Preview Round 3, 2025: Hawthorn v GWS Giants, 29 March 2025, 7.35pm @ UTAS Stadium

[seysearles]

Out: Macdonald Gunston
In: Husthwaite Bruest

 

[Argy]

I’m not so sure, going to be wet. We love and know the ground intimately. Thinking we get up for this, we’ve had a rest and Sam will have a few tricks up his sleeve. Plus the new inclusions won’t be match fit. Bruest to come on and kick a lazy 3-4 in the last.

It won't be too wet...

 

[Khmerhawk]

Out: Macdonald Gunston
In: Husthwaite Bruest

Curious to know why you want Gunston out ? thought he was very good against Carlton and chipped in with a couple of important goals, always find him a calming influence when he's out there.

 

[The Chad and I]

Gunston was coaching on the bench while he was sub.
Breust does the same.
These two are among the highest footy IQ players we have had.
Don't underestimate their value in this capacity.

I expect both to become assistants for us under Mitchell.

 

[ReturningHawk]

Gunston was coaching on the bench while he was sub.
Breust does the same.
These two are among the highest footy IQ players we have had.
Don't underestimate their value in this capacity.

I expect both to become assistants for us under Mitchell.

Bombers, Saints, Tigers and North will come after them. If they have a lick of common sense, that is.

I expect one of them to be in that sub role most weeks. They are just so good at picking up the speed of the game and finding a way to impact in a 20-40 minute window.

 

[matey]

If we keep the pressure up from the Carlton game we should win. I expect that pressure to continue as the boys should bring the energy ……. as a few are coming back over the next few weeks if you know what I mean!

Looking forward to going to the game and having a few of my favourite ‘Wizard Smiths’ ales while down there . Go Hawks

 

[MazHawk]

I'm expecting a simple Breust for CoMac change.
Gunston loves playing GWS and should start onfield. Punky the super-sub as he was so often, so well, last year.

 

[birch]

I'm expecting a simple Breust for CoMac change.
Gunston loves playing GWS and should start onfield. Punky the super-sub as he was so often, so well, last year.

Like it, but also carries a big element of risk I reckon.
If we cop an early injury for the 4th week in a row, we’re going to be have to carry 2 slowish forwards for a long time.
We saw what happened to us when we couldn’t apply pressure against them last year

 

[TylerDurden]

Like it, but also carries a big element of risk I reckon.
If we cop an early injury for the 4th week in a row, we’re going to be have to carry 2 slowish forwards for a long time.
We saw what happened to us when we couldn’t apply pressure against them last year

It's a fair call. Whitfield destroyed them in the last quarter.

 

[Ka Norkers]

in: Breust (sub)
out: Macdonald (injured)

the next game looms as a headache for selectors if our "lesser" players don't perform and/or the team loses Saturday night. I'd expect Worpel and Macdonald will be both available, and each is a walk-up start.
Gunston will play as a defensive forward on Taylor, but GWS will try to free him up and play Buckley on Gunston. I'd expect a real merry-go-round for much of the day.
Barrass to Hogan, Battle to Toby Greene, then depends on who GWS play. If it is Stringer, Hardwick will get that job.
For this match, I feel Scrimshaw is a HUGE out. He's a different defender to CJ.
Once again, as in Sydney, if Meek stars, we win.

 

[peetoo]

Like it, but also carries a big element of risk I reckon.
If we cop an early injury for the 4th week in a row, we’re going to be have to carry 2 slowish forwards for a long time.
We saw what happened to us when we couldn’t apply pressure against them last year

They are both a bit fresher than last year, and our defence is boosted

 

[barbster]

Is Ginni safe? Has been down on form for mine.

 

[JRH]

Is Ginni safe? Has been down on form for mine.

Down on output up on smarts. I think he is poised to have a blinder. I’m sure opposition are putting some work in to him because he is the last player in the league you want up and about. Safe for mine at the moment.

 

[stevehawkington]

Is Ginni safe? Has been down on form for mine.

His inside 50s passes have been pretty good this year - that kick in to ward right in front of goal. His tackles are up as well so he contributed to the blues suffocation last week.

 

[scrim reaper]

Think he just needs to find a way to get some cheap and easy touches early, push up around the arc a little more and provide a shorter option. He is a great user going i50 and knows when to pull the trigger quick.

Plenty of the time he won't get used since we have great long kicks, but it does drag a defender out and help with the spacing up top. If the ball does come in long and high I think him being one of the last ones to arrive at the contest and coming in from that angle allows him to use his smarts to get into best position rather than relying on pace and instinct like the other smalls.

Moore and Wiz are just so good that it makes him look a bit pedestrian in comparison at the minute.

 

[yeahmate]

My impression from past games is that GWS gets a lot of attack from half back and that Whitfield in particular always destroys us so I'd be hoping we put some work into him as well as Gunston dragging Taylor away from the play. Maybe Finn to do a negating role on Whitfield. Is having two defensive roles in our forward line too conservative a strategy though instead of just backing our ball movement and all out attack?

 

[Bedi]

Is Ginni safe? Has been down on form for mine.

Possibly slightly down but he kicked a couple of nice goals against the Bombers and was instrumental in some link up plays last week, so would be astounded if he got dropped.

 

[humid hawk]

Is Ginni safe? Has been down on form for mine.

Am pretty sure he had an interrupted pre-season - wasn't he in the rehab group for a while?

I don't think he's 100% confident in his body just yet but he's still managing to be effective with a team-first focus without setting the world on fire.

 

[tommyk72]

I reckon it’ll be Frost into the 22 for CMac and either Breust or Gunston sub. Frosty gives us a lot of flexibility in terms of moving players like Sicily, Hardwick and Battle around the ground. Also has good pace and stamina, so we won’t lose as much from CMac going as we might by bringing in Breust.

 

[Roddy]

Both Gunners and Breuster have a very strong capacity to sub on and and use their guile to kick goals when they’re badly needed. What a luxury to have…

 

[flamin_heck]

Am pretty sure he had an interrupted pre-season - wasn't he in the rehab group for a while?

I don't think he's 100% confident in his body just yet but he's still managing to be effective with a team-first focus without setting the world on fire.

What’s the rumoured issue with his body? He does look like he’s not quite right one way or another.

 

[SSSSSS]

What’s the rumoured issue with his body? He does look like he’s not quite right one way or another.

Wasn't he battling an ankle concern in the preseason?

 

[Blackhawk42]

I think GWS will win. Their form has been closer to their best than ours has been.

They JUST beat a Melbourne side who were then rolled by 10 goals a week later by NORTH MELBOURNE.

We've withstood the absolute best that three teams could throw at us and still came out 4 goal winners every time.

Missing Worpel, Scrimshaw and Croc while they regain 3 gun players will make it tougher, but we can absolutely win this, and I consider it 50/50 with our home ground advantage down in Launnie.

 

[Fleabane]

I wish I shared that we are clearly better than the giants. It’s been very close wins recently.

Yes, I must admit I was surprised to see that. This game is going to be fascinating.

 

[Lando_]

I've been saying it for years, (mainly to myself), but pressure is key. Last week is something we have to build on and carry through. Bringing in as many players as they are at once is going to unbalance their side I think. Plus they lack match fitness at this stage. Hawks will be too strong in the end.