Preview Second Qualifying Final, 2014 - Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG, Friday, 5 September 2014

[threesixpio]

No more close ones please. Let's 50+ this baby with the second half basically in cruise control.

If we 50+ it they'll come back. It's a Hawthorn Geelong game. 50+Ing it at half time is almost a jinx

 

[Off The Couch]

No more close ones please. Let's 50+ this baby with the second half basically in cruise control.

I don't trust cruise control

 

[BobHawk]

I feel we'll need a good win against Geelong to show that we are serious about winning the premiership. It will give us home ground advantage in the next two matches at what looks likely to be against interstate teams. Been a long season but the finals is a mini season in itself and it all starts on Friday. String three good wins together and it is back to back.

 

[MinerBoy]

If we 50+ it they'll come back. It's a Hawthorn Geelong game. 50+Ing it at half time is almost a jinx

I don't trust cruise control

Cruise control means they just aren't getting near us, not that we necessarily take the foot off. Just want to open them up early and break their spirits.

 

[threesixpio]

Have lost and won once each against the other top four teams - it feels pretty even Stevens at the moment. Finding form at the right time is hopefully the key for us. Even some of the others in the eight (North and Port) are more than capable of causing some upsets in the finals

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

No more close ones please. Let's 50+ this baby with the second half basically in cruise control.

Is that you Chris Scott?

 

[hawkheart]

No more close ones please. Let's 50+ this baby with the second half basically in cruise control.

I like 50+ as a verb
Has a nice ring to it.
"Cats? Yeah, we 50-plussed 'em"

 

[threesixpio]

Cruise control means they just aren't getting near us, not that we necessarily take the foot off. Just want to open them up early and break their spirits.

Cruise control is your heartbeat. Yep.

But here's a question - was the pre lim the best game ever because of the lack of cruise control over 11 or so games? They are THE best games to watch. I even enjoyed the Hawkins goal after the siren match (am I allowed to post here now?) I actually laughed. It was a ridiculous game to watch.

 

[hawkheart]

As nervous as ever before these Geelong games. The match two weeks ago is a distant memory. Have no idea what to read into Lake's post-match interview - very deflective of questions re injury. Yet he was out on the ground grinning with Gibbo and signing footys. If we lose him for this game, it's gonna be really tough. By the by, anyone in the cheersquad considering an ironic 'Mission Accomplished' banner to wave about in Scott's direction if we salute?

 

[Off The Couch]

As nervous as ever before these Geelong games. The match two weeks ago is a distant memory. Have no idea what to read into Lake's post-match interview - very deflective of questions re injury. Yet he was out on the ground grinning with Gibbo and signing footys. If we lose him for this game, it's gonna be really tough. By the by, anyone in the cheersquad considering an ironic 'Mission Accomplished' banner to wave about in Scott's direction if we salute?

Thought the same thing myself - but that would be pre-empting and I'm not big on prodding the karma bus

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

As nervous as ever before these Geelong games. The match two weeks ago is a distant memory. Have no idea what to read into Lake's post-match interview - very deflective of questions re injury. Yet he was out on the ground grinning with Gibbo and signing footys. If we lose him for this game, it's gonna be really tough. By the by, anyone in the cheersquad considering an ironic 'Mission Accomplished' banner to wave about in Scott's direction if we salute?

The 'Mission Accomplished' Curse has just begun methinks.

 

[BobHawk]

Cruise control is your heartbeat. Yep.

But here's a question - was the pre lim the best game ever because of the lack of cruise control over 11 or so games? They are THE best games to watch. I even enjoyed the Hawkins goal after the siren match (am I allowed to post here now?) I actually laughed. It was a ridiculous game to watch.

I would like to think the win last weekend shows the difference between the then and the now. I'd also like to think the gap will a bit wider on Friday than it was last week. We have become a stronger and more rounded team whilst Geelong has dropped down a few notches due the need to replace players as a result of retirement and age. I also think that Clarkson has got a great game plan to take us all the way.

 

[BobHawk]

The 'Mission Accomplished' Curse has just begun methinks.

We need to leave the petty stuff out of it. Bigger fish to fry.

 

[MinerBoy]

Is that you Chris Scott?

Nah, my boys win the games when we go all 'mission accomplished' on someone's ass.

 

[MinerBoy]

I like 50+ as a verb
Has a nice ring to it.
"Cats? Yeah, we 50-plussed 'em"

They've already been 110'd this year but seeing as it's a final I'll take 50+ing them.

 

[MinerBoy]

Cruise control is your heartbeat. Yep.

But here's a question - was the pre lim the best game ever because of the lack of cruise control over 11 or so games? They are THE best games to watch. I even enjoyed the Hawkins goal after the siren match (am I allowed to post here now?) I actually laughed. It was a ridiculous game to watch.

Mods - please revoke posting rights.

And while the close ones make great matches for the history books, I'm all for a pole-axing to be perfectly honest.

 

[Budgey]

I'm a bit nervous about Breust's form over the last few weeks. We need him to fire alongside Gunston and Roughy, to be sure of a win.

 

[Bikefreak]

I'm a bit nervous about Breust's form over the last few weeks. We need him to fire alongside Gunston and Roughy, to be sure of a win.

Has been unusually quiet.

Just seems to have gone off the boil.

 

[Off The Couch]

Has been unusually quiet.

Just seems to have gone off the boil.

Think he is struggling with a hard tag - clubs are on too him
Want to see him in the midfield a bit more - could be what triggers a revival in form

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Anyone think Lithers would be a handy player to match up on Bartel if he plays forward?

 

[cryptor]

Think he is struggling with a hard tag - clubs are on too him
Want to see him in the midfield a bit more - could be what triggers a revival in form

Agreed. He just needs to keep his defender/tag on their toes. Keep on moving between midfield and the forward line. Too bad he's not the type to throw the head back and wave the arms when he is legitimately held off the ball or pushed in the back otherwise he'd actually get paid those frees he deserves. Too honest is our Breust.

 

[Off The Couch]

Anyone think Lithers would be a handy player to match up on Bartel if he plays forward?

No - he showed nothing on Friday that would warrant his selection - I don't think he is up for a high pressure game. Needs a full season under his belt

 

[WWSD]

Our record in Qualifying finals under Clarkson is currently 3 wins and 1 loss.

2008 QF vs Western Bulldogs - Hawthorn 18.19.127 defeated Western Bulldogs 11.10.76
2011 QF vs Geelong - Geelong 14.14.98 defeated Hawthorn 9.13 67
2012 QF vs Collingwood - Hawthorn 20.15.135 defeated Collingwood 15.7.97
2013 QF vs Sydney - Hawthorn 15.15.105 defeated Sydney 7.9.51

In the qualifying finals that we've won over the years we have gone onto play off in the grand final during those finals series. A win this week and may happen again. If we lose this week we may will struggle to get there.

 

[madhawksfan]

I'm a bit nervous about Breust's form over the last few weeks. We need him to fire alongside Gunston and Roughy, to be sure of a win.

Gunston, Roughie and Hale (and to a lesser extent Poppy) all being in good form may help Bruest this week as the Cat defenders will have to pay respect to all three. Roughie or Hale (whoever gets Taylor) will have to sacrifice their own game a little by creating separation.

 

[Wundo]

Since Qualifying Finals don't mean 'anything' (i.e. 2011 QF according to some BF hawk posters ) we'll gladly take this one again if you don't mind.

It only "doesn't mean anything" in retrospect and if we lose. At this point, it's for sheep stations. All of them, and the sheep. And we'll fight you all the way.