Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Jack Dalton

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Heard from someone who should know, that Dalts has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations of him.

If there's a bolter in Round 1 I'd stake good money on it being him.

He's apparently like a sponge - just soaking up all the instructions, and just wants to learn more.

He's been held back from some sessions as his training is unbelievable for a first year player.

This kid has got a huge future and I'm delighted it's with us.

He's going to be quite some player.

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Looks in great shape at training today (courtesy of Pinoy Hawk)

I think he should play at Box Hill until 2029. We can't rush them.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I was just thinking to myself today that it's going to be difficult for the new recruits to crack a spot in the team as we are so well stocked across all the lines.

But the one type of player we lack is a high possession winning midfielder with speed so that's got to give Jack a big boost to have a red hot crack this pre season to stake a spot in Round 1 (still unlikely but it's possible).

 

[MrPremiership]

There’s now an extra spot available with 5 on the bench. A few will be competing for it, but I do hope that early in the year we use the extra flex to blood some youngsters.

Would think Reeves already has that 5th spot locked away

 

[H00t]

Would think Reeves already has that 5th spot locked away

It’ll probably be trialled but a second ruck will be even less important with the new out of bounds rule.

Having an extra runner means your whole team can go harder for longer

 

[To the Hawk]

Would think Reeves already has that 5th spot locked away

I was thinking similar, but then I just can't see us playing all of Gunston, Lewis, Dear, Chol, Meek and Reeves..

It will be an interesting watch and I suspect we will see several combinations across the year.

 

[Dewnior]

But the one type of player we lack is a high possession winning midfielder with speed so that's got to give Jack a big boost to have a red hot crack this pre season to stake a spot in Round 1 (still unlikely but it's possible).

The player we lack is a goal kicking power mid in the mould of a Reid or Humphrey or peak Petracca.

Jack is an endurance mid and doesn't have the size or power to play a Reid or Humphrey role. He is better suited as a HHF or maybe even developed as a small running defender.

 

[MrPremiership]

I was thinking similar, but then I just can't see us playing all of Gunston, Lewis, Dear, Chol, Meek and Reeves..

It will be an interesting watch and I suspect we will see several combinations across the year.

I can very much see us do that.

 

[MrPremiership]

It’ll probably be trialled but a second ruck will be even less important with the new out of bounds rule.

Having an extra runner means your whole team can go harder for longer

or you just recruit running players, and play the 2nd ruck

 

[H00t]

or you just recruit running players, and play the 2nd ruck

We’ve already seen with the sub position how much of an advantage it is to be able to run out games strongly. Doesn’t matter how fit you are. More rest means faster running at the end of the game.

 

[To the Hawk]

I can very much see us do that.

Unlikely for me.

We tried the 4 talls and Meek and ultimately reverted to 3 and Meek when it mattered.

Can't see us jumping from 4 to 6... 5 I can with the removal of the sub.

We're in a good space with competition for spots amongst the 6 mentioned.

 

[The Chad and I]

The player we lack is a goal kicking power mid in the mould of a Reid or Humphrey or peak Petracca.

Jack is an endurance mid and doesn't have the size or power to play a Reid or Humphrey role. He is better suited as a HHF or maybe even developed as a small running defender.

Agree.
Dalton has it all except speed.
To win the B&F in just 9 games after breaking both wrists shows incredible determination and talent.
He's almost the complete package, but man, I wish he could add just a touch of speed.

 

[MrPremiership]

Unlikely for me.

We tried the 4 talls and Meek and ultimately reverted to 3 and Meek when it mattered.

Can't see us jumping from 4 to 6... 5 I can with the removal of the sub.

We're in a good space with competition for spots amongst the 6 mentioned.

Reeves isn't signing a 3 year deal without a promise of getting games.


Not saying Dalts cant crack the side another way

 

[DearJai]

Agree.
Dalton has it all except speed.
To win the B&F in just 9 games after breaking both wrists shows incredible determination and talent.
He's almost the complete package, but man, I wish he could add just a touch of speed.

How was his 20M sprint? Hard to fathom how there is nothing easily available to see on that front.

It's impossible to tell from such a small sample size, but he does look more Tom Mitchell than Lachie Neale in the pace department. Good news is though, he'd be in that Mitchell mold of vision, game sense and ball winning ability. Regardless of where he might fall on the scale of being as good as Titch, he already has him covered for running ability, and is a much neater kick.

But would be great if he'd be able to sprint away from contests over 20 meters all day as well. Has to be the reason he slipped, in addition to the injury.

 

[DearJai]

CMac for me.

I'm not a fan of Moore as a mid tbh. Hardly notice him in there and feels more a B grade mid.

