Hawks Backline

[HawkFan15]

Couldnt have been more impressed with our backline in the last couple of weeks. Not to take credit away from the fowards and midfielders but our backline has really stood up.

Croad- Had a great game in defence/even pinch hitting foward last weekend. Provided run off the backline and looks like the man to take the hall/brown/lynch/pavlich/rocca/lucas this year.

Gilham- Couldnt be more impressed. Ive been seat 1A of the Steve bandwagon since his first game but he has really stood up as a key defender. Rarely gets beaten in the contest and has composure in tight spots.

Birchall- Provides much run from the backline. Breaks so many tackles and borks so many times I cant mention. Is a great user of the footy and is getting alot of it(also good for my dream team). Grant also tries to look inboard down the corridor for targets rather than wide.

Sewell- Well what a star. Johnstone/Grant (8 and 6 touches or something) enough said. Also provides alot of rebound and hardness in the back half.

Brown - Could he be any more Hawthorn tries so hard, so much courage and plays well above his height and weight. Best on ground tonight in my books.

Ladson - Becoming a quality stoper but also has added some hardness to his game in my opinion. Beautiful job on Davey.

Guerra - Adds some experience to the backline. Normally uses the footy reasonably well and is a very solid tackler.

Good to see the backline performing so well recently and making guys like tuck/murphy/renouf perform if they want a spot in there.

[The TACHawks]

and DJ??

[flukeyluke]

Gilham to me is Mark Graham. I saw alot of similarities in his game tonight.
He will be good value.

[cradle of filth]

I thought it was the best defensive display we've had for a long time.

[HawkFan15]

and DJ??

Danny has been also good recently, its just good to see him playing without all the back injuries he has struggled with. I dont think Jacobs gets the credit he deserve. Sure he is a stats/uncontested pocession wizard but his work at the contest and getting that punch one out of as the 3rd man up has been top class.

[MinerBoy]

Was thinking the exact same thing driving home from the game. No weak links down there. When they have been under pressure they have generally kept their heads and combined well together to clear the ball.

Brown - everything we love about football. Makes you proud to follow the Hawks.

Hodge/Guerra/Birchall - all tough and skilful players who provide drive.

Danny J - Provides poise and polish in tight situations.

Sewell - see Brown.

Gilham - hello the answer to our most vexed summer quandry. Full back. Would have been happy if Zac was able to silence the masses, but this guy looks so cool and composed. Hope he can continue on and become a real rock for us down back.

[Bennycoff]

Thornton would have been a waste of money now I reckon.

[hawkstars]

Thornton would have been a waste of money now I reckon.

Tooooo right!!!!

[cschreuder61]

Yeah we probably didn't count on Gilham coming on so well. I had faith in Gilham but he's looking more and more solid down back.

At the time I was dead keen on Thornton, and he probably would still have his merits in the side, but at expense of Renouf and Morton I'm not sure it would have been worth it.

Until the late change yesterday we had Roughead, Murphy and Dawson for cover for our defenders, added Smith on the sidelines and Thorp and Dowler developing there is an array of options to develop a spine and defensive structure out of.

[Roughie]

We are looking good, and we finnally have some depth down there. Everyone is pulling their weight and were doing well. Its looking good boys.

[Trent Berger]

Gilham and Birchall have really developed over summer from the promise of last year. With Brown, Hodge and Croad (how long is he out/ I heard from a usually reliable source it could well be at least 6 weeks:confused: ) the defensive unit is providing a lot of drive into the forward fifty. Any news of how young Thomas Murphy is going?

Still trying to figure out whether Beau Muston and Beau Dowler will be used in the back six this year. Obviously the Xman is the current project player in that squad but with his injury another spot opens up.

[Hawkamania!]

Is there room for Dawson? With Gilham as FB, having Zac as a defender on another tall may help his development as there will be less pressure on him. I'd also like to see Murphy get a few more games as well.

[Old Hawk]

And now the question that needs to be resolved with our backline performing well is:-

What do we do with Joel Smith??

I actually would love to see him on a wing!!!

Go Hawks:-

Regards to all

Old Hawk:thumbsu: :)

[lethal03]

Danny has been also good recently, its just good to see him playing without all the back injuries he has struggled with. I dont think Jacobs gets the credit he deserve. Sure he is a stats/uncontested pocession wizard but his work at the contest and getting that punch one out of as the 3rd man up has been top class.

Have to admit he surprised me with a strong, gutsy grab in the last.:thumbsu:

[RustyHawk]

And now the question that needs to be resolved with our backline performing well is:-

What do we do with Joel Smith??

I actually would love to see him on a wing!!!

Go Hawks:-

Regards to all

Old Hawk:thumbsu: :)



He seems to have a Bob Campbell type injury.... his injury will be right in 4 weeks.... been the same for weeks.

Also expect him to move into the midfield, thats where he was training pre injury.