Hawkins

[Duskfire]

Having a 5x better season than million dollar man Cloke.

Yeah I never understood the fascination with Cloke, and the eagerness for multiple clubs to throw big money at him. Obviously I am biased, but Hawkins just dominates, is young and has alot of upside. If his kicking boots are on, could be one of the most influential players around.

Am glad that Bomber and by extension Scott stuck with him during all his "ordinary" years.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

To each his own. I hate it. Hate Brayshaw and hate his fascination with coming up with idiotic nicknames that aren't needed. His teammates call him "Hawk" funnily enough. The commentary by just about every other team in the Grand Final was better.

Jason Dunstall was called 'bunghole' by his team mates and 'piggy' by everyone else. Of course now he's 'the chief', but that's an off-field kettle of fish. As far as the match call goes - as you say, to each their own. I can see why it could get annoying, especially when the match is tight and the bullshit commentary is getting in the way of you the radio listener following something you can't see. BUT I myself like that kind of tomfoolery for the most part.

Makes things more jovial.

 

[Skerret]

Triple M are the only ones that do that stuff and make it enjoyable because they are, for the most part, clever chaps (despite the blokeyness) and have good comic timing. When Brayshaw, Brian Taylor, Dunstall and Garry Lyon were calling the game, they were the most entertaining group I've heard. Not the best necessarily, but the most amusing. Their coverage highlights how awful Bruce and Dennis are.

Also, on topic, I call him Hawk as it's quicker to type in the hurley burley of the gameday commentary thread.

 

[Duskfire]

I like Bradshaw because of how excited he gets. Especially in the Grand Final, but in close games in general. Its obvious he loves the game, and giving players weird nicknames I think is just an extension of that love.

 

[Partridge]

I like Bradshaw because of how excited he gets. Especially in the Grand Final, but in close games in general. Its obvious he loves the game, and giving players weird nicknames I think is just an extension of that love.

Excitement is great, but I honestly think a lot of commentators now think they have to invent either new phrases to describe the game or new nicknames for the players to do their job. It started with McAveney years ago to extreme levels by Russell and the Channel 9 boys' club. The one commentator who didn't invent new words, and called players just by surname, was Clinton Grybas. Amazingly enough he was universally regarded as the best caller. His call of the 2007 Grand Final is sensational and there's still plenty of excitement there.

 

[Partridge]

Has seriously impressed me unlike most Cat players this year.

Thunt has been ok to good, Duncan good, West ok-good, Motlop good and Bundy ok.

Guthire looks likely, Walker - an exciting prospect (even more so than Vardy IMO), the Hyphen - maybe a player, Smedts looking better with each game and Murdoch raw but shown enough to suggest he may be a player at sometime in the future for us.

I think they've all been very good really. We need to remember and understand where they all are, and how inexperienced the majority still are. Hunt has been asked to do a really tough role, which he's had now all of about 15 games experience in. Ling wasn't that great a tagger after that brief a time either, which people need to remember. He's getting there. Otherwise agreed, they've all shown at times some very encouraging signs.

However Hawkins has nearly every game shown me is having a serious go at the contest and using his body better and better. One out he is becoming a monster. His hans and confidence still on the rise IMO. he will get better yet.

That marking contest in the second quarter where he had to go off was awesome. He was realistically not going to get there, but he launched himself at the pack like he wanted to injure the entire opposition backline. 2 years ago that aggression at the ball simply wasn't there. Every defender in the competition now would be not just wary of his ability but wary of his size. A great, great sign.

 

[Senatorguesty]

Excitement is great, but I honestly think a lot of commentators now think they have to invent either new phrases to describe the game or new nicknames for the players to do their job. It started with McAveney years ago to extreme levels by Russell and the Channel 9 boys' club. The one commentator who didn't invent new words, and called players just by surname, was Clinton Grybas. Amazingly enough he was universally regarded as the best caller. His call of the 2007 Grand Final is sensational and there's still plenty of excitement there.

