Preview Round 22, 2018: St Kilda v Hawthorn, 18 August 2018, 7.25pm @ Etihad Stadium

[VandoHawk]

I can't believe I'm saying this - because I am genuinely one of his biggest advocates - but I don't think Howe regains his spot in the side simply because I believe we've found the right team dynamic.

Howe plays a great defensive game locking down on opposition midfielders. But his lack of composure and speed means that his offensive game is lacking. This is fine when Sheils is firing, but when he doesn't we become far too reliant on Mitchell/O'Meara for our offensive thrusts. I think this was painfully obvious in the GWS game. With Worpel in the side our midfield becomes incredible both offensively and defensively - Mitchell/O'Meara/Worpel/Sheils not only start offensive chains, but their tackling is exceptional. Guys like Burgoyne/Bruest/Puopolo rotate through and compliment this style perfectly.

You could argue he can play a role across halfback, but that's where we need composure and speed the most. Miles has really played this role to perfection, using his smarts to form a fantastic partnership with Hardwick and Impey. Ever since his inclusion he hasn't been caught HTB, and I've seen him weave in and out of three/four opposition defenders before pinpointing a disposal. Howe can't give us that. We already have three guaranteed inclusions in Roughead, Sicily and McEvoy for unlucky soldiers. Birchall is borderline but lets Impey play forward. I don't want to see Miles/Worpel lose their spot after these recent performances and their inclusions have been key to reinvigorating the team.

 

[MinerBoy]

Only way we lose this is if we come off the high from the Cats win....AND the Saints dig in after their horror year.

In reality, we really should make a mess of the Saints and guarantee a top 8 spot, and start sniffing for top 4

Yep. Must win as they say. No slip ups - just do what must be done.

 

[rubbers0ul]

Howe was playing far too defensively, seemingly this was instructed from those aboveZ He is a ball magnet at vfl level and if allowed to roam in afl, can really rack them up. A smart, old fashioned footballer with a bit of the unsociable hawks about him


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[tige19]

Howe can't possibly come into our side, we're not taking about a bonafide premiership player here, we're talking about a so/so bottom 4-5 player in our best side.

Worpel stays, Howe in the 2s and a Hawk win by 10 goals

 

[HedgeFund]

Does Birch play at BH?

Yep - must play at least one game, maybe two, before he comes into AFL consideration.

If he plays the next two weeks, he can actually get a third in (as BH will make finals) before he steps up to AFL.

Agree re: Howe, he’s still in our best 30, but not necessarily our best 25. Worpel and Morrison have played very well in his absence and are currently ahead of him IMO.

 

[hawkguru]

Will go based on positions

Nash for rough
Pitt for McEvoy (if ready)

Down the track

Brand for Sicily

LoL people still want to drop schoes and bring in TO, Howe for worpel and drop miles for WX? Um I think we tried that theory proir to the bye and no offence we were SLOW!! Now since then ceglar, worpel,schoes miles have looked a much better team and that's without Macca, sicily and to a lesser extent Birchall and Rioli.

I hope clarko just brings in Roughead Macca and Sicily for Nash Pitt and brand simplez. I do hope Birchall can string a few games for either box hill but realistically he needs 1 game at afl level if he wants to be a parr of this year's finals. It's a long shoot for him fingers crossed though because he makes me feel safe when the ball is in his hands ala burger

 

[MinerBoy]

Also those putting Birch straight on after not playing a game in 2 years are crazy

Yeah Birch isn't playing. Not sure where these calls are coming from.

Wishful thinking I guess.

 

[MinerBoy]

He’s the only guy left who pre-dates Clarko

Rough, Buddy and Lewis were Clarko's first draft intake I believe.

 

[MinerBoy]

Reckon we might rest Burgoyne. He is crucial to the Swans game, and to our chances in finals. Last chance to rest him.

He was playing 80%+ game time before the hammy and has played 60%, 68% and 69% in the three games since his return, which suggests all is not right, or concerns re workload-related recurrence.

