View Full Version : Back to the VFL for Hawkins?
Inferno
13 May 2007, 18:27
Only seems to kick goals when we are getting cricket scores. He didn't look like kicking a goal at all today and Bomber did say he was only going to play 10-12 games (or whatever it was). We have a tough couple of weeks ahead so what do you think? Who would come into the team for him if he did get dropped?
CatmanForever
13 May 2007, 18:31
He is still learning the game and I think he will learn alot from todays game. His inexperience really shown through today against one of the premier backlines. He certainly would benefit from some time in the VFL, but Bomber seems happy to just play him off the bench at the moment.
conanthelibrarian
13 May 2007, 18:31
Only seems to kick goals when we are getting cricket scores. He didn't look like kicking a goal at all today and Bomber did say he was only going to play 10-12 games (or whatever it was). We have a tough couple of weeks ahead so what do you think? Who would come into the team for him if he did get dropped?
He had one mark disallowed for an absolute soft in the back decision in the 1st quarter, but was hardly sighted apart from that. I think he does need another run in the VFL, just to get his hands on the pill again.
Yep, VFL for Tomahawk next week...
He might be due for a week off,although I'd like to see him play against Freo and then have a rest.Freo don't have a tall back line.
nananana catman
13 May 2007, 18:41
They don't kick it to him well, so cant really expect him to kick many goals...
If he doesnt play, King or Playfair probably does, I know who I'd rather see get game time.
WynyardCat
13 May 2007, 19:24
I actually thought at times today we were a crumbing forward short. Someone else playing the Varcoe sort of role where Cam, Nath, Otto etc bring it to the feet, although that handball out the back in the last term to set up the goal was a nice piece of vision.
For the next few games I'd give Tom a rest and look for another onballer/crumber to play. But he'll get a lot of playing in that win today - shows him the Eagles and the power sides of the comp are human and beatable.
I think our structure is working fine. GIve tomma another week. Got killed twice by the umpires.
CatmanForever
13 May 2007, 19:34
If Mooney is suspended for that clothesline on Selwood then he wont be dropped
If Mooney is suspended for that clothesline on Selwood then he wont be dropped
orrrrrrrrrrrr the headbutt orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the punch...
catempire
13 May 2007, 20:20
When was the last time someone got suspended for a clothesline?
Doesn't happen.
No need to drop Tom. It's not like there's another tall forward bashing down the door in the VFL.
tin can sam
13 May 2007, 20:21
It'll be In: King Out: Hawkins
I can see it coming
GeeCats07
13 May 2007, 20:41
We clearly don't need King to come in. Hawkins should stay in as he is a threat and does take away a good defender. And it's true, alot of the delivery to him is poor, and sometimes our midfielders lead into his space stopping a mark.
someday-somehow
13 May 2007, 20:48
orrrrrrrrrrrr the headbutt orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the punch...
I haven't seen the footage but if he gets cited for headbutting he will cop at least 2 weeks. He got put out for that ridiculous dive by holland last year even though holland himself admitted to the tribunal that he took a dive.
With his record he will simply not get off.
sarah.13
13 May 2007, 20:55
Get as much game time and experience into him,when he shows that he needs a rest then we should rest him for a week or 2.
If we make finals he will be very important to our structure,he will learn much more playing seniors than he will in the Vfl.
chapmanmagic35
13 May 2007, 21:40
Keep playing him. For a first year player, he has done nothing wrong.
He is causing match-up problems because he is such a massive unit, as well as full of talent.
Would love to see him keep playing.
I believe that Hawkins is doing a great job. He's hard at it and is a good lead and is only going to get better and better. He is only a kid and should be continued to be played as the experience he is gaining each week is invaluable and a big bag of goals is just around the corner. He is ready to pull Fremantle apart next week.
Hood007
13 May 2007, 21:52
We clearly don't need King to come in. Hawkins should stay in as he is a threat and does take away a good defender. And it's true, alot of the delivery to him is poor, and sometimes our midfielders lead into his space stopping a mark.
If King comes in Ottens can stay forward. An opposing coach would rather play their best defender on Ottens than Hawkins....
WE Are Geelong
13 May 2007, 21:54
Keep playing him. For a first year player, he has done nothing wrong.
He is causing match-up problems because he is such a massive unit, as well as full of talent.
Would love to see him keep playing.
Agree. He creates goals even when he is not kicking them. Gives off some nice goal assists and I noticed him getting double teamed a few times today. Copped a few around the head today and personally I felt he handled it all very well. His 8 touches mostly counted for something and he seems to be enjoying it which is the most important thing. Its not broken yet so lets not try fixing anything. The forward line is working the best it ever has under Bomber. Lets see how long it lasts then make some changes when that need arises as it surely will in such a long season playing young kids.
Fitness is the problem.
He was tired halfway through the second quarter of the Melbourne game! I think a rest, then a few weeks in the VFL will do him some good.
Grima could be the elevated rookie now Reynolds is out for the season and King can win us a VFL flag.
peter_ford
13 May 2007, 22:10
hawkins will learn more playing at afl level and since he is the future of our club, lets keep him there. now he will know what fitness level he needs to compete vs. top defenders.