Any idea where one can get that call?
Its not part of the DVD obviously....

 

[thegerman]

What I am enjoying, is that those who doubted him are eating a nice slice of humble pie. Wondering who is out there, who didn't believe, are happy to own up?

 

[Partridge]

Any idea where one can get that call?
Its not part of the DVD obviously....

It should be. One of the alternate commentaries - the 3AW one. Even Rex Hunt is good on it funnily enough.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

It should be. One of the alternate commentaries - the 3AW one. Even Rex Hunt is good on it funnily enough.

Get around him!

Best marking forward in the game right now and just gives a huge contest and importantly second effort. Would just love to see him sort out something close to a reasonable set shot and we could build a team around him for the next 5 years.

Hawkins, Walker, Vardy is looking solid!

 

[Duskfire]

Its fine, let million dollar man Cloke get all the attention anyway. The less people who attempt to poach the Hawk the better!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Never understood the hate for Brayshaw, I like his commentary style. Far better than the boring bastards on ch7. At least Brayshaw sounds like he enjoys it. Oh well to each his own as you say.

On topic; is Hawkins a sneaky chance for AA (or even the squad of 40) or has my unashamed love for the big man got the better of me? Great year so far nonetheless.

Edit: ^^^^^^ I loved the look on his face after that first poster. "What have I got to do to get a goal around here!?!?"

On the odd occasion when I'm listening to radio commentary, there's been times when I'm driving for 15-20 minutes and been thoroughly entertained by the Triple M commentary, then I've got out of the car and realised I've got no idea what has just happened on the ground.

If anyone was serious about keeping stats around here there would be stats for each player's (especially for forwards): goals, narrow misses, shanks (including those which fail to score). Set shots and general play. Inside 35m/35-50m/Outside 50m It's a joke how simplistic the goalkicking accuracy stats are.

 

[The 747]

What I am enjoying, is that those who doubted him are eating a nice slice of humble pie. Wondering who is out there, who didn't believe, are happy to own up?

I thought his ceiling was GOP last year, had given up on him becoming a star. Then the GF happened.

But.....his development took a longer path than most because we had a dominant team and his development was compromised by our need to win games and play our best side. If he had been drafted by a bottom 8 team he would have spent almost every game where he belongs, as the main man KPF.

 

[Partridge]

I thought his ceiling was GOP last year, had given up on him becoming a star. Then the GF happened.

But.....his development took a longer path than most because we had a dominant team and his development was compromised by our need to win games and play our best side. If he had been drafted by a bottom 8 team he would have spent almost every game where he belongs, as the main man KPF.

There's more to it than that I think. I've got no doubt at all playing him in the ruck didn't help, for one thing he injured his foot when he was actually playing decent footy (consecutive 4 goal hauls against Brisbane and Melbourne). I don't think his development was compromised because we were a good side, at the same time Varcoe was given a lot more time before he started delivering anything.

Anyway, the main thing is how he looks now. Fantastic and looking better all the time.

 

[Copernicus]

Its fine, let million dollar man Cloke get all the attention anyway. The less people who attempt to poach the Hawk the better!

If memory serves, he signed a three(?) year contract earlier in the year, so we're safe from poachers for now. Hard to see him going anywhere anyway.

 

[And_ROOS]

On the odd occasion when I'm listening to radio commentary, there's been times when I'm driving for 15-20 minutes and been thoroughly entertained by the Triple M commentary, then I've got out of the car and realised I've got no idea what has just happened on the ground.

If anyone was serious about keeping stats around here there would be stats for each player's (especially for forwards): goals, narrow misses, shanks (including those which fail to score). Set shots and general play. Inside 35m/35-50m/Outside 50m It's a joke how simplistic the goalkicking accuracy stats are.

Haha noticed that on the way home from work Friday night, was listening to us spank Essendon, and it was good to listen to on MMM, but after about 5 mins, 8 mins, i hadnt heard the score once.

