Unofficial Preview Round 1, 2024: Bombers v Hawks, MCG 1:10pm Sat 16th March

[Simon Crawshay]

In a game where our team-wise defence just shut down, everyone was pushing forward and kicking goals. Including an unfit AMT.

Far out how embarrassing was it watching AMT do that to us. He wasn't even close to being AFL fit that game.

We really won't want to put in that kind of effort again again the Scum. That was painful to watch.

 

[WWSD]

Far out how embarrassing was it watching AMT do that to us. He wasn't even close to being AFL fit that game.

We really won't want to put in that kind of effort again again the Scum. That was painful to watch.

Having Gunston, Chol, Ginnivan & Watson in the forward-line will mean more time spent in the forward half and more goal kicking options.

There’s one player Essendon hasn’t been able to shut down over the years and that’s Gunston who has a really good record.

I feel like we’re in a much better position now going into 2024 with a much more balanced best 22 than we were this time last year.

 

[Blackhawk42]

8 disposals, 11 hitouts, and five clangers.

Never forget his 3 Brownlow votes in round 1 2021 with almost the same stats.

 

[barbster]

Ginnivan goes alright against the dons as well.

 

[Topiary]

Having Gunston, Chol, Ginnivan & Watson in the forward-line will mean more time spent in the forward half and more goal kicking options.

There’s one player Essendon hasn’t been able to shut down over the years and that’s Gunston who has a really good record.

I feel like we’re in a much better position now going into 2024 with a much more balanced best 22 than we were this time last year.

Effort has got to live up to the hype.

 

[The Spirit of Cricket]

yeah it was the disconnect AND the lack of effort that really made R1 last year abhorrent to watch. We put in a better effort the next week vs Swannies, we just really sucked at that point of the season lol. We clearly didn't know or have the intensity that it took to play senior footy coming out the gates. We adjusted pretty quick thankfully by about R4-5, even though our fwd line and connection around the ground was in shambles. I think with expectations higher we shouldn't need that adjustment period this year

 

[TylerDurden]

yeah it was the disconnect AND the lack of effort that really made R1 last year abhorrent to watch. We put in a better effort the next week vs Swannies, we just really sucked at that point of the season lol. We clearly didn't know or have the intensity that it took to play senior footy coming out the gates. We adjusted pretty quick thankfully by about R4-5, even though our fwd line and connection around the ground was in shambles. I think with expectations higher we shouldn't need that adjustment period this year

The fwd line set up at that stage of the season (sans Lewis) was VFL standard. Didn't matter how many entries we had, we couldn't win a contest. Soon enough, you have mids thinking "what's the point?"

Fast fwd to now, and we have dangerous fwds everywhere, who can win contests and hit the scoreboard. Can't wait for r1.

 

[smish]

The fwd line set up at that stage of the season (sans Lewis) was VFL standard. Didn't matter how many entries we had, we couldn't win a contest. Soon enough, you have mids thinking "what's the point?"

Fast fwd to now, and we have dangerous fwds everywhere, who can win contests and hit the scoreboard. Can't wait for r1.

Gosh, I forgot how bad those games were to watch.

 

[smish]

yeah it was the disconnect AND the lack of effort that really made R1 last year abhorrent to watch. We put in a better effort the next week vs Swannies, we just really sucked at that point of the season lol. We clearly didn't know or have the intensity that it took to play senior footy coming out the gates. We adjusted pretty quick thankfully by about R4-5, even though our fwd line and connection around the ground was in shambles. I think with expectations higher we shouldn't need that adjustment period this year

I remember posting the betting odds for the wooden spoon after that game. We were (from memory) $1.47, the next closest was WCE at about $7.50.

Edit: found it. It was even worse than I remember.

 

[OsakaHawk]

The Kids and Wife are all asleep so I have time to ponder 2024....

Players who l would definitely play round 1 (assuming no injuries, not caring at all about team balance, only best players, and also showing how little I know about coaching a competitive AFL team and in no particular order):

The locks:
Sis
Day
Newk
Bruest
Lewis
Hardwick
Impey
Reeves
Moore
Nash
Amon
Weddle
(12)

The pretty sures: (maybe )
C (croc) MacD
Ward
Worpedo
Blanck
(4)

The Newbies who will probably play (new to the Hawks, not necessarily AFL):
Chol
Ginni
The Wizard
Will Mcc
(4)

The CJ:
CJ
(he gets his own category because he's CJ, and when fit is an excitement machine)
(1)

Thats 21.

