AFL 2025 Second Preliminary Final - Cats v Hawks Fri Sept 19th 7:40pm EST (MCG)

[Mr Meow]

Let's be frank here we lost clearances by nearly 20 and centre clearances by 15. You also had Dangerfield go crazy and kill us. All the other stuff your referring to is irrelevant when those 3 things were heavily against us. Which part of the ground did Danger have he's way? Or was it the fact those tactics your referring to was the reason we lost. We actually scored ok from the low amount of inside 50s we had, imagine if we actually had midfield ascendancy what the game could have looked like.

You actually face a similar issue that Geelong did in 2024 with the midfield.

Last season we ran with a midfield of Danger (bursts), Atkins, Bowes and Bruhn for most of the year. Come finals time we released an X factor player from half back through there in Holmes and it patched things over until he did a hammy. It was all or nothing with him a bit like Newcombe lately, although Dangerfield was still very good too.

Moving Danger forward this year has allowed him to reach that monster level through the guts for finals, whereas he probably ran out of gas a bit in last year's prelim.

Holmes permanent move to midfield for 2025 would be like you guys getting Day healthy again for a full season. Then getting Merrett or Petracca might be the equivalent of Geelong bringing in Smith. That could be enough if others can improve a bit more.

We have had Atkins go to a much higher level as well, which could be Nash if he played like last night.

Mannagh and Miers effectively act as extra midfielders too, full of smarts and creativity. You have that with Moore but can Watson or another add to that? The wizard isn't yet prolific enough. Can Mackenzie develop into a high half forward/attacking midfielder?

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Hawk fans need to realise that Will Day is not going to turn a C grade midfield into an A grade midfield. He is just not that guy.

You haven't seen him enough that's the issue it seems. Go back and watch if you can be bothered what he did to GWS earlier in the year. 6 goals down at quarter time he has a Danger like impact and drags us back into the game which we go onto win. He does that regularly but he's not there enough for people like you it seems to notice it. Was killing Adelaide the game he got injured and the midfield looked much better because of it.

 

[MisterMarcus]

Scott 3-6 in prelims. Hawks have the underdog freedom to play and be bold mentality , so I hope the cats have the same despite fav tag. Mitchell not satisfied with prelim weekend - I like it! Winner that regularly dominated Geelong as a player. Mega match!

Did you enjoy the win

Disappointing not to see you around cheering on the boys.

 

[dmark]

Did you enjoy the win

Disappointing not to see you around cheering on the boys.

Congrats Cats, well played.

Might be our time next year maybe

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

You actually face a similar issue that Geelong did in 2024 with the midfield.

Last season we ran with a midfield of Danger (bursts), Atkins, Bowes and Bruhn for most of the year. Come finals time we released an X factor player from half back through there in Holmes and it patched things over until he did a hammy. It was all or nothing with him a bit like Newcombe lately, although Dangerfield was still very good too.

Holmes permanent move there to midfield for 2025 would be like you guys getting Day healthy again for a full season. Then getting Merrett or Petracca might be the equivalent of Geelong bringing in Smith. That might be enough if others can improve a bit more.

We have had Atkins go to a much higher level as well, which could be Nash if he played like last night.

Mannagh and Miers effectively act as extra midfielders too, full of smarts and creativity. You have that with Moore but can Watson or another add to that? The wizard isn't yet prolific enough. Can Mackenzie develop into a high half forward/attacking midfielder?

Spot on, tactics in general play will work if you have territory to set up the ground like last night. In depth analysis isn't needed for how we lost. Very obvious as to why. It will be enough getting those 2 across if Day gets through a full season. That's 4 bonafide guns running through there and than players like Ward (Who had a shocker but I give him a pass because he was very good in the games previous) Nash and McKenzie become secondary mids not ones we rely upon every week. Ward could become that player but he's not there yet. McKenzie should play from round 1 next year taking over from Worpel. I'm down ATM but I know the club is working hard to fix our issue.

