Unofficial Preview 2015 Three-peat??

[Goodo73]

At what point did I say anyone was talking up Hawthorn over Geelong?

Oh, I dunno .... how about here?

There's about 10 people on this thread alone discussing it.

"it" = talking about the merits of Hawthorn's recent run versus Geelong's one in 2007-11.

 

[Hotham Hawk]

With everything else we've had to endure this year I'm grateful we didn't have any season ending injuries to key players.

I can't see how we could have as much against us next year as we did this year, mind you I thought the same about 2013. All going well we are in as good a spot as any to go B2B2B. Bring on 2015! Cant wait

Gee we're a spoilt lot at Hawthorn

 

[MrFujiMoto]

Absolutely it's possible. In my opinion this year we were VERY lucky with injuries. We didn't have one season ending injury (other than Anderson maybe, but sounds like we took the conservative approach). Sure we had a lot going down through the year, but they were spaced throughout the season, and for players like Mitchell, Lake and Gibbo it almost worked in our favour in terms of resting them coming into Sept. The fact we had our best side avail on last Sat in Sept was indicative that we did pretty well

I wouldn't say it was lucky. We were hit very hard in the middle part of the year. No year is lucky when you are missing Lake, Mitchell, Gibson, Stratton, Rioli, Whitecross and Sewell for 8+ games each. Add to that your coach being out for an undisclosed length of time and we were very lucky we have strong systems and great depth, depth that we didn't really know much about at the top level. We were forced to blood new players this year and we were forced to rest stars, and that is a great positive from the injuries, but we were hardly lucky. There is a reason the media were coming out after about round 12 and saying, If Hawthorn get the the GF this year it will be a mighty effort. Most of them then went on to say, it is highly unlikely they will get there.

 

[MC_9]

I think Whitecross would be a great sub. He is a very versatile player, and I think he could come on and have an impact. I do think that a fit Whitecross is best 22.

My best for 2015:

FB: J.Gibson - B.Lake - B.Stratton
HB: G.Birchall - J.Frawley - L.Hodge
C: I.Smith - S.Mitchell - B.Hill
HF: L.Bruest - J.Gunston - C.Rioli
FF: P.Puopulo - J.Roughead - D.Hale

R: B.McEvoy
RR: J.Lewis
R: S.Burgoyne

INT: W.Langford - L.Shiels - J.Anderson
SUB: B.Whitecross

Depth:

M.Suckling
R.Shoenmakers
J.Ceglar
T.Duryea
M.Spangher
J.Simpkin
A.Litherland
A.Woodward
M.Hallahan
J.Sciliy
J.O'Rouke

 

[Todman]

I think that a three-peat is easier now that $ydney has lost Malceski to the GC Suns. The $wines have also talked Goodes and Shaw into committing for another year. Both are list cloggers now. Goodes is a sniper that should have retired years ago. He won't last a full season. Shaw is a big game panicker.

The main threat is now Port and our lack of hunger.

 

[dcutter]

Unquestionably a huge chance to catapult ourselves into footballing immortality.

Backline: will be as strong as its ever been. The addition of frawley seemingly bolsters what was previously seen as a chink in the armour. Now arguably our strongest part of the ground, and strongest defence in the league.

Centreline: any thoughts here that this is where we may be the most vulnerable?
We make up for any weakness here with some serious versatility with a huge number of players able to run through here. Though I still reckon we may be short of a premium mid in here in the ilk of fyfe, cotchin, pendles, watson, boak, selwood. Langford gets another pre season and has further scope for improvement. A few guys coming back from injury in anderson and whitecross. Interesting to see how much woodward can come on with further exposure expected next year. If we break even here for most of the season we will again go a long way.

Forward line: Again arguably the best forward combination in the league w sydney. Roughy, gunners, bruest, riolo, puopolo and possibly frawley able to push forward.

