Preview Hawthorn vs Essendon - Changes and Discussion

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Out: Murphy
In: Guerra

I'd give Hodge and Bailey another week at BH and Buddy another week away from fast cars and the Etihad surface.

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

Man i thought the next 3 games were going to be tough, i'm quite excited about friday.

 

[Gralin]

Young's disposals are getting better 79% today 0 clangers against a good team with good intensity

Cheney stood up today 90% DE and 0 clangers

Murphy Savage and Gunston were at the bottom our only players below 70% Savage especially needs to improve that thoug considering when he came on I'm not sure how much was him and how much was the rest of the guys not working as hard to get to the ball. He does have a habit of up and under kicks off the shin though

 

[Flukey!]

Man i thought the next 3 games were going to be tough, i'm quite excited about friday.

I am already looking forward to the Cats.
That's the big test in my mind.

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

I am already looking forward to the Cats.
That's the big test in my mind.

Half the team thats beat up since 2008 is gone..

 

[HawksILove]

I am already looking forward to the Cats.
That's the big test in my mind.

I agree. Got tickets already for that one

 

[hawksfan71]

Who gets a game? Buddy?

Hodge in, Guerra In, Cheney out, not sure who else out? they won't risk Buddy, hopefuly the big man will be right for the cats game. Havent rated Scum at all this year, just be a training session after todays demolition job against the best team going around lately (don't rate Eagles or Crows either, Syd are good though)

 

[hawksfan71]

Clarko in his presser said that Buddy is ready to play next week just unsure whether he will ease him in through box hill.....

In: Goo, Buddy

Out: Cheney, Murph

Hodge not ready in my opinion.

LOL, Like to see Buddy at Box Hill, they would get record crowds, not going to happen I don't think.

 

[hawksfan71]

The constant Murphy hate from some is incredible. He was really good today, as he has been other weeks. I wouldn't like to see him dropped.

I thought he was great also, don't want to see him go, our depth is amazing right now, would like to see Buddy not forward after two past weeks as the goal spread is awesome, also Buddy can kick goals from 60 metres!

 

[Gene Simmons]

IN'S: Guerra, Hodge
OUT'S: Cheney, Savage or Smith

Murphy will keep his spot
Give Buddy another week rest and bring him in vs Cats

 

[JoeHawk]

Hodge in, Guerra In, Cheney out, not sure who else out? they won't risk Buddy, hopefuly the big man will be right for the cats game. Havent rated Scum at all this year, just be a training session after todays demolition job against the best team going around lately (don't rate Eagles or Crows either, Syd are good though)

Agree.

Should be able to handle Bombers as I too haven't rated them all year. They'll be tested now and we'll start to see them crumble.

Sydney and Cats are our biggest hurdle. Need Buddy back for the Cats in an absolutely must win game to finally shake that monkey off our back. And if Hawks are to lose another game heading for the finals (and lets face it, they probably will) it will be Sydney at SCG. From what I saw today, the rest of the games are very winnable.

Goo, Gilham and Bailey in for Bombers. Hodge and Buddy the week after for the Cats. Bad luck for the Outs.

 

[BobHawk]

Goo, Gilham and Bailey in for Bombers. Hodge and Buddy the week after for the Cats. Bad luck for the Outs.

Agree. Would give Hodge another week at BH and Buddy another week's rest. Wouldn't play either at Etihad anyway.

 

[hawkheart]

Goo would be only change at this stage, for Cheney, who's done nothing wrong.
Hodgey another week in the twos. No point bringing him in as sub for a quarter. I'd reckon Sav would be next in line on the chopping block. Coaches would have an eye on Murph for Stevie J in 2 weeks time, on whom he has a very good record.
Hate to say it, but I don't reckon Bails features in plans for this year apart from depth. Everything goes out of whack if you try to fit him in to the same side with Rough and Hale doing so well.

 

[Glacier]

Poor old Cheney has done nothing wrong but may get the chop
Good for the club I know but I'm a fan

 

[Cynic]

IN: Guerra & Hodge
OUT: Cheney & Murphy

Shiels to Stanton
Sewell to Watson
Lewis to Heppell

That's all that matters

 

[walhawk]

Savage first out. Having a poor year.
Smith has also fallen away.
But...
Goo comes in for Guerra.
I would make Hodge the sub, for Savage who surely needs a whole game at BH.
Buddy then comes in, for Murphy.

Big Max will get a game V Port & GC while we rest a few players.

 

[Paul Kersey]

I want to embarrass the scum this Friday. 60+. Minimum.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Apparantely Poppy may be in some trouble for a bump?
If nothing is in it I would say either no change or Guerra in for Murphy/ Cheney (not that they were poor but Guerra is best 22)
Hodge and Buddy to have another week off at least

 

[Agent Smith]

Out: Gifting cheap, easy goals to the opposition.
In: The greatest player in the league. If he isn't quite up to it this week, I'll settle for the second greatest player in the league.

If you have to ask, then you don't deserve to know...

 

[Stratton_Gun]

I want to embarrass the scum this Friday. 60+. Minimum.

Don't get too ahead of yourself
During the week Collingwood had a thread that was called "How much do we need to win by?"

I would take any win

 

[eth-dog]

Hey guys, posted this preview up on our board, sorry about the jibes, but I really hate your mob. Hoping for another classic brawl soon, there hasn't been a good one all year, and it's about time we served up another one.

Essendon vs Hawthorn (27/07/2012):

Observations:

Essendon: Has had a form slump in recent weeks, losing 4 of the last 7, and injuries or suspension to key players like Zaharakis, Hurley, Ryder and Hibberd, combined with the form slump of other key players like Stanton, Hooker and Crameri means that we’re seeing Essendon in the worst form so far this season. Hurley and Hibberd are possible inclusions this week, the latter more likely.

Hawthorn: I can’t possibly do them justice when talking about their form recently. They’ve been outstanding; I’ll just throw some powerful adjectives at you, like: awesome, amazing, incredible, fantastic, flawless, and I can’t say any more due to my hatred of them

Head-to-Head (last 5) : Essendon 3- Hawthorn 2

Form:

Essendon: W-W-L-W-L
Hawthorn: W-W-W-W-W

Odds (forecasted by me because the forecasting website sucks) Hawthorn $1.30 Essendon $2.50

Possible Teams:

Essendon:
B: Fletcher-Pears-Hardingham
HB: Dempsey