Game Day Round 6, Hawthorn vs St Kilda, MCG, Saturday 5th May, 7.40P.M.

[eldorado]

HAWTHORN VS ST. KILDA

Saturday, 5th May, MCG, 7.40 P.M

Hawthorn vs St.Kilda Round 6 2012 MCG.

Currently:
Haw: 2-3 (11th), STK: 3-2 (6th)

Last time they met:
Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. St.Kilda 10.9 (69) – Round 8 2011, MCG.

Out of action:
Haw: Woodward (season), Gibson (ankle), Bailey (TBC), Ellis (2-4 weeks)
STK: Schneider (1 week), Clarke (2-3 weeks)

Teams:

Hawthorn

FB; Guerra Boumann Stratton
HB: Hodge Schoenmakers Birchall
C: Lewis Mitchell Shiels
HF: Savage Franklin Osborne
FF: Breust Roughead Rioli
Foll: Hale Burgoyne Sewell

Int:Whitecross Suckling Smith Puopolo

(In)- Birchall, Smith and Boumann
(Out) Gibson Cheney McCauley

St Kilda


FB: Gram Gilbert Blake
HB: Simpkin Fisher Dempster
C: Dal Santo Hayes Goddard
HF: Steven Riewoldt Montagna
FF: Milne Stanley Siposs
Foll: McEvoy Armitage Jones

Int: Geary Cripps Milera Wilkes

Preview courtesy of Scrads

I chose to review this game for one main reason...... because my partner is a Saints fan and I won’t be able to live with myself if we actually lose to her team Having said that, I have always quietly been a fan of the Saints in recent years. I have grown quite fond of some of their signature players such as Goddard, Dal Santo, Hayes and Montagna. These players all have the potential to win this weekend’s game off their own individual brilliance. We were shown by Melbourne on the weekend however that these players influence can be held (mainly talking about Goddard, who was completely tagged out of the game by Jordie McKenzie).

Our own form lately has been slightly worrying, if only a little edgy. Big wins v Collingwood and Adelaide along with narrow losses to West Coast and Geelong with an unusual second half flop against the Swans last weekend leave us sitting 2-3, 11th on the ladder and some people questioning our top 4 credentials.

Jordan Lewis spoke and said that the players had a meeting amongst themselves to address the current situation and ‘remain positive’. If you want to read more about that, look here: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsartic...1/default.aspx

Liam Shiels also spoke this week, saying that ‘mental lapses’ has been the cause of our losses so far. If you want to read more about that, look here: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsartic...9/default.aspx

If you need something else to get yourself revved up for this game, then all you need to do is watch this video:


[YOUTUBE]AQHArtayvrM[/YOUTUBE]


I remember this game like it was yesterday, it is the first and only draw I can actually remember us ever being involved in! (it is the only draw we have had since 1999 v the Bulldogs). It was very surreal, with the interchange infringement and everything it seemed as though we were on the ‘winning’ side of the draw and it was very, VERY, frustrating.

This week:
This week I definitely think we have a point to prove. After last week’s almost embarrassing loss to the Swans, it’s very important that we bounce back into form. Hodge should improve slightly with a game under his belt. Shiels and Puopolo too. Mitchell surely won’t play a second average (and by average, I mean average by his lofty standards) game in a row. Our defence (yes everybody, including Schoey!) looked effective against the Swans, it’s important they back it up and start getting some consistency. How good is it having Roughead back? His Ruck/Forward role is VERY handy for our team as a whole. Savage, Whitecross and co continue to improve. Hopefully we can get Isaac Smith back. Shaun Burgoyne is IMO playing VERY good football, and I hope it continues. Lewis (my favourite player) is starting to get the recognition he deserves, what a player he has become for us! But one of the most important things which will decide whether we win or lose on the weekend is whether our 2 big stars Buddy and Cyril can hit their best after not starting this season as on fire as I am sure we had all hoped.