Fitness is the problem.
He was tired halfway through the second quarter of the Melbourne game! I think a rest, then a few weeks in the VFL will do him some good.
Grima could be the elevated rookie now Reynolds is out for the season and King can win us a VFL flag.
lol classic
thehoff
13 May 2007, 22:50
Keep playing him. For a first year player, he has done nothing wrong.
He is causing match-up problems because he is such a massive unit, as well as full of talent.
Would love to see him keep playing.
Totally agree. Keep him playing AFL for atleast another week as Fremantle's backline will be stretched against three talls (Ablett, Mooney, Hawkings) that call take a grab.
He is moving better and better each week. With the development of Nathan, the future is look very bright.
Metallica_Man
13 May 2007, 22:51
king was actually fairly good as a forward in the vfl today, took some strong marks and kicked about 4 goals, but missed a couple of set shots. keep hawkins coz i dont really think freo hav someone to put on him as their 3rd key defender
Loved Hawkins handball which set up Varcoe's last qtr goal :thumbsu:
grantyc77
13 May 2007, 23:58
I didnt see the game, but agree he must be retained for one more week, But he must go back to the ressies for a break at some stage, dont want to burn out the kicks.
Future certainly looks bright at catland.
Ricketts
14 May 2007, 12:08
If Chapman was right to go for the Freo game i'd bring him in for Hawkins, but he's still 1 more week out right?
I think at SS one less tall forward is better, with an extra smaller player. It's always going to be scrappy going into the 50, compared with other grounds anyway.
Selwood07
14 May 2007, 12:16
king was actually fairly good as a forward in the vfl today, took some strong marks and kicked about 4 goals, but missed a couple of set shots. keep hawkins coz i dont really think freo hav someone to put on him as their 3rd key defender
Keep playing him - he is the future (King is, sadly, the past) - I watch as much of the VFL as I can and I think Hawkins will learn more where he is -and not from some of the hacks running around in the 2s. I arrived at half-time and Grima (definite talent) was in his trackie - was he injured?
I think at some stage he's going to need the break (given how unfit he), but it's a pretty dual-sided argument at that. I suppose you could argue that we (currently) don't really need him playing heavy, game-long minutes in the first place, so the 'burnt-out' element is being eased in that sense anyhow. That, and his importance to the current, working structure we have in place is nigh irreplaceable at the moment - as others have mentioned, let's face it, there's not too many KPP's waiting in the wings. And no, I don't count Grima just yet, for realistic reasons more than anything (I see no reason for the club changing their mind and elevating him right now).
Just do something
14 May 2007, 22:30
I think at some stage he's going to need the break (given how unfit he), but it's a pretty dual-sided argument at that. I suppose you could argue that we (currently) don't really need him playing heavy, game-long minutes in the first place, so the 'burnt-out' element is being eased in that sense anyhow. That, and his importance to the current, working structure we have in place is nigh irreplaceable at the moment - as others have mentioned, let's face it, there's not too many KPP's waiting in the wings. And no, I don't count Grima just yet, for realistic reasons more than anything (I see no reason for the club changing their mind and elevating him right now).
The only real advantage of Tomahawk playing 2s is he will get a full 120 minutes which wont hurt him at this stage.
catempire
14 May 2007, 22:38
Come to think of it:
Wet = VFL
Dry = AFL
Simple.
The only real advantage of Tomahawk playing 2s is he will get a full 120 minutes which wont hurt him at this stage.
Not so much playing in the VFL, but more a case of 'not playing AFL', if you catch my drift. Obvious coups are rest (week off ala Selwood) and, as you've mentioned, a chance to play full-er games and build up the fitness base/form. Of course, I suppose you could argue the absolute latter could be achieved within AFL ranks as well (albeit, to a different degree).
Boundary-Rider
15 May 2007, 18:20
Hawkins is doing his job, direct goals and assist are what he does, he gave away at least two to three goals with his vision and football quicks.
He also creates a mismatch for most teams and with Mooney and Nathan allows us to use three talls and still rotate Otto in the formula. Our foward line is working the best it has for years,
The experience he is gaining and the game time will come as he develops as a player. Rather him i the ones than in the twos. We have the mid season break coming up soon and if need be we can rest him around this time.
Our structure is very good and the teamwork and cooperation of all forwards is working,
We have dreamed of ths type of firepower I am sure the coaches will rest and rotate these players during games as we have seen.
darren forssman
15 May 2007, 18:35
nothing to lose playing him off the bench for the remainder of the season, he will learn more playing AFL than in the VFL.
gawd, byrnes and tenace tear up the VFL.
WynyardCat
15 May 2007, 19:14
I hear what you guys are saying. Hell, I'd have him in the ones every week, but I'm looking at it from the perspective of Tom potentially playing for well over 10 years in the hoops. I just think we need to keep in mind he's still a growing young man, and the physical demands of week-in, week-out senior footy could end up doing long-term harm at this stage of his development.
I'd hate to see stress-related injuries or osteitis pubis etc cruel the career of someone with his talent and ability.