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

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Ramma has the fitness to play a whole AFL game so if a second key forward is needed I'd play him

 

[Brant]

Did Scrimshaw play today?

Was there an un-televised 5th period to this game?

 

[Yardie]

Geelong kick two back to back and that's the game.

Plenty of stuff to like after we didn't leave fourth gear in the first half.

I'm confused, what does this mean? Did we get better after losing intensity or did we move up to fifth?

 

[Yardie]

I thought Chol looked laconic at times.





Too soon?

I couldn't hear him much on the field so you could be right. Or are you doing your Brian Taylor impersonation?

 

[Mississippi]

Jeez - how good was Battle?

Can’t wait for Barrass to join him.

 

[VandoHawk]

I'm confused, what does this mean? Did we get better after losing intensity or did we move up to fifth?

I kept saying fourth gear because I’m a dummy.

First gear is what I meant. Jogging along, lacking some defensive efforts and missing easy kicks. We did get a lot better after half-time while our mids beat theirs after the first quarter.

 

[brew]

Did Scrimshaw play today?

Was there an un-televised 5th period to this game?

Eye poke in a marking contest with Danger in the 2nd (not too high).

Sat out after that.. should be fine.

 

[TylerDurden]

Jeez - how good was Battle?

Can’t wait for Barrass to join him.

He was outstanding. We're blessed.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

This is not overblown but Geelong don't score half their score with a full strength backline in place. I counted at least a dozen times Barrass would have killed the contest if he was out there. Likewise with the run from the backline. We were easily missing more important players to the structure. If I was a Cats fans I wouldn't be getting too excited based on those facts I've mentioned. When we were at full throttle intensity for basically 10 mins a QTR we were making them look pedestrian without the usual run and slingshot from half back. There's no way they will get that many looks in the regular season Mitch would have gone to work on a team like Geelong who gave us problems last year.

 

[QuietB]

I reckon Worps is in for a huge 2025.

He's entering a contract year and is in his absolute prime years.

He's also fit and in a good head space.

Midfield looked amazing. I reckon Jai is gonna win a Brownlow this year. He is just a bull who has now developed some class.

Jai 23
Day 23
Worpel 26
Nash 26

Wow

 

[parsons nose]

This is not overblown but Geelong don't score half their score with a full strength backline in place. I counted at least a dozen times Barrass would have killed the contest if he was out there. Likewise with the run from the backline. We were easily missing more important players to the structure. If I was a Cats fans I wouldn't be getting too excited based on those facts I've mentioned. When we were at full throttle intensity for basically 10 mins a QTR we were making them look pedestrian without the usual run and slingshot from half back. There's no way they will get that many looks in the regular season Mitch would have gone to work on a team like Geelong who gave us problems last year.

Barass would have been the solution to the Neale problem and of our small backs Impey would have given us some grit at ground level, but you’re underselling Geelong’s performance. They were picking our forward thrusts off and killing us on the rebound. I don’t know how many times their small forwards got goal side of their opponent, but it happened regularly. And that’s on the guys up the ground unable to disrupt their ball movement. They’re ball movement particularly early was superior to ours.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Worpel, Day and Newcombe looked exceptional.

Mackenzie, Maginness and Morrison probably in my best players as well.

Love having Battle in brown and gold.

Special mention to the two brilliant individual efforts from Bodie Ryan. Dimma 2.0?

Extra special mention to how good our 'training' jumper looked in a game.

 

[QuietB]

Barass would have been the solution to the Neale problem and of our small backs Impey would have given us some grit at ground level, but you’re underselling Geelong’s performance. They were picking our forward thrusts off and killing us on the rebound. I don’t know how many times they’re small forwards got goal side of their opponent, but it happened regularly. And that’s on the guys up the ground unable to disrupt their ball movement. They’re ball movement particularly early was superior to ours.

That was more about hospital turnovers than anything else. Hawks ball use early was pretty rusty.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Barass would have been the solution to the Neale problem and of our small backs Impey would have given us some grit at ground level, but you’re underselling Geelong’s performance. They were picking our forward thrusts off and killing us on the rebound. I don’t know how many times they’re small forwards got goal side of their opponent, but it happened regularly. And that’s on the guys up the ground unable to disrupt their ball movement. They’re ball movement particularly early was superior to ours.