I would also like to mention that every year when we play St Kilda, we are playing for the Blue Ribbon cup. The trophy is named after 2 police officers (Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller) who were killed whilst on duty in August 1998. The players will wear blue and white checkered armbands. The player judged BOG will be awarded the Silk-Miller Medal.

Prediction: Hawks by 30.
Silk-Miller Medal: Jordan Lewis

 

[eldorado]

bump..

 

[hawksfan71]

That draw was an awesome game but I thought the interchange thing was ridiculous and was like the umps wanted the saints to get back in it, see even back then we couldnt finish a side off properly. It was one of the best games Ive been to though. I feel tonights game will be close as well, hopefuly to end with a couple goal advantage to the hawks, who can tell this year though? So is Hodge just playing injured again or has his form slumped to that of ordinary mortal status?

 

[Flamin Joe]

Just watching the replay on Fox Footy "Head to Head".

Brings a tear to my eye to see both Buddy and Roughy in the forward line.

 

[Bosk]

Well we probably should win this one comfortably but we've developed a reputation for losing games we are expected to win, and St.Kilda despite being past their best still have a lot of big name players who can trouble us.

Luckily it's at the MCG which favors our chances quite a bit. After only 6 days to recover I would like to hope we can seal the game in the first half to stifle any potential comeback.

It's been a big week for the players so I expect them to respond accordingly and make a statement tonight.

 

[Hungry Hawk]

Level 2 exhausted. Might be a half decent crowd tonight.
Hopefully half the crowd is going home by half time.

 

[Buckemenico]

Saints have beaten gold coast, bulldogs and melbourne. three of the worst.
they lost to port (one of the worst) and also lost to freo at docklands.

basically they have played no-one with any top 4 credentials whatsoever. Their draw has been as soft as butter.

we should smash them up if we are a serious top4 side.

 

[Dinsdale]

good write up Eldo, hope your missus is disappointed tonight

 

[eldorado]

good write up Eldo, hope your missus is disappointed tonight

Scrads is the author of today's preview, Dinsdale.

My missus is a Pom, and cares not for any team, only that I watch the game elsewhere so that our young'uns aren't subject to "daddy's special football language"

 

[grizzlym]

Looking forward to tonight's game - think we'll come out breathing fire. Certainly been a week of questions posed, think the guys might respond emphatically.

 

[JakeB]

Saints have beaten gold coast, bulldogs and melbourne. three of the worst.
they lost to port (one of the worst) and also lost to freo at docklands.

basically they have played no-one with any top 4 credentials whatsoever. Their draw has been as soft as butter.

we should smash them up if we are a serious top4 side.

Collingwood didn't smash the bulldogs like we (the saints) did yet I'm sure everyone still rates them very highly. Top 4 I'm sure. Weird how these things work.

 

[Ridingthebumps]

Well I wasn't planning on being this nervous going into this game when I looked at the draw at the start of the year. I know a lot of us have been pissed at how Clarko has coached this year and his pig headiness re not changing his game style based upon what the opposition is doing and I think a lot stems from the fact the he thought every team would be playing 'zone' footy but instead we have faced a lot of 1:1 footy so we can't spot up players in gaps. We haven't been able to switch as teams have covered that option so we have gone back to lazy long down the line kicks which aren't good because we are hopeless at contested marks and so far this year at wining contested ball once on the ground. So what are the keys to turning this around? Hear is my 20cents worth:

