Preview Round 21, 2024: GWS Giants v Hawthorn, Sun 4 August, 1.10pm AEST @ Manuka Oval

[The Jet From Poowong]

It’s a sellout. Biggest game ever in Canberra.

Albo has made sure his whole ministry is present.

On a serious note, I hope the hawk supporters attending are loud and proud as the team deserves huge vocal support for putting us supporters on cloud 9 the last two weeks in particular.

Last year we gave GWS a good run for their money on two occasions but had no reward. This year we deserved and got the points earlier in the season and we are travelling even better now.

One thing they will be weary of is our midfield and our overall gut running. It will be interesting to see if they play their tsunami style or instead play with a more conservative approach.

I think we have enough to overcome them, especially if Frosty can keep Hogan in check.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

Their midfield has thinned out in recent years. They used to run so deep in there. Other than Green who throws on his boot a lot they have Callaghan, Ward in decline, Bedford tagging and not much else (Kelly a big out not so much Cogs anymore). We got on top of them in the middle last time in the 2nd half, hopefully this time we smack them right from the get go. Meek a huge in from last time we met also.

 

[grumbleguts]

Splitting hairs

Its their home away from home similar to Tassie for us

No it isn't they have a negative win loss ratio there. We have beaten them there every game we've played them there. (sample space of 1 - but we've never beaten them at their home ground) At Manuka oval, they've won 16 lost 19.

 

[Hawkspot]

You could start him and tag Whitfield, sending Breust to the sub.

The idea of Finn tagging someone is mentioned every week, I don’t think he’s actually tagged anyone for more than a quarter in 3 months.

If he’s not doing that I don’t see the value in him being in the team, especially with Dear cramping in the 3rd quarter every week leaving us with one tall forward. Worked in the wet and against a shambolic crows - Giants are a different beast.

Gunston was in decent form when we turned our season around, if he’s fit and healthy he should be in the team.

 

[Cyril says]

…. one thing that makes it difficult and that Champion Data don't do at all well is quantifying the off ball stuff

Cyril Rioli fans have been explaining this very true fact to oppo supporters for 16 years!

Nick Watson does tons off the ball including the guy running - while that’s captured in part, it’s not part of player ratings as I understand it, either.

 

[tommyk72]

The thing that is winning us games is our superior run and hence superior pressure. Finn allows us to lean into that that strength even further. He’s also shown he can contribute when he is subbed in.

That’s the one downside of the push to bring on board Barass/Battle. If it’s at the cost of a runner it diminishes one of our important strengths.

 

[ahhhhhh]

The thing that is winning us games is our superior run and hence superior pressure. Finn allows us to lean into that that strength even further. He’s also shown he can contribute when he is subbed in.

That’s the one downside of the push to bring on board Barass/Battle. If it’s at the cost of a runner it diminishes one of our important strengths.

Agree with the last part, which is why I think we are a better team without Lewis. I'd much rather have Calsher, Mabior and a band of smalls. I think a Lewis inclusion pushes us over the edge.

 

[TylerDurden]

Their midfield has thinned out in recent years. They used to run so deep in there. Other than Green who throws on his boot a lot they have Callaghan, Ward in decline, Bedford tagging and not much else (Kelly a big out not so much Cogs anymore). We got on top of them in the middle last time in the 2nd half, hopefully this time we smack them right from the get go. Meek a huge in from last time we met also.

From memory, Green had a huge first half last time we played in Tas.
Cant let that happen again this week.

 

[Bugs1977]

Hope all the boys bring the long sleeves as it's gonna be cold. For both teams sake it's luck this game is at 1pm and not 7pm because it would've be 4º if it was played then.

CJ and Colly are going to look like something out of Cool Runnings for this game

Spoiler: Cool Runnings

 

[KermitJagger]

Cyril Rioli fans have been explaining this very true fact to oppo supporters for 16 years!

Nick Watson does tons off the ball including the guy running - while that’s captured in part, it’s not part of player ratings as I understand it, either.

Actually Cyril they always rated very highly because he was pretty much always applying pressure, and he was one of the most effective ball users in the forward half... ever.

Cyril's ratings by them are a big part of the reason the average Joe tends to dismiss them as nonsense.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

The thing that is winning us games is our superior run and hence superior pressure. Finn allows us to lean into that that strength even further. He’s also shown he can contribute when he is subbed in.