 

[winty]

People always rave on about how Cloke is the best contested mark in the comp, but Hawkins would give him a run for his money. Just amazing hands and an amazing leap. If he improved his accuracy consistently he would be a beast of a man for the opposition.

According to the AFL Prospectus, Hawkins averaged the most contested marks in the competition (4 a game) from Round 17 onwards last season, which coincided with the end of the "Hawkins as a backup ruckman" experiment and a move back to being a permanent forward.

 

[candiehappy]

I don't think that there's ever been a doubt about his marking, except for a period a while back where he seemed to be trying to mark on his chest rather than with his hands. But he has an awesome leap and great hands. Hopefully will continue on from where he left off on Friday night and refind the early season form kicking for goal.

 

[SJ]

I don't think that there's ever been a doubt about his marking, except for a period a while back where he seemed to be trying to mark on his chest rather than with his hands. But he has an awesome leap and great hands. Hopefully will continue on from where he left off on Friday night and refind the early season form kicking for goal.

I reckon his marking has improved 100% since about a year ago. I used to joke that he could not take a single-grabber if you paid him. Now he takes a half-dozen a game.

 

[Senatorguesty]

He's an elite marker now no doubt. Takes em high, takes em low to the ground, wrestling big defenders, leaping over packs, on the lead, everything.
If he could kick straight (say Bombers game constantly) he would be THE number 1 power forward in the comp. Franklin I dont consider a power forward..

 

[hbk_aus]

I reckon his marking has improved 100% since about a year ago. I used to joke that he could not take a single-grabber if you paid him. Now he takes a half-dozen a game.

Exactly what i used to think. He never used to be a "clunker", lots of 2 grabbers and dropped marks. Now he has the confidence to hold on to them - and he is ragdolling full backs with ease in body to body contests. If he could get that kicking to a more consistent standard, he would be leading the Coleman easily. Very unselfish as well dont forget, that centre to Harry on Friday night for example.

 

[Partridge]

I reckon his marking has improved 100% since about a year ago. I used to joke that he could not take a single-grabber if you paid him. Now he takes a half-dozen a game.

It's not just the amount of marks he's taking either, he's taking incredibly difficult contested marks and sometimes makes it look effortless. I guess the whole confidence / self-belief / awareness of ability has all gelled at the same time, and now he doesn't hope he's good enough, he knows he is. The last two weeks he's almost embarrassed Brown and Hooker and they're both very good footballers. Just an amazing transformation.

 

[SJ]

The other thing though is his game plan is still to not lead, but start to move once the ball is in the air. I wonder if the plan is to ever introduce leading into his game eventually, or if someone has thought that isn't the best tactic.

 

[Partridge]

The other thing though is his game plan is still to not lead, but start to move once the ball is in the air. I wonder if the plan is to ever introduce leading into his game eventually, or if someone has thought that isn't the best tactic.

Maybe they figure if he's got enough space and is one-out, no defender can match him for strength? Be pretty close to true. He's shrugging them off like flies at the moment.

I've noticed when he does drop one it's generally because a third defender has managed to get in there - he's already gotten rid of his opponent. Although I noticed Smedts got in his way Friday night and spoiled him which annoyed me at the time.

 

[hbk_aus]

Maybe they figure if he's got enough space and is one-out, no defender can match him for strength? Be pretty close to true. He's shrugging them off like flies at the moment.

I've noticed when he does drop one it's generally because a third defender has managed to get in there - he's already gotten rid of his opponent. Although I noticed Smedts got in his way Friday night and spoiled him which annoyed me at the time.

Thats what worried me about Pods coming back - it does tend to clutter up the space down there at times. We all saw in the GF what Hawkins can do if left one-out, so either Pods pushes right up the ground or he misses out in my opinion. Not that my opinion counts for much but hey its Big Footy.