Coach Sam Mitchell's direction for the club and 2025 news

[Brant]

Sydney completely underestimated meek by playing Grundy underdone.

Love how Sammy is strategising in areas not so prominent in 2024.

Bodes well for 2025 and beyond

We don't know to what extent Grundy was underdone. Nor, do we know the fitness of his possible replacements.

I've got every confidence that Cox & Co. selected what they determined was their best available side. There's almost zero chance they under-valued Meek & trotted out an under-done Grundy when better/fitter players were available.

 

[kazzooka]

We don't know to what extent Grundy was underdone. Nor, do we know the fitness of his possible replacements.

I've got every confidence that Cox & Co. selected what they determined was their best available side. There's almost zero chance they under-valued Meek & trotted out an under-done Grundy when better/fitter players were available.

My understanding is that Grundy copped a know to the knee at training the day before their practice match so pulled out to not risk it. Then he continued training and played Round 0.

Swans fans would know better but I don't think he was missing large chunks of pre-season like say Frost was.

 

[cs61]

Some interesting take aways:

• Mentioned Battle as someone that makes everyone around him better and that others already love playing with him.
• Talked about the importance of having a game plan that is very well executed by everyone and how he feels that is more important having the best game plan.
• Was asked about what he learned from Clarkson, and didn't mention very much at all. In fact the one positive example he was asked to give, he ended up talking about Fagan giving him positive feedback, which helped motivate him. I found this interesting given he was clearly asked about Clarkson.
• In contrast, spoke glowingly about Adam Simpson and his relationship with him, where I didn't pick up on any thing like that with his long time coach.
• He seems to really value all the skill sets of others in our coaching and fitness staff and what they bring as individuals, which all great leaders know how to tap in to.

One more thing that was interesting was the switch in goals. Last year the goal was 'being in winnable positions more often', which we obviously met in spades. This year Sam said it was 'beating the best sides when it mattered' and nailing those key moments. Get insight to see the gradual switch of focus, and also not off to a bad start given what happened round 1.

 

[Randy Campbell]

Come what may you'll find us striving.

Sam's direction has always been about constant improvement and I have seen nothing so far in 2025 to suggest that this will change.

 

[mustang]

I wonder if we could see Blanck return to the side also with Sicily Forward with Dear and Lewis and a back line of Barrass CHF Blank FB or the other way around with Battle playing the Ben Stratton role.

Or would this make us to slow with Chol in the Second Ruck resting forward role.

When Dear and then Lewis Return

 

[H00t]

I wonder if we could see Blanck return to the side also with Sicily Forward with Dear and Lewis and a back line of Barrass CHF Blank FB or the other way around with Battle playing the Ben Stratton role.

Or would this make us to slow with Chol in the Second Ruck resting forward role.

When Dear and then Lewis Return

So a forward line of Dear, Lewis, Chol and Sicily? I can’t see it happening.

Blanck will likely only need Barrass and Frost to go down barring some exceptional form in the VFL in which case he will still need a player to miss.

 

[Brant]

So a forward line of Dear, Lewis, Chol and Sicily? I can’t see it happening.

Blanck will likely only need Barrass and Frost to go down barring some exceptional form in the VFL in which case he will still need a player to miss.

I doubt they'd line up like that way too often, but if I were Sicily & I saw Lewis, Dear & Chol up forward then I'd be pretty bloody confident that I could sneak forward during play & find a mismatch near the Goal Square.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Round 9-14 will define our season, in order dees, suns, lions, pies, dogs, crows then we get a bye.

Games are harder and faster then ever, going to be a very interesting mid year. Dogs should get stronger, Adelaide will be tough and depending on how a team brings the pressure from week to week their are no easy games.

 

[TylerDurden]

Round 9-14 will define our season, in order dees, suns, lions, pies, dogs, crows then we get a bye.

Games are harder and faster then ever, going to be a very interesting mid year. Dogs should get stronger, Adelaide will be tough and depending on how a team brings the pressure from week to week their are no easy games.

Suns is in Darwin. Don't like our chances there.

 

[moginie]

Suns is in Darwin. Don't like our chances there.

On a five day break too.

 

[CHUBBSS]

On a five day break too.

That sounds about as hard a game as any

 

[Mitch75]

Round 9-14 will define our season, in order dees, suns, lions, pies, dogs, crows then we get a bye.

Games are harder and faster then ever, going to be a very interesting mid year. Dogs should get stronger, Adelaide will be tough and depending on how a team brings the pressure from week to week their are no easy games.

That’s a pretty tough run of games, for sure. Hopefully after the great 3-0 start, we can be no worse than 6-2 after the round 8 game against Richmond, heading into this stretch. That would really set us up well for a tilt at the top 4, which would require at least 15, if not 16 wins, you’d think.

 

[peetoo]

GWS port Geelong not challenging enough?

 

[Mitch75]

GWS port Geelong not challenging enough?

