Preview Round 11, 2025: Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions, 24 May 2025, 4.15pm @ MCG

[ReturningHawk]

What's his pace and tank like?

No real breakaway pace but no worries on running all day. The problem for him is timing. We already have to drop good players this week to fit Impey, Gunston, Meek and Nash back in. I’d guess that Dear, Maginness and BMac will make way. Personally I’d like to make the swap of Serong for Morrison but making 5 unforced changes to take on the reigning premier is just stupid. I wish we had been able to reward Serong more for a year and a half of BOG performances.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Could the club be thinking of the Dempsey guy from cats re- Serong? Tall winger who can run and get a mismatch in the frwd 50!! Just a thought. Because, jai wasn't struggling at chb at all. So it's a left field change of position for him. We better hurry up though, north and dogs sniffing.

 

[Liverbird]

In the 3 games we have lost it has been our poor effort that has influenced the outcome just as much as the opposition.

Vs Port - lacked the required intensity in 1st half then came from 71 to 22 (50 point turnaound) points down half way thru last qtr.

Vs Cats - gave them a 4 goal lead then poor kicking at goal and clanger turnovers let the Cats sneak a 7 pt win.

Vs Goldies - gave up 32 point lead near end of second qtr to the lead by 3 at 3qtr time (35 point turnaound) but continually gave up field position and centre clearances goals thru the whole game.

Yes credit to Port for intensity, Cats for taking chances and Goldies for beating us in clearances, although in each game we showed we could turn it on against opponents that beat us to the 4 points.

Sam Mitchell has said a few times post match - there are aspects of our game that are really going well BUT when we are bad at something we are "really bad" and that is costing us games.

To my mind a few things to work out:

1. Starting the game from 1st minute not the first minute of 2nd qtr. (Aka intensity)
2. Fixing up our skill level and team connection (aka reducing turnovers in forward half especially)
3. Getting clearances game going again, Meek and Nash will help but someone need to step in for Day. (Aka clearances)

Unless these 3 aspects are rectified we are just a top 6 side and not a top 4 genuine contender we are all crave.

 

[Ka Norkers]

Matt Hill again eye-catching at BHH today. Stupid pace.
He's like Calsher last year, has come out of nowhere and the powers-that-be down at Waverley must be pinching themselves at what they have found (as they were with Dear last year)
I'm sketchy on Ramma, but he's been BoG at BHH four times this year, and TBH there is no point in having a seconds competition if you are not going to reward effort. If they keep Dear in the side this week, I wouldn't blame Max if he just went fishing next weekend (a la Kevin Ablett when Parko dropped him lols)
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in on Dear, but here he is almost mid-season and has basically had zero pre-season, much too tough an ask for a young kid. I said it months ago, the Hawks should keep him at BHH until after the bye, after he would have had a long block of training, and playing at the lower level.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Matt Hill again eye-catching at BHH today. Stupid pace.
He's like Calsher last year, has come out of nowhere and the powers-that-be down at Waverley must be pinching themselves at what they have found (as they were with Dear last year)
I'm sketchy on Ramma, but he's been BoG at BHH four times this year, and TBH there is no point in having a seconds competition if you are not going to reward effort. If they keep Dear in the side this week, I wouldn't blame Max if he just went fishing next weekend (a la Kevin Ablett when Parko dropped him lols)
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in on Dear, but here he is almost mid-season and has basically had zero pre-season, much too tough an ask for a young kid. I said it months ago, the Hawks should keep him at BHH until after the bye, after he would have had a long block of training, and playing at the lower level.

Bombers already contacted ramma.

 

[extractasam]

Matt Hill again eye-catching at BHH today. Stupid pace.
He's like Calsher last year, has come out of nowhere and the powers-that-be down at Waverley must be pinching themselves at what they have found (as they were with Dear last year)
I'm sketchy on Ramma, but he's been BoG at BHH four times this year, and TBH there is no point in having a seconds competition if you are not going to reward effort. If they keep Dear in the side this week, I wouldn't blame Max if he just went fishing next weekend (a la Kevin Ablett when Parko dropped him lols)
Don't get me wrong, I'm all in on Dear, but here he is almost mid-season and has basically had zero pre-season, much too tough an ask for a young kid. I said it months ago, the Hawks should keep him at BHH until after the bye, after he would have had a long block of training, and playing at the lower level.

I agree Ramma should be in purely on form, but who is he coming in for realistically? If he comes in for dear are we playing Chol 100% fwd and Ramma as the relief ruck? Or is he 100% forward? I have no idea what role he plays at VFL level

 

[ReturningHawk]

Can you really bring Calsher in off no pre-season, play him for 3 quarters in Darwin and then drop him the following week? Would seem ridiculous management of a young tall if that’s what happens.

 

[Del33640]

Matt Hill again eye-catching at BHH today. Stupid pace.
He's like Calsher last year, has come out of nowhere and the powers-that-be down at Waverley must be pinching themselves at what they have found (as they were with Dear last year)

Hill makes for the most exciting reading post Box Hill games imo. He can add something we need, to an area on the ground we aren't soft in.

It's great Hardwick can come in and kick 3 goals like he did against GC.

But we miss out down back in a tight game because he's required there too. Hopefully Hill can come in and eventually become the reliable goal kicker Hardwick is. Was hoping Butler would be this player, but he might be better suited further up the ground.

Either way we need to find out if we've got a player who can cover for Hardwick either forward or back, without the difference being as obvious as it is right now. Seamus showed that he could defend and consistently win one on ones, and provide drive during his extended run at AFL level.

