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Hawkins - Am I missing something ?

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I've been wondering a little bit too what exactly is going on with him - doesn't seem like he has had hardly any game time the last three weeks. Wouldn't surprise me if the shin splints or something niggles have been causing problems. I don't mind them easing him through the next few weeks - he doesn't need to play in the seniors unless we get a few crucial injuries *knock on wood*.
 

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Seems like a few of you guys have short memories. When Hawkins was named for his first seniors game in Round 2, I remember Bomber saying that because of his age and not wanting to burn him out, he will restrict him to 10-12 games this year.

Having just played his 7th, things look to be pretty much on track.
 
Hawkins will be a great player for us in the future. Sure he is not fit at the moment. Give him 2 years and lets see. Do not put too much preasure on him and lets enjoy watching him develop
 
I think Bomber is right ( How could he get it all so wrong in 2006?) playing Tom this way - if you watch him in the VFL he is ok but steps up a notch, as one would expect, in the seniors. I imagine he will be playing most games next year. Still makes 'school-boyish' decisions but you can see him learning each time. I'm not into hagiography but this kid and Selwood are the indicators of our future. Gablett, Bartel (off song last night)and Ling (whom I'd never have called a spectacular player until last night) and the others are our present strength. It was a satisfying win after the wounded who walked off last week.
 
I hope they are working hard on his kicking technique. He holds the ball almost from behing and up high, with the pill pointing to his shin. It's no wonder that, when you add to the mix that he drops it from a high point, he shanks a lot of kicks.

Needs to bring his hands more to the front, point it to his toes, and release more at hip hight.

Cheers,
Brian Taylor
 
Apart from the wayward kick and couple of missed handballs he did alright tonight, his forward line pressure is quite good for a man his size, just needs time to pick the pace of the game.

It'd be good to see him bag a few goals before seasons end, not huge tallies but at least 1-2 goals for each game remaining.
 
Bakes said:
I hope they are working hard on his kicking technique. He holds the ball almost from behing and up high, with the pill pointing to his shin. It's no wonder that, when you add to the mix that he drops it from a high point, he shanks a lot of kicks.

Needs to bring his hands more to the front, point it to his toes, and release more at hip hight.

Cheers,
Brian Taylor
Click to expand...


Yes Brian - but does he use the big dukes?:D
 

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I'm not sure why people have been critical of Hawkins' performance on the weekend. I thought he was fine, he has presence there is no doubting that. He made a few clangers but kicked the mandatory goal that Nathan does anyway. My question is what has Nathan done in recent times to warrant selection? Or Varcoe for that matter? I think we've had a few passengers to this point so far this year. Varcoe and Nathan need to step up. Hawkins should retain his spot for the Pies
 
There will be 80k + at the MCG this Saturday. The big game atmosphere will do wonders for the Hammer. If Clement and Presti don't come up for the Pies, I think Tomahawk will cause more headaches for the pies defence than Nathan.
 
Cheshire Cat said:
I'm not sure why people have been critical of Hawkins' performance on the weekend. I thought he was fine, he has presence there is no doubting that. He made a few clangers but kicked the mandatory goal that Nathan does anyway. My question is what has Nathan done in recent times to warrant selection? Or Varcoe for that matter? I think we've had a few passengers to this point so far this year. Varcoe and Nathan need to step up. Hawkins should retain his spot for the Pies
Click to expand...

The reality is neither player is fully developed for senior footy for an entire season.

Nathan has 20 goals...Varcoe 14 I believe to date. I am just wondering what the expectation should be? If you have them playing a full season in a year or two that will equate to Nathan 40 goals...Varcoe 30...sounds fine to me. Varcoe for the first time looked tired against the Bombers...its his first season of AFL...Nathan has doubled his senior games in just over half a season after spending 2 years playing 11 games. In reality both have been very good players this season for the roles we respectively need them to play. In a forward line so far ahead of any other this year dont you feel they have contributed somewhat positively?

Stepping up is a big call from here at their age. They just need to be managed.
 
WE Are Geelong said:
The reality is neither player is fully developed for senior footy for an entire season.

Nathan has 20 goals...Varcoe 14 I believe to date. I am just wondering what the expectation should be? If you have them playing a full season in a year or two that will equate to Nathan 40 goals...Varcoe 30...sounds fine to me. Varcoe for the first time looked tired against the Bombers...its his first season of AFL...Nathan has doubled his senior games in just over half a season after spending 2 years playing 11 games. In reality both have been very good players this season for the roles we respectively need them to play. In a forward line so far ahead of any other this year dont you feel they have contributed somewhat positively?

Stepping up is a big call from here at their age. They just need to be managed.
Click to expand...