Depth: Will surely again bat deeper than any other team. Whitecross, anderson, hallahan, woodward, hartung all pushing to play in the midfield. Spangher, shoey, cheyney all vying for a spot in an already strong back line. The one player I can't wait to see have a go is Sicily there is something about this guy, maybe another year off but hopefully will get some exposure next year.

Ruckman: Again strong as its ever been. Ceglar, big boy and hale are as good a combination as we've had in a long time.

In terms of other teams:
Port Adelaide - a young list with the potential addition of ryder makes these guys a formidable team with further scope for improvement. Massive danger.
Geelong: will still be strong with the addition of clarke. However may be carrying too many older heads.
Sydney - again can't see this team getting better with a blue collar, ageing back line that got found out on the big stage. Just lost malceski. Again I don't believe this team bats as deep as hawthorn list wise. Extremely good midfield however and motivation will be no doubt be a driving force. Should go top 4 again.
Fremantle - can't seem them getting much better as their list is extremely vulnerable depth wise with the typical ross lyon stubbornness of not blooding new players, seemingly their fate rests with the injury gods. With a full though can certainly push any team.


North melbourne - still don't rate this team for some reason. They reek of a team that is overrating their list. The ultimate 5th placed team. Better than the other 13 teams but a good way off the top 4. Jury is out on their new additions in higgins and waite. If all goes to plan will certainly push top 4 again but still lack the class to push for a premiership.

Other teams who have scope for improvement Gold coast and Adelaide. Possibly richmond but other than that can't see any other team able to push top 4.

We make top 4 this year and with a touch more luck with injury, which shouldn't take much, a 3rd straight flag is a very strong possibility.

 

[Badesumofu]

The competition for spots is going to be intense if there are periods with few/no injuries. Just adding Chips, WhiteX, and Mr. Anderson to the current squad makes it seriously hard. Then you would expect a few of Hallahan, Woodward, Sicily, Hartung etc to have a breakout year and make it even tougher. Think next year could actually be our best yet in the Clarko era.

 

[kolchak]

FB: J.Gibson - B.Lake - A.Litherland
HB: G.Birchall - J.Frawley - L.Hodge
C: I.Smith - S.Mitchell - B.Hill
HF: L.Bruest - J.Gunston - S.Burgoyne
FF: D.Hale - J.Roughead - C.Rioli

R: B.McEvoy
RR: J.Lewis
R: W.Langford

INT/SUB FROM: Duryea - L.Shiels - B.Whitecross - Anderson - J.Sciliy - Suckling - P.Puopulo

 

[MC_9]

FB: J.Gibson - B.Lake - A.Litherland
HB: G.Birchall - J.Frawley - L.Hodge
C: I.Smith - S.Mitchell - B.Hill
HF: L.Bruest - J.Gunston - S.Burgoyne
FF: D.Hale - J.Roughead - C.Rioli

R: B.McEvoy
RR: J.Lewis
R: W.Langford

INT/SUB FROM: Duryea - L.Shiels - B.Whitecross - Anderson - J.Sciliy - Suckling - P.Puopulo

Stratts?

 

[kolchak]

Stratts?

No Stratts.

 

[dcutter]

I think hartung has to get a serious look in next year. To go with port we are going to need extra pace. A side with hill, smith and hartung makes us considerably quicker.
I'm guessing the three could rotate from the bench all game which makes it harder for teams to attempt to cut down our speed by tagging one of these guys which was a common tactic by opposing teams later in the year.

 

[Hawks Supporter]

FB: J.Gibson - B.Lake - A.Litherland
HB: G.Birchall - J.Frawley - L.Hodge
C: I.Smith - S.Mitchell - B.Hill
HF: L.Bruest - J.Gunston - S.Burgoyne
FF: D.Hale - J.Roughead - C.Rioli

R: B.McEvoy
RR: J.Lewis
R: W.Langford

INT/SUB FROM: Duryea - L.Shiels - B.Whitecross - Anderson - J.Sciliy - Suckling - P.Puopulo

sheils? suckling? Puopolo? r in the 22

 

[Roddy]

They would never admit it of course, but these best 22s will be sending the cold hand of fear coursing through every opposition supporter. Absolutely formidable. Like someone else said, only motivation is a possible factor here. 2014 proved that even a horrendous run of injuries can't stop us...