Wouldn't be unhappy if it's either player, since both also add considerable leg speed.

 

[bigmaxi]

The next 4 weeks are going to be pretty brutal, chances will come thru game attrition. The most exciting thing is that there Players at BHH sticking their hand up and its only mid season. Reward will come, in the meantime, the next 4 weeks, win, win, win and win!

 

[peetoo]

Please GOD can we get Serong into the seniors. He is now too good for VFL. Every single week.

Tearing up a wing apparently

 

[bigmaxi]

Tearing up a wing apparently

Great spot for him, own it and he is in, a tall marking wingman with strong defensive nous would be a great team addition.

 

[Del33640]

Great spot for him, own it and he is in, a tall marking wingman with strong defensive nous would be a great team addition.

Amon and Massimo could switch between wing and half back like last year, and it's definitely not the worst idea in the world to take a look Serrong in a more similar position to the one his brother has excelled at.

 

[kazzooka]

I agree Ramma should be in purely on form, but who is he coming in for realistically? If he comes in for dear are we playing Chol 100% fwd and Ramma as the relief ruck? Or is he 100% forward? I have no idea what role he plays at VFL level

Ramma's best position is as the number 1 ruckman.

 

[threesixpio]

If Calsh pulls up ok, he stays, no question. He's still a teenager, give him at least a couple of games to get with the speed of the game again. He'll be better for the run.

Cholly, Dear, Gunners, with the mosquito fleet at their feet, that looks pretty dangerous.

Yep. And tough game to come back to! Dear on the G I say

 

[JZedd]

Gee it will be tough to get Ramma in the seniors. He may get a shot when Meek needs to be managed or otherwise. (don't want to say that word every supporter hates)
I hope he continues his good form and puts a little pressure on Meek. A bit sad Reeves had a shot at showcasing his improvements but didn't really take them.

So I'm thinking Ramma will get the next opportunity That's IF his good form continues. Luv seeing the development of Ramma. He's a decent Ruckman but is also a dangerous forward. It's all about him being happy with his fitness and showing SOME of his strengths in the seniors....Enough for the coach to be impressed.
Personally, I think Ramma should focus on his Ruck and Forward craft until next year. So another year to build on his tank as well. Fascinating Jim.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Ramma's best position is as the number 1 ruckman.

Maybe one day in the future, but not yet. He's still a few seasons away from being able to compete IMO.

Even on the weekend, where he's earned "rave reviews" - He was well beaten in the 1st quarter before GC's main ruck was injured, and played mostly against an injured/one-legged ruck and short people. Yet he wasn't dominant, just good.

Ramma is a only a mediocre Ruck - he gets beaten by his opponent most weeks. He's also below average as a KPF, unable to get into the game against a decent opponent. He's just not physically strong enough to compete at either role yet. We've tried playing him forward, but against decent VFL KPD he doesn't have the agility or forward nous to get separation, and whilst better than most rucks, he's not a great pack mark.

Where he is best is after the Ruck contest is over - he gets around the ground better than his opponent, can link through the midfield ok, and often gets shots on goal after drifting forwards. In that way, he's something more akin to a Blicavs or (very) poor man's English/De Koning. Just try to stop the opposition ruck dominating and then contribute around the ground. English is 6 years older, and IMO has been inept as a Ruck until the last two years.

Meek has a much better balance - as a ruck he's not far behind Reeves anymore, but offers so much more around the contest, and occasionally up forward. Ramsden is significantly behind Meek and at AFL level I doubt he offers us any more than the Chol/Nash/Weddle combination.

 

[humid hawk]

Ugh this gap without hawks footy feels much longer than 9 days. It is somewhat intolerable.

 

[TylerDurden]

Big O a late out.

 

[eldorado]

Big O a late out.

He'll be missed...

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hearing rumours of injuries to Battle and Newcombe. Not sure we can afford to lose any more players.

 

[Gaston]

Feel for BMac, as he will probably make way for the cavalry that is arriving, but you had to be impressed that not once, but twice, whilst under pressure he took a bounce and comfortably ran away from his opponent in the last quarter. Either he is bat sh!t crazy or has some self confidence in his own ability and unfortunately, being on the fringes, we are not going to see more of this.

 

[MazHawk]

Ramma's best position is as the number 1 ruckman.

Unfortunately we already have two 'no.1' ruckmen who are both better than him so unless he adds a second string to his bow (for example and completely off the top of my head develops as a KPF) then he may unfortunately pay the price.

As for Serong I agree his level is better than VFL standard but again unfortunately we've seen that at the moment it isn't consistent AFL standard either.

 

[Mrzohs]

Our form doesn't look to bad, watching the Dees push the Lions away to the end!

 

[Mrzohs]

Hearing rumours of injuries to Battle and Newcombe. Not sure we can afford to lose any more players.

Newcombe would be hard to replace with our mids against a deep Lions midfield.

Battle we can cover with a lockdown role short term.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Unfortunately we already have two 'no.1' ruckmen who are both better than him so unless he adds a second string to his bow (for example and completely off the top of my head develops as a KPF) then he may unfortunately pay the price.

As for Serong I agree his level is better than VFL standard but again unfortunately we've seen that at the moment it isn't consistent AFL standard either.

Ramsden will be better than Reeves. Ramma is a great mark all around the ground, very good below his knees, a decent ruck and can kick goals!

I’d let Reeves leave before Ramma!