I think the perception that we have a potent forwardline is deceptive. Sydney and Freo are two sides with much more potent forwardlines IMO, Sydney's flooding style is simply taking their forwards out of the game and Freo are just badly coached. So I think Bomber deserves some credit here. We do lack that more experienced tall forward. Hawkins will be very good, Nathan should be. I think of our forwards Mooney is our ace card and Steve Johnson has been superb. The rest have been serviceable to thsi point. The midfield and backline should get a lot of credit for our high scoring. Our forwardline is very capable of being shut down IMO, it should be interesting to see how we go against the Filth who I must admit, minus Clement still have a very good backline
 

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Cheshire Cat said:
I think the perception that we have a potent forwardline is deceptive. Sydney and Freo are two sides with much more potent forwardlines IMO, Sydney's flooding style is simply taking their forwards out of the game and Freo are just badly coached. So I think Bomber deserves some credit here. We do lack that more experienced tall forward. Hawkins will be very good, Nathan should be. I think of our forwards Mooney is our ace card and Steve Johnson has been superb. The rest have been serviceable to thsi point. The midfield and backline should get a lot of credit for our high scoring. Our forwardline is very capable of being shut down IMO, it should be interesting to see how we go against the Filth who I must admit, minus Clement still have a very good backline
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Hmmm make some good points but Hall has been terribly out of form/injured for his usual standards with Sydney not sure its style related and Freo has been one paced in the midfield going forward and traded Medhurst and suspended Farmer. So if the one grab in the forward fifty misses Freo have been dead in the water because the ball hasnt come in quickly enough this season...bit like us last season.

Bomber does deserve credit and forward lines can get too much credit with great midfields which ours is becoming. Mooney and SJ no issues there good point...but as a relatively young inexperienced tall and small in Nathan and Varcoe I really feel they have been better than serviceable....credit where it's due.
 
Cheshire Cat said:
I'm not sure why people have been critical of Hawkins' performance on the weekend. I thought he was fine, he has presence there is no doubting that. He made a few clangers but kicked the mandatory goal that Nathan does anyway. My question is what has Nathan done in recent times to warrant selection? Or Varcoe for that matter? I think we've had a few passengers to this point so far this year. Varcoe and Nathan need to step up. Hawkins should retain his spot for the Pies
Click to expand...

I think what Nathan Ablett does add is a better leading option around half forward. He also has better skills at ground level. To counter that I'd say Hawkins is a stronger mark. However I thought Hawkins was ok, he won the ball pretty well it's just his disposal was a bit off. He seemed to make things happen when he was around the contest though.

I wouldn't mind seeing both Hawkins and Nathan Ablett next week against Collingwood. Varcoe really was the only quiet player we had. His defensive pressure is great but he does need to start getting the ball. Not sure how the selections will pan out. That's assuming Ablett recovers in time also.
 
I think Tom was nervous when he kicked those few shockers. Afterall how many times has he ever played in front of 51,000 people. Great experience for him. That goal he kicked later where he grabbed the ball out of the pack with sheer strength was a ripper. The kid is ok
 
IMO, we look a lot more dangerous with Mooney, Hawkins and N.Ablett in the forward line together.
Atleast that way if one is having an off game then we're not relying on just the one to stand up. They also seem to work pretty well together.
 
carn_the_cattas said:
IMO, we look a lot more dangerous with Mooney, Hawkins and N.Ablett in the forward line together.
Atleast that way if one is having an off game then we're not relying on just the one to stand up. They also seem to work pretty well together.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. The only question you'd have is mobility, but as Mooney and Nathan Ablett are very quick for big men (and Hawkins is ok) I don't think that's a massive issue. For now it could depend on the weather. But before long this will be our permanent forward setup. No doubt at all.

Other good things about having all 3 in there is it really stretches the height of the opposition backline - few sides have 3 quality defenders at 6 foot 4 or more. It also frees Ottens up to play solely as a ruckman, which I'll reiterate again is by far where he plays his best footy (this season by no coincidence).
 
Partridge said:
Couldn't agree more. The only question you'd have is mobility, but as Mooney and Nathan Ablett are very quick for big men (and Hawkins is ok) I don't think that's a massive issue. For now it could depend on the weather. But before long this will be our permanent forward setup. No doubt at all.

Other good things about having all 3 in there is it really stretches the height of the opposition backline - few sides have 3 quality defenders at 6 foot 4 or more. It also frees Ottens up to play solely as a ruckman, which I'll reiterate again is by far where he plays his best footy (this season by no coincidence).
Click to expand...
Yep. If conditions suit, I'd love to see us play both Nathan Ablett and Hawkins.
 

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