Preview Hawthorn vs Essendon - Changes and Discussion

[Dixie Flatline]

Based on? We might be in a rich vein of form but we haven't beaten the Cats in a very long time and we need the big bodies back for that game. We have Port and GC the two weeks after that game. Expect both Hodge and Franklin to play against the Cats.

Franklin is listed as two weeks away, which (if that's accurate) he's not back until the home game against Port Adelaide in Tasmania in mid-August.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Agree. Stop their run and they are a really really average side. Stop Watson and you stop the most of their run as he is pivotal i getting the ball out to the runners. I think Hocking might be back, and he plays this role well too.

If we come with the intensity we came out with last week, you can bank the 4 points now, if we don't, then we will have our work cut out for us.

Their run is quite easy to shut down. Geelong put players a few metres around each stoppage in a circle format which in most cases allowed Essendon first possession but prevented them from breaking lines and carrying the ball. What happens to the Essendon ball carrier is that they then have to kick over the top of the "stoppage zone" or roll the dice and take on the tackler. We know that Essendon are not lethal by foot and are not strong enough to take on the big bodies we have so they will have to reinvent their gameplan to beat us. The only other risk is if our boys don't play their role but they are so synced at the moment, there is very little chance of that happening.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Franklin is listed as two weeks away, which (if that's accurate) he's not back until the home game against Port Adelaide in Tasmania in mid-August.

Must be gospel then

 

[gohawkz1]

Injury update as at 25 July
Amos Frank (calf) - 1-2 weeks
Jarrad Boumann (hand) - TBC
Lance Franklin (hamstring) - 1 week
Sam Grimley (finger) - 1-2 week
Michael Osborne (knee) - season
Alex Woodward (knee) - seasonAndrew Boseley (shoulder) - season

 

[Jiggystoon]

Franklin is listed as two weeks away, which (if that's accurate) he's not back until the home game against Port Adelaide in Tasmania in mid-August.

Buddy will be back against Geelong, that was always the plan was it not?

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Buddy will be back against Geelong, that was always the plan was it not?

I was fooled by the Herald-Sun this week relying on last week's injury update. I've seen the updated injury list and agree - he should be back for the Cats.

 

[MinerBoy]

I thought for team balance last week that Sav for Gilham was a good move.

My question is whether that was a late change based on exactly that (Sav being a better option) or whether Gilham actually had an injury of some sort. I missed the lead in to the opening bounce and haven't actually heard.

 

[BigMick1]

I was fooled by the Herald-Sun this week relying on last week's injury update. I've seen the updated injury list and agree - he should be back for the Cats.

Hope we play him when he is right, no need to rest fit athletes if they are injury free, would love him to have a run under his belt before cats, will need him firing to ensure victory against arch nemisis, if he is fit this week lets play Buddy against bombers

 

[GruffSalad]

Like to see Guerra come back into the team this week. Keep Hodge at Box Hill for maybe one more week unless he's 100%, can't really see it happening but.

 

[spudmaster]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/142629/default.aspx

ESSENDON'S Stewart Crameri and David Myers are in doubt for the club's important clash with Hawthorn on Friday night. 



http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/142629/default.aspx

They can't take a trick this year. Must have had one hell of a preseason!

(hope they get better, wouldnt wish an injury on anyone etc etc, whatever else needs to be said to appease the political correctness nazis...)

 

[Neville Bartos]

Crameri not playing would be great for us. He's a seriously good footballer.

 

[QuietB]

Hodge will apparently play. Will be part of the sub action.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Just don;t see the point in Hodge playing. He has time, why not put him in the scoobs until at least Port then let him have 4 games to warm up before finals, plus the 3 VFL games. There is no reason to rush him back. We are flying at the moment.

 

[mrcurly]

Just don;t see the point in Hodge playing. He has time, why not put him in the scoobs until at least Port then let him have 4 games to warm up before finals, plus the 3 VFL games. There is no reason to rush him back. We are flying at the moment.

Agree totally, the only change should be IN: Guerra, give Hodge another run in the VFL.
The unfortunate Cheney will probably be dropped from the squad - though he played a brilliant game against them last season....

 

[JDizzle77]

Just don;t see the point in Hodge playing. He has time, why not put him in the scoobs until at least Port then let him have 4 games to warm up before finals, plus the 3 VFL games. There is no reason to rush him back. We are flying at the moment.

Agree 100%

 

[shotgun_blues]

On a side note. Why on earth is this game at Etihad and not the MCG? We've been bent over with our draw this year. It defies all logic! This game always had the potential to pull 75k+.

 

[MinerBoy]

On a side note. Why on earth is this game at Etihad and not the MCG? We've been arse-r*ped with our draw this year. It defies all logic! This game always had the potential to pull 75k+.

I assume because it's Essendon's home game.

 

[go hawks!!!]

For anyone at home today or in the vicinity of Waverley, there is a 11.30 training session at Waverley. So get along in your Hawthorn colors (I have my hawks jumper on my desk) and say hi to the players and COACH, I am sure that Clarko will be nice and be willing to sign an autograph or two.

Go Hawks (otronis)!

 

[pacman]

Where are the Robinson, Conolly and Ralph articles pumping up the bombers? Running scared I'm tipping

Robinsons Tackle column made not one mention of our win over the pies this week.

Robbo was very bullish about the Hawks on 360.

 

[Pessimistic]

What worries me is I am wayy too confident about this game

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Go Hawks (otronis)!

Made me laugh.

Just on Hodge, surely the club will be concerned about the hardness of the Etihad surface. If it was a final, yeah you'd play him, but he'd get more benefit playing 90 mins at BH then 30 mins as a sub on the concrete jungle.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Robbo was very bullish about the Hawks on 360.

Robbo also said that Carlton would win the flag this year, like most he bases his opinion on the flavour of the month - although Robbo often likes to differentiate himself by picking out the third or fourth favourite, just to be different.

Quite a man, is Robbo.

 

[MrFujiMoto]

Will be an interesting game. Lets hope, Smith, Shiels and Savage (If he gets in) are as damaging on the scoresheet as they were last year. Hoping for a win of any sort and a game free of injury.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Will be an interesting game. Lets hope, Smith, Shiels and Savage (If he gets in) are as damaging on the scoresheet as they were last year. Hoping for a win of any sort and a game free of injury.

I must say - I think Savage is a 3-goal bag away from getting the confidence boost he needs.

 

[Brant]

I must say - I think Savage is a 3-goal bag away from getting the confidence boost he needs.

Agreed. He isn't doing a lot wrong.

IMO Smith is in a similar boat. Is running hard & getting to the right spots. I expect he'll find space & get on his bike a bit tomorrow night. I think Smith is working harder in & around the contest this year as well as being more accountable - I'm not surprised that his disposal is a little worse as a result.