Autopsy The Grand Final - Take it apart here

[mainehawk]

I just can't work out what we were doing in the second quarter (like everyone else)......did we just dissapear?.........also we never seemed to have a spare man anywhere, where as the swans had a stack around every ball. Were we out coached, or did the players not listen?

 

[Bosk]

Tell you what needs to be looked at. The handling of of Luke Hodge's head injury. My father is a surgeon who is often the medico in country league football games. He was saying they should have stitched it up at half time instead of just putting the styroplast and bandages on and missing game time at crucial moments from the repeat bleeding.

Further confirmation that our medical team is below par? Can't say I'm terribly surprised.

 

[FancyNancy]

dry your eyes mate, no need to be a sore loser.

No really Piss off and troll some other board

 

[Bosk]

The difference is Sydney's good ordinary players play to a structure and shoulder the load across the entire 22.
It's the classic champion TEAM line.

Precisely.

As a team we have more talent that just about anyone but our ability to play together as a unit is poor at times.

 

[nickrebellious]

Well Sydney have overtaken Geelong and are now my most hated team.

 

[Magpira]

There is no where more lonely than being in middle of the MCG after you have lost the grand final...

Absolutely

Be thankful you've only had to experience it once in the last 20 odd years

 

[FancyNancy]

Geelong flogs over on their board taking great delight in yesterday's result
Carrying on like it was they who won the flag
Pretty disrespectful to Sydney IMO, this should be their time to enjoy success

If you read Geelong supporters congratulations to Sydney, 90% use the opportunity to have a shot at the Hawks. The club collectively needs a therapist.

 

[grizzlym]

Well Sydney have overtaken Geelong and are now my most hated team.

Really? I respect both Geelong and the Swans. Even have a soft spot for the Bloods. Surprised you didn't mention Carlton, the Bernie Madoff of the AFL.

 

[utility]

Commiserations, reminded me a bit of North in '98... kicked away a GF (same as Geelong in '08). I was hoping the Hawks would win it yesterday.

Sydney probably had a better spread of contributors, Hawthorn too many passengers. Sewell and Mitchell were awesome but lacked support over the four quarters, Hodge and Lewis didn't look 100% fit. Hale was great, particularly in the second half but Roughead had a shocker. Buddy carved up Richards but the small forwards went missing.

Your defensive structures let you down at times, Guerra is the glue of the backline and was sorely missed. I don't think any of the defenders won their position. I thought Goodes could have been exposed with his knee injury but ended up having an influence... and I can't stand the prick.

I'm still scratching my head over the second quarter, can't work it out other than a lack of intensity.

 

[Arc1]

Difference is we won't be bitter about and be posting on the Swans board in 5 years time when they suffer a loss, nor are we are crying about rushed behinds. It is pathetic how bitter and twisted some Geelong supporters are over losing a couple of Grand Finals years ago.

It's not pathetic, it's great. In fact the only time I cracked a smile yesterday after quarter time was when the cats fans started ringing SEN to gloat.

I really enjoyed 08, but had I known it hurt them so badly that even two flags later they'd be crying, well that would have been even better.

I don't begrudge the Swans, sure I'm pretty disappointed but we had it coming all year with our way of playing. And sure as hell in 2017 I won't be crying on their forum about how they "stole a flag". As far as I can recall, Sydney scored more than we did.

But seriously, there's lots of quality Cats fans around, including in this thread.

 

[AM]

Thought your coach was all class in the way he gave the loss some perspective at your function last night.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Clean up in aisle 5.

 

[Goldnbrown]

I think the biggest difference between the two sides came down to decision making... Swans players seemed to always make the right choices... Hawks often did not.

 

[randall boner]

I was silver and up the back of Q33.

Same here

 

[Gavin Excell]

I won't lie and say I was supporting Hawthorn yesterday but I do understand the agony of the supporter when losing a Grand Final especially one where you can't help but feel your team blew it. There's a sense of such a wasted year.