 

[PhatBoy]

It's a good point though . How do you pay all your players plus Jack Bowes under your salary cap?

You don’t rate any of our players so we don’t need to pay unders for anyone. They’re all rubbish and cheap anyway. And rely on help from the league to win games.

 

[Drunkcat]

Will Day would have been nice.

He is your best player, he is very good.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

He is your best player, he is very good.

Has missed all 5 finals we have played. Deserves a bit of luck.

 

[Mr Meow]

Spot on, tactics in general play will work if you have territory to set up the ground like last night. In depth analysis isn't needed for how we lost. Very obvious as to why. It will be enough getting those 2 across if Day gets through a full season. That's 4 bonafide guns running through there and than players like Ward (Who had a shocker but I give him a pass because he was very good in the games previous) Nash and McKenzie become secondary mids not ones we rely upon every week. Ward could become that player but he's not there yet. McKenzie should play from round 1 next year taking over from Worpel. I'm down ATM but I know the club is working hard to fix our issue.

Do you think you need both Petracca and Merrett if Day is healthy?

I suppose it would allow you to use Petracca like Geelong are Dangerfield or Mannagh, as forward/mids who connect both parts of the ground. That may also give a direct rotation with Day on a forward flank so that he is maybe 60/40 mid/forward.

The Hawks would certainly be a scary prospect with those two + Merrett running around.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Do you think you need both Petracca and Merrett if Day is healthy?

I suppose it would allow you to use Petracca like Geelong are Dangerfield or Mannagh, as forward/mids who connect both parts of the ground. That may also give a direct rotation with Day on a forward flank so that he is maybe 60/40 mid/forward.

The Hawks would certainly be a scary prospect with those two + Merrett running around.

There both upgrades on Worpel, Nash and Ward currently and thats 3 quarters of the midfield. I honestly believe Worpel doesn't move the needle that much for you blokes. Nice to have and he will probably look like a champion with you because others around compliment he's strengths. When he's in the team to be your 2nd best mid that's where the problem is for us. We can't win a flag with the current setup.

 

[Drunkcat]

Oh and please sign Worple, thanks.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Oh and please sign Worple, thanks.

As I said he wont make a difference just adds to your depth.

 

[Mr Meow]

There both upgrades on Worpel, Nash and Ward currently and thats 3 quarters of the midfield. I honestly believe Worpel doesn't move the needle that much for you blokes. Nice to have and he will probably look like a champion with you because others around compliment he's strengths. When he's in the team to be your 2nd best mid that's where the problem is for us. We can't win a flag with the current setup.

I liked what Worpel was doing 2023-2024 despite his limitations. In 2025 I understand he had injury issues but he looks to have dropped off a bit. Then again Atkins was a bit like that in 2023 and 2024, before taking it up a big level in 2025 like 2022. However it's hard not to look at Worpel as anything beyond depth in case Atkins gets injured. He is a bit younger but I would rather Atkins play like this for the next 3 years at least.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Oh I wasn't saying that Atkins was tagging him in the traditional sense, you're right to clarify.

It's one of those moves that didn't occur to me ; I knew we were never going to run Mullin with him, but as soon as I saw Axe next to him I thought, "Oh, Newcombe's never had to deal with something like this before. Perfect."

He did Easter Monday from memory. They went head to head basically and both had strong games. Difference in that game was we had a decent performance from the midfield in general.

 

[Mr Meow]

He did Easter Monday from memory. They went head to head basically and both had strong games. Difference in that game was we had a decent performance from the midfield in general.

Easter Monday Newcombe wasn't huge at stoppages but was absolutely brilliant around the ground. He was threading everything through in an attacking sense on transition and burning Atkins with run.

Last night Newcombe was finding the ball at half back and not doing a lot with it. 2 score involvements for the whole match, I was shocked to see that even though it was obvious he didn't have much impact. Dangerfield had 13, including 3 goals and 2 goal assists.