The "It's far too hard to pick a best 22"
Finn Maginness
Sam Butler
C (Frenchy) Mack
Scrimmers
S Mitchell (not the coach)
(5 - 26)

The role players who who will definitely get games but we kinda hope to get an upgrade on (or for them to upgrade themselves but we still love them because we love all who don the brown and gold:
Frosty
Morrison
(2-28)

Players we recruited who have the skills, working on the rest:
Massa
Meek
(2-30)

The newbs who we are hopeful about and have time:
Bodie R
Calsher D
(Ramma and Bennets could go here too)
Tucker
O'sullivan
B Mac
(5-35)

The "If they come on (or find their best position) our team will be better":
DGB
Serong
Bennets
Ramma
Hustwaite
(5-40)

Injured/Older players who will play/coach/lead and make us a better squad and play games when fit/required:
Gunners
Wingerz
(2-42)

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

The Kids and Wife are all asleep so I have time to ponder 2024....

Players who l would definitely play round 1 (assuming no injuries, not caring at all about team balance, only best players, and also showing how little I know about coaching a competitive AFL team and in no particular order):

The locks:
Sis
Day
Newk
Bruest
Lewis
Hardwick
Impey
Reeves
Moore
Nash
Amon
Weddle
(12)

The pretty sures: (maybe )
C (croc) MacD
Ward
Worpedo
Blanck
(4)

The Newbies who will probably play (new to the Hawks, not necessarily AFL):
Chol
Ginni
The Wizard
Will Mcc
(4)

The CJ:
CJ
(he gets his own category because he's CJ, and when fit is an excitement machine)
(1)

Thats 21.

The "It's far too hard to pick a best 22"
Finn Maginness
Sam Butler
C (Frenchy) Mack
Scrimmers
S Mitchell (not the coach)
(5 - 26)

The role players who who will definitely get games but we kinda hope to get an upgrade on (or for them to upgrade themselves but we still love them because we love all who don the brown and gold:
Frosty
Morrison
(2-28)

Players we recruited who have the skills, working on the rest:
Massa
Meek
(2-30)

The newbs who we are hopeful about and have time:
Bodie R
Calsher D
(Ramma and Bennets could go here too)
Tucker
O'sullivan
B Mac
(5-35)

The "If they come on (or find their best position) our team will be better":
DGB
Serong
Bennets
Ramma
Hustwaite
(5-40)

Injured/Older players who will play/coach/lead and make us a better squad and play games when fit/required:
Gunners
Wingerz
(2-42)

Worpel, Ward and Croc should all be locks.

 

[Tony3163]

Worpel, Ward and Croc should all be locks.

and Will McCabe isn't ready ... yet.

 

[Roddy]

Worpel, Ward and Croc should all be locks.

Worps is as much a lock as anyone.

 

[Sixpence]

Worpel is absolutely a lock.

I know the priority is performance over development this year, but playing the likes of Weddle, Ward and Croc (and to some extent Frenchy) is a must. Need to get these blokes to 50-60 games as quick as we can.

 

[RoughysMullet]

Don’t reckon Impey will be a lock by the end of the year…

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Don’t reckon Impey will be a lock by the end of the year…

I’d be surprised, although back flank is well stocked for competition.

 

[TylerDurden]

Otherwise it's Ned v Goldy.

 

[HoldingThe Ball]

I remember posting the betting odds for the wooden spoon after that game. We were (from memory) $1.47, the next closest was WCE at about $7.50.

Edit: found it. It was even worse than I remember. View attachment 1876858

Jesus WCE were $10??

How did I miss this free money?

 

[HoldingThe Ball]

Round 1 - I reckon Frosty plays.

Sam will give him another shot.

If we had signed MacKay or Ratagolea - then no.

We didn't - so there is no way we can play with only 1 genuine tall down back.

This will get sorted next trade / draft period 100% - but Frost stays in until then, or his form reverts to the horrible end to 2023.

He's played over 150 games and actually won "Most consistent Hawthorn player" in 2021

I also can't see Dimma up front unless we get a horrible spate of small forward injuries - Watson, Ginnivan, Breust, Butler, Bennets, Moore and Chad are plenty enough.

I think we star Rd 1 down back as:

Hardwick Frost Scrimshaw
Sicily Blanck Mitchell

(Impey bit stiff, Weddle up the ground, CJ to wing maybe)

It's nigh on impossible to pick this side outside the 14 or so "locks"

Sicily
Hardwick
Blanck
Weddle
Amon
Day
Worpel
Nash
Reeves
Breust
Lewis
Chol
Moore
Newcombe

The other 8 spots are completely there for the taking IMHO

 

[FB19]

Jesus WCE were $10??