It dulls eventually but there is forever a lingering pain.

Thats why I find the gloating of people/opposition supporters in the face of a GF loss pretty average behaviour. Sure there are rivalries, by plays and wind ups etc, but think you got to be respectful of the pain that the fan can go through when losing a Grand Final.

If anything my respect for Hawks has increased from yesterday - great comeback in the 3rd qtr when it seemed lost. Classy response from captain and coach in defeat.

It easy and understandable to be critical and harsh on certain players on the day. You're a quality club with a great culture. Stick with them.

 

[Southern Urchins]

I won't lie and say I was supporting Hawthorn yesterday but I do understand the agony of the supporter when losing a Grand Final especially one where you can't help but feel your team blew it. There's a sense of such a wasted year.

It dulls eventually but there is forever a lingering pain.

Thats why I find the gloating of people/opposition supporters in the face of a GF loss pretty average behaviour. Sure there are rivalries, by plays and wind ups etc, but think you got to be respectful of the pain that the fan can go through when losing a Grand Final.

If anything my respect for Hawks has increased from yesterday - great comeback in the 3rd qtr when it seemed lost. Classy response from captain and coach in defeat.

It easy and understandable to be critical and harsh on certain players on the day. You're a quality club with a great culture. Stick with them.

Thanks mate, further proof that you shouldn't generalise about all supporters of a particular club. I do think it's time for some of your supporters to let it go about 2008. Like yesterday, the result will never change and there are bigger things to worry about in life like Clarko suggested. Great post Gavin and it's appreciated.

p.s. I do understand we have our fair share of dickheads and shit stirrers that tarnish the rest of us, just like you guys. Jeff Kennett a prime example.

 

[FancyNancy]

I think the biggest difference between the two sides came down to decision making... Swans players seemed to always make the right choices... Hawks often did not.

Agree with this GnB the Hawks ballhandling wasn't clean reducing the amount of time the Hawks had to make better decisions., this was a result of the pressure the Swans applied

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Goalkicking misses are infectious. Cam Smith, known Hawk man, is kicking horribly for goal at the moment

 

[The BIG X]

Goalkicking misses are infectious. Cam Smith, known Hawk man, is kicking horribly for goal at the moment

Difference there is - STORM WON

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Difference there is - STORM WON

Yeah. True.

At least my weekend wasn't a total bust.

 

[crankybeep]

Yeah. True.

At least my weekend wasn't a total bust.

LOL That is the theory in this house too, one win better than none.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

LOL That is the theory in this house too, one win better than none.

Would have preferred it the other way round though, gotta say. Still, nice to see a Hawk supporter get some joy over the weekend

 

[crankybeep]

Would have preferred it the other way round though, gotta say. Still, nice to see a Hawk supporter get some joy over the weekend

We are equally rabid supporters both ways. And would have preferred both.
But hopefully Storm can now shut up the cap nonsense now, with one they can't take away.

Complete sidetrack... But taking the joy where I can.

 

[natio]

Had another thought last night thanks to the old 20/20 Hindsight.

What if Murphy in for Ellis? Earlier in the week I agreed with the idea of Hodge in, Murphy out. mainly for flexibility and the not as potent swans forward line - Ellis was the best choice.

But after having watched the game...hmmm...Murphy can be a great role player against smaller forwards. He doesn't provide much else BUT a bit more pressure in our defensive 50 could have really helped - maybe play on Morton or McVeigh when he is forward. Ellis didn't do a lot. I thought we could have also put a bit more work into nullifying the swans game plan rather than just trying to out gun them.

Thought we should have maybe tried to dominate/intimidate them a bit more physical too. You know, acted a bit more confident and aggressive.

Just more what if's oh well, feeling ok about it all. Boys play their hearts out. No team is perfect.

 

[1989]

LRT holding the ball non-decision was appalling and at a crucial time.