Fixture 2022 Fixture

[Tarkyn_24]

No reason why Sidebottom at 31 can’t return to top 8. After ‘falling off a cliff’ last year not a walk up start, at this point in time, in my opinion.

Club clearly viewed his 2021 differently -
Gavin Brown Award (pressure): Steele Sidebottom

Must’ve been awarded it for his ability to put his teammates under unnecessary pressure

 

[Carringbush2010]

What do the bands mean? Are they flexible or stiff?

Are we getting the band back together?

Lol.

 

[Carringbush2010]

Interesting fixture.

Just want to see good development of player and game, we'll see how that pans out, finals unlikely but you never know we could do a syd of 2021 - even though their development was well ahead of where we are now than at the start of the year for them.

Development will be crucial to rebalancing the list and because it's so raw I'm not expecting the planets to align this year, but I am expecting positive development as far as the FD is concerned.

Given the evenness of the competition we could finish anywhere from 5th to last. Likely somewhere in between, 7 or more wins would be a positive imo.

 

[Maggie5]

Interesting fixture.

Just want to see good development of player and game, we'll see how that pans out, finals unlikely but you never know we could do a syd of 2021 - even though their development was well ahead of where we are now than at the start of the year for them.

Development will be crucial to rebalancing the list and because it's so raw I'm not expecting the planets to align this year, but I am expecting positive development as far as the FD is concerned.

Given the evenness of the competition we could finish anywhere from 5th to last. Likely somewhere in between, 7 or more wins would be a positive imo.

I am looking to being in the 8 with our draw, maybe too optimistic?

 

[Carringbush2010]

I am looking to being in the 8 with our draw, maybe too optimistic?

Probably, hard to say, such an even comp these days there's every chance.

What is for certain, we're behind every other team in development and we have a very unbalanced list both positionally and in age demographic.

On the counter, there is much optimism and a virtually new off field personnel base - the breath of fresh air. We still have blue chip players on that list, it's just a matter of developing a support base around them (young player development) and creating a game that uses the strengths of the players (game development).

Does the draw help us? Well it certainly should! seeing how we finished 2nd bottom!

And again, the evenness of the comp - anything could happen. I'm just hoping for positive progress in that development to build a team that is sustained in contention and hopefully a flag or two out of it. Def before the blose or the bomb outs. Finals this year would be a bonus but not impossible.

 

[Herzog]

Too many people have written us off because we finished second last in 2021 after finishing in the 8 and winning an interstate final in 2020. Why was there such a dramatic drop off from one season to the next?

I believe it was because of the horrendous trade period, Eddie's stuff up with the Do Better Report, Buckley becoming stale with the players, the speculation about Ed's future and eventually stepping down, the constant speculation about Buckley's future and eventual stepping down. Key players like JDG and Moore missing multiple weeks through injury didn't help either. JDG's legal issues.

Now with all that addressed (with JDG's current legal issue to be addressed before the season starts) plus the continuing improvement of our younger players, then surely we shoot back up the ladder?

 

[Jen2310]

Too many people have written us off because we finished second last in 2021 after finishing in the 8 and winning an interstate final in 2020. Why was there such a dramatic drop off from one season to the next?

I believe it was because of the horrendous trade period, Eddie's stuff up with the Do Better Report, Buckley becoming stale with the players, the speculation about Ed's future and eventually stepping down, the constant speculation about Buckley's future and eventual stepping down. Key players like JDG and Moore missing multiple weeks through injury didn't help either. JDG's legal issues.

Now with all that addressed (with JDG's current legal issue to be addressed before the season starts) plus the continuing improvement of our younger players, then surely we shoot back up the ladder?

100% our off field stuff took a huge toll, even if they refuse to admit. There was barely one given day since last summer that we werent talked about or something was going on. After the whole trade debacle, there was the eddie stuff, Lumumba, the board issues, de goey. Then there was terrible on field performances. Injuries to key personnel. Bucks' dismissal.

What we have is not a bottom 2 or bottom 4 team. Take away the kids and majority of them played in a GF, and two final series after that.