Spot on. If he's cleaned up his defensive game, his agility and slippery movement to escape congestion would be a huge asset.

C Mac is an inside mid playing half forward. The one knock was his accountability.

If it's fixed it's surely time to start taking a look at him in there also.

 

[I got the outside word]

Reeves isn't signing a 3 year deal without a promise of getting games.


Not saying Dalts cant crack the side another way

Frost isn’t requesting a trade if he’s being told he is best 22. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.

Not saying anyone is wrong, but the best options will be utilized and I would imagine players know this.

 

[MrPremiership]

Frost isn’t requesting a trade if he’s being told he is best 22. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.

Not saying anyone is wrong, but the best options will be utilized and I would imagine players know this.

And Frost played the first few games of the season

 

[I got the outside word]

And Frost played the first few games of the season

And it didn’t work out.

 

[The Gulden Child]

We’ve already seen with the sub position how much of an advantage it is to be able to run out games strongly. Doesn’t matter how fit you are. More rest means faster running at the end of the game.

A lot of people are saying this. Are the Hawks ahead of the comp in this (i.e runnning games out)? If not do many sides have two competent rucks?

 

[To the Hawk]

Reeves isn't signing a 3 year deal without a promise of getting games.


Not saying Dalts cant crack the side another way

I don't disagree with that. And I do think we will try 2 rucks. Reeves might even back himself to go past Meek.

But my point remains. I highly doubt we play all 6. Especially as we went with 4 when it mattered in finals given the importance of a ground ball game and run.

If/when we play Reeves I think one of Gunston, Dear, Lewis or Chol won't be playing. Chol might be at risk given he's used as second ruck. Gunston might be rested more. Lewis and Dear might be around form.

Meek needs to be rested also as he looked gassed late in the year.

I think Reeves will get games noting the above, but it remains to be seen what is the best mix of 5 at most.

Related, but as an aside, we struggled to lock the ball in our front half in 2025. A strength of ours in 2024. I expect this to be a focus for us next year. I really liked Butler playing forward/mid as opposed to the extra tall for that reason.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Finn as a defensive forward either, noting he appears to be training more forward and we get carved up by damaging half-backs.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

And it didn’t work out.

Because of his form not a broken promise by the club as a number of people around here seem to overlook.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Because of his form not a broken promise by the club as a number of people around here seem to overlook.

Not just his form. Frosty had a leg injury and it was a massive interruption on his pre season. Sadly For a man his age he couldn't give himself the best chance to make the team through injury. It has become more and more apparent that a pre season makes or breaks a players season. One only has to look at Gunston as an example

 

[marklar]

Not just his form. Frosty had a leg injury and it was a massive interruption on his pre season. Sadly For a man his age he couldn't give himself the best chance to make the team through injury. It has become more and more apparent that a pre season makes or breaks a players season. One only has to look at Gunston as an example

Cleanup in aisle 9 please, what the ? does this have to do with Jack Dalton?

 

[The Chad and I]

How was his 20M sprint? Hard to fathom how there is nothing easily available to see on that front.

It's impossible to tell from such a small sample size, but he does look more Tom Mitchell than Lachie Neale in the pace department. Good news is though, he'd be in that Mitchell mold of vision, game sense and ball winning ability. Regardless of where he might fall on the scale of being as good as Titch, he already has him covered for running ability, and is a much neater kick.

But would be great if he'd be able to sprint away from contests over 20 meters all day as well. Has to be the reason he slipped, in addition to the injury.

Not sure, but just watch ALL of his highlights clips.
Opponents consistently close ground on him.
I'd almost say every time he's near the ball.

The good thing is he rarely seem to get caught with the ball, so he has the game sense and skills to execute quick decisions, but at AFL level the pressure is even higher and pace much quicker. So let's see.

I think he's got plenty to work with and become a quality player.

 

[DearJai]

Not sure, but just watch ALL of his highlights clips.
Opponents consistently close ground on him.
I'd almost say every time he's near the ball.

The good thing is he rarely seem to get caught with the ball, so he has the game sense and skills to execute quick decisions, but at AFL level the pressure is even higher and pace much quicker. So let's see.

I think he's got plenty to work with and become a quality player.

That stood out to me also, the space was getting closed up quickly, or there were hands on him.

That said, there is a career for a player who can get first hands on the ball every day of the week, as long as they can dish off like he seems able to.

Pretty positive to hear that he’s a sponge for advice and knowledge, our coach in particular has time for the self improvers.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Cleanup in aisle 9 please, what the ? does this have to do with Jack Dalton?

Yeah sorry was responding to others in the thread