Noneedforaname
Premiership Player
Veteran
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2020
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2020
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2019
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2019
Hawthorn Hawks - Conor Nash Player Sponsor 2018
Hawthorn Hawks - James Cousins Player Sponsor 2018
Hawthorn Hawks - Kaiden Brand Player Sponsor 2018
And there is the competition for spots which will help drive performance as well. Bet Clarko wishes he has those problems.There's so much improvement in this team.
If Birchall does return, Chad builds his fitness and Smith overcomes whatever it is that ails him, that's a 4-5 goal improvement.
Then there's the continued improvement of Scrimshaw, Lewis, Worpel, Cousins & Scully; it could really build up to something by the end of the season.
We just have to hang in and accumulate as many points as possible.
Speaking of Chad, Chad and I, I liked that Birch and he were sitting together and getting on like a house on fire at the GWS game.
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Something that I haven't seen mentioned, but feel must be suggested, is that maybe the club, and its medical staff are the ones than may have let Birch down. Sure it's easy to blame him and his body failing, but surely there's the possibility that there's been a misdiagnosis, or at worst a botched procedure that has complicated his issues.
All that stuff stays in house of course, and we'll never know, but it shits me to pieces that people proclaim what's happened, how much money he's on etc. It's speculation.
Another thing I wonder about, is how long Birch would play for if he did come back now. He should be in pretty good shape given the lack of match day wear and tear, and his existing durability. Possibly another 2-3 years? If Birch finishes without playing another game, and he's out of contract, is he eligible for an insurance payout for a career ending injury? The convoluted cloud under which Lekkas retired is at the back of my mind. Do issues around a similar situation further complicate thing?
All the same, super pleased that Birch may get an opportunity to take the field again.