Hawkins plays up the ground...

[patdman]

... and we have the strongest forward line we have had since the mid 1990s!

But he needs to take 10+ marks a game and get some clearances and tackles whilst he is providing and option and clearing space in traffic for the boys to do their work.

I just wonder that if he can have an impact around the ground and start winning some ball it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition and with Pods, JS, Moons and Ablett/Chapman up forward and Bartel, Corey and Kelly all mid or down back Hawkins can become a very dangerous man to throw at stoppages all around the ground.

 

[Brasil2007]

... and we have the strongest forward line we have had since the mid 1990s!

But he needs to take 10+ marks a game and get some clearances and tackles whilst he is providing and option and clearing space in traffic for the boys to do their work.

I just wonder that if he can have an impact around the ground and start winning some ball it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition and with Pods, JS, Moons and Ablett/Chapman up forward and Bartel, Corey and Kelly all mid or down back Hawkins can become a very dangerous man to throw at stoppages all around the ground.

I wouldn't mind seeing him line up in the backline if the opportunity arises. I think it would help his game. I think his field kicking is better than his kicking at goal. He's not bad with his hands either. As it stands he reminds me a little of Mackie at times, when he played more as a forward.

Was pleased with him crashing that pack early in the game - needs to start to do more of that. He's a big boy and I'd love to see some more aggression, even if that means giving away the odd free kick or 50 (as long as we're well on top of course ).

 

[Exhale You]

But he needs to take 10+ marks a game and get some clearances and tackles whilst he is providing and option and clearing space in traffic for the boys to do their work.

Wait, what? You expect him to take more marks than any player in the game?

Prior to this round there wasn't a genuine key forward (or ruckman) in the game who is averaging 10 marks a week this year and there are only three key forwards who even average 7 marks, two of them legends of the game.

Some expectations need to be tempered.

 

[Geelong2k9]

People are still quick to jump on a bloke when he a bit down.....leave him alone, all of you....ALL OF YOU.

 

[thegerman]

Took 9 marks today, I believe that is good enough, by a fair margin. We must remember that we have an abundance of options moving forward, each of them 'wanting' the ball delivered to them.

For Hawkins to get amongst it, make the ball come to ground which lets in Varcoe and co, he's done his job. I think he was molested by the umps today. Two frees against in ruck contests were a joke.

He did well, I'm definitely happy.

 

[The rabbi]

I would be interested to see how Mooney and Pods went without Hawkins in the side. (I suspect that they would find it more difficult) I tend to think that Hawkins will always draw a key defender and that frees up either Pods or Mooney as big forwards.

 

[Just do something]

People are still quick to jump on a bloke when he a bit down.....leave him alone, all of you....ALL OF YOU.

Ha Ha very good

 

[spanna050]

I'm happy most with his work rate. Seems to be really putting in the hard yards, both offensively and defensively. Some interesting selection nights coming up at the cattery.

 

[Brasil2007]

People are still quick to jump on a bloke when he a bit down.....leave him alone, all of you....ALL OF YOU.

Nah I wasn't having a go at him. I actually reckon he's been pretty good this season. He isn't kicking bags but he's doing the things that are expected of him - he chases, he makes space, he shares the ball. He has room to improve but I think he's about where I'd expect him to be at this stage of his career. That said I don't think his development or his confidence would be hampered by giving him a different role every now and then.

 

[meto]

I would be interested to see how Mooney and Pods went without Hawkins in the side. (I suspect that they would find it more difficult) I tend to think that Hawkins will always draw a key defender and that frees up either Pods or Mooney as big forwards.

It's the big three option that's given us the potency we're enjoying at the moment, lets not stuffup a good thing.
Each week at least one will be a little down on the others, cause he's drawing the defence, that's why the forwardline's found some teeth.
Anyway the big boy is taking a few grabs.