Yes, we are now a young group after retirements and such. But we can make a better impact with better game plan/ball movement. Intergrate the kids and support them with experience as they can grow, and I don't see why we can't move up the ladder.

 

[sr36]

Too many people have written us off because we finished second last in 2021 after finishing in the 8 and winning an interstate final in 2020. Why was there such a dramatic drop off from one season to the next?

I believe it was because of the horrendous trade period, Eddie's stuff up with the Do Better Report, Buckley becoming stale with the players, the speculation about Ed's future and eventually stepping down, the constant speculation about Buckley's future and eventual stepping down. Key players like JDG and Moore missing multiple weeks through injury didn't help either. JDG's legal issues.

Now with all that addressed (with JDG's current legal issue to be addressed before the season starts) plus the continuing improvement of our younger players, then surely we shoot back up the ladder?

We've got some bloody good players still. Our depth is the real issue. Some kids are going to have to come on very quickly for us to push the 8, but it's definitely not out of the question.

 

[Herzog]

We've got some bloody good players still. Our depth is the real issue. Some kids are going to have to come on very quickly for us to push the 8, but it's definitely not out of the question.

Yes. Bianco, Poulter, Mccreery, Ginnivan, Macrae, Henry and Ruscoe all showed good signs in 2021. If they build on that we'll improve and move up the ladder.

 

[Carringbush2010]

Too many people have written us off because we finished second last in 2021 after finishing in the 8 and winning an interstate final in 2020. Why was there such a dramatic drop off from one season to the next?

I believe it was because of the horrendous trade period, Eddie's stuff up with the Do Better Report, Buckley becoming stale with the players, the speculation about Ed's future and eventually stepping down, the constant speculation about Buckley's future and eventual stepping down. Key players like JDG and Moore missing multiple weeks through injury didn't help either. JDG's legal issues.

Now with all that addressed (with JDG's current legal issue to be addressed before the season starts) plus the continuing improvement of our younger players, then surely we shoot back up the ladder?

100% our off field stuff took a huge toll, even if they refuse to admit. There was barely one given day since last summer that we werent talked about or something was going on. After the whole trade debacle, there was the eddie stuff, Lumumba, the board issues, de goey. Then there was terrible on field performances. Injuries to key personnel. Bucks' dismissal.

What we have is not a bottom 2 or bottom 4 team. Take away the kids and majority of them played in a GF, and two final series after that.

Yes, we are now a young group after retirements and such. But we can make a better impact with better game plan/ball movement. Intergrate the kids and support them with experience as they can grow, and I don't see why we can't move up the ladder.

We've got some bloody good players still. Our depth is the real issue. Some kids are going to have to come on very quickly for us to push the 8, but it's definitely not out of the question.

Some good points here, I agree the 'wheels fell off' in a 'perfect storm' >Trade period 2020, Bucks, Ed, injury luck etc. <

List quality is not really the issue, it's the imbalance that's the issue, both positionally and age demographically. Also, it's arguable we're last in terms of development in the comp i:e fresh beginning - new FD and a raw list.

If the planets align and the footy gods frown on the opposition we win the comp, but that's not gonna happen.

What I think is likely, given the fixture, Fly and co will be intent on development, both game and player. Anymore than 7-8 wins will be a bonus to a hopefully positive development in game.

Yeah I know our list quality is better than 8 wins but quality is not the problem - it's the imbalance. I still expect a bottom 4 finish but a 'light at the end of the tunnel' type. If that makes sense.

 

[Jen2310]

Some good points here, I agree the 'wheels fell off' in a 'perfect storm' >Trade period 2020, Bucks, Ed, injury luck etc. <

List quality is not really the issue, it's the imbalance that's the issue, both positionally and age demographically. Also, it's arguable we're last in terms of development in the comp i:e fresh beginning - new FD and a raw list.

If the planets align and the footy gods frown on the opposition we win the comp, but that's not gonna happen.

What I think is likely, given the fixture, Fly and co will be intent on development, both game and player. Anymore than 7-8 wins will be a bonus to a hopefully positive development in game.