When we had it on our terms we were scoring regularly, Lewis and Dear down there prevents as much intercept marking which propelled alot of their ball movement, that's where it started. You can't look at today and think we'll that's it Geelong have our number again when at least 6-8 players crucial to the structure weren't out there. Which Cats players that weren't playing would have made a significant difference to how they went about it. The entire last QTR was Sam experimenting when we could have easily gone best team to try and win the game. Not worried in the slightest, we have a way higher ceiling then them.

 

[matey]

Some of the ball movement from the back half into the forward line was scintillating! The connection between our boys will only get better. Frenchie and Day add some much class in the middle. Good hit out today.

 

[Mrzohs]

I just watched the replay nothing to be worried about, it was anyone game with 5mins to go!

Once we started carrying the ball we got a nice run on in Q2 & Q3. 8 out of 11 goals in and really opened it up!

I thought a few of the seniour brigade took a while to get going in the first half (W.day carried them)

Will be interesting what we do up fwd or who the relief ruck is, we are short across the ground in the contest down the line!

If McCabe, Ramma, or the two ruck set-up is not preferred. I feel Weddle should play half forward until the cattle returns.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Every time I tuned in today I saw Frenchy, Day, Newk or Worpel doing good things.

Then later in the day McCabe, Mraz and Ryan do good things.

That was a good showing.

 

[drewgle]

I am really pleased with that outing.

We didn't get smashed like in previous years, so that is an improvement, especially for a side missing 8 or 9 regulars.

No serious injuries - couldn't ask for more!

 

[goldfinger]

I couldn't hear him much on the field so you could be right. Or are you doing your Brian Taylor impersonation?

More a not so subtle throwback to the various threads from last year. Hence the "Too soon?"

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

I just watched the replay nothing to be worried about, it was anyone game with 5mins to go!

Once we started carrying the ball we got a nice run on in Q2 & Q3. 8 out of 11 goals in and really opened it up!

I thought a few of the seniour brigade took a while to get going in the first half (W.day carried them)

Will be interesting what we do up fwd or who the relief ruck is, we are short across the ground in the contest down the line!

If McCabe, Ramma, or the two ruck set-up is not preferred. I feel Weddle should play half forward until the cattle returns.

Were only short ATM because Lewis and Dear aren't in the Forward line. Full strength best 22 we have all bases covered. Lewis should play further up the ground which will allow him to create the contest down the line every week. Even someone like Battle or Weddle can push up to a wing too. We couldn't do that today because Barrass wasn't there to anchor and goal keep 30m out from goal.

 

[mustang]

Maybe Weddle and McCabe could share the role!

Not sure Chol is the answer also without Dear as his not dominant in the air.

 

[Bardo State]

Worpel, Day and Newcombe looked exceptional.

Mackenzie, Maginness and Morrison probably in my best players as well.

Love having Battle in brown and gold.

Special mention to the two brilliant individual efforts from Bodie Ryan. Dimma 2.0?

Extra special mention to how good our 'training' jumper looked in a game.

The thing with Bodie last year was that most games he'd have a quarter or a half where you thought gee, he looks real good, looks like he might be able to step up. But then it wouldn't last the game as he'd lose concentration on a man, have a bad turnover, basically make a critical error or two that would be extra costly at AFL level.

Hopefully he can put together a more consistent block.

 

[jak]

Hawthorn v Geelong | Match Simulation Highlights​

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Not sure Chol is the answer also without Dear as his not dominant in the air.

He isn't the answer but if he drops back to a 3rd tall role that is when we will get the best out of him. The forward setup should be Lewis, Dear and Chol with Gunston filling in on occasions for certain teams and matchups. We won't be getting this scenario till at least mid year so we will experiment with what we think will work in the interim.

 

[Bardo State]

He isn't the answer but if he drops back to a 3rd tall role that is when we will get the best out of him. The forward setup should be Lewis, Dear and Chol with Gunston filling in on occasions for certain teams and matchups. We won't be getting this scenario till at least mid year so we will experiment with what we think will work in the interim.

Yep, he was always best when he could pop up in a pocket of space around the main target or get in situations where he could run his man back to goal.

It's gonna be a long year for people holding out for him to start clunking pack marks as the main forward target. Structurally he's the best available to get Wiz, Ginni, Croc and Moore involved at the drop.