 

[Rahingo]

whats the point in hawkins playing and taking marks by himself down near half back?

at the moment i know he might be needed to give blake a chop out in the ruck, but if he comes up a good ruck combo he could be in trouble.

the last few weeks he simply hasnt been doing his job, which is taking marks in the forward line and kicking goals. he's currently averaging 1 goal a game, and a lot of those goals have been 'gimmies' by other players.

i would rather have mooney and podsey as our big forwards, bring in stokes when he's availiable, and send hawkins to the VFL to get some form and kick some bags.

you could say to a certain extent, that to keep playing him in the AFL, with how he is playing at the moment would actually be hampering his development. send him to the VFL, wait for him to kick a few bags, get some confidence and then see what happens at the selection table later in the season.

 

[Turbocat]

I think it worked well. Hawk obviously needs more experience and coaching if he is to be used like this more often. Hawkins is really a throw back to a time past , he doesn't move like a current day player more like a Sam Newman of times gone past. (I wonder if Sam would be interested if giving him some tips)

Im starting to agree with some others , he probably does suit the ruck more than the key forward position. He's just such huge man and the game requires such agility now. Yet with his leap and his size can be an advantage when playing as a follower. He needs to keep working hard around the ground and present more as an option but just like GA at the start , the more he is played like the more he will get used to it. One thing to remember , is today he was not up against two true high quality ruckmen. So at least at the moment one wouldn't use this setup every week.

Just observations. When forward and he crunched the packs twice , he went for chest marks. Is this just poor marking or deliberate tactic to maximze impact?

 

[James1970]

Today reminded me of the way Moons was used a few years ago, which in the end really did make hime a better player overall.

 

[cynical]

He did ok today, obviously his ruck work needs to improve a lot.

I prefer him up the ground taking marks and giving it off to the runners.

While Ottens is out keep him rucking.

 

[OldStyle2007]

He played well today. But jeez he's under the pump. Maybe he needs to be and the babying approach with just gifting him games to 'develop' needs to be dumped

I think it's great that Pods is in there playing well and it has just lit something underneath this Geelong forward line which has simmered along for so many years threatening to be good, but boy is it looking potent now

 

[AM]

He played well today. But jeez he's under the pump. Maybe he needs to be and the babying approach with just gifting him games to 'develop' needs to be dumped

I think it's great that Pods is in there playing well and it has just lit something underneath this Geelong forward line which has simmered along for so many years threatening to be good, but boy is it looking potent now

Didn't look so potent against the Blues. Reckon the 3 talls are still a work in progress.

 

[thegerman]

whats the point in hawkins playing and taking marks by himself down near half back?

at the moment i know he might be needed to give blake a chop out in the ruck, but if he comes up a good ruck combo he could be in trouble.

the last few weeks he simply hasnt been doing his job, which is taking marks in the forward line and kicking goals. he's currently averaging 1 goal a game, and a lot of those goals have been 'gimmies' by other players.

i would rather have mooney and podsey as our big forwards, bring in stokes when he's availiable, and send hawkins to the VFL to get some form and kick some bags.

you could say to a certain extent, that to keep playing him in the AFL, with how he is playing at the moment would actually be hampering his development. send him to the VFL, wait for him to kick a few bags, get some confidence and then see what happens at the selection table later in the season.

I don't agree here. Firstly, there are a number of roles within the forward structure of our team. We definitely need a lead-up forward, who may lead up to a high centre-half-forward area, even the wing for a mark. It then creates a very large open space behind the leading forward.

Chappy, Hawkins, Mooney, SJ and even Brynes have been doing this nearly everygame.

Hawkins got 9 marks today, which is a very good outcome. I think too many are putting outlandish claims on how he 'should' play. We quickly forget that he has 4-5 other targets in that forward line that deserve the footy too. Likewise he has a number of midfielders who float into the forward line for opportunistic goals.

For him to be a presence, force the footy to the ground and take 7-10 marks a game, he is easily showing that he can play and he is performing his role.

 

[Rustin' Man]

And don't forget his great tackle on Adam Goodes for a holding the ball decision! Thought he had a good game and did his job, a point that Bomber continually makes in his pressers.

