much like Ryan O'Keeffe he is simply past his best.

 

[Harper_Hawk]

A tough but good decision when you stop and think about it. Port run their little legs off to gain 50m with speed. Suckling does it in one move with a stealth kick without exerting as much energy. This is what I think is the strategy. The only drawback that I have seen with Suckling is not putting his body between the ball and his man.

Port will run this game until they can't run no more. Whether that happens up to 1/2 time, 3/4 time or 10mins left in the 4th. Hawthorn need to be in front at this point. It will then turn into a 4 -5 goal win.

 

[Off The Couch]

Suppose it's too much to ask for it to be all over by half time

 

[The Kipster]

Calling Suckling soft is a bit extreme. I will say his tackling was ordinary, think turnstile. Then again Brad Hill has a similar tackle intensity.

Suckling will force a Port forward to be more accountable.

Garbage, Hill runs like gazelle, comparing apples and figs.

 

[MinerBoy]

Finals teams without Sewell don't feel right.

Please don't backfire.

 

[Roy boys]

There is a difference between soft and being more of an outside player. Can people please recount the occasions in which he has ducked his head. If the ball was played in a 10 meter radius hallahan would be picked ahead of Smith or hill, but it ain't. You need all sorts and clearly the match committee believe an extra flanker with an elite foot is more advantageous then a contested ball winning warrior who simply is unable to get to as many contests as he used to and he doesn't have the skills or flexibility to make up for that.

 

[cryptor]

There is a difference between soft and being more of an outside player. Can people please recount the occasions in which he has ducked his head. If the ball was played in a 10 meter radius hallahan would be picked ahead of Smith or hill, but it ain't. You need all sorts and clearly the match committee believe an extra flanker with an elite foot is more advantageous then a contested ball winning warrior who simply is unable to get to as many contests as he used to and he doesn't have the skills or flexibility to make up for that.

I think there's a bit of confirmation bias about the 'Suckling shirks contests' thing. I'm not saying he doesn't do it occasionally but he has done brave things this season which he doesn't get credit for. One that stands out for me was during the Sydney game at the G earlier this season. A very high ball gets kicked towards the edge of the centre square from a centre clearance, Suckling was right underneath it with Swans players moving in on him. He goes for the mark knowing this and got cleaned up. Was stiff not to get a free kick I thought. Exact details might be a little off but I know for certain he put his body on the line in that instance.

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

Happy a defender isn't missing for Suckers. It will mean he will play some of the game in the HFF role that Sewell has toyed with in recent weeks... He will be more damaging playing up on the wing and setting up attacking play then having to mind a dangerous Port small fwd inside 50, or be the first link in the chain.

Go Hawks!

 

[11sjw]

Garbage, Hill runs like gazelle, comparing apples and figs.

Wasn't comparing their running ability, rather their tackling ability.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Port are very good at keeping the ball in their forward half. We need the run and carry as well as long penetrating accurate kicking to counter this. Birchall, Smith, Hill, Suckling all key to achieving this.

 

[Hawthorn1971]

This Team of ours has the talent, discipline, and experience to win the next two games by over 5 goals each game.

This is why I will be watching with a calm curiosity...

We are blessed to be on the ride of our lives; personally, this period in time will gain richness as the decades roll on.

 

[MrFujiMoto]

I'm tipping a fitness test on match day that doesn't get passed by Suckling and he won't play.

He's not that bad an inclusion for this game, but he'll need to find a new string to his bow if Port sit a defensive forward on his left leg because if he doesn't, he'll be as good as useless.

Wrong, if that happens he has done a valuable job. Birchall will buy him a beer after the GF if that happens. If Port use their defensive forward on Suckers all he has to do is take kick ins and make sure his opponent doesn't light it up.

 

[TARGETMAN]

Harsh on Sewelly, not sure Suckers is the right fit but will be cheering him on Sat.

wasn't sewell injured. knee or something

 

[Agent Smith]

Another thing that has seemed to have gone unnoticed is that if Cyril gets up, this will be the first time all year that we have been full strength.

Guess that'll have to wait for next week then. Not that that's bad timing at all...

 

[filly]

Can happily report with 100% certainty that there is nothing wrong with Burger. Fit and raring to beat his old mob.

Glad to hear,very important player IMO.

 

[Agent Smith]

Massive insult to Sewell and to bring in the worst player on the ground in the 2012 gf makes it that much worse.

Ironically replacing the BEST player on the ground in the 2012 gf...

 

[Leather Poisoning]

If suckling has a quiet one, I bet that Birch rips Port a new one.
And that would be a win. Imo

I think this is what it's about.

It gives us Birchall, suckling, Duryea as rebounders. They can't tag them all so it'll free someone up.

Suckling's hardness has been questioned a lot but I actually think he has been a lot better in contested Situations this year. Certainly no luke hodge, but much better than he used to be.

 

[diggydig]

I think this is what it's about.

It gives us Birchall, suckling, Duryea as rebounders. They can't tag them all so it'll free someone up.

Suckling's hardness has been questioned a lot but I actually think he has been a lot better in contested Situations this year. Certainly no luke hodge, but much better than he used to be.

And he was impressive in the Swans game at the MCG, showing surprising speed.

 

[KINGBUDDY]

i feel we are a better team than Port, we have the knowledge of the ground, we have superstars all over the ground and when we tackle we make sure it sticks. Comon hawks i more game to abother granny.

 

[Agent Smith]

Happy a defender isn't missing for Suckers. It will mean he will play some of the game in the HFF role that Sewell has toyed with in recent weeks... He will be more damaging playing up on the wing and setting up attacking play then having to mind a dangerous Port small fwd inside 50, or be the first link in the chain.

Go Hawks!

I was thinking that, but then I thought he'd be most likely the one kicking out when Port scores a behind so I can't see him straying too far forward.

 

[smeltitdeltit]

When they announced the teams on Sen last night they mentioned that the Hun was reporting an injury cloud over hale. Any news on this?

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Seeing the outrage over the suckling decision shows that a few of us are a bit edgy about the result.

I like that we didn't rush Rioli back in. Would have been a bit of a panic signal I reckon.

 

[Brishawk]

When they announced the teams on Sen last night they mentioned that the Hun was reporting an injury cloud over hale. Any news on this?

Its not news that SEN propagate wild rumours.

 

[Main Man]

Brad Sewell was so dominant in the Prelimanry final and Grand Final last year wasn't he? He has been brilliant all season this year also, stop crapping on about Sewell in finals this and that, he once was a champion finals player and a lock in this team, he is not anymore, Clarko and co simply wouldn't drop him if they thought he was a required player.