VelvetSledge
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- May 24, 2007
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- #1
ESSENDON
After an utterly dismal effort against the Saints down in Moorabbin, the Bombers put in a much better performance against the Cats down in Alphabet Soup Stadium, Geelong.
The Bombers had essentially put the cue in the rack at 3-quarter time after Jordan Ridley suffered another quad injury, which will likely keep him out until Round 3 or 4. With the lowered pressure, the Cats piled on five consecutive majors to take the lead away from the Dons and consign them to a winless pre-season campaign.
If we are to take a few positives, then look no further than our forward line, with versatile tall Kyle Langford looking like he's going to take his career-best 2023 form into another season. He slotted 3 goals against the Cats, with hybrid wing/half-back/unicorn Nic Martin nailing 2, even though he was spending time floating across the back flanks. The kid is a freak.
Former Saint, and the man with the best eyebrows in the league, Jade Gresham, slotted two and was busy down forward chasing and applying a ton of pressure when the ball hit the deck. Whilst Saints fans weren't overly disappointed to be rid of him, he looks like he will flourish with a new forward set up and new role.
Andrew McGrath picked up over 30 touches, and it looks as though he will be pushing to stake his claim through defence as one of the elite smaller defenders in the game after a relatively mediocre 2023.
Darcy Parish looked to be back to his All-Australian form of a few years back, but his Round 1 plans were scuppered by a slight tweak to a hamstring. All going well, he should be back for the Swans next week.
**** Carlton.
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HAWTHORN
There's nothing to say that the Hawks won't improve in 2024, but they are starting the year on the wrong foot - by no fault of their own, it should be known.
The Hawks are undermanned across most of their lines, and injuries have hit at the wrong time; they were put away by a superior Dogs outfit a couple of weeks back in the practice games, and should have been done by more if not for wayward kicking in front of goal by the Bulldogs.
It's not all doom and gloom for that little midget pipsqueak Sam Mitchell however - the form of midfield general Jai Newcombe looks to be a shining light through the guts for the Hawks, whilst Mitch Lewis and Connor Macdonald put in solid efforts down forward.
Former Port midfielder Karl Amon has had a strong pre-season, as has Jarman Impey, and the two experienced heads will be looked on as leaders in this extremely young Hawthorn outfit.
Jack Ginnivan might be a little turd, but he's a clever small forward who will always pop up for a couple of goals, whilst Massimo D'Ambrosio's left peg is an absolute weapon off half-back. Joining them for their first official showing in toilet bowl colours is former Tiger and Sun Mabior Chol, who will be hoping that Mitch Lewis doesn't suddenly become prime Buddy and leave him consigned to the VFL... Again.
**** Hawthorne.
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ROUND 1, 2023
MCG
19/3/2023
HAWTHORN 9.11 65
def. by
ESSENDON 19.10 124
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HAWTHORN GOALS: Breust 3, Hardwick 2, Wingard, Amon, Greene, Jiath
ESSENDON GOALS: Perkins 3, Weideman, Redman, Draper, Menzie 2, Heppell, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Setterfield, Ridley, Caldwell, Jones, Durham, Davey
HAWTHORN BEST: Sicily, Hardwick, Ward, Worpel, Mackenzie
ESSENDON BEST: Parish, McGrath, Ridley, Redman, Perkins, Durham
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
HAWTHORN OUTS: Blanck, Bramble, Day, Greene, Jiath, Koschitzke, Meek, Wingard
HAWTHORN INS: Gunston, Lewis, Ginnivan, Chol, Watson, Weddle, D'Ambrosio, Scrimshaw
ESSENDON OUTS: Davey, Draper, Laverde, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Parish, Phillips, Ridley, Shiel, Weideman, Zerk-Thatcher
ESSENDON INS: McKay, Reid, Tsatas, Stringer, Wright, Gresham, Goldstein, Cox, Duursma, Guelfi
A new season, with new expectations. After the dismal end to 2023, our players were put on notice and were told that if they want to be in this side, they have to get it together.
Let's hope they've got the message, and we can kick 2024 off with a win against an arch-rival.
Essendon by 38.
Hope you all enjoy the new look of the GD threads. Looking forward to another year of suffering with you all. -VS
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