Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn : Pick 7, Cam MacKenzie, extends to 2026!

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[cryptor]

Teams midfields who i think we are competing with for the flag

Bris- ashcroft x 2 , mcCluggage, neale, dunkley, bailey
Freo- serong, young, brayshaw, jackson, reid
Gc - rowell, anderson, petracca , miller, humphrey

we are going to have our backs against the wall in the first half of the season.

Fortunately we only play Freo and GC in the first half. And the GC match is down in Tassie rather than up in the humidity.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

 

[Del236379]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

The 5th interchange was basically just Meek and Reeves swapping on/off.

I think Mackenzie now has a better tank after hard work and another preseason. He mentioned this in the Ralph article.

Agree he looked good v bombers. Suspect that will be his new baseline.

 

[Roddy]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

Yep, I'm optimistic that C-Mac, Wardy and Nash are going to steadily improve over the course of this year, to the point where we, are maybe not exactly a top 3 midfield in the league, but can at least compete realistically with the best midfields in the league. Then when Day comes back and stays healthy (), happy days are here.

Newc, Day, Ward, Nash, McKenzie, with Noodle and Meeky feeding them, and Wiz and C-Mac pinch-hitting, looks pretty bloody good.

 

[cryptor]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

He performed really well but I still want to see how he goes against an AFL quality side first.

 

[Whats a Battle]

He performed really well but I still want to see how he goes against an AFL quality side first.

He went pretty alright tonight.

 

[cryptor]

He went pretty alright tonight.

Very good tonight. Has developed full awareness of his surroundings. Doesn’t panic and doesn’t get snuck up on weighing up his options.

He’s in for a big year similar to Ward last year.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

He went pretty alright tonight.

Building nicely. Liked his strength over the ball, physicality around the contest and tackling. Needs to get more of the ball but is spending a lot of time on the bench.

 

[yeahbuddy0310]

Love my guy Cam, he is so crafty inside the contest, he just needs to find a bit more of the football and he will be a star.

 

[Bardo State]

We don't have anyone who moves like him. Both ways. 1st and 2nd for pressure acts in the team in his first 2 games. With 74% and 64% time on ground.

 

[I got the outside word]

I thought I was going to have to verify my age watching that purposefully looped ball he delivered inside 50.

 

[Coach Killer]

200 more games like last night is all he needs to produce and he’ll be remembered as a star of the game.

He hit the scoreboard and was excellent.

I’d like to place an order for 200 of the same thank you.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

The 5th interchange was basically just Meek and Reeves swapping on/off.

I think Mackenzie now has a better tank after hard work and another preseason. He mentioned this in the Ralph article.

Agree he looked good v bombers. Suspect that will be his new baseline.

Yes, it was mainly just Meek and Reeves. But it also creates the ability for somebody to spend longer on the bench at times. And I think that happened a few times for Cam (last night as well) and allowed him to be fresher when he went back on. And the reason I think that it what helps and I still have some questions over his tank is because at ground level, where I was sitting on the wing, too many players still seemed to peel off him too easily.

But whether it's that or he is finally developing physically, we win either way and he will start showing more consistently his best. As I said, he and Ward are going to be a great duo and could be a major difference this year if we are to shoot up into the top 4 by taking the load off Newcombe and Nash with no Day or Worps there.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Hopefully he starts pushing his possession numbers up into the mid 20's.

That will come with a higher level of fitness, which will lead to an increase in his TOG.

64% TOG vs Sydney.
74% TOG vs Essendon.

I imagine anywhere in the mid to late 70's will be the norm for midfielders league wide.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

Hopefully he starts pushing his possession numbers up into the mid 20's.

That will come with a higher level of fitness, which will lead to an increase in his TOG.

64% TOG vs Sydney.
74% TOG vs Essendon.

I imagine anywhere in the mid to late 70's will be the norm for midfielders league wide.

I think he's been a partial victim of getting the smalls/half forwards greater time in the midfield. I did notice sitting at ground level last week that his tank still doesn't appear to be the greatest and that might be why Sam virtually didn't play him in the 4th last night. But even if his time still isn't the greatest, he is more integral now to our centre bounces/stoppages and is thriving in the time on the ground he is getting.

 

[CrookedRain]

The thing that stood out for me in his game last night, was that when both sides were going hard at the contest or even in general play - many players were fumbling or making two-touch possessions; inviting pressure; feeling pressure - he was clean, one touch and assured.