Yes, the next three are tough too! We could potentially lose all of those. But hopefully we can win at least one, if not two and then we have West Coast and Richmond, which on paper at least, should be wins. To this point of the season I was hoping for a 2-1 record. With three straight wins though we’re in great shape to make a tilt for the top 4.

 

[Luke_Hodgey_15]

On a five day break too.

I'd love to see a graphic that shows how often each team goes into a game with a shorter or longer break than their opponent. It feels like most weeks we have a shorter break, though that might be all in my head

edit
I did a quick calculation for Hawks (-11 days break vs opponents), Geelong (-2) and Collingwood (+18) across the first 15 rounds. Insane.

 

[CHUBBSS]

I'd love to see a graphic that shows how often each team goes into a game with a shorter or longer break than their opponent. It feels like most weeks we have a shorter break, though that might be all in my head

edit
I did a quick calculation for Hawks (-11 days break vs opponents), Geelong (-2) and Collingwood (+18) across the first 15 rounds. Insane.

How much have Collingwood paid the afl this year, their love from the umpires and fixturing is just odd at this point

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Seeing some interesting things this year.

A backline stacked with talls that are good kicks (Sicily, Barass, Scrimshaw and Battle. It's reminding me of that period of Geelong's dominance where they always had more than 2 intercept marking defenders.

We finally have the pieces to see how Mitchell wants to set up for flexibility. Hardwick and Sicily moving forward and back. I think the extra element was there when Worpel played which includes Newcombe and Day rolling forward more.

The celebrations and rascal behaviour is dialed down to almost zero

The two avenues to goal from D50 (handball through the corridor or slice on the outside) have been refined extremely well.

We've had a different best 3 or 4 players each week.

We have a different kind of confidence this year. We've gone from cocky to confident.

 

[bigmaxi]

Seeing some interesting things this year.

A backline stacked with talls that are good kicks (Sicily, Barass, Scrimshaw and Battle. It's reminding me of that period of Geelong's dominance where they always had more than 2 intercept marking defenders.

We finally have the pieces to see how Mitchell wants to set up for flexibility. Hardwick and Sicily moving forward and back. I think the extra element was there when Worpel played which includes Newcombe and Day rolling forward more.

The celebrations and rascal behaviour is dialed down to almost zero

The two avenues to goal from D50 (handball through the corridor or slice on the outside) have been refined extremely well.

We've had a different best 3 or 4 players each week.

We have a different kind of confidence this year. We've gone from cocky to confident.

That’s the sign of maturity this year as a posed to last. Got a job to do this year. There’re all in.

 

[Roddy]

Interesting.

Massive scope for improvement for a side sitting pretty on top.

23K views · 89 reactions | CD Hawks. | "They can improve on that." Sam Mitchell is certain the Hawks must improve to win the flag... and Champion Data thinks the same. | By SEN 1116 | Facebook

"They can improve on that." Sam Mitchell is certain the Hawks must improve to win the flag... and Champion Data thinks the same.

www.facebook.com

 

[Philhawk]

I’ve been delighted to watch the evolution of Sam’s style over the last few years. Another interesting few weeks coming up in his development.

Last year, after what I’ll call our “take your mouthguards to training” game, we made sure getting the ground ball was the key part of our revival heading into the second part of the year.

It interested me to see yesterday just how determined we were to instantly hand pass yesterday and we saw the good and the bad from it. That Newcombe hand pass that ended with a Sicily goal was incredibly high risk, but high reward.

What coaching tweak do you think will underpin the next few months for us?

 

[The hands of stone]

Yes we have a serious coach on our hands. And it's only at the start of what he can untap I feel .
Thought he won the coaches battle yesterday against the best going, team just couldn't finish it off .

Love his media work . Great listen straight after game with Whately and Lyon.
Could hear and feel the disappointment yet also felt better listening to him.
Great insights for us supporters you don't get from a lot of other coaches.

Wonder if he knew they would play the Nash footage with him there, again played it beautifully .

 

[SSSSSS]

The way we forced Geelong to bomb long down the line to our intercept markers is something that Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

used to make our players do regularly.

It was almost as if we flipped the script.

 

[Dewwwww]

Yes we have a serious coach on our hands. And it's only at the start of what he can untap I feel .
Thought he won the coaches battle yesterday against the best going, team just couldn't finish it off .

Love his media work . Great listen straight after game with Whately and Lyon.
Could hear and feel the disappointment yet also felt better listening to him.
Great insights for us supporters you don't get from a lot of other coaches.

Wonder if he knew they would play the Nash footage with him there, again played it beautifully .

Well said.

Also how disappointed the players looked (from the vision during that interview from the rooms) I feel like it will turn around very quickly.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

I’ve been delighted to watch the evolution of Sam’s style over the last few years. Another interesting few weeks coming up in his development.

Last year, after what I’ll call our “take your mouthguards to training” game, we made sure getting the ground ball was the key part of our revival heading into the second part of the year.

