Autopsy AFL 2026 Round 9 - Freo v Hawks Thurs May 7th 8:10pm AEST/6:10pm (OS)

[AlwaysHawks15]

Hawks rely significantly on Watson and Gunston up forward - keep them quiet, you will win. Gunston was outstanding for the first half.

Barrass is now a big loss down back for a few weeks.

Midfields wins games - Hawks is average, much like the Crows. Won’t win a flag without an A grader.

Simplistic view based on 1 game. All of Chol, McDonald, Moore and Ginnivan have all contributed alot to our wins by kicking goals. Chol wasn't there and the other guys didn't kick a goal between them, that was the issue. Normally we get 4-5 goals a week from all 3 combined.

 

[Iago]

We had all 3 half forwards play pretty poorly too, Ginnivan, McDonald and especially Moore who is really struggling this year. First bad game McDonald had played all year and those guys usually contribute goals most weeks. That's what we lost last night too. Chol is an upgrade on Ramsden and ATM Dear that's why hes first picked.

Are you suggesting he needs to lift?

 

[MarcMaverick]

I miss Dogga I really wish he was back playing for Melbourne.

 

[Millsie69]

Crows Final Series 2025 you mean

Yes, that's the point.

They were looking like world beaters in the regular season with the easiest draw of any team.

Then they were found out as the frauds they were in the finals series.

Following on with it this year when they actually have a difficult draw.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Yes, that's the point.

They were looking like world beaters in the regular season with the easiest draw of any team.

Then they were found out as the frauds they were in the finals series.

Following on with it this year when they actually have a difficult draw.

Yup tougher draw and not a good run with injuries as well. Curtin, Keane etc

 

[joe444]

Teams that get on a massive run at the start of the year, with some exceptions, usually get overhauled ...

Can't begrudge the Freo fans acting like they've won a Prelim, though. It's cute.

 

[joe444]

Are we still pretenders according to people on here.

They said we had to beat Adelaide

"Yeah but they won't beat Collingwood"

We beat Collingwood

"Lucky win, they won't compete with the big guns"

Wins the next three games

"Pftt, they'll lose to Hawthorn, the wheels will fall off"

Well what do you know? We beat Hawthorn.

I can comfortably say we're genuine flag contenders now.

They said you had to beat Geelong.
"Shit, you really choked on that one didn't you?"

They didn't say you had to beat Collingwood.
"7.3?? You kicked 7.3????"

They said you'd destroy Carlton at home.
"Man, you were lucky to even win."

They said you'd destroy what was left of the Bulldogs.
"How on earth did you let them get so close?"

They said you'd beat Hawthorn at home.
"Nearly shit the bed on that one, didn't ya?"

They're saying you haven't played Brisbane or Sydney and only get them once. That you've got the softest draw possible.
"We'll wait and see."

 

[stormee]

Teams that get on a massive run at the start of the year, with some exceptions, usually get overhauled ...

Can't begrudge the Freo fans acting like they've won a Prelim, though. It's cute.

Could be right. Are you believing the same thing about the swans though?

 

[hk89]

I've said Hawthorn's form has been closer to solid-decent rather than outstanding/amazing. This is wishful thinking?

What you said was that we'd not look out of place in 8th spot. We've arguably done as well or better than others in the top 8 against top 8 sides (as the 8 sits now) , so I think we WOULD look out of place in 8th based on our record right now. We could slip, but we haven't yet, which is why we are sitting 3rd and NOT 8th.

They are on 6 wins, 2 losses and a draw - with a 1 point win and a 3 point win in there against teams nobody is calling great in 2026.

No mention of our win over Sydney in that analysis, or a very comfortable win against GC? Enjoying the cherries?

Why would this be called outstanding form rather than decent?

Why are you talking to me about outstanding? Where did I say our form was outstanding? I said it stacks up reasonably well against the form of other top sides when looking at performance versus the current top 8. A statement I stand by, and you've done nothing to refute (by mentioning games against non top 8 sides, and ignoring good wins against top 8 sides in your cherry picked discussion above).

A few different bounces of the ball and it could be 4 wins, 5 losses. They are in a great position by banking those wins but the discussion is purely on form.

We are in a decent position partly because we've only lost to one top 8 side so far after 5 games against them.

FWIW I think Geelong are a good chance to lose on Saturday, but if they do win they would be Gunston's late Easter Monday point away from being exactly level with the Hawks - and our form has been nothing special at all.

So your auntie really does have balls then? You need to let go of this hypothetical. Geelong lost, get over it. Hawthorn would be in an even better position if we'd capitalised on our massive centre clearance , inside 50, and scoring shot dominance over Pies, but I'll hopefully not be popping into Collingwood game day threads reminding Pies fans of that fact 5 rounds into the future.

