Game Day Hawks head to the Handbagger Hub - Unofficial Match Simulation - Monday 17th February 2025 @ 2pm AEDT

[TazHawk15]

I know it’s a practice match but for **** sakes…we just can’t beat Geelong. At least no injuries

I recall us beating them in the 1989 and 2008 Grand Finals, not to mention the 2013 Prelim.
Maybe you are too young to remember those games, either way lay off the “We never beat them” drama queen comments after a glorified captains run game.

 

[TylerDurden]

We need a 2nd key fwd. Stands out like dogs balls.

Scaife has to play. Point blank.

 

[DogDaySonny]

We need a 2nd key fwd. Stands out like dogs balls.

Scaife has to play. Point blank.

Why? To serve what purpose in the forward structure?

 

[TONYC3163]

See the post above this. Challenge your mind to think.

Challenge your own, and take the self-own, Mercy was spot on.
You can try all the semantics you like. On ignore.

 

[madhawksfan]

Reckon Impey, Amon, Barrass, Massimo (covering back) and Sicily taking things seriously will help out the backline. We looked a bit disorganised because there were a lot of our depth players there.

Absolutely. It was far from our best setup and Cats played two of their best tall forwards all game. Barrass will make a massive difference on his own. Neale won’t be clunking marks like that on Easter Monday.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Reckon Impey, Amon, Barrass, Massimo (covering back) and Sicily taking things seriously will help out the backline. We looked a bit disorganised because there were a lot of our depth players there.

Yep biggest thing was a lack of run from defense today, but that is easily covered with Impey, Amon and Mass back

 

[DogDaySonny]

Semantics? Your post makes no sense.

 

[VandoHawk]

We need a 2nd key fwd. Stands out like dogs balls.

Scaife has to play. Point blank.

McCabe gets a crack first if we're basing it on fourth quarter form.

Only Ramsden is anywhere near ready to play that role consistently (unless McCabe does a Calsher). I think with our inclusions we can make a small setup work with crisper ball movement. Kept bombing it to the wings in the first half.

 

[Lickmesocks]

We need a 2nd key fwd. Stands out like dogs balls.

Scaife has to play. Point blank.

100%.

Chol and Gunners not going to work as duo.

 

[TONYC3163]

Another tall is needed. Ramsden for me.

 

[DogDaySonny]

Another tall is needed. Ramsden for me.

Why? What isn’t Chol delivering? Thrill me with your semantic skill.

 

[Roddy]

Not sure if anyone else is like this, but as I sit watching, I desperately want us to win every game. But with a game like that, now in the sober light of later, the result didn’t matter dog’s bollocks and I saw some immense promise.

I’m big Kev excited about this year…

 

[Liverbird]

1. Our midfield killed it great signs
2. Frenchie and Day excellent
3. Our defense will improve
4. Good maturity in not getting blown away after poor 1st qtr
5. Finding 2nd key fwd prior Dear/Lewis returning is key to get off to a good start
6. We have plenty to come back
7. Frosty is still in great form

Overall a good hit out with many positive signs.

Preseason is for fitness and to get skills going prior start of the season. Ticked both those boxes.

Optimistic we have improved on last year especially in the midfield.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

A whipping boy is someone who is criticised unreasonably and for sport at every opportunity.

That’s exactly what posters did here today - not including your comment during the game because at least it had some detail. More the ones who can’t wait to take the boots to him but will remain silent in the two goals he did kick when he had acres of space because he beat his opponent easily.

He’s a whipping boy because he doesn’t need to do much wrong for the crosshairs to be on him.

 

[Hawkspot]

He wasn’t on for long but I was disappointed with Ramsden in [emoji639]/[emoji640] contests. Easily beaten to the ball and failed to compete, allowing some easy intercept marks where it should have at least hit the ground.

Hopefully shows more against the dogs.

Gunston looked good, moved a lot better than he did at the start of last season.

Mraz’s positioning was great, and Ryan had a great quarter.

Ready for the first game now.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Not sure if anyone else is like this, but as I sit watching, I desperately want us to win every game. But with a game like that, now in the sober light of later, the result didn’t matter dog’s bollocks and I saw some immense promise.

I’m big Kev excited about this year…

Who was missing? That's why I'm excited

 

[VandoHawk]

Not sure if anyone else is like this, but as I sit watching, I desperately want us to win every game. But with a game like that, now in the sober light of later, the result didn’t matter dog’s bollocks and I saw some immense promise.

I’m big Kev excited about this year…

Results in this game really don't matter. You look for promising signs from recruits/youngsters and just a general feel of play.

We didn't handle the momentum early at their home ground but we also had a different defensive mix + a noticeable lack of intensity. Not making excuses, I just doubt players like Sic/Moore will be jogging next to a contest in the real thing.

Conversely, we used our momentum really well which is something we didn't see at all last preseason.

Younger players (and returning injured players like Day) showed great signs so I'm happy with that.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Why? What isn’t Chol delivering? Thrill me with your semantic skill.

We need another tall so we have another target that can bring it to ground. Can't just rely on the one tall forward (Gunston is a 3rd tall)

 

[Dinsdale]

Sicily played forward after HT but never got out of fourth gear.

Do you mean first gear? Or has he got 5 gears and just didn't engage overdrive?

 

[VandoHawk]

Do you mean first gear? Or has he got 5 gears and just didn't engage overdrive?

Reckon it's obvious I don't drive?

 

[parsons nose]

Frenchie and Day the big positives, if only they were available for the finals last year. Forward set up a concern. Not too worried about a backline that didn’t include Barass, Impey or Amon. But yeah, it will be interesting to see what we can cobble together up forward in the early rounds. Cobble being the operative word.

 

[Threadkilla]

McCabe gets a crack first if we're basing it on fourth quarter form.

Only Ramsden is anywhere near ready to play that role consistently (unless McCabe does a Calsher). I think with our inclusions we can make a small setup work with crisper ball movement. Kept bombing it to the wings in the first half.

That’s what I am wondering. Are we better off giving McCabe a crack considering he can take a grab and looks a lot more nimble than someone like Ramma and Scaife? Nobody would’ve thought Calsher could play that role last year and he was coming from further back.

 

[VandoHawk]

That’s what I am wondering. Are we better off giving McCabe a crack considering he can take a grab and looks a lot more nimble than someone like Ramma and Scaife? Nobody would’ve thought Calsher could play that role last year and he was coming from further back.

Not immediately. Calsher put together 5 strong games out of 6 at Box Hill to be considered for selection and even then it took an injury to Chol.

I think we'll either play Ramsden or go in smaller. WB practice match likely a better indicator. I'd personally like to see Weddle forward but they've been reluctant.

 

[VandoHawk]

Frenchie and Day the big positives, if only they were available for the finals last year. Forward set up a concern. Not too worried about a backline that didn’t include Barass, Impey or Amon. But yeah, it will be interesting to see what we can cobble together up forward in the early rounds. Cobble being the operative word.

We’ll still have Moore, Ginni, CMac and Watto. The first three weren’t really going all that hard today, which is a bit disappointing but hardly means anything. Should be enough fire power provided we are actually using our skills and not just blindly bombing it to contests on the wing.

 

[MillerHawk]

Hustwaite had some good moments too.