Pretty amazing to lead the tackles with 13 (next best Shiels with 9, Ablett & Worpel with 8) when only playing two-thirds of the game.

He's missed half the season with hammys? Surely doesn't need a rest.

 

[MinerBoy]

Absolutely. Perhaps 2008 all over again. Cats were running hot, except this time it’s the Tigers.

People keep comparing this season as being like 2008 but we didn't exactly come from nowhere in 2008. We were a ****ing great side in our own right. Won the first 9 from memory, lost a handful through the middle of the season and then closed the season and finals like a boss when our best line up came back together.

Cats had a massive season obviously losing only 1 game (well 2 hehehe), but the Hawks were also a top of the ladder worthy side in 2008.

 

[hawkguru]

Yeah Birch isn't playing. Not sure where these calls are coming from.

Wishful thinking I guess.

I can tell you from my heart that it IS wishful thinking but he hasn't missed 2 years of footy he played a handful of games mid last year before he went down late in the year and prior to his injury played well evidence is the Adelaide v hawthorn Last year after the bye. I'm not here to argue with you guys I just find it weird that Birchall has been indefinite all year and now all of a sudden his 1-2 weeks away when we are a chance to do damage in the finals. His season should be over but not according to the injury reports so again I stupidly think hes a long shoot based on his strange injury diagnosis.

 

[MinerBoy]

I can tell you from my heart that it IS wishful thinking but he hasn't missed 2 years of footy he played a handful of games mid last year before he went down late in the year and prior to his injury played well evidence is the Adelaide v hawthorn Last year after the bye. I'm not here to argue with you guys I just find it weird that Birchall has been indefinite all year and now all of a sudden his 1-2 weeks away when we are a chance to do damage in the finals. His season should be over but not according to the injury reports so again I stupidly think hes a long shoot based on his strange injury diagnosis.

I never said he hadn't played for 2 years but effectively that may as well be the case. You're right he was excellent in the games he played last year.

But this is the Saints game discussion thread..... and without having even stepped on the park for Box Hill, there's no way he comes in this week v the Saints even if he was physically 100% ready. Just my opinion.

Don't think the rest of us aren't as wishful as you. The bloke is a star and if he was up and going we are even better for it.

 

[Rhysswans13]

People keep comparing this season as being like 2008 but we didn't exactly come from nowhere in 2008. We were a ******* great side in our own right. Won the first 9 from memory, lost a handful through the middle of the season and then closed the season and finals like a boss when our best line up came back together.

Cats had a massive season obviously losing only 1 game (well 2 hehehe), but the Hawks were also a top of the ladder worthy side in 2008.

No doubt that in 2008 you were a great side in your own right, as is every premiership side. My point is more everyone has been talking about the Tigers all year while you guys have slowly been creeping along as the dark horse. Well Swans just won so if we both get up next week we could be playing off for a top four spot in a couple of weeks. Interesting times.

 

[Pessimistic]

We played the cats dogs and saints in home and away in 2018 for three losses. I never thought for a minute we couldn’t beat them

This year I reckon the tigers, the eagles and giants to an extent could control our game long enough to beat us.

I’d be very confident against sydney Melbourne Collingwood Geelong in that order


Who knows how the injuries/suspensions pan out

 

[twentythree]

Rough gets a game only because hes our captain not because his form demands it .... its a worry.
i feel like we've been carrying him for most of the year .... how do yas like those apples?

 

[Hodge2NormSmith]

VFL Round 19 vs Sandringham

Cousins: 30 disposals - 4 marks - 6 tackles - 8 inside 50s
Mirra: 21 disposals - 10 marks - 6 tackles - 4 goals - 2 behinds
O'Rourke: 18 disposals - 4 marks - 3 tackles
Lovell: 16 disposals - 6 marks
Jiath: 15 disposals - 4 marks - 4 tackles - 4 rebound 50s
O'Brien: 14 disposals - 3 marks
Glass: 13 disposals - 3 marks - 4 tackles
Moore: 12 disposals - 3 marks - 2 tackles
Hanrahan: 11 disposals - 2 goals
Heatherley: 10 disposals - 4 marks
Willsmore: 9 disposals - 5 marks
Ross: 7 disposals - 4 marks - 1 goal

DNP: Duryea, Whitecross, Langford, Jones

Good info WWSD - any idea where CJ played as 4 rebound 50's seem to indicate either in defence or as a wing type pushing back into defence.

