(very) Good time to be a Hawthorn fan?

[Hawkk]

I tend to agree.

Hawks will go as you have said, although i tend to think slightly better next year than '05.

Hay wasn't a star this year, however he will be a bit of a loss (here come the sighs of " i knew a North supporter would say that") only because you now have to slot someone into FB. Just like North tried to do this year, and we bled because of it.

Roughhead played a few good games in defence late in the year, so maybe he might get the nod.

The Hawks definitely have some talent coming through, it will only be a matter of consistency.

I tend to agree, although I think Roughead should have a few dates in the gym, before taking on the Full back position, we were able to see how he performed against Barry Hall in the last round. He was completely out muscled. I think we may have to play 2 men on the Full Forward next year to try to prevent the size difference going man on man presents the opposition with.

Hay will go well at North, because he will see it as his last chance, possibly All Australian form is on the cards. The problem you will have is the "let down" the year after, when he has gone through his mid career crisis

 

[Sealen]

Very Good Time to be a Hawthorn Fan?

No.

Of course they would be optimistic of the future, but the harsh reality is that they have had priority picks the last 2 seasons and no amount of masturbation will get over that fact.

They are in a better position than what they were at the end of 2004 however, I'd think it would be a very good time to be a Sydney Swans fan, you know guys who are winners during the present, not a team who are seeking the path to success through the lottery known as the draft.

 

[munsonned]

Hay will go well at North, because he will see it as his last chance, possibly All Australian form is on the cards. The problem you will have is the "let down" the year after, when he has gone through his mid career crisis

good point... We may have to deal with this issue with Thommo in 06 too.

 

[Hawkk]

good point... We may have to deal with this issue with Thommo in 06 too.

Yeah, thats always a problem. Its almost like a 2nd year blues for draft players.

Some players dont go through it; Spida, but others do.

 

[cs61]

Was only last year you had the priorities laid on the table with the spoon wasn't it Sealen?

Hawthorn have done more than just take priority picks. They have traded key players, and taken the tough call of totally rebuilding through youth, rather than keeping players that have underperformed and disapointed time and time again.

 

[Embers]

I cudnt think of anything worse right now then to be a Hawks fan, Ive only really had one year where I have thought "We wont make the finals, we got no chance of the flag" out of the 17 I have supported Eagles for and that year (2001) I couldnt stand to watch footy, and i couldnt wait to the season finished.

I couldnt imagine feeling that way for 5 years in a row, id be devastated by the end of it.

 

[Sealen]

Was only last year you had the priorities laid on the table with the spoon wasn't it Sealen?

Hawthorn have done more than just take priority picks. They have traded key players, and taken the tough call of totally rebuilding through youth, rather than keeping players that have underperformed and disapointed time and time again.

I'm not denying that the priorities were laid out at the table.

But I still wouldn't say its a very good time and I definitely would not say its a good time to be a tiger fan.

The encouraging signs are there, you make a valid point that you have jettisoned off some players who won't be able to contribute to future success.

There's a lot of potential in the list, however getting your hopes up over potential is a fruitless exercise. I'm sure you and me know this, both clubs we support made perliminary finals, only to drop all the way out of the finals the next season.

 

[Hawkk]

I'm not denying that the priorities were laid out at the table.

But I still wouldn't say its a very good time and I definitely would not say its a good time to be a tiger fan.

The encouraging signs are there, you make a valid point that you have jettisoned off some players who won't be able to contribute to future success.

There's a lot of potential in the list, however getting your hopes up over potential is a fruitless exercise. I'm sure you and me know this, both clubs we support made perliminary finals, only to drop all the way out of the finals the next season.

Couldnt agree more

 

[crackers57]

Collingwood does that buy offering the massive contracts to high profile players and stars.

QUOTE]

And don't forget that massive Footy Show contract.........

 

[worthy]

IMO 3,6,22 and Tucky - FS would have brought enough young talent into the club this off season, would have loved to have Hay at FB for at least 1 more season to give us time to groom a young player for FB, thus taking the pressure off the young FB options. Hay wasn't a star this year but he was very important non the less, he is only one player so it remains to be seen what effect not having him will have, we were competitive most games in 05 and should still improve in 06.
07 and 08 should be interesting, club looking to play finals but by this time Everitt most likely gone and possibly Crawf, young stars renewing bigger contracts, can we retain them all?
In short - anytime is a good time to be a footy club supporter, even Carlton fans can see enough positives to look forward to next year, young lists don't garantee success it requires good list management.

 

[butchy]

I cudnt think of anything worse right now then to be a Hawks fan, Ive only really had one year where I have thought "We wont make the finals, we got no chance of the flag" out of the 17 I have supported Eagles for and that year (2001) I couldnt stand to watch footy, and i couldnt wait to the season finished.

I couldnt imagine feeling that way for 5 years in a row, id be devastated by the end of it.

well, unfortunately for us victorian clubs, thats the way it is going to be for a long time.
all of us play on either the mcg or telstra week in week out. there is no home ground advantage anymore for us, yet west coast, sydney, brisbane etc play against teams at their home ground every second week, yet the teams they play there havent seen it usually for a couple of years.
for that reason, i would expect interstate teams to win 90% of their home matches, which guarantees finals.

 

[CyberKev]

What happens if Franklin, Hodge, Roughead, etc are poached by other clubs?

That is what kept the bulldogs down for such a long period of time, players do not want to play out their careers at clubs that do not win. When Collingwood and Essendon start to offer them mega-bucks to cross the road that is when you will see how much the kids really want to be there.

Player retention is critical for success.

What is this absurd fixation you have with player retention?

Player retention will always be an issue for any club that has any sound run of success (Essendon & Collingwood included) because of the restrictions inherent in the salary cap.

If Hawthorn is basing itself primarily around a youth approach and fails to markedly improve then it will hardly be a concern because clearly the young footballers will not be coming on.

If they do come on and Hawthorn is doing well then, presumably as happens at other clubs, most will be happy to settle for a bit less remuneration to play with their mates (remember the strong bonding aspect of bringing many youngsters through together). Even if we do have to shed 1 or 2 guns, then we will be well compensated for them, and will nurture other quality young types as potential replacements.

 

[Rooboy 96]

The Hawks won't be down for too long.

it has only been how many years since their last flag???

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

it is and it isn't the draw ain't good for us