It interested me to see yesterday just how determined we were to instantly hand pass yesterday and we saw the good and the bad from it. That Newcombe hand pass that ended with a Sicily goal was incredibly high risk, but high reward.

What coaching tweak do you think will underpin the next few months for us?

I don't think we will see a 'tweak' as much as massive structural changes across the field as our key players return from injury. I think we're currently trying out "Plan B", or even "Plan C", waiting for the return of these key structural pieces to allow "Plan A" to function. We have SO much depth across the field, but I feel we lack 1-2 of the absolute elite players - and of course the big gaping hole up forward right now.

The return of Dear (and later Lewis) will transform our forward line (Dear, Chol AND Gunston/Lewis gives us improved marking power across the whole ground) which will see us utilise more small forward crumbers, and less "high-half-forwards" (more Watson, less Moore if you will). This will force us to utilise our wings more, as we return to more of a kicking game like 2024 instead of the 'run-n-gun' through the corridor we are attempting now.

The fact we're choosing to play a completely different style rather than bring up the next player in the depth chart is pretty damning on those KPF still at Box Hill (Ramsden, Skaife, McCabe,etc) - but perhaps illustrates where they are really at right now.

Adding one, or perhaps two talls to the forward line will require at least one (likely two) of the 5 talls (Barrass/Battle/Sicily/Scrimshaw/Weddle) to move out of defence permanently and changes across the field to balance the side. This should give us better mobility, run and spread, but will require a more offensive wingman than Morrison/Ward to partner Massimo (who will no doubt enjoy the extra space to use his kicking!). The extra marking ability would also be beneficial - it was obvious how much we went to Newcombe as the bail-out option yesterday - often resulting in him going up against 2, or sometimes 3 opponents.

Defensively, I don't think Barrass has been anywhere near the player I expected or others have posted about, similarly Battle seems to be struggling when not given a straight-forward tasks. That will hopefully improve in time, but right now the combination of Battle with Weddle just leads to Benny Hill - it's like they don't even speak the same language. Scrimshaw back is key, he provides the structural stability by smoothly transitioning up and down the opposition #2-#4 forwards and him finding form may unlock Sicily from his current woes as they combine so well together defensively.

I want more kicking (Sicily/Battle/Scrimshaw/Hardwick) from defence. More run (Amon/Weddle/CJ/Impey) from half back. There's NINE players there, as I haven't mentioned Barrass. We typically only play seven, so two of the above are dropping out of the 22 or playing elsewhere. Frost/Blanck/Serong are all stuck at Box Hill and we could easily drop another tall too.

On-ball, I think our 'Big-5' (Newcombe/Nash/Worpel/Day supported by MacKenzie) is good but not great - still one premium mid short. With Day out, our next options are being found lacking in the contested ball. Our wings (D'Ambrossio/Morrison/Ward) don't give us much offensively atm, and with an 'average' midfield, the defensive wing isn't working for us right now. I feel we can upgrade the right-side wing offensively - and think Weddle is the guy to do it. Giving him Ward's current rotations onball should also give us a different look. I'm not sure if Ward is better served pushed outside as a wingman only, or getting full games onball at Box Hill instead - as much as he is maligned, Morrison gives us plenty of defensive coverage from the wing with his superior positioning and reliability.

Up forward I want marking (Dear/Lewis/Chol/Gunston) and run (Moore/MacDonald/Ginnivan/Watson/Breust). Again, there's NINE, so at least two have to miss at full strength. I'm not comfortable with anyone other than Chol rucking however.

Which leaves the Ruck - a single point of failure in all structures. If Meek is able to equalise his opponent our onballers can get to work, but too often this year he's been comfortably beaten (often by supposed spuds who play out of their skin for one week then return to Spudville afterwards - that's a pattern that suggests we significantly over-rate Lloyd this year). I've long been a proponent of Reeves to give us the ruck dominance, but if I'm being honest neither are at the top of their game. As 2nd rucks, Chol/Nash/Weddle all give us something different, with the Chol (centrebounce)/Nash (around the ground) combination working quite well. It's robbing both those players of their best elsewhere though, especially when our inside midfield and KPF brigade are so undermanned right now. If ever Sammy was going to play 2 rucks, he would have done so with our Key Forwards missing - so it's not going to happen. Instead, we need to strengthen our onball and KPF groupings to allow Nash/Chol sufficient rest.

===
So after all that, I guess my tweak is Weddle to the Wing. (Everyone else goes back to their primary role).

 

[jumpingjai]

I think a couple of things are clear from listening to Sam.
Firstly, he has said on a number of occasions, that playing one particular game style leaves you open to opposition analysis and shut down.
Secondly, he said that the precision kicking game is too hard to execute reliably. Obviously the precision game can fall apart with the weather and an off day ( see Port last year).

Sam is driven and wants premierships.

In this context , it seems clear to me that Sam is developing and teaching different styles of play.
Today , we seemed to be rely on handball for ball movement.
We will improve through the year as we get better at these different styles and get some big forwards back.