Yeah I know our list quality is better than 8 wins but quality is not the problem - it's the imbalance. I still expect a bottom 4 finish but a 'light at the end of the tunnel' type. If that makes sense.

That is very true. The inbalance is an issue for sure, and we started to correct that slowly in the trade period. But more work needs to be done.
We have:
3x 18 year olds
9 x 19 year olds
4 x 20 year olds
3 x 21 year olds
3 x 22 year olds
3 x 23 year olds
3 x 24 year olds
3 x 25 year olds
1x 26 year old
1x 27 year old
5 x 28 year olds
1 x 29 year old
1 x 30 year old
3 x 31 year olds
1 x 33 year old (will be 34 next month)

 

[Carringbush2010]

That is very true. The inbalance is an issue for sure, and we started to correct that slowly in the trade period. But more work needs to be done.
We have:
3x 18 year olds
9 x 19 year olds
4 x 20 year olds
3 x 21 year olds
3 x 22 year olds
3 x 23 year olds
3 x 24 year olds
3 x 25 year olds
1x 26 year old
1x 27 year old
5 x 28 year olds
1 x 29 year old
1 x 30 year old
3 x 31 year olds
1 x 33 year old (will be 34 next month)

Yeah our age and game experience is a problem.

Best 22 between 23 and 29 yo (the sweet spot).

Correct me if I'm wrong Jen, or if I'm missed any.

Moore, Bruzzy, DeGoey, Billy, Crispy, Grundy, Tay, Hyphen, Checkers

Some fine players, however if we gauge that against current contenders, it's thin in quantity and as injury usually happens, well..........

It all comes down to how quick and well our young KP (and not KP) develop. If it goes well, we'll certainly contend and soon.

 

[stormskye]

Yeah our age and game experience is a problem.

Best 22 between 23 and 29 yo (the sweet spot).

Correct me if I'm wrong Jen, or if I'm missed any.

Moore, Bruzzy, DeGoey, Billy, Crispy, Grundy, Tay, Hyphen, Checkers

Some fine players, however if we gauge that against current contenders, it's thin in quantity and as injury usually happens, well..........

It all comes down to how quick and well our young KP (and not KP) develop. If it goes well, we'll certainly contend and soon.

Defensively we are good bar injuries to Moore and Howe. Our back 6 is top 4 material. Our midfield and forward lines are the issue and won’t be fixed for a good 2 years, hopefully with the kids coming on, and at least getting one elite KPF in the interim. Melb won it without one, but you generally need them. We seriously lack anyone kicking over 40 consistently. It’s a big hole. In part a new game plan may fix this somewhat

 

[Jen2310]

Yeah our age and game experience is a problem.

Best 22 between 23 and 29 yo (the sweet spot).

Correct me if I'm wrong Jen, or if I'm missed any.

Moore, Bruzzy, DeGoey, Billy, Crispy, Grundy, Tay, Hyphen, Checkers

Some fine players, however if we gauge that against current contenders, it's thin in quantity and as injury usually happens, well..........

It all comes down to how quick and well our young KP (and not KP) develop. If it goes well, we'll certainly contend and soon.

Yeah, our depth are kids, which we discovered last year we had to rush them.

Daicos is 23,is prob the only one from 23-29 you missed.

I think Lippa will help the age bracket for the best 22, but otherwise, yeah, its a bit thing.

We can only hope some of the kids take another step in their development, because we soon need them to overtake the likes of some of the older players as they will only have a couple years left.

We have 23 players with 0-20 games experience
[Murley, McMahon, Reef, Johnson, Harrison, Draper, Dean, N,Daicos, Chugg, Begg, Krueger, Kelly, Wilson, Keane, Ginnivan, Macrae, Henry, Poulter, Bianco, McCreery, Ruscoe, Murphy, T.Brown]
Thats half the list.


