Am I being pessimitic?

[Adelaide Hawk]

In all the years I've supported the Hawks, I've never felt so far away from a premiership. I've looked at our current squad and the way it performed in 2002, and I can't see any answer except for mass sackings and heavy recruiting. To think we were possibly one kick away from a Grand Final in 2001, it's just incomprehisible to me to find us back in 10th spot on the ladder.
Everyone seemed to think we had a great squad at the start of this year, but now we need a quakity ruckman, at least 3 forwards who can kick 40-plus goals a year, a quality defender, and our engine room still needs work.
I've sat and watched Collingwood, Crows, Power, etc running around in the top 4, and last season we were beating these teams.
Am I being pessimistic or does anyone else think the same way?
Here's hoping for a huge improvement in 2003.

 

[jacqui9]

I agree with how you feel Adelaide Hawk (great to meet another Adelaide hawthorn supporter). I have never been more disenchanted. But we must all stick together and hope that some of the bad press can boot the player's asses in gear.

But without trying to make excuses, I think that if we start with a new attitude, a full, healthy list, a re-signed captain and new objectives, I think we can certainly challenge for finals. We may be a long way from a premiership. But every little positive step will help. the most positive thing that can kick start next season is to sign the Hawks Captain, best player and inspriation ASAP. This will put the seed out doubt out of the player's minds.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Yes, it is always nice to meet another Hawks fan, and if they are in Adelaide it's double the pleasure
Yes, I think all that you have said is correct, and I certainly haven't given up hope. I guess because of the season starting with so much hope and fizzling out the way it did has made us feel a little melancholy.
I just get the feeling when it come to updating the chronology of the club's history it may read like this:
2002: Nothing happened.
The signing of Shane Crawford will be a great start for the club, and let's hope we can build from there.
Go the Hawks in 2003

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Well, the sun rises and season 2002 is over. I'm not as pessimistic as a lot of Hawks supporters. I still think there is a good side lurking there somewhere.

A couple of points about 2002.

We lost probably our 2 most important players from 2001 for most of the year: Joel Smith and John Barker. It will be a different Hawthorn side if both of these players can get a pre-season in and play a complete season.

Hay, Rawlings, Thomspon and Dixon all had injury riddled seasons. We lost very handy players such as Lekkas and McCabe for long stints at critical times of the season.

Our recruiting staff have done a great job in bringing new kids. Hodge, Ries, Brown and Mitchell all like making valuable contributions to the side in the future.

Vandenberg continued on establishing himself as an excellent midfielder and Bateman showed some old fashion g&d to cement a spot in the side.

If we can pick up a decent ruckman in the draft or through a trade, we could make the finals again in 2003.

If the talk is true and Libba comes to the club as a coach, he may install some mental and physical toughness in the boys.

 

[jacqui9]

Some great points Rusty, my thoughts exactly. It is very difficult to field a team made up completely of first year players, injury riddled players, and players struggling to regain form after injury.

With only four players requiring surgery in teh off-season, JOhn Barker getting a complete rest and the injured players of 2002 having a FULL preseason, teh signs look good for 2003.

If you look at Collingwood, Port Adelaide and Brisbane, they had reasonable runs with injury. Not trying to make excuses, but the way the game is played today, the toll on the body can be hard hitting quite quickly.

I guess having so many injured senior players gave us the opportunity to see our brilliant youngsters. Certainly gives me hope for 2003.

 

[goal_umpire]

Yes. But there is one way to shake the pessimistic tag and that is to stop whinging and carrying on about things that are not to do with us supporters and be accountable for what we do. At these times we need to rally around the club and really show our support to the hawks players, coaching staff and everyone else who is involved. It is called loyalty.

 

[vanders]

Originally posted by suzi_olsen
Yes. But there is one way to shake the pessimistic tag and that is to stop whinging and carrying on about things that are not to do with us supporters and be accountable for what we do. At these times we need to rally around the club and really show our support to the hawks players, coaching staff and everyone else who is involved. It is called loyalty.

maybe you should read their posts before you go talkin crap

 

[jacqui9]

Thanks Vanders

Was gonna say the same thing, but im on her ignore list

 

[goal_umpire]

Originally posted by vanders


maybe you should read their posts before you go talkin crap

Why don't you just grow up. You post nothing but negative **** on here. I am surprised that bluey hasn't done something about you.

 

[thommo16]

Yeah but at least she doesn't swear

 

[vanders]

Originally posted by suzi_olsen

Why don't you just grow up. You post nothing but negative **** on here. I am surprised that bluey hasn't done something about you.

wipe your chin, you're dribbling sh|t again

 

[Grendel]

I thought Dale was Pessimistic? Pess, are you pessimistic or not!?

 

[Pessimistic]

Originally posted by Grendel
I thought Dale was Pessimistic? Pess, are you pessimistic or not!?

Pessimism relates towards the mamanagement of the game as a whole: although there have been a couple of good signs recently.

I'm always optimistic where the hawks are concerned, If they can get the playeres who went well in 2001 and those who went well in 2002 all going well in 2003 then we are nearly there.

Find a solution to the Ruck issue (may not be just another ruckman) and that is resolved.

I'm not convinced about the hardness issue. they cna do it if they want to. Taking the right options under pressure is an area of concern, especially delivering to flooded forward lines. I am overjoyed that D Mac is now forward cach because there's been a lot to like at Box Hill recantly, and the D Mac 'graduates' to the team have shown the way for some of the older guys.

Schwab has said that there will not be wholesale changes. This is not surprising as it's no secret he has one more year to show success (although I'm not sure what you call 2000 and 2001 in terms of success) so he's not about to confuse the issue by having a vastly different team to blend together. A couple will be traded but many will have one more chance.

 

[USAEagle]

For what it is worth, you might remember that only percentage separated you from the eight...I mean, look at us, with no trades, 1 draft pick who played 21 games and one who played in three and a rookie list elevation, (Lynch), we made the eight (on percentage I know, but I'd rather make up the numbers than miss out), when most punters had us wooden spooning it. Don't worry, you guys will be back.

Suzi Notwithstanding.