Preview Round 5, 2018: North Melbourne v Hawthorn, 22 April 2018, 3.20pm @ Etihad Stadium

[KOLOKOTRONIS]

Not sure who's giving your club shit, versus a bit of banter, but I totally agree with you. The evidence is indisputable that Hawthorn are the benchmark with regards to premierships. Utmost respect and even envy from that perspective. Can't understand why supporters of any club could view it any other way, frankly.

For this reason, I can't understand the apparent hatred and shit hurled outwards from your supporters at other clubs, or their supporters. Why would it bother a Hawks supporter? Sit back and enjoy I say.

For example, quibbling about funding? Pfft. Hawks get $10M, we get $15M and far behind the likes of Saints on $19M at the moment. (Also behind Dogs and barely ahead of Dees, not to mention the northern state clubs.) So, is 1.5x funding for a smaller club worth a grudge, when you're already way ahead on premierships? That's a petty and entitled view in my humble opinion for the sake of ensuring a level playing ground.

Once again, however, I do enjoy the sense of rivalry with Hawthorn, perhaps nostalgically harking back to the '70s, then the seesawing of the 80s, where we couldn't beat you, to the 90s when you couldn't beat us, and more recently with a sense of argy-bargy on field. The Lake/Petrie game, and I think the one after, were both electric encounters. I just wish we'd been more competitive on the scoreboard generally in recent times.

Glad you enjoyed the read. Many come on this board to give shit. So the message was just a reminder, not a specific message to anyone in particular.

We don’t hurl shit. We just remind supporters who dare speak. Club supporters have to understand their role when entering any conversation with a Hawthorn person. Hawthorn people are very humble actually. Could you imagine if Richmond or Collingwood supporters had our success since 1980? It is just dumb to attack Hawthorn people.

Re funding: it is a very sensitive topic for the Hawthorn faithful in light of 1996. They wanted to merge a club that participated in 12 grand finals in 25 years and won 8 of them. Treating us as if we didn’t exist when our club and culture revolutionised the sport. Furthermore, we missed finals in 72-73, 79-81 and 95 only (a massive record during that period!) We had zero help and in 1997 were second to Essendon in membership ( a team coming off a narrow prelim loss ). Hawthorn were that “smaller club”... however our supporters showed heart and put their money where it mattered (membership). We are proud of this as a Hawthorn family and cannot accept mediocrity nor forget. The handouts given to other clubs will never sit well with us. You can’t erase history and what was attempted. It is not an entitled view at all. It is about justice. Our comments to other clubs are not ultimately directed at those clubs, however a mere reminder of what it takes to be a real club. A respected club.

Re rivalry: you have won the last three finals against us which stings. However we were pretenders in each of those seasons making up the numbers. Since 2007 however we have bounced back with a lazy four flags, prelim, gf finalists and a loss after the siren. Thankfully our culture dictates that we are rarely humiliated in finals.

KOLOKOTRONIS

 

[Argy]

Whilst I don’t think Langford is up to it, he could play poppy’s role given his ferocious attack on the footy and pressure acts. Before being shot down, I feel this is the only position he is good for at this stage (nowhere else). Furthermore, I acknowledge he cannot kick...lol

KOLOKOTRONIS

Totally agree. Burton and Langford to come in.

On a side note, it's nice that no one is even hinting that Mirra could be an out. Great story, solid debut and he grew into his role as the game progressed.

 

[mikeder]

The bench should be pared down to the final 4 by 5pm tomorrow afternoon as BH are playing Coburg at 2pm Saturday.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I would play Burton and blood Worpel. Need some strong defensive efforts with Poppy and Cyril out which Worps offers in spades.
Burto responded strongly to his omission last week. 22 disposals and 2 goals is a nice return. Perhaps send Doc down forward and play Burto down back.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Really hope Burton is one of the ins, I'm torn on who I'm hoping is the 2nd one.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

I thought Schoey was named. Oh well, Langford will play

 

[Hawk Hawkins]

Glad you enjoyed the read. Many come on this board to give shit. So the message was just a reminder, not a specific message to anyone in particular.

We don’t hurl shit. We just remind supporters who dare speak. Club supporters have to understand their role when entering any conversation with a Hawthorn person. Hawthorn people are very humble actually. Could you imagine if Richmond or Collingwood supporters had our success since 1980? It is just dumb to attack Hawthorn people.