Then 6 players beween 20-59 games experience (29,35, 44,52, 54) [Cameron, Quaynor, Madgen, Noble, Daicos, Lipinski]

3 players between 60-80 games (63, 76, 79) [C.Brown, Cox, Checkers]
4 players between 100-150 (102, 118, 136, 138, 157) [Moore, De Goey, Elliott, Maynard]
6 between 160-200 games (157, 165, 171, 175, 195, 200) [WHE, Adams, Grundy, Crisp, Howe, Roughead]

 

[Carringbush2010]

Yeah, our depth are kids, which we discovered last year we had to rush them.

Daicos is 23,is prob the only one from 23-29 you missed.

I think Lippa will help the age bracket for the best 22, but otherwise, yeah, its a bit thing.

We can only hope some of the kids take another step in their development, because we soon need them to overtake the likes of some of the older players as they will only have a couple years left.

We have 23 players with 0-20 games experience
[Murley, McMahon, Reef, Johnson, Harrison, Draper, Dean, N,Daicos, Chugg, Begg, Krueger, Kelly, Wilson, Keane, Ginnivan, Macrae, Henry, Poulter, Bianco, McCreery, Ruscoe, Murphy, T.Brown]
Thats half the list.


Then 6 players beween 20-59 games experience (29,35, 44,52, 54) [Cameron, Quaynor, Madgen, Noble, Daicos, Lipinski]

3 players between 60-80 games (63, 76, 79) [C.Brown, Cox, Checkers]
4 players between 100-150 (102, 118, 136, 138, 157) [Moore, De Goey, Elliott, Maynard]
6 between 160-200 games (157, 165, 171, 175, 195, 200) [WHE, Adams, Grundy, Crisp, Howe, Roughead]

Thought JD was 22, anyways, he's still developing so that's a positive.

That 23 players with near zero experience is in part the imbalance I'm talking about and thus puts us well behind in development compared to the comp IMO.

Expectations of top 8 is optimistic as a result, talent is not the issue, it's the development of the raw talent that is time critical. If our 0-20 gamers all have break out years then yeah sure, even likely, even possibly contend. But we know that's unlikely to happen.

Don't wanna be a kiljoy but it's where we sit, all I want is for the other 2 to not win a flag before us. We need to get there before they do.

 

[Jen2310]

Thought JD was 22, anyways, he's still developing so that's a positive.

That 23 players with near zero experience is in part the imbalance I'm talking about and thus puts us well behind in development compared to the comp IMO.

Expectations of top 8 is optimistic as a result, talent is not the issue, it's the development of the raw talent that is time critical. If our 0-20 gamers all have break out years then yeah sure, even likely, even possibly contend. But we know that's unlikely to happen.

Don't wanna be a kiljoy but it's where we sit, all I want is for the other 2 to not win a flag before us. We need to get there before they do.

Yeah he was, but recently had a birthday (Nov 26)

Yeah, I think we all need to be realistic of where we are at. We aren't a bottom 4 side on paper, but we have lots of youth and inexperience, and we'll get injuries so likely more kids than they may be ready for.

We'll only get younger once the core of Pendles, Sidebottom, Roughy, Howe retire. The oldest of the bunch. So we need to make sure we have developed these youngsters to be at a consistent level by that point.

 

[Mkcaptain]

Pre-season practice matches

Collingwood v Hawthorn

People will probably need to take the day off work if they want to go to this one unfortunately

Hawthorn launches Festival of Footy

The official AFL website of the Hawthorn Football Club

www.hawthornfc.com.au

On Friday 25 February our regional pre-season practice match will take place against Collingwood at 3.30pm at Morwell Recreation Reserve, Morwell.

 

[eddiesmith]

With no trip to Perth this season our easy draw got even easier!

 

[jmac70]

With no trip to Perth this season our easy draw got even easier!

Just like the ashes.
Easy!!!

 

[Jen2310]

Fantastic!

 

[eddiesmith]

People will probably need to take the day off work if they want to go to this one unfortunately

Hawthorn launches Festival of Footy

The official AFL website of the Hawthorn Football Club

www.hawthornfc.com.au

People in Morwell actually work?

 

[jmac70]

People in Morwell actually work?

They work a lot harder than people in England. About five times more intelligent too (not difficult),