Birchall

[Hawks1523]

Haven't seen it yet, and just watched the replay as I had to work and had to go make appearance at a friends 21st gatherings. But in the last quarter especially, his run and carry through the middle of the ground, and delivery to Roughie was some of the best footy I've seen from him for a while. One of my favourites down at the Hawks. Does anybody else seem to think he's underrated? Talented player, quick and with good disposal.

 

[HolyRioli]

I agree, his second half was a big lift on his previous few weeks. Hopefully he can build on it next week.

 

[pacman]

Has been down on confidence and thus his decision making lately has been very average. When everyone else started to run last night he joined in and fortunately thats when he plays his best footy streaming through the middle of the ground hitting forward targets.
It is no surprise we looked so go good last night when Guerra, Birch and Ellis all had good games.

 

[eldorado]

Missing Croad and Gilham all year has meant he has had to play as an actual defender...which is not what he is.

He is a rebounding runner/link man. He really isn't that great overhead or one on one, but we have had to play him in that capacity.

Gilham back, with a few weeks under him, and, voila! A bit of the old Birchall back

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

He was listed in Sheahan's top 50 players so that sort of promotion means your not underrated.

I actually think he's had an average year and our lack of negating defenders has shown up some of his deficiencies.

Will get better as our back half gets more settled.

 

[Dragz]

He's certainly not a true defender. He's rubbish at body on body in a marking contest. He does have the ability to get a fist in at the ball though and it's his rebounding skills that earn him a game.

 

[fugu]

I agree with CLA that he hasn't had a great year so far and has been exposed somewhat. However, he along with Ellis played great games last night. Great to see and hopefully a sign of things to come.

 

[Miss_Hawk_Fan]

I agree with CLA that he hasn't had a great year so far and has been exposed somewhat. However, he along with Ellis played great games last night. Great to see and hopefully a sign of things to come.

To be fair the whole Hawks team has been down and Birchall has had some minoir injuries as well. I think he has had a solid year and it just looks really bad after an awesome 2008.

 

[strung_out7]

well i did try starting a "birch is delicious" thread , but i got banned

he should be the go to man out of defence all the time. great run and kick and when birch is up, it usually means the hawks are too

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Was back to his 2007-2008 best last night. Not much better than watching the Hunchback streaming through the middle. Good signs last night, hoping it's not one week too late though.

 

[Roughie]

I thought this year Birchall could be up there as a dominant hbf, Heath Shaw like...minus the turn overs and cheap switches. He has been pretty average as the hunch back has had to be more defensive. He is a pure HBF, he will never be a key defender. Sats game was the return of the birchall of old. The hard running, corridor sprinting, double arm spread wide as he kicks long to our forwards. Lets hope Birch follows it up next week

 

[Captain Crawf]

I think the loss of Young all year has had an impact also. These guys used to link up in play alot last year.

 

[TalkBox]

Has had a fairly ordinary year. Appears to be a confidence player (who isn't?), who has been a bit down since returning from a broken thumb (?) earlier in the year.

He is at his best when Croad and Gilham are both in the side, frees up him up and he is a great link up target alongside Guerra.

If he sizes up a touch he would be even better on a wing. This year has shown his lack of ability as a true defender, so a move further up the ground would be ideal as his delivery is generally first class.

Not sure why he isn't any good overhead, he is the about 194cm, perhaps it is the hunchback?

Either way, he performed well last night, love seeing him sprinting through the guts.