Chick & Crawf

[drewgle]

And interesting thing from Schwabby on Monday night. He said that the Hawks had come to rely on Crawf, especially in 1999, and played in his shadow.(was that even more pressure on him?). However in 2000, with him not doing so well, then other players had to take responsibility. Hence the improvement in Chick in particular, plus also Harf and others.(a B&F to prove it).

Now we have the ideal case of Chick still being a leader and a great player, and Crawf coming back to his best. Throw in Smith and Lord (who hardly played last year), Rehn and Clark, and even BOF (who must improve). Now it seems we have shared leadership as well as greater depth. No wonder things are looking good.

To emphasise our depth, did you notice the best players from BHH? BOF, Barlow, Rock, Dent, Nicholls, Johnson and Vandenberg. All of these would be expected in the firsts at some stage.

 

[Sly77]

I was actually having the same discussion with one of these Brisbane twits up here who were going on about him not being at his Brownlow form. As I said then, the reliance is no longer on him to carry the load in the midfield. Whilst he was down last year, a number of other players stepped up to fill in the gap. Now that Crawfs is back they are all equally sharing the load - hence why he'll never be seen in that 1999 form again!

Isnt it great to see the depth developing. We've had a relatively one dimensional side for at least 10 years. I was originally looking at a top 4 finish this year, but I am getting the feeling that we may be better than that.

Ooooooooooooooh can't wait for September!

 

[Pessimistic]

It has to be said that Crawf's 2000, while denigrated, was still serviceable - ie well above AFL standard.

It's just that 1999 was such a good year for him. Brownlow plus ALL the media awards. Yet some people still say he is undeserving. I hope he has the last laugh.

And if we are to name some 'one season wonders', lets have a look at Kouta, McKernan, some carlton players in 1995 etc or, nearer home, Paul Dear, Stevie Lawrence and Paul Hudson in 1991. It's no shame to be an ordinary player who has a great year.

 

[jaworski]

Don't worry about Crawf. I've been impressed by his endeavour this whole year. His only problem has been his one touch footy - he's fumbling a bit. As the year goes on, and his confidence kicks in, the bloke is going to blitz, I can just feel it.

I notice we are now second faves to take out the flag. I've got a great feeling about this outfit.

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You only have one year to prove yourself.

 

[goatmaster]

Well put Pess,
Crawford's 1999 was such a magnificent year that he will in all probabilty never top it.
Last year was a fall back but not to the hopeless point that some of the dills like to portray.
As I said in a previous post he is back to the rip, shite or bust player we are used too.
If he goes on a 1999 style tear we will make the Grand final & probably win it (that is a huge if!!).
Sly - do you have any idea on where I can see the Hawks game on Sunday in this bumsniffers paradise? If the AFL website is to be believed (which I doubt after the Ansett cup time change)we don't get any game on Sunday & it is on C7 at 5p.m(?). None of the local pubs in the Redland area seem to have C7.

 

[ricohawk]

Pess.....how dare you even THINK of putting Paul Dear in the same post - let alone the same sentence - as Lawrence and Hudson.

Punka was everything you could ever want in a Hawthorn ruckman.....tough,gutsy,selfless and short ! It is to the eternal shame of the club that he didn't play more footy than he did.

Now go and wash your mouth...or typing finger(s) and say 10 Hail Kennedy's.

Oh the shame of it all.

-Rico

 

[RogerC]

I saw the interview, and I think it is partly true to say that Crawford isn't required to be a superstar any longer, but I don't know if we will see him at that level again. His skills, his touch, his aggression, his fearlessness, were all on display in 1999 (I simply won't have anyone say he didn't deserve that Brownlow - some of his efforts were superhuman). But it is also true to say they disappeared early last year, and we haven't really seen them, except in glimpses, since.

And I say thank God for that. If the onus hadn't have been on the rest of the team to step up in his walkabout stage, we may have ended the year looking a lot like Collingwood do now, unable to shake off the perception of being a one man band. We've learnt a lot from last year, and for the first time in a while, we've managed to bring the previous season's form into the next year.

When an oppostion team sets out to counter us now, who do they imagine they need to stop? Crawford? Smith? Chick? Holland? Thompson? Hay? Croad? Barker? Harford? There's no obvious stand-out there, and any of those can rip a side apart on his day. If they play to their potential, only a sharp Essendon side can beat them.

It's a great position to be in. Especially with our next level of Bowyer, Johnson, Picioane, Clarke, McPharlin, Greene, Bateman, Nicholls, Williams, Hazell. All relatively new, and all coming through nicely. Big future ahead.

Cheers.

 

[Sly77]

Originally posted by goatmaster:
. Sly - do you have any idea on where I can see the Hawks game on Sunday in this bumsniffers paradise? If the AFL website is to be believed (which I doubt after the Ansett cup time change)we don't get any game on Sunday & it is on C7 at 5p.m(?). None of the local pubs in the Redland area seem to have C7.

Sorry Goat - only just read your message and the game starts in 40 mins - so I'm hoping you've discovered that YES Ch7 are playing our game live AGAIN (3 weeks running - woohoo!) As much as I have complained (and most likely will continue to complain) about ch7 qld - I've got to thank them for this - and there's a 50/50 chance next weeks will be on too!

 

[goatmaster]

Yeah thanks Sly I think about 10 minutes after I actually posted the question it was up on the website.
My wife is spewing we have been live 3 weeks running the day simply has to be structured around important things like the footy.
Never had it so good but I keep looking at the other coverage or lack of & know it's coming our way soon.
Another good win by the boys too. Not a great performance but you get paid to win not look good doing it.
Tim Clarke again showed his ability , what I like about him is he does do the right thing doesn't suffer from the problem a lot of good athletes do as footballers of having no footy sense. Steven Greene wasn't bad either.

 

[Sly77]

............and what's wrong with planning a day around watching the footy on tv???? I'm getting used to seeing them every week - not looking forward to it coming to an end....

Again I was impressed by young Timmy, this boy has a real brain for footy. He's such a little thing - but boy is he quick and doesnt mind throwing his body around. Reminds me of a little fox terrier running around nipping at everyone's heals! I love the guy!

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Sly by name, Sly by nature......

 

[ricohawk]

Guys , I ve worked out the secret of our success so far....live telecasts into QLD !!

Let's at least chip in to arrange continued broadcasts for Sly , Goaty and the crew up there. I'm worried what will happen if they cant see the game live !!!

-Rico

 

[Sly77]

Here here!!!!

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Sly by name, Sly by nature......

 

[goatmaster]

I second that!!

 

[Sly77]

Motion passed