That’s the one downside of the push to bring on board Barass/Battle. If it’s at the cost of a runner it diminishes one of our important strengths.

Barass is a true KPD who would play FB and Battle is probably more a hybrid defender like the role Sic currently plays.

I think we could fit them both in and not lose too much run of half back but I think odds are we only get one of them anyway.

 

[CD Xbow]

The thing that is winning us games is our superior run and hence superior pressure. Finn allows us to lean into that that strength even further. He’s also shown he can contribute when he is subbed in.

That’s the one downside of the push to bring on board Barass/Battle. If it’s at the cost of a runner it diminishes one of our important strengths.

Sicily is 30-next year and Frost 32, so both getting toward the ends of their careers, getting an A grade defender now would be prudent. The cliff can come unexpectantly quickly for the 30+ year old footballer.

 

[Platten44]

Sicily is 30-next year and Frost 32, so both getting toward the ends of their careers, getting an A grade defender now would be prudent. The cliff can come unexpectantly quickly for the 30+ year old footballer.

Barrass is 30 next year

 

[Dewwwww]

Barrass is 30 next year

30 is irrelevant. Our time is now. Bring in Barrass and we will be pushing for flags over the next 4 years with him in the side

 

[CD Xbow]

Barrass is 30 next year

Then he shouldn't be considered. Too old. Battle is mid 20's and would give us 5 years.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I think this game will say a lot about where GWS are at. They've got some great pieces and Hogan is lighting it up at the moment - but they're just not very convincing and haven't been for a while. They're a very 'mid' side this season.

They just got over Melbourne who are only just going.

 

[burger09]

If Sis is going to play in a flag so would Barrass.
Our window could open quickly with the right additions.

 

[Coathanger]

Barrass is 30 next year

He’s 28 right now!

 

[Flamin Joe]

He’s 28 right now!

Will be 29 this year (8th October).

 

[TassieGrown]

Hogan due for a down game, make it so Frosty

 

[Cyril says]

Actually Cyril they always rated very highly because he was pretty much always applying pressure, and he was one of the most effective ball users in the forward half... ever.

Cyril's ratings by them are a big part of the reason the average Joe tends to dismiss them as nonsense.

But there was always some stat that the detractors would use against him - disposals, etc.

These full effort players who might tap a ball or impede an opponent hardly ever get full credit for their impact.

On the weekend I saw Will Day make an enormous effort to make sure an opponent had to kick over him … the kick was therefore high, it didn’t get out the back, it made it easier for us to eventually rebound. No stat connects that act to the fact that it might have saved a score against us.

Good post from you. Thanks.

 

[Buttonsticher]

He’s 28 right now!

It's those damn wormholes

On SM-A546E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Judd2Sewell]

No Jelly or Coniglio is good for us, obviously.

They are reliant on Whitfield and Callaghan generatng run for them. I don't think you can shut Green down, so curbing either of them, especially the former, would go a long way to winning this.

Daniel has become a premier small forward this season too. We'd need to mind both him and Greene.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

30 is irrelevant. Our time is now. Bring in Barrass and we will be pushing for flags over the next 4 years with him in the side

His age is extremely relevant ! I am in favour of getting him in to the club but at minimal cost

Our days of selling the farm to get the player we want well and truly over. Look at what we paid for Chol, Ginnivan and MASS - peanuts for a massive return

His age must be factored in once the Eagles start demanding unrealistic draft picks for a player they are comfortable leaving the club

 

[parsons nose]

Just had a look at the round 12 game as a memory refresher. One of the things that really stuck out for me was their (GWS) abilities at the contest. Make no mistake, they are no Adelaide. I fully expect them to test us in this area again. Frosty did a great job on Hogan. If he can replicate that performance it’s hard to see GWS’s avenues to goal. Particularly given XOH is as likely to dominate again as Trump is to get his other ear shot off.

Calsher was the villain in the last encounter, for his magnificent defensive effort on the goal line to deny Weddle a certain goal from outside 50. Calsh, it must be be said did some good things too, including a game saving tackle in the dying seconds of the game.

In many respects it was a weird game. Gunston’s goal in the 3rd where he stood on the ball on the goal line and the Greene goal that seemed to avoid a review despite Toby’s body language that seemed to indicate it was touched. The huge thumbs down goes to the umpires. Not that they were particularly biased to one side, but they seemed determined to insert themselves on the game unnecessarily. Let’s hope this time around the umpires aren’t so quick with the whistle.