How did I miss this free money?

It wasn’t free money in r23 when they beat the dogs you would have been cursing their name!

 

[tommyk72]

Round 1 - I reckon Frosty plays.

Sam will give him another shot.

If we had signed MacKay or Ratagolea - then no.

We didn't - so there is no way we can play with only 1 genuine tall down back.

This will get sorted next trade / draft period 100% - but Frost stays in until then, or his form reverts to the horrible end to 2023.

He's played over 150 games and actually won "Most consistent Hawthorn player" in 2021

I also can't see Dimma up front unless we get a horrible spate of small forward injuries - Watson, Ginnivan, Breust, Butler, Bennets, Moore and Chad are plenty enough.

I think we star Rd 1 down back as:

Hardwick Frost Scrimshaw
Sicily Blanck Mitchell

(Impey bit stiff, Weddle up the ground, CJ to wing maybe)

It's nigh on impossible to pick this side outside the 14 or so "locks"

Sicily
Hardwick
Blanck
Weddle
Amon
Day
Worpel
Nash
Reeves
Breust
Lewis
Chol
Moore
Newcombe

The other 8 spots are completely there for the taking IMHO

I’m not even sure that Weddle, Blank and Chol are locks. I think all will need to keep the prior to the metal in preseason.

 

[peetoo]

Round 1 - I reckon Frosty plays.

Sam will give him another shot.

If we had signed MacKay or Ratagolea - then no.

We didn't - so there is no way we can play with only 1 genuine tall down back.

This will get sorted next trade / draft period 100% - but Frost stays in until then, or his form reverts to the horrible end to 2023.

He's played over 150 games and actually won "Most consistent Hawthorn player" in 2021

I also can't see Dimma up front unless we get a horrible spate of small forward injuries - Watson, Ginnivan, Breust, Butler, Bennets, Moore and Chad are plenty enough.

I think we star Rd 1 down back as:

Hardwick Frost Scrimshaw
Sicily Blanck Mitchell

(Impey bit stiff, Weddle up the ground, CJ to wing maybe)

It's nigh on impossible to pick this side outside the 14 or so "locks"

Sicily
Hardwick
Blanck
Weddle
Amon
Day
Worpel
Nash
Reeves
Breust
Lewis
Chol
Moore
Newcombe

The other 8 spots are completely there for the taking IMHO

Looking at 2023 there’s about 12 given that frost missed some due to match ups. Set him as the cut off point

I reckon there’s 20 options for the remaining 10 places, players who might legitimately get a run of games on top of call ups through injury

 

[OsakaHawk]

Worpel, Ward and Croc should all be locks.

Yeah in hindsight that's right (also why I put in the maybe ) Croc has played every game he's been available, as has Worps. With the way Ward is looking this preseason he will be too.

 

[tl92]

Round 1 - I reckon Frosty plays.

Sam will give him another shot.

If we had signed MacKay or Ratagolea - then no.

We didn't - so there is no way we can play with only 1 genuine tall down back.

This will get sorted next trade / draft period 100% - but Frost stays in until then, or his form reverts to the horrible end to 2023.

He's played over 150 games and actually won "Most consistent Hawthorn player" in 2021

I also can't see Dimma up front unless we get a horrible spate of small forward injuries - Watson, Ginnivan, Breust, Butler, Bennets, Moore and Chad are plenty enough.

I think we star Rd 1 down back as:

Hardwick Frost Scrimshaw
Sicily Blanck Mitchell

(Impey bit stiff, Weddle up the ground, CJ to wing maybe)

It's nigh on impossible to pick this side outside the 14 or so "locks"

Sicily
Hardwick
Blanck
Weddle
Amon
Day
Worpel
Nash
Reeves
Breust
Lewis
Chol
Moore
Newcombe

The other 8 spots are completely there for the taking IMHO

We beat the pies with a back 6 of:

Hardwick Blanck Sicily
Weddle Scrimshaw Impey

With Seamus Mitchell on the bench.

Don’t see why we would change that formula. The dons do look quite tall but I think we will back our system in and get them on the rebound.

 

[barbster]

We beat the pies with a back 6 of:

Hardwick Blanck Sicily
Weddle Scrimshaw Impey

With Seamus Mitchell on the bench.

Don’t see why we would change that formula. The dons do look quite tall but I think we will back our system in and get them on the rebound.

Collingwood’s forward line is quite small, would prefer DGB included in the round 1 team against Bombers to add some height to the backline. He has done enough of an apprenticeship, time to back him in.
Frost is not part of our next premiership team and should be just back up depth.