 

[Neville Bartos]

I see our chances of success in our depth within certain areas.

For example, if Lake goes down next year, we can replace him with Frawley with a likely chance of success. If Mitchell goes down, we have Langford, Woodward, Anderson, Simpkin etc. to step in.

Irreplaceable:

Roughead
Gunston

Will struggle without:

Gibson
Lewis
Hill
Smith
Breust
Stratton
Burgoyne

Some depth:

Birchall
Frawley
Lake
Puopolo
Rioli
Hodge
Mitchell
Langford

Fighting for their spots:

Spangher
Ceglar
McEvoy
Hale
Duryea
Simpkin
Litherland
Anderson
Whitecross

We looked impotent without Roughead or Gunston in the team this year. Stratton is our best shut-down defender, Gibson holds the back 6 together, Lewis our best and now most creative mid, Hill & Smith provide most of our spread and pace while Breust just gives us scoreboard pressure. I don't see any of those guys easily replaced so presuming we can keep those guys on the park for most of the year, there's no reason why we can't perform to similar levels this year.

 

[Baz_hawk]

Would be nice to three-peat but history tells you that it is incredibly difficult to do and with clubs like Port Adelaide and North Melbourne really prospering and no doubt others on the rise its going to take something special to maintain our position going forward. Our midfield will really begin the transition period next year with Anderson a huge chance to cement his spot, Woodward and Hallahan really knocking on the door and the possibility of O'Rouke coming into the mix also. Kelly may be another to watch as he was really consistent in the second half of the year playing through the midfield.

Our best 22 is really hard to predict but I'll have a stab at it....

FB: Gibson Lake Duryea
HB: Hodge Frawley Birchall
Ce: Hill Langford Smith
HF: Rioli Gunston Lewis
FF: Breust Roughead Puopolo

Fol: Ceglar Anderson Mitchell

Int: McEvoy Burgoyne Litherland O'Rourke

Then I realise that Shiels, Hale, Stratton & Whitecross are all missing. God damn it it's not gonna be easy at the selection table next year....

 

[Rushed_Behind]

I think we as a club have moved on from a best 22 to a variable 22. Recently in press conferences Clarko has always referred to our selections as a squad and horses for courses. They will conjure the best method of beating an opposition and pick the most suitable 22 to carry that out.

On a side note, can someone who knows the internet better than me find all those posts from Swines fans making fun of our depth. Geez they're footy intelligence borders on non existent.

 

[seysearles]

Worth a listen to Terry Wallace breakdown the Hawks list....

https://soundcloud.com/nabtraderadi...ndcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Jiggystoon]

We are going to be stronger again next year, our depth looks equally as solid, with the addition of Frawley our backline is at its strongest for many years, our midfield looks well stocked to go again, especially with some of the younger guys coming through to play some footy, plus guys coming back from injury, our forward line will kick them for fun again, our ruck division will be good enough to get the job done again, top 4 would be a minimum I would have thought, we should even be looking at the top 2, obviously plenty to happen between now and then but I see no reason why it cant and wont happen, the key could equally sit with where some of the other teams sit,

• Port are the only one that look certain to improve to the extent that they could win the flag, young and hungry list with a quality coach, genuine home ground advantage, got a good taste this year which will hold them in good stead, top 4 lock for me, possible top 2
  
• Sydney will no doubt be there abouts, they will be hungry but im not sure that will be any better then this year, possibly weaker with the loss of Malceski, the fact that they were so desperate for Goodes to go again might tell a story about where they are, still should finish in the 4.
  