 

[Mr Meow]

Before last night we had scored the 2nd most points in the league and the most behinds. That would suggest we have left too many points out there across all matches. Percentage should be higher and perhaps the perception of how we are travelling would be too. Not saying we are flying but it's definitely been masked by our inability to put scoreboard pressure on the opposition and keeping the door ajar. It even happened last night when we had ascendancy early in the 3rd quarter and couldn't kick a goal, sprayed shots out on the full etc. Last night a very good side made us pay for it so hopefully it gives us the reality check we need. Find a way to be more efficient when your on top so we put games to bed earlier and find a way to halt the momentum of teams when they get a full head of steam, this is an ongoing issue that can only be addressed by having more A graders in the team like Day but he won't be able to fix it by himself.

Yes, I would rate Hawthorn's form better if their kicking was better and resulted in a higher proportion of goals. Good kicking is one of the easiest ways to be recognised as having outstanding rather than just decent form.

6-1-2 with a couple of wins that were so close they were essentially a coin flip, % of 116.8. I'm sticking with that being "pretty good" form rather than "holy shit the Hawks have played stunningly high level football this season" form.

It's difficult to understand why this stance seems to be causing offence. I would have thought most Hawks supporters saw it similarly.

 

[Mr Meow]

What you said was that we'd not look out of place in 8th spot. We've arguably done as well or better than others in the top 8 against top 8 sides (as the 8 sits now) , so I think we WOULD look out of place in 8th based on our record right now. We could slip, but we haven't yet, which is why we are sitting 3rd and NOT 8th.



No mention of our win over Sydney in that analysis, or a very comfortable win against GC? Enjoying the cherries?



Why are you talking to me about outstanding? Where did I say our form was outstanding? I said it stacks up reasonably well against the form of other top sides when looking at performance versus the current top 8. A statement I stand by, and you've done nothing to refute (by mentioning games against non top 8 sides, and ignoring good wins against top 8 sides in your cherry picked discussion above).



We are in a decent position partly because we've only lost to one top 8 side so far after 5 games against them.



So your auntie really does have balls then? You need to let go of this hypothetical. Geelong lost, get over it. Hawthorn would be in an even better position if we'd capitalised on our massive centre clearance , inside 50, and scoring shot dominance over Pies, but I'll hopefully not be popping into Collingwood game day threads reminding Pies fans of that fact 5 rounds into the future.

Yep, decent rather than outstanding form is my verdict for now. It shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[PrancingPony]

Teams that get on a massive run at the start of the year, with some exceptions, usually get overhauled ...

Can't begrudge the Freo fans acting like they've won a Prelim, though. It's cute.

This may just be a me thing personally, but is that not part of being a fan? Taking in the highs and lows at their fullest?

I don't know, I've noticed on this forum there's a lot of side-eying towards any excitement from fans in general, a lot of "settle down" and "it's still early in the season" type reactions. (Not just Freo related mind you) It's not a large amount, but there's a decent amount of people who do it.

We may very well collapse from here, we may also continue our form and storm into September, I couldn't tell you.

But I'm enjoying this season so far, and I'm quite happy to just sit back and see where things go.

 

[Knees of Ben Allan]

Our Captain is the best looking rooster in football. If Brut and Old Spice had a child it couldn't be more manly than he is. Chuck Norris used to fly to Perth just for grooming tips from him.

it speaks volumes about his mental strength, to be honest, that he's even able to walk away from a mirror and play footy; I'd be lost in the pure aesthetic aura of my reflection if I was him. Also, the way he gave the goal away to make sure Wharfie Time had maximum impact was 'chef's kiss'. Great leader.

Ah, ol’ mate probably thinks his elbows are too pointy, too.

 

[WilloTree]

They said you had to beat Geelong.
"Shit, you really choked on that one didn't you?"

They didn't say you had to beat Collingwood.
"7.3?? You kicked 7.3????"

They said you'd destroy Carlton at home.
"Man, you were lucky to even win."

They said you'd destroy what was left of the Bulldogs.
"How on earth did you let them get so close?"

They said you'd beat Hawthorn at home.
"Nearly shit the bed on that one, didn't ya?"

They're saying you haven't played Brisbane or Sydney and only get them once. That you've got the softest draw possible.
"We'll wait and see."

Who hurt you? Was it Stephen Hill?

It was wasn't it.

 

[Mr Meow]

Who hurt you? Was it Stephen Hill?

It was wasn't it.

Geelong supporters generally like Freo, although Crowley and Ballantyne made it hard work for a while.

