Calm and collected.

[Gary Shadforth]

Hasn't it been great this week. We posters are all calm and collected - what a medicine is a win.

Was down at the SCG last year when the Hawks really stopped the Swans in their tracks, Sydney were on a roll at the time (memory recalls they were in 2nd or 3rd possie) but they struck us at a time when we were rolling better. It was 9 degrees far-up in an unroofed stand (I'm no snob). Soon warmed myself at the Moore Park Golf club at the post match function.

Will go down to Sydney from Coolangatta on Saturday with a measuring stick in my pocket. Both teams certainly are not on a roll this time around but we had a hard earned win last weekend, they didn't so the measuring stick will come in handy.

Great to see all our posters cheery this week, come Monday let's hope it is continuing - certainly let my hang-over after the game be worthwhile 'hic'!

Cheers everyone and GO HAWKS!!!!

[lasher]

have a great day gary,

GO HAWKS........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gary Shadforth]

Thanks Lasher, you too and all other Hawks fans.

[The Fanatic]

Was there last year as well to see the boys spoil Sydneys big party,another result like that would be great! No change to last weeks side,Schwabbie's decided to stay tough on Thommo.. Don't mind a small forward line on the S.C.G. Hopefully Shooter can worry their back half with his pace and ability to find space on the lead. Any thoughts fellas...?

[saaam]

Originally posted by Gary Shadforth
Was down at the SCG last year when the Hawks really stopped the Swans in their tracks, Sydney were on a roll at the time (memory recalls they were in 2nd or 3rd possie) but they struck us at a time when we were rolling better. It was 9 degrees far-up in an unroofed stand (I'm no snob). Soon warmed myself at the Moore Park Golf club at the post match function. Gary, if you're near the Whitehorse (5 minute walk back toward Central), I recommend you pop your head in there for a beer. Me and my mates had a blinder in there after the Elimination final back in 96. Must admit haven't been to the SCG since.
I also remember having a beer with a very young Dutchy and one Jason "Jack" Daniels at the Moor Park Golf Club, or was that the bowling club? Back in those days (94 I think) I'm sure it was their social club or some such thing and Barassi gave a speech explaining the 10 goal losss using a megaphone, absolutely priceless.
I have the same feeling this week as I had last week, so fingers crossed and GO HAWKS.
Have a good trip Gary.

[Yardie]

Originally posted by The Fanatic
Was there last year as well to see the boys spoil Sydneys big party,another result like that would be great! No change to last weeks side,Schwabbie's decided to stay tough on Thommo.. Don't mind a small forward line on the S.C.G. Hopefully Shooter can worry their back half with his pace and ability to find space on the lead. Any thoughts fellas...?
Space will be hard to find at the small SCG. Expect Roos to play a loose man in defence. But saying that Schwab played more men in defence for us and had the backline run the ball out. Quick movement is the key here. If we revert back to how we played then expect trouble. We would want to leave the forward line extremely open (1-2 players) and have a couple streaming back in to run onto the ball and have a shot.

[andrew coombs]

As usual the big issue at the SCG will be the midfield or more particularly the ability of Hawthorn to take advantage of Spider getting first hand on the pill at the bounce. Last year the performances of Mitchell and Crawf in this area were the crucial factor up there. With Crawf currently unable to see out a game as an onballer we desperately need a big lift from Mitchell. Expect Kirk to run with him so it wont be easy but Sam's clearances will be the deciding factor. Up forward it is a pity that Thompson and Holland are not warranting selection as Sydney have a chronic shortage of tall defenders that we wont be able to expose fully. If Willo and Ladson lead hard at the ball carrier we can break open the flood a little and then Jacobs and maybe Barker can get a one out. Up back I would give Smith a crack at Hall and have him run off at every opportunity. If Goodes plays up forward we will have to put Croad on him and cross our fingers that he isnt fit.
Graham may have to play on O'Laughlin which is also unfortunate.