- last year Hale was clunking contested marks particularly from kick ins. His pre season was huge but so far he has played pretty crap. Last year he worked his butt off to get to these contests and impose himself where this year he hasn't. Few knocks to the head seam to have impacted and maybe having to play no.1 ruck is fatiguing him too much? Anyway, Clarko remind him he is a big unit and should take 5+ contested marks tonight
- If Saints do what everyone else has a go 1:1 against us the we have to remember that you can still creat space and get open playing this style if you WORK HARD. Sav, Smith,WhiteX , Birch, Poppy are the guys who are best able to work off their opponents. also remember if a guy is running around on you then it's easy to 'drag' them out of the play to create space for others. Also hold forwards in the 50 to create more space through the middle which is how we like it. forwards had to keep pushing up the ground due to defenders zoning but if 1:1 you don't have to so Buddy, Cyril Roughie and Ossie stay at HOME.
- As we ave been crap at contested footy and are generally perceived to have the best kicks in the game you have to take a risk and create by foot. E.g go in board and open the game up. Might cost us a few turnovers but we should trust are skills and take risks. Make this game an attacking shoutout and we win
- midfield disaster: This on has me a bit stumped and there are probably greater football minds on this awesome forum than my to give advice but here's my best effort. Sewell = tagger and not sure why we forgot this. brad it is time for you to remember what made you essential to this team and shut down Lenny! He isn't quick so won't burn you for pace and you have the strength and toughness to take him on. Old school Ling like lock down. Mitch you will get tagged so get over it. For an absolute gun you throw the towel in too often when tagged. Yep you aren't quick so can't run from the tag but you are one of the smartest and most allusive players in the league. Keep moving around stoppages as much harder to tag then. Finally I think a real problem in our midfield is that they are nearly all dwarves (that's why Kennedy was a dumb arse decision as he would have given us some midfield bulk/height ) so I suggest we consider a radical move of turning my favorite player Birch into a mid. Huge tank, contested footy is now awesome, can break the lines and has height. Also keeps his feet really well. Just a thought but would like to see it.
- Ossie you are playing pretty crap and I think need a role, a real challenge to keep him focused. You take Goddard and niggle him the whole night, tackle him hard and don't let up. Chase him till you are knackered.

 

[hfc70]

There is talk about that McEvoy & Geary OUT
Kosi & Polo IN

Not sure how this helps us ??!!

 

[iloveleigh]

There is talk about that McEvoy & Geary OUT
Kosi & Polo IN

Not sure how this helps us ??!!

That was floating around on Saintsational, not sure if you guys should read too much into it! Although we did close our open training session this week... Still I'm not too alarmed.

IF this is true, will benefit you lot by the bucketload!

Geary has been one of our best this year, and we expect him to play a close game on Cyril tonight. Kosi probably can't ruck out a whole game with too much influence, help from Stanley would be needed which would mess our forward line structure.

If I were a Hawks supporter, hope for this to be true!

Goodluck all, hope it's not as easy as you all expect

 

[marklar]

It's wet in Melbourne at the moment, just a light drizzle but it looks like it'll be here for a while.

Hope the boys can put on a good show tonight, I've got an American visitor that I'm taking to the game so he'd better be impressed!

 

[madhawksfan]

There is talk about that McEvoy & Geary OUT
Kosi & Polo IN

Not sure how this helps us ??!!

It leaves them without their number one ruckman and one of their better performing players. It would also mean Kosi rucking instead of stretching us down back. Kosi rucking gives us a better chance of winning clearances and if it's wet there will be plenty to win.

Regardless of who plays for them I just hope we come to play for 4 quarters. The media has hammered us all week so there should be no shortage of motivation.

I won't make a prediction about the result after last week. I really hope to see all stand up of our players stand up and be counted tonight. No excuses if we lose this game.

 

[scout]

Broc & Cheney at Box Hill, should mean Gunston emergency.

 

[Brant]

If we play Roughy in the ruck & Buddy near the middle then Fisher might be the first AFL player to take 40 marks & get 100 disposals in a game.

Forward pressure will win us this one. Keep our forwards in the forwardline & if we don't take clean possession then we pressure like hell & make clearing our forwardline as hard as humanly possible. Our pressure will give us multiple opportunities to score per forward entry & we can play it in our half, on our terms.

The Saints 'stay at home' defenders are too good & they are too good at getting Goddard & Fisher free across half back for us to be continually running back with the flight of the ball. If we play into their hands by allowing this then we go down by 3 goals in another bruiser.

Play to our strengths & we win by 8 goals.