When they speak of the game being about 'moments' and taking your 'moments', that doesn't always have to be capitalising on a set shot, holding a grab or finishing in front of goal.

Hats off to him. He has the tools, hopefully he can find the consistency.

 

[MrPremiership]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

Thought he was excellent, and clearance/stoppage work was instrumental (with Newk) to get us going.

Probably up there with best game he's played. Looked like he really belong.
Stepping stone for him becoming a real player

 

[Sixpence]

His first quarter, in particular, was great! If he can replicate that consistently, it'll go a long way to filling our midfield needs.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

His first, Connor's 2nd, Newk's 3rd and Ward's 4th.

It seems to happen a lot with Cam and Josh (less so with the others). I wonder if there's something in that, and the role they are fulfilling quarter by quarter.

 

[DearJai]

His first, Connor's 2nd, Newk's 3rd and Ward's 4th.

It seems to happen a lot with Cam and Josh (less so with the others). I wonder if there's something in that, and the role they are fulfilling quarter by quarter.

Great call, but I think Butler needs a mention in there somewhere too. He did some bloody good things through the middle, ran both ways, and is monster level strong in the contest.

Used that strength to advantage a bunch of times last night.

Importantly his skills, game sense and decision making are also starting to come along too.

Good times if this group keeps it up for the whole year. In the best possible way... right now our mids are all blue collar type special at their best, but really could be anything when they're the finished product.

 

[mustang]

Thought he was excellent, and clearance/stoppage work was instrumental (with Newk) to get us going.

Probably up there with best game he's played. Looked like he really belong.
Stepping stone for him becoming a real player

Having a half a season without Day and Worpel gone, may be the best thing that's happened to this side as it gives the likes of McKenzie,Ward and MacDonald, Butler a clear run in the midfield.

Hopefully they take the opportunity and when Day does return they are doing so well that we play Day in the HB Burgoyne role and we have that break glass in case of emergency player again, so we can protect Day body from being a full time midfielder.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Having a half a season without Day and Worpel gone, may be the best thing that's happened to this side as it gives the likes of McKenzie,Ward and MacDonald, Butler a clear run in the midfield.

Hopefully they take the opportunity and when Day does return they are doing so well that we play Day in the HB Burgoyne role and we have that break glass in case of emergency player again, so we can protect Day body from being a full time midfielder.

Bang on and all have higher ceilings in the potential stakes than Worps. It’s growing pains necessary to unearth a better midfield.

 

[HedgeFund]

Bang on and all have higher ceilings in the potential stakes than Worps. It’s growing pains necessary to unearth a better midfield.

I’d be astonished if the individual outputs of Ward and MacKenzie for Hawthorn in the next 5 years aren’t comfortably greater than Worpel at Geelong in the same time.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

I'm not sure why nobody has commented here since last week. But Cam Mackenzie was brilliant on return.

He has always looked good dancing through traffic, but he looked even sharper and cleaner under pressure. His decision-making and kicking looked better as well.

But the thing that seemed to help him most was the 5-man interchange. He seemed so much fresher attending a centre-bounce and I think that is reflected in his marks and tackle numbers. It may mean his tank still isn't the greatest, but he should undoubtedly be one of the most successful exponents of the new rule. Probably a top 5 performance from him for us thus far. He and Ward are going to be a very effective duo for us going forward. They link brilliantly and know each other, whether it be at the centre bounce or reading the transition out of defence with Ward's two-way running. It wasn't our greatest performance, but Cam's improvement certainly was a standout at ground level.

I reckon it’s a really astute observation and his TOG suggested this.

For me it seems we have said to him win first possession whereas previously we seemed to be trying to make him a centre square receiver but he looks to now be playing on instinct and far more comfortable.

Plus it also looks like we have said to him when you get it run at the goals don’t dance around to the side. Like Burger used to do get it and straight line it at the goals. It’s made him look quicker and more damaging rather than being a delicate little player trying to bite off cute little kicks.

And I have noticed a strength of Ward is his vice like hands. He’s starting to be really good with his ball security whereas previously was a bit of a fumbler. So some of the elite talents in both starting to show through.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Frenchie has definitely been running through the front half of the stoppage which is a change from previous years where he would try to make space for himself to dispose of it by dodging and weaving