Preview Round 1: Essendon vs Hawthorne, MCG, Saturday 16/03/24 @ 1:45 PM

[ant555]

I do not think Kelly will be ready but when he is I have no issues with him on a wing like he was in match sim.
Big tank . Contested ball winner . Was much better with ball in hand up the ground. Had the best understanding of role back defence when Martin was pushing up the ground.

 

[Squeaky]

Fantasia looking like he'd batted through a bodyline test after being checked by Ben Stratton was another one. Stratton. What a bitch.

true - i forgot about that...
****ing loser!

 

[P Money]

Fantasia looking like he'd batted through a bodyline test after being checked by Ben Stratton was another one. Stratton. What a bitch.

Right in front of the goal umpire too. And yet another example of the EFC being to p*ss weak to stand up for their players. Can you imagine how Eddie McGuire would have responded if that was happening to a young small Collingwood player?

 

[Nifft]

Probably won’t be too many comments as they already got it out of their systems

 

[Happyskeret]

If the have Hep in for VFL depth than what the hell is he doing on our list?

 

[Foxx]

If the have Hep in for VFL depth than what the hell is he doing on our list?

He's coming off injury.
He played last year seniors, so he's on the list as a seniors player.

 

[Happyskeret]

He's coming off injury.
He played last year seniors, so he's on the list as a seniors player.

Yeah I know he is on the list as a senior player just some others are stating otherwise.

 

[Foxx]

Yeah I know he is on the list as a senior player just some others are stating otherwise.

Others are stating their own opinions as to where he should play.
He was a solid contributor last year, so the only reason he wouldn't play seniors is if his form either fell off a cliff, or someone younger and better came through and took his spot.

 

[Happyskeret]

Others are stating their own opinions as to where he should play.

Yes and?

 

[Foxx]

Yes and?

I elaborated further in an edit to my response ^

 

[Happyskeret]

I elaborated further in an edit to my response ^

Just letting you know I’m aware people are stating their opinions.

 

[Foxx]

Just letting you know I’m aware people are stating their opinions.

Not sure why you asked "what's the point of him being on the list" then?

 

[DERO]

That's a perverse upside.
When the team is mired for so long that the banter about the team is more interesting than the team...

I feel like finally someone truly understands

 

[bombreys]

He's not wrong though. And there will be times this season when he may need to play. Sometimes supporters need to be reminded, lest they forget respect is a thing.

Completely disagree - no individual should ever come before the club. And I don’t think it’s about respect either - he wouldn’t have played for any other team in the comp last year. We gave him in inflated contract and at least 2 extra years than a ‘normal’ player would have received. He’s received a lot of respect. Giving him automatic games is not respectful to anyone.

I want to be clear - Heppell was very good for us at one time. He copped a hell of a lot during the saga. But he’s so far passed it now, it’s sad to watch. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, father time catches up with us all.

 

[Happyskeret]

Not sure why you asked "what's the point of him being on the list" then?

I was posing that question to the people who thought he was there for VFL depth. No biggie.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Completely disagree - no individual should ever come before the club. And I don’t think it’s about respect either - he wouldn’t have played for any other team in the comp last year. We gave him in inflated contract and at least 2 extra years than a ‘normal’ player would have received. He’s received a lot of respect. Giving him automatic games is not respectful to anyone.

I want to be clear - Heppell was very good for us at one time. He copped a hell of a lot during the saga. But he’s so far passed it now, it’s sad to watch. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, father time catches up with us all.

Well this just simply isn't true.

Maybe not any good teams, no.

 

[Fayab99]

This is actually a pretty critical game
I'm not sure where we finish this year, probably anywhere between 8th - 14th

But given we play Sydney away, St Kilda, Port, Bulldogs and Adelaide awy

If we lose Saturday there's a genuine chance we could be 0-6 heading into ANZAC day

 

[bombreys]

Well this just simply isn't true.

Maybe not any good teams, no.

Who are you dropping from North or Hawthorn’s backline to put Heppell in?

 

[Don Won]

If both Kelly and Heppell are named

I am going to be very, very

ANGRY.

heppell and kelly to be named i just know it will happen

They have both had good preseasons especially Kelly, so it wouldn’t be surprising from that perspective. They also both exemplify the ‘living an AFL lifestyle’ so saying that then picking a player with all upside and no work ethic would be puzzling.


Having said that, neither played last week at either level - so I don’t think they will be picked this week.

 

[Crookshoulder]

I'll add my two bobs worth, considering a whisper that passed through me a couple of days ago .

Draper will play with Goldy. Hobbs will play in lieu of Parish out. Perkins will play...VFL.

That's the whisper. Apparently Gresham is impressing that much in training and more importantly, match sim (footy smarts/finding space) that it's left no position for Perkins as one of the ruckman will push fwd, and with Wright, Langford, Jones- we'll try and take advntage of hawks undermanned defence.

Time will tell

P.S. I'm a huge fan of Perkins and I hope i'm wrong...

 

[Cold Sober]

I think Hepps is being rewarded for ' saga loyalty, '. No gripes there.
Good season last year but, should only be used as AFL fill in player this season.

 

[Nifft]

Off to see 'The Wizard': Hawks lock in new faces for R1 debuts

A host of new Hawthorn players are set to make their Hawks debuts against Essendon on Saturday

www.afl.com.au

I forgot about Ginnivan being at the Hawkes... hopefully Redman puts him in a headlock for old times sake.

 

[Beerfish]

Off to see 'The Wizard': Hawks lock in new faces for R1 debuts

A host of new Hawthorn players are set to make their Hawks debuts against Essendon on Saturday

www.afl.com.au

I forgot about Ginnivan being at the Hawkes... hopefully Redman puts him in a headlock for old times sake.

Then he won't have to go to Sydney. Win/win!

 

[cAsEy_18]

Who are you dropping from North or Hawthorn’s backline to put Heppell in?

From last years team, you could pick a couple out of North. He'd be as good as say Luke McDonald, who has a reputation as a good kick but is in fact very ordinary.

But Heppell would've been an absolute walk-up in say West Coast's team last year. You're underestimating Heppell's season last year - not amazing/good, but he was more than serviceable.

 

[P Money]

Big difference between owing Heppell a 'debt of gratitude' and owing him additional contracts and a spot in the senior side. Something the previous administration got wrong with a whole bunch of saga players which was to the detriment of the team and set us back even further than we would have been otherwise.

Let's see which way Brad Scott sees it.