 

[stkildathunda]

It leaves them without their number one ruckman and one of their better performing players. It would also mean Kosi rucking instead of stretching us down back. Kosi rucking gives us a better chance of winning clearances and if it's wet there will be plenty to win.

Regardless of who plays for them I just hope we come to play for 4 quarters. The media has hammered us all week so there should be no shortage of motivation.

I won't make a prediction about the result after last week. I really hope to see all stand up of our players stand up and be counted tonight. No excuses if we lose this game.

Kosi has hardly rucked this year, Rhys Stanley will be #1 ruck if indeed the rumours are true.

Just heads up incase you guys arent aware. There is track works on Frankston line so buses replacing trains from Frnakston to Mordi and also the MCG carpark is going to be about 35% open so get there early for parking!!

Goodluck tonight, i think you guys will smash us unfortunately

 

[Agent Smith]

DISCLAIMER: The following post contains strong traces of sarcasm. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, please avert your eyes now.

Looking forward to another scintillating game against a team that can butcher any hope of entertainment faster than a live Meatloaf performance, as St Kilda play their own style of defensive footy designed to limit goal scoring akin to a bank contemplating an interest rate cut. Another potentially wet evening means we could see a game rivalling the great West Coast expedition of a couple of weeks ago, where goal umpires stood between the goal and point posts the entire game to save themselves unnecessary movement. Will halftime provide us with Rushed as the leading scorer? If Buddy can get three 'follow the bouncing ball' attempts to sneak in past the point post then we might just get over the line and celebrate a strongly fought out win.

Look out if St Kilda tag our half back flankers. If our leading stat players - the likes of Suckling and Birch - are restricted from getting the pill, then how are we going to get our hands on the ball after the centre bounce? Thankfully, there should only be one of these bounces per quarter. A master stroke by St Kilda could be to play Steven Milne on Michael Osborne. Sure, it constrains their own ability to score, but every time the ball makes it within our forward 50, they can be guaranteed of a free kick. Can't wait to see Buddy, Roughie and Sizzle picking up the slack as they take control of the midfield, forcing the ball forwards into the waiting hands of... um... ahh... oh wait.

If the unforgivable occurs and we do drop this game, I hope to be magnanimous in defeat, leaving the ground with the same sense of decency, graciousness and decorum as Jason Akermanis being fired from a reality tv show. It's the only way to go.

Prediction: Hawks become ultra defensive and stop trying to score as they defend a convincing one point lead late in the last quarter, when an interchange infraction allows Kosi (a late Saints replacement in the game) to kick for goal from the top of the goal square, 5 metres out directly in front, resulting in another draw between the two teams.

 

[almuz]

After last week I want a four points in the most brutal way possible.

 

[spudmaster]

Prediction: Hawks become ultra defensive and stop trying to score as they defend a convincing one point lead late in the last quarter, when an interchange infraction allows Kosi to kick for goal from the top of the goal square, 5 metres out directly in front, resulting in another draw between the two teams.

I like what that implies, well played

 

[Buddyman]

Hey guys, I'm sorry to post this here but I can't find an answer anywhere else.
On tuesday my wallet got stolen, which wasn't extremely upsetting besides the fact I have my membership in it. Can I get a replica ticket for tonight's match or do I have to purchase one?

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

Hey guys, I'm sorry to post this here but I can't find an answer anywhere else.
On tuesday my wallet got stolen, which wasn't extremely upsetting besides the fact I have my membership in it. Can I get a replica ticket for tonight's match or do I have to purchase one?

If you informed the club through the week something could have been organised. not too sure about now though...

 

[Dinsdale]

Scrads is the author of today's preview, Dinsdale.

My missus is a Pom, and cares not for any team, only that I watch the game elsewhere so that our young'uns aren't subject to "daddy's special football language"

Ahh yes, I missed that red info line I hope your missus is not disappointed tonight I also have to watch the game in a sound-proof room, away from normal humans...