 

[VinnieB]

We had a guy who got 8 disposals playing midfield. What do you expect Newcombe to do when others can't help him the way they need to. Worpel poor also. Nash was our best midfielder and he plays a similar role to Atkins. Defensive brute.

Yeah and.....

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Easter Monday Newcombe wasn't huge at stoppages but was absolutely brilliant around the ground. He was threading everything through in an attacking sense on transition and burning Atkins with run.

Last night Newcombe was finding the ball at half back and not doing a lot with it. 2 score involvements for the whole match, I was shocked to see that even though it was obvious he didn't have much impact. Dangerfield had 13, including 3 goals and 2 goal assists.

I was expecting the matchup and so was Mitchell, he wasn't expecting guys like Ward to get 8 disposals and others doing basically nothing. If the others were at worst ok and doing their bit it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb Newk was quieter than he has been and we can't really expect him to dominate every game

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Yeah and.....

How was he helping taking pressure off Newcombe? Do you understand the game?, he's been best on ground in 4 finals in a row can't expect him to do it all the time every time, others need to help him when it's needed and they couldn't.

 

[VinnieB]

Dangerfield can still impact games and win them for the Cats he is a freak!

He beat the Pies with his last quarter this season. Otherwise, Pies were cruising.
The game has changed. To think at 30 you were pretty much put out to pasture.

Now, there are players who can turn a game in their 30s

 

[VinnieB]

How was he helping taking pressure off Newcombe? Do you understand the game?, he's been best on ground in 4 finals in a row can't expect him to do it all the time every time, others need to help him when it's needed and they couldn't.

We are talking about last night's performance. Not all his finals games. Weird.
He fumbled, missed tackles, the ball went between his legs. That had nothing to do with his team-mates.
He didn't receive a hard tag where team-mates would need to help him out. You think Atkins would have had 4 centre bounce clearances if he was putting a hard tag on Newcombe. Would Atkins has had 25 disposals if he put a hard tag on him?
Would Atkins have had 6 score involvements?

Did you watch the game?

Newcombe is a great player. But he was very poor last night and was comprehensively beaten by Atkins.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

We are talking about last night's performance. Not all his finals games. Weird.
He fumbled, missed tackles, the ball went between his legs. That had nothing to do with his team-mates.
He didn't receive a hard tag where team-mates would need to help him out. You think Atkins would have had 4 centre bounce clearances if he was putting a hard tag on Newcombe. Would Atkins has had 25 disposals if he put a hard tag on him?
Would Atkins have had 6 score involvements?

Did you watch the game?

Newcombe is a great player. But he was very poor last night and was comprehensively beaten by Atkins.

Way to miss the point. Who else picked up the slack, if he gets 30 and 10 clearances every week he's the best player in the game. He was quieter than usual and nobody else outside Nash did anything to support. Not sure what's so hard about what I'm saying is to comprehend.

 

[Elixuh]

Nice melt. Sounds like you're getting ready to give another Nazi salute tomorrow.

You got a bit agitated this week I saw, good to see the pressure has lifted for you

 

[danster168]

And that my friends is why Jeff Farmer

Jeff Farmer

Age

48

Ht

175cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.9

5star

No current season stats available

D

6.0

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

1.6

2star

M

1.8

2star

T

0.6

3star

G

0.2

3star

will always be the one and only Wizard.

 

[Mr Meow]

You got a bit agitated this week I saw, good to see the pressure has lifted for you

Not at all. I reached out as a friend when you were stressing a bit and am here to guide you through the big day if necessary. You've melted a bit about the Cats but now let's get you in a positive space.

 

[VinnieB]

Way to miss the point. Who else picked up the slack, if he gets 30 and 10 clearances every week he's the best player in the game. He was quieter than usual and nobody else outside Nash did anything to support. Not sure what's so hard about what I'm saying is to comprehend.

Because I made a comment about Newcombe and Atkin's games.
Not the performance of the Hawthorn football club.

You seemed to have gone into protective mode once i said Newcombe was poor last night and outplayed by his opponent.