Re funding: it is a very sensitive topic for the Hawthorn faithful in light of 1996. They wanted to merge a club that participated in 12 grand finals in 25 years and won 8 of them. Treating us as if we didn’t exist when our club and culture revolutionised the sport. Furthermore, we missed finals in 72-73, 79-81 and 95 only (a massive record during that period!) We had zero help and in 1997 were second to Essendon in membership ( a team coming off a narrow prelim loss ). Hawthorn were that “smaller club”... however our supporters showed heart and put their money where it mattered (membership). We are proud of this as a Hawthorn family and cannot accept mediocrity nor forget. The handouts given to other clubs will never sit well with us. You can’t erase history and what was attempted. It is not an entitled view at all. It is about justice. Our comments to other clubs are not ultimately directed at those clubs, however a mere reminder of what it takes to be a real club. A respected club.

Re rivalry: you have won the last three finals against us which stings. However we were pretenders in each of those seasons making up the numbers. Since 2007 however we have bounced back with a lazy four flags, prelim, gf finalists and a loss after the siren. Thankfully our culture dictates that we are rarely humiliated in finals.

KOLOKOTRONIS

Mostly correct, except I do occasionally come here just to hurl shit at other teams supporters.

 

[Hodginator]

Why on earth would we pick Langford? Offers very little and his form doesn’t warrant selection.

 

[Hawk Hawkins]

Why on earth would we pick Langford? Offers very little and his form doesn’t warrant selection.

Because he’s a premiership player and offers manic pressure I guess.

 

[Iceman!]

Cousins would be filthy if Worpel gets the nod ahead of him. He's been killing it in the VFL and deserves his chance.

That all said Burto and Langford seem the most likely.

Worpel and Cousins aren't exactly like for like though.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Cousins would be filthy if Worpel gets the nod ahead of him. He's been killing it in the VFL and deserves his chance.

That all said Burto and Langford seem the most likely.

Cousins isn't pushing Shiels, Howe or Tom out of the side, so unless Clarkson sees him as capable of playing a different role to the one he plays at Box Hill each week, he won't be sliding into the side without injuries to others.

 

[realhawk]

Cousins deserves his chance, has been Box Hills best player so far. Need to reward form

 

[KOLOKOTRONIS]

Totally agree. Burton and Langford to come in.

On a side note, it's nice that no one is even hinting that Mirra could be an out. Great story, solid debut and he grew into his role as the game progressed.

The Mirra story is brilliant and he could feature this season. Having said this though, I felt the conditions suited him. It will be interesting to see how he follows up as the quicker perfect conditions may trouble him. His decision making and disposal needs to be better and a fraction faster. I hope he delivers with the change of tempo. Massive follow up week for him.

As we have seen in modern footy, it only takes 3 or 4 to have an inconsistent day, and the game is lost.

KOLOKOTRONIS

 

[KOLOKOTRONIS]

Cousins deserves his chance, has been Box Hills best player so far. Need to reward form

Would he play the poppy role though? Does he have that desire and what are his pressure acts like? Admittedly haven’t seen him play much...

KOLOKOTRONIS

 

[Goody1971]

Langford in to provide manic pressure in the FWD 50, with strict instructions that if he gets hold of the ball he must pass it back to Sicily who will launch a barrel from 70 out for a goal.

 

[Pessimistic]

Langford in to provide manic pressure in the FWD 50, with strict instructions that if he gets hold of the ball he must pass it back to Sicily who will launch a barrel from 70 out for a goal.

He’s one of the better lead and mark players too

 

[kirbatron]

Burton and Worpel looking the likely inclusions.

Worpel averages quite a few tackles and hits the scoreboard. Reckon he gets his chance.

this.

 

[JustKickIt]

Mostly correct, except I do occasionally come here just to hurl shit at other teams supporters.

 

[Mercy Seat]

Cousins isn't pushing Shiels, Howe or Tom out of the side, so unless Clarkson sees him as capable of playing a different role to the one he plays at Box Hill each week, he won't be sliding into the side without injuries to others.

Then why is he promoted to the extended interchange this week? Surely it’s not just token.

 

[Hawk Hawkins]

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Great to see Lewis in the mix again.

I think it will be Langford and Burton.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Then why is he promoted to the extended interchange this week? Surely it’s not just token.

An extended bench is just that.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Cousins deserves his chance, has been Box Hills best player so far. Need to reward form

Need to pick the best team.

 

[Fluro Boots]

Burto and and another young bloke worpel/cousins/lewis is my pick. Keep blooding the young kids when an opportunity arises. There's enough experience around to cover for another inexperienced guy in the side. There will still be opportunities for Langford during the season, But given he's a seasoned player he should really be held to a higher standard and need to absolutely bash the door down for selection.

 

[BobDay]

People have short memories. Last year when Langford was moved into the forward line he was just about our best player there.
The biggest problem he had was his set shot kicking for goal was so bad that it was easy to underestimate all of the hard work he have done.
I would be staggered if the club in Langford have not worked very hard on set shots over summer. And the club has had some success with this in the past. At one stage Roughy could not kick a goal until they completely rebuilt his goalkicking technique.