Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn, Chad Wingard. 200 games! Announces retirement (2 Sept 2024)

[Roddy]

I’m trying very hard to NOT be cynical about him. Has perpetually teased us with glimpses of form but hasn’t really delivered for four years. Now when he’s right on the cusp of the end (at least of his tenure at Hawthorn), he finally plays the way we know he can. Is that what it took? Will it continue if he signs a new deal?

 

[Wingnut19]

With the ball in hand and decision making, he’s the best in our list, and it’s daylight to the second best.

 

[TylerDurden]

With the ball in hand and decision making, he’s the best in our list, and it’s daylight to the second best.

His field kicking is just precision.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I’m trying very hard to NOT be cynical about him. Has perpetually teased us with glimpses of form but hasn’t really delivered for four years. Now when he’s right on the cusp of the end (at least of his tenure at Hawthorn), he finally plays the way we know he can. Is that what it took? Will it continue if he signs a new deal?

Had a consistently good 2021 where he had a career best season for disposals and tackles per game - also finished top 5 in the B&F despite only playing 16 games. But sure, he’s never delivered.

People who can’t see the good that Wingard has done since he’s been at Hawthorn only want to see one side of the equation.

When Wingard has played in the midfield for us he’s been bloody excellent for most of it. Playing as a smaller forward he hasn’t had as good a time - but being that the delivery was diabolical and our tall forward stocks fairly uninspiring for most of his Hawthron tenure I’m not sure that’s all Chad’s fault.

 

[Billyc]

With the ball in hand and decision making, he’s the best in our list, and it’s daylight to the second best.

I'd take Sicily any day

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Chad Wingard 2023.

Rounds: 1 - 9 (7 games)
Disposals: 11 per game (77 total)
Tackles: 1 per game (8 total)
Goals: 2 in total.

Box Hill break. / injury

Rounds: 16 - 21 (6 games)
Disposals: 20 per game (121 total)
Tackles: 3 per game (17 total)
Goals: 7 in total.

The difference in Chad from the early season to how he is playing now is chalk and cheese. A different player after his stint at Box Hill. The guy now looks and plays like an asset to the club. Looks like a leader, on field, compared to some of his efforts at the start of the season. Reckon tackles are a key stat for a player like Chad and he is bringing the heat. Also less complaining towards the umpires.

Impressive return after a well deserved Box Hill kick up the rear. Well done Sammy and well done Chad.

Hope to see more of the same in 2024 and beyond !

His body language is heaps better now, earlier in the season he didn't look happy at all on the field and it wasn't a great look with all the hand throwing and gesturing towards teammates/umps, etc.

Such a tricky decision re his next contract. I'm thinking a heavily reduced 2 year deal but with big performance based incentives?

 

[KermitJagger]

Had a consistently good 2021 where he had a career best season for disposals and tackles per game - also finished top 5 in the B&F despite only playing 16 games. But sure, he’s never delivered.

People who can’t see the good that Wingard has done since he’s been at Hawthorn only want to see one side of the equation.

When Wingard has played in the midfield for us he’s been bloody excellent for most of it. Playing as a smaller forward he hasn’t had as good a time - but being that the delivery was diabolical and our tall forward stocks fairly uninspiring for most of his Hawthron tenure I’m not sure that’s all Chad’s fault.

I've said it before but if Chad has failed us on the deal he was given, we failed him just as much if not more. When he joined us off the back of a top 4 finish in 2018 I doubt he was sold that trade on the prospect of 6 years in the doldrums. He was no doubt told he was the icing on the cake that'd get us deep into finals, blissfully unaware that someone had mixed up sugar and salt preparing the cake.

 

[Wingnut19]

I've said it before but if Chad has failed us on the deal he was given, we failed him just as much if not more. When he joined us off the back of a top 4 finish in 2018 I doubt he was sold that trade on the prospect of 6 years in the doldrums. He was no doubt told he was the icing on the cake that'd get us deep into finals, blissfully unaware that someone had mixed up sugar and salt preparing the cake.

He would be well aware with a good draft this year and a shrewd trade here and there then we should be competing deep in finals in a year or two. He just needs to get his body right, and he could still have 4-5 years left. He’s 5 years younger than all the Cats best players for Christ sake. Plenty of time left for him to make a imprint on this club

 

[Baz_hawk]

I think giving Chad some time at Box Hill to get his body right and build back his confidence was a great decision in hindsight. He was clearly hesitant to go 100% due to his soft tissue injuries and in a way you wonder if that made them more common as he wasn't running and playing on instinct.

Either way, his last month has been oustanding and what we had hoped he would be. Hope he can finish off the season well and head into the preseason with a new found confidence.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Loves talking about what we can do next year and why people want to play for Hawthorn.

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Loves talking about what we can do next year and why people want to play for Hawthorn.

He’s going nowhere.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Loves talking about what we can do next year and why people want to play for Hawthorn.

That’s the other thing that irks me about people who seem to only want to see the negative with Wingard at our club is that he’s an out and out clubman and has been throughout the tenure.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

That’s the other thing that irks me about people who seem to only want to see the negative with Wingard at our club is that he’s an out and out clubman and has been throughout the tenure.

Sometimes it feels like people think he's had issues with his body by choice.

 

[KermitJagger]

Sometimes it feels like people think he's had issues with his body by choice.

All them damn video games, world's leading cause of calf issues.

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[MrPremiership]

Playing like a man without a contract for next year.

No one at BHH pushing for his spot.

Deserves a 1 year deal

 

[Sixpence]

Playing like a man who has regained confidence in his body.

He was without contract for next year at the start of the year yet still played terribly. He clearly lost that confidence in his body holding up and pushing it to the point he needed to. Getting that confidence back is why we're seeing this great form.

I'd give him a one year deal, due to risk of injury, not as a motivator to perform.

 

[Yardie]

Playing like a man who has regained confidence in his body.

He was without contract for next year at the start of the year yet still played terribly. He clearly lost that confidence in his body holding up and pushing it to the point he needed to. Getting that confidence back is why we're seeing this great form.

I'd give him a one year deal, due to risk of injury, not as a motivator to perform.

Not just confidence but looks like he is understanding what his limitations are nowadays and working within them.

 

[SSSSSS]

Not just confidence but looks like he is understanding what his limitations are nowadays and working within them.

Getting dropped to the 2s was the best thing that could have happened to Wingers.

Took the pressure off and now he realises he doesn't have to be the man. Just needs to play his role.

 

[Mr Lizard]

I really hope Silver-Fox Wingerz is in a Hawks jumper.

can't listen to Kane/Buckley because working, what are they saying?

 

[cryptor]

I really hope Silver-Fox Wingerz is in a Hawks jumper.

can't listen to Kane/Buckley because working, what are they saying?

Basically said that his career hasn't had the plaudits expected but he's in great form now and there's still time for him. But also that he should only be on 1 year deals from here to keep him hungry and on edge to perform like he is now as some players get too comfortable with the security a longer contract provides.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

This is what a fit and healthy Wingard can provide to the side. It's been such a shame he's had too many injury issues during his time with us, we have been robbed of watching a genuinely class player.

 

[burger09]

I'm with Bucks.
One year deals from here on (insentive based)or see ya. Then we'll find out how much he loves playing for the Brown and Gold.

 

[lyger]

I'm with Bucks.
One year deals from here on (insentive based)or see ya. Then we'll find out how much he loves playing for the Brown and Gold.

Chad’s durability has been in question, but his love for the brown and gold has never been in question, in my opinion.