• Freo bat very shallow and only seem to be an injury or two away from falling away, good enough on their day but it takes more then that to win a flag, can finish in the 4 but far from certain.
• Adelaide might surprise a few, new coach could bring some surprises.
• North, I think they are a little bit overrated, good team but not good enough to win the flag, could push top 4 but thats it, Waite might help but is too inconsistent and overrated, Higgins will prob only make it through half the year.
• West Coast shouldnt be discounted, if they have their way with injuries I think they can hurt some teams next year.
• Geelong, who knows? I think we will finally see some regression from them, especially if the players they said are leaving actually do eg Lonergan and Christiansen etc
• Outside of that I cant see anyone else even looking like it.

Looking forward to next year already, if the hunger is still there, 3 in a row is quite a carrot to dangle, especially if there are a few boys that havent got to experience one yet eg Whitecross, we are well placed

 

[theonico]

I think Whitecross would be a great sub. He is a very versatile player, and I think he could come on and have an impact. I do think that a fit Whitecross is best 22.

My best for 2015:

FB: J.Gibson - B.Lake - B.Stratton
HB: G.Birchall - J.Frawley - L.Hodge
C: I.Smith - S.Mitchell - B.Hill
HF: L.Bruest - J.Gunston - C.Rioli
FF: P.Puopulo - J.Roughead - D.Hale

R: B.McEvoy
RR: J.Lewis
R: S.Burgoyne

INT: W.Langford - L.Shiels - J.Anderson
SUB: B.Whitecross

Depth:

M.Suckling
R.Shoenmakers
J.Ceglar
T.Duryea
M.Spangher
J.Simpkin
A.Litherland
A.Woodward
M.Hallahan
J.Sciliy
J.O'Rouke

that depth is embarrassing, the players outside of your first 22 are the nucleus of another team that in itself would be extremely competitive. bloody hell I can't wait for 2015.

 

[MC_9]

that depth is embarrassing, the players outside of your first 22 are the nucleus of another team that in itself would be extremely competitive. bloody hell I can't wait for 2015.

Quite amazing isn't it. 4 x premiership players, 2 x JJ liston winners.

 

[HolyRioli]

We are going to be stronger again next year, our depth looks equally as solid, with the addition of Frawley our backline is at its strongest for many years, our midfield looks well stocked to go again, especially with some of the younger guys coming through to play some footy, plus guys coming back from injury, our forward line will kick them for fun again, our ruck division will be good enough to get the job done again, top 4 would be a minimum I would have thought, we should even be looking at the top 2, obviously plenty to happen between now and then but I see no reason why it cant and wont happen, the key could equally sit with where some of the other teams sit,

• Port are the only one that look certain to improve to the extent that they could win the flag, young and hungry list with a quality coach, genuine home ground advantage, got a good taste this year which will hold them in good stead, top 4 lock for me, possible top 2
  
• Sydney will no doubt be there abouts, they will be hungry but im not sure that will be any better then this year, possibly weaker with the loss of Malceski, the fact that they were so desperate for Goodes to go again might tell a story about where they are, still should finish in the 4.
  
• Freo bat very shallow and only seem to be an injury or two away from falling away, good enough on their day but it takes more then that to win a flag, can finish in the 4 but far from certain.
• Adelaide might surprise a few, new coach could bring some surprises.
• North, I think they are a little bit overrated, good team but not good enough to win the flag, could push top 4 but thats it, Waite might help but is too inconsistent and overrated, Higgins will prob only make it through half the year.
• West Coast shouldnt be discounted, if they have their way with injuries I think they can hurt some teams next year.
• Geelong, who knows? I think we will finally see some regression from them, especially if the players they said are leaving actually do eg Lonergan and Christiansen etc
• Outside of that I cant see anyone else even looking like it.

Looking forward to next year already, if the hunger is still there, 3 in a row is quite a carrot to dangle, especially if there are a few boys that havent got to experience one yet eg Whitecross, we are well placed

Gold Coast is the other one who could and should make a run at the top 8. I know their second half of the year was purtrid when Ablett went down, and there's some questions over the severity of his shoulder, but they have some class players who are only going to continue to improve. Lynch looks a gem, and Day is starting to get there as well. Malceski will help