The only unforgivable part of 2013 was that they didn't beat Hawthorn in the GF. It made the QF win a real waste.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Ah, ol’ mate probably thinks his elbows are too pointy, too.

All the better for being elbowed with my dear...

 

[Mr Cheese]

Geelong supporters generally like Freo, although Crowley and Ballantyne made it hard work for a while.

The only unforgivable part of 2013 was that they didn't beat Hawthorn in the GF. It made the QF win a real waste.

In our defence, we smashed them on expected score. Not so chuffed with the 'expected' Premiership though.

 

[estibador]

The only unforgivable part of 2013 was that they didn't beat Hawthorn in the GF. It made the QF win a real waste.

That was your fault really. The three clubs had a bit of a rock, paper, scissors thing going back then.

We beat you, you beat them, they beat us.

When you let them get that last minute goal in the prelim it sealed both our fates.

 

[FreoGirl]

Teams that get on a massive run at the start of the year, with some exceptions, usually get overhauled ...

Can't begrudge the Freo fans acting like they've won a Prelim, though. It's cute.

that's a bit arrogant

loved the 2025 Grand Final - you are probably still sobbing in your pillow

 

[Luuuc]

This may just be a me thing personally, but is that not part of being a fan? Taking in the highs and lows at their fullest?

I don't know, I've noticed on this forum there's a lot of side-eying towards any excitement from fans in general, a lot of "settle down" and "it's still early in the season" type reactions. (Not just Freo related mind you) It's not a large amount, but there's a decent amount of people who do it.

100%
If a Freo fan doesn't get enjoyment out of a great win like that, what are they even watching footy for?

Same goes for players celebrating a win.

The fun police can and should GAGF

 

[ceebsaf]

2025 Crows levels, you reckon?

We were never contending, therefore not frauds.

 

[PrancingPony]

The calls that we're going to pull a 2015 are pretty baffling to me.

That 2015 side had aging stars on their last legs and foot soldiers who were getting older or were just pretty bang average.

This side now is young and hungry, a lot of our key players entering their prime.

 

[Mesc]

Teams that get on a massive run at the start of the year, with some exceptions, usually get overhauled ...

Can't begrudge the Freo fans acting like they've won a Prelim, though. It's cute.

Did you want us to act miserable instead?

 

[Mr Meow]

What you said was that we'd not look out of place in 8th spot. We've arguably done as well or better than others in the top 8 against top 8 sides (as the 8 sits now) , so I think we WOULD look out of place in 8th based on our record right now. We could slip, but we haven't yet, which is why we are sitting 3rd and NOT 8th.



No mention of our win over Sydney in that analysis, or a very comfortable win against GC? Enjoying the cherries?



Why are you talking to me about outstanding? Where did I say our form was outstanding? I said it stacks up reasonably well against the form of other top sides when looking at performance versus the current top 8. A statement I stand by, and you've done nothing to refute (by mentioning games against non top 8 sides, and ignoring good wins against top 8 sides in your cherry picked discussion above).



We are in a decent position partly because we've only lost to one top 8 side so far after 5 games against them.



So your auntie really does have balls then? You need to let go of this hypothetical. Geelong lost, get over it. Hawthorn would be in an even better position if we'd capitalised on our massive centre clearance , inside 50, and scoring shot dominance over Pies, but I'll hopefully not be popping into Collingwood game day threads reminding Pies fans of that fact 5 rounds into the future.

See, the form lines are looking similar afterall. We're one late Jack Henry fumble on Easter Monday away from swapping spots with each other on the ladder. Even you'd have to admit that Hawthorn's form in 2026 isn't really any better than Geelong's now. Georgiades misses his late match winning attempt, Moore converts a fortnight later. Anywhere 3rd-8th wouldn't look out of place - it's pretty even right now. 6th in % for the Hawks.

 

[hk89]

See, the form lines are looking similar afterall. We're one late Jack Henry fumble on Easter Monday away from swapping spots with each other on the ladder. Even you'd have to admit that Hawthorn's form in 2026 isn't really any better than Geelong's now. Georgiades misses his late match winning attempt, Moore converts a fortnight later. Anywhere 3rd-8th wouldn't look out of place - it's pretty even right now. 6th in % for the Hawks.

What a pathetic bump.

To quote my previous reply "You need to let go of this hypothetical. Geelong lost, get over it."

Hawthorn's wins are against higher quality opposition than Geelong's, even you would have to admit that. You have two wins against the top 8 as it sits right now, and two losses. We have 4 wins and 1 loss against the current top 8. You've had less games against the top 8 than we have, and are running at 50% against the top 8 versus 80% for us.