 

[BarryG]

I like the idea of Hawkins and Mooney both playing up the ground. When they are marking in the centre square or on the wing then dish of to the mids who are front and square streaming past to then get the ball to a Pods / Ottens at full forward with crumbers Varcoe, Byrnes / Stokes / SJ in the running amok. It is beautiful to watch. Having mooney and Hawkins leading up the ground gives Pods / Ottens space and draws out 2 quality tall defenders.

I use Ottens as well for when he is resting in the forward line.

 

[David the Cat]

Like a few others here, I am happy with Hawkins work. I think he is playing well and doing the job asked of him. He is unfairly criticised a lot of the time.

Those that think he is destined for long term ruck work will be disappointed. He did a good job today...marks..tackles...presence....and he MAY play the same role next week, but I would be surprised if it goes much longer than that. Simpson is sure to get another run.

With Varcoe, Byrnes, Chappy, SJ and Stokes around to crumb, the 3 talls will be tested out a bit more yet....bank on it against the Woods! the impact the 3 talls is having on other teams structure is telling....another ace up Geelong's sleeve.....and a good one at that.

We might....just might.....be there for another crack....this is a seriously good side.

 

[patdman]

I wasnt having a go at him either. I just believe that if he can learn the roll of a very mobile ruckman/wing/mid in the mold of a Goodes/Richo then that roll my suit our team a lot better. Sure he can go forward and kick goals, and we probably dont want him to be getting all his positions in the backline (as we dont want any of our mids getting all their possies there), but if he plays like he does today and can even increase his work rate then I believe he adds more to the team than if he plays CHF.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Yes, its time for the Hawk to add a new string to his bow.... He has the capabilities to be a very good mobile player - however, his ruck work does need to develop. Much like Mooney in 2004, the Hawk has theses abilities and am especially impressed with some of his crunching tackles.

If it comes to either including a Dawson Simpson/Trent West or dropping Hawkins, then we should always persevere with the Hawk.

 

[Belisarius]

It maybe an early call but it seems to me Pods will be the more potent FF hhis year for us.

So what to do with Hawkins - how can the team best use his size and skill and develop him on the way ?

While Ottens is out he should play the second ruckman role. He is not a ruckman and so his tap work may not be that good yet but you would expect with some work he could be competitive at least.

And then he offers something around the ground Blake does not - a decent pair of hands and the ability to tackle.

Playing in the ruck for a while could see him take some marks around the ground and get his confidence up - that he can play well.

The issue will be when Ottens returns and if the club wants Dawson to get a few more games under his belt.

Until then Geelong can afford to run Hawkins in the second ruck position and resting down forward when Pods or Mooney take a break.

Lets wait until he has a few more games as second ruck and as a lead up player. It just might work out.

 

[Tristagi]

for the last month the Hawk has been playing up the ground way up to clear space, only dropping back to rest with, in which case Mooney will push up.

Then everyone jumps on him for not kicking goals, when clearly that's not his primary role.

Thought he was pretty damn good yesterday when the game was still in the balance.

 

[witsend]

Let's see how Pods goes when opposing coaches start putting some more work into him.
I am very optimistic on him, and it feels like a long time since we had a real consistent aerial marking KPF who can also crumb his own spillage, but it is a long season.
I think we are fortunate that Mooney, Hawkins and Pods seem happy to have any of each other kick goals with no fear of egos getting in the way.
If his form continues, Pods could be the last piece of the jigsaw to fall into place. Ominous for the competition, when the reigning Premier shows such significant improvement across the board.
Ablett, amazingly, seems to have gone to yet another level. Selwood is stilla s hard as a cat's head. Chapman is close to career best form. Scarlett and Milburn seem as switched on as ever. Ling just keeps on keeping on. Hawkins is learning all facets of the game at his own pace without much internal pressure of expectation (unlike Rioli/Franklin et al).
Duncan looks a genuine find. TV has gone to a new level. Byrnes has found consistency.... all good!!