Either way sounds like his Hawthorn footy education has started.

Good to see Cuz back up and about, will be part of next years youth movement you would think, hope Moore is the same.

 

[Walshawk]

Rough gets a game only because hes our captain not because his form demands it .... its a worry.
i feel like we've been carrying him for most of the year .... how do yas like those apples?

His form is much better than that of Shoe. Rough is a shadow of his old self but still our best tall forward by a mile.

 

[MinerBoy]

Rough gets a game only because hes our captain not because his form demands it .... its a worry.
i feel like we've been carrying him for most of the year .... how do yas like those apples?

He's still kicked close to 30 goals while having useful upfield time.

He's not vintage Rough but he deserves his spot in the team.

 

[HedgeFund]

Rough gets a game only because hes our captain not because his form demands it .... its a worry.
i feel like we've been carrying him for most of the year .... how do yas like those apples?

Rough plays better taking the #1 opposition defender than Schoenmakers does on #3 (Gunston takes #2).

Those apples taste delicious.

 

[JoeHawk]

Absolutely. Perhaps 2008 all over again. Cats were running hot, except this time it’s the Tigers.

Hmm. You might have something there. In 2008, our H&A games against Geelong were very close and we were one of the only sides that really challenged them. This year, we lost to Richmond in Rd 3 by only 13 points but having trailed by about 40 points. Pity we haven’t played them again to gauge where we stand, but I think we might give them a red hot go. Anyway, got to get there first. And I’m looking forward to Rd 23. Should be a Cracker.

 

[TylerDurden]

It's all about R23 now.

Absolutely load up and throw the sink at that game for a top 4 berth. It'll be all on the line. Must contain Ronke this time.

 

[becalm]

If Rough is having a problem with his ankle maybe he should have another week off.
If Birchall is to play in the AFL finals he would need to play for Box Hill this week and I think he is a good chance to.
Just my thoughts.

 

[TazHawk15]

Howe can't possibly come into our side, we're not taking about a bonafide premiership player here, we're talking about a so/so bottom 4-5 player in our best side.

Worpel stays, Howe in the 2s and a Hawk win by 10 goals

You are selling the kid way way too short, however I get the feeling you already know this.

 

[TylerDurden]

If Rough is having a problem with his ankle maybe he should have another week off.

Correct. Must rest any sore bodies this week. Swans game the key now.

 

[Nugett]

I can't believe I'm saying this - because I am genuinely one of his biggest advocates - but I don't think Howe regains his spot in the side simply because I believe we've found the right team dynamic.

Howe plays a great defensive game locking down on opposition midfielders. But his lack of composure and speed means that his offensive game is lacking. This is fine when Sheils is firing, but when he doesn't we become far too reliant on Mitchell/O'Meara for our offensive thrusts. I think this was painfully obvious in the GWS game. With Worpel in the side our midfield becomes incredible both offensively and defensively - Mitchell/O'Meara/Worpel/Sheils not only start offensive chains, but their tackling is exceptional. Guys like Burgoyne/Bruest/Puopolo rotate through and compliment this style perfectly.

You could argue he can play a role across halfback, but that's where we need composure and speed the most. Miles has really played this role to perfection, using his smarts to form a fantastic partnership with Hardwick and Impey. Ever since his inclusion he hasn't been caught HTB, and I've seen him weave in and out of three/four opposition defenders before pinpointing a disposal. Howe can't give us that. We already have three guaranteed inclusions in Roughead, Sicily and McEvoy for unlucky soldiers. Birchall is borderline but lets Impey play forward. I don't want to see Miles/Worpel lose their spot after these recent performances and their inclusions have been key to reinvigorating the team.

I agree. If a player lose their spot, they have to earn it back. That simple