Preview Changes/preview v. Hawthorn - Round 9, 2025

[mrmonkey]

I only watched the first half when West Coast were still in the game but man they were horrible. Their skills were absolutely appalling. Was a embarassing we took as long as we did to put them away.

Yep, had a golden chance to put a score on and couldn't. Hawthorn won't be sp generous, we'll be 2 goals at half time in perfect dry conditions.

 

[stEdy]

I only watched the first half when West Coast were still in the game but man they were horrible. Their skills were absolutely appalling. Was a embarassing we took as long as we did to put them away.

They were so bad it was crazy. We should have won that by 10+ goals easily.

 

[stEdy]

West Coast's ineptitude aside, what about Clayton Oliver's (current) game can not be replicated by Petracca, Viney, Langford, Rivers and Pickett?

Not trying to pile on, but that group all has more than one string to their bow:

• Petracca's ability to win clearances, get involved in scoring chains and provide a threat in the forward half
• Viney's ability to win clearances while playing a negating role on the opposition's best mid
• Langford's ability to win clearances, provide spread from the contest and make smart decisions/hit targets with his kicking
• Pickett's ability to win clearances, burst out of stoppages, provide run and carry and hit the scoreboard
• Rivers' ability to win clearances, provide run and carry, and play the 'spitter' role off the back of stoppages
• Oliver's ability to win clearances and...?

Everything else aside, I just look at Oliver's inclusion and what it does to the wider team. Do we want Oliver in if it means less (and probably zero) mid time for Langford and Rivers?

I agree with all of this largely - I'm just saying the game against West Coast was completely noncompetitive from them in the middle and not a data point for anything other than their shitness.

 

[schmuttt]

I agree with all of this largely - I'm just saying the game against West Coast was completely noncompetitive from them in the middle and not a data point for anything other than their shitness.

I think anyone looking at our midfield is probably thinking of how we've looked since mid 2023 without Oliver versus with him.

 

[Daemon]

I think anyone looking at our midfield is probably thinking of how we've looked since mid 2023 without Oliver versus with him.

Yeah I'm not looking at stats, it was just the vibe.

 

[Crusty Demon]

F* it's a bit grim when your highest paid player makes your team worse. Watch our midfield go to s* with him back in the side.

 

[MarcMaverick]

F* it's a bit grim when your highest paid player makes your team worse. Watch our midfield go to s* with him back in the side.

No. Avoid the sirens temptation

 

[Lord Nev]

F* it's a bit grim when your highest paid player makes your team worse. Watch our midfield go to s* with him back in the side.

Think the overreactions are getting a bit over the top now.

We beat Freo's midfield with Oliver playing and they're a million times better than the Eagle's terrible group.

The simultaneous vibe of 'it 's only West Coast it doesn't mean anything' and 'our midfield was so much better without Oliver' are a bit weird.

Not saying Oliver has been great, but everyone is just trying to one up each other with making it sound worse now.

 

[mrmonkey]

Was thinking about last year's game. That would have to be one of the strangest tactics I've ever seen. Hawthorn chipping the ball around half back to avoid lever and May, eventually Hawthorn end up turning it over each time. Hawthorn adjusted but the damage was already done. Mitchell won't be making that mistake again because obviously Hawthorn don't play that way, but also lever is out, and may looks cooked. Anyway it was nice having a little streak on hawthorn considering they were one of the many teams to dominate us for 10 years.

 

[schmuttt]

Was thinking about last year's game. That would have to be one of the strangest tactics I've ever seen. Hawthorn chipping the ball around half back to avoid lever and May, eventually Hawthorn end up turning it over each time. Hawthorn adjusted but the damage was already done. Mitchell won't be making that mistake again because obviously Hawthorn don't play that way, but also lever is out, and may looks cooked. Anyway it was nice having a little streak on hawthorn considering they were one of the many teams to dominate us for 10 years.

I legitimately don't think May being out affects us much anymore, TMac is a better player these days IMO

 

[Lord Nev]

I legitimately don't think May being out affects us much anymore, TMac is a better player these days IMO

I've been keen on May sticking around next year to be almost a bit of a backline coach as he'll likely be in and out of the team - But I'm starting to get really over his onfield tantrums lately and starting to wonder what affect they might be having on his teammates.

Noticed the last few weeks that teammates respond to him a bit differently than in the past, seem sick of his shit, and there was a big example against the Eagles: May had heaps of time and space to kick from deep in the backline. He took frigging ages and miss kicked a shocker in slow motion that was a direct turnover to an Eagles player about 45 out. First thing he did was start screaming at one of our players about it. Just never takes responsibility any more, and in a more extreme way than he used to. Over it.

 

[mrmonkey]

I legitimately don't think May being out affects us much anymore, TMac is a better player these days IMO

Yeah our formidable defence is well and truly gone. May just isn't reliable anymore, Lever has never been great 1:1 which is a big problem considering we're getting smashed through the midfield.

 

[melbun]

May just isn't reliable anymore

You mean ol' iron hands?

 

[Daemon]

I've been on about May hitting the wall for ages glad to see others seeing it too.

 

[danster168]

Think the overreactions are getting a bit over the top now.

We beat Freo's midfield with Oliver playing and they're a million times better than the Eagle's terrible group.

The simultaneous vibe of 'it 's only West Coast it doesn't mean anything' and 'our midfield was so much better without Oliver' are a bit weird.

Not saying Oliver has been great, but everyone is just trying to one up each other with making it sound worse now.

yeah, some ridiculous over the top calls here. The guy clearly isn't playing his best but if Langford was having 27.5 touches and 7 clearances per game, everyone would be falling over themselves.

 

[schmuttt]

yeah, some ridiculous over the top calls here. The guy clearly isn't playing his best but if Langford was having 27.5 touches and 7 clearances per game, everyone would be falling over themselves.

Dan we all love Oliver again, you can go back to disliking him.

 

[Daemon]

Dan we all love Oliver again, you can go back to disliking him.

I only love him again until Saturday, then I hate him until next Wednesday.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I've been on about May hitting the wall for ages glad to see others seeing it too.

He started last year poorly. But I felt he worked into the season pretty well. This year he's played 1 maybe 2 decent games. Let's see if he can turn it around again. Unlikely but you never know. Just not as dominant in the air anymore and probably dropped a yard of pace.

 

[Lord Nev]

 

[Dancing Potato]

Journey used twice in five seconds. Classic Goody is back.

 

[Proper Gander]

I love this club

 

[Mich0]

Where the **** is laser. Watch him leave at seasons end for a packet of chips to a club like Sydney and play 22 games in the guts for them in 2026 hitting forward targets lace out.

 

[Toump Ass]

Love you Garry!

"Is Clayton Oliver refusing to do his job a sign of what a mature and team-focussed individual he is? Brilliant isn't it?!?!?"

It's a wonder Simon gave the 5 coaches votes to Gawnie last week given Clayton's selfless performance.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Journey used twice in five seconds. Classic Goody is back.

"Unbelievable understanding" and "Health and wellbeing to a really high level" ... hes a ****ing android and no one can convince me otherwise.

 

[Lord Nev]