Player Watch Welcome to Hawthorn - Connor Downie - #35 2020 National Draft

[Simon Crawshay]

Wow! What a left peg. Kicks it half as hard for twice the distance. Seems like he shouldn't kick it at all and it'd go the length of the ground.

Must be the combination of sweet timing and powerful thighs/legs.

Will be a weapon if he can combine a 60m kick after a quick dash off half back.

He could be up with Sicily in meters gained with that combination.

 

[grumbleguts]

Must be the combination of sweet timing and powerful thighs/legs.

Will be a weapon if he can combine a 60m kick after a quick dash off half back.

He could be up with Sicily in meters gained with that combination.

Yeah. One of his shots at goal in the highlights he is 57 out, kicks it fairly nonchalantly at it clears the fence over the umpire's head. Ridiculous.
Looks like he can lead from fifty, mark it in the square, and while the defenders are keeping an eye on the forwards, he's just lining them up.

 

[Omega]

Great highlights which demonstrate his long kicking. Should be a real plus for us on the wing given the losses of Henderson and Smith. I look forward to seeing him on the field next year showing off his elite kicking. We did really well in not having to use our original pick 24. It would have been known by all clubs there he was destined for the hawks. Great pickup and best of luck Connor in years to come

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Wow! What a left peg. Kicks it half as hard for twice the distance. Seems like he shouldn't kick it at all and it'd go the length of the ground.

The ‘Thighs’ have it.

 

[The Kipster]

Welcome Connor, we wish you much success and a long career in the Brown and Gold

 

[Slick]

Stoked to officially have Connor on board at the Hawks. Cannot wait to see him streaming down the wing of the G and bombing long goals!

 

[Ram-Man]

Welcome Connor Downie.

.. really looking forward to watching him play for the Hawks !!




.

 

[lyger]

Stoked to officially have Connor on board at the Hawks. Cannot wait to see him streaming down the wing of the G and bombing long goals!

Agree! We have had some beauties in recent years and I think Downie will bring some excitement and add to the catalogue.

His kicks are so effortlessly powerful!

 

[The Kipster]

Welcome Connor, wishing you great success and a wonderful career at the mighty Hawks

 

[Stratton24]

give him the 33 and call him Junior after Robert Downey Junior

 

[On Topic]

I wonder if he plays inside midfield at BH as he was meant to be trialled there this year before games were cancelled. I think wing will suit him best though with some attendances to stoppages and centre bounces. Very exciting prospect!

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I wonder if he plays inside midfield at BH as he was meant to be trialled there this year before games were cancelled. I think wing will suit him best though with some attendances to stoppages and centre bounces. Very exciting prospect!

Hope he stays out on a wing. We have players that can dish it out, but not many to dish it out to. Especially those with pace and can kick it like Downie can.

 

[Gralin]

Hope he stays out on a wing. We have players that can dish it out, but not many to dish it out to. Especially those with pace and can kick it like Downie can.

Wonder if he's get a chance on the half back line we like having good big kicks back there and Sic is out for the year.

Phillips and Scully probs first choice wings.

 

[theiaofseed]

Wonder if he's get a chance on the half back line we like having good big kicks back there and Sic is out for the year.

Phillips and Scully probs first choice wings.

I'd assume he would start on the Half back line and get a few stints up on the wing until you can build his match day endurance. Hardwick, Day, Sicily, Frost and Downie is a nice mix of speed and elite kicking off the backline.

 

[Gralin]

I'd assume he would start on the Half back line and get a few stints up on the wing until you can build his match day endurance. Hardwick, Day, Sicily, Frost and Downie is a nice mix of speed and elite kicking off the backline.

Was more a question of where he will be in that pecking order

 

[kazzooka]

Was more a question of where he will be in that pecking order

Shortest line for a spot in the 22 is probably wing. Philips and Scully the 2 real wingers. Smith and Henderson gone.

In the past we've played 3 wings when it was hill, Hartung and Smith (savage before that). Henderson, Smith and Scully too. Jordan Lewis

Jordan Lewis

Age

37

Ht

186cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.5

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

11.5

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

2.7

4star

MG

310.5

4star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

5star

was often rotated to the wing too but not a winger really.

I can see us going with Philips and Scully and downie on the bench. Day, cj and Moore other potential wings. Finn has the tank but he'll stay in the middle I'd say.

 

[TylerDurden]

Shortest line for a spot in the 22 is probably wing. Philips and Scully the 2 real wingers. Smith and Henderson gone.

In the past we've played 3 wings when it was hill, Hartung and Smith (savage before that). Henderson, Smith and Scully too. Jordan Lewis

Jordan Lewis

Age

37

Ht

186cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.5

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

11.5

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

2.7

4star

MG

310.5

4star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

5star

was often rotated to the wing too but not a winger really.

I can see us going with Philips and Scully and downie on the bench. Day, cj and Moore other potential wings. Finn has the tank but he'll stay in the middle I'd say.

Day will play wing. No doubt.

 

[burner1]

Where did downie play prior to last year? I read somewhere that he was pushed out to a wing for his bottom age year - is wing his best spot?
has a booming kick but is not super quick (more smart). Is he more a balanced mid longer term as is a great size.

I also think calls for day to play wing are premature. Think we’ll let him settle into owning the hbf (noting teams will spend a lot more time on him) and building his tank. His reading of play, intercept marking and ability to cut through congestion will also be partially wasted on a wing (especially as our wings need to be gut running freaks). I note Birchall never progressed to a wing.

 

[Brishawk]

Where did downie play prior to last year? I read somewhere that he was pushed out to a wing for his bottom age year - is wing his best spot?
has a booming kick but is not super quick (more smart). Is he more a balanced mid longer term as is a great size.

I also think calls for day to play wing are premature. Think we’ll let him settle into owning the hbf (noting teams will spend a lot more time on him) and building his tank. His reading of play, intercept marking and ability to cut through congestion will also be partially wasted on a wing (especially as our wings need to be gut running freaks). I note Birchall never progressed to a wing.

Downie is quite quick. Like his kicking, he tends to move very quickly without looking like he is exerting effort but from watching him, he usually has a gear up his sleeve. I think early on that he is best suited to a wing because he tends to follow the play and run to support rather than get ahead of it through gut running. But he is capable as a hff and wing and we might try him in a few roles throughout next year.

he didn’t get the chance to show his ability in the middle. In the couple of times I saw him at a stoppage he showed he had the agility and quick hands needed but he isn’t a Brad Sewell

Brad Sewell

Age

40

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.1

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

11.5

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

4.5

5star

CL

4.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.2

4star

who thrives on crashing in. But he is physically capable of winning contests even if he is inexperienced and can make mistakes. Id suggest inside mid could only be a longer term goal at this point.

 

[rei154]

Absolutely love this
Unreal scenes! Gunston looking prime to play a heavy leadership role this year. Seems like such a great kid- I think I'm more excited to watch this young man's journey than all else!
I changed my sporting number to 16 when I realised Smithy was my favourite player, I would love for this lad to get it next.

When the boss does house calls

Alastair Clarkson and Jack Gunston paid a visit to Connor

www.hawthornfc.com.au

 

[On Topic]

Absolutely love this
Unreal scenes! Gunston looking prime to play a heavy leadership role this year. Seems like such a great kid- I think I'm more excited to watch this young man's journey than all else!
I changed my sporting number to 16 when I realised Smithy was my favourite player, I would love for this lad to get it next.

When the boss does house calls

Alastair Clarkson and Jack Gunston paid a visit to Connor

www.hawthornfc.com.au

I don’t think Downie is drawing enough excitement atm (probably because we have been talking about him for over a year though)! It would be fitting for him to take the #16 but Hawks don’t always pass the numbers down like that.

 

[rei154]

I don’t think Downie is drawing enough excitement atm (probably because we have been talking about him for over a year though)! It would be fitting for him to take the #16 but Hawks don’t always pass the numbers down like that.

I believe this is mostly because he was an NGA and the hype has been simmering all year (where he's not been able to play). Once he debut's I expect it to grow heaps haha.

 

[Slysh]

Been a long time coming but so good to see him in the Brown and Gold! Looks to be in bloody good nick as well

 

[MrPremiership]

Been a long time coming but so good to see him in the Brown and Gold! Looks to be in bloody good nick as well

View attachment 1028377

Joined the academy in 2015 right?

 

[Agent Smith]

Been a long time coming but so good to see him in the Brown and Gold! Looks to be in bloody good nick as well

View attachment 1028377

It ain't a polo top, but he is under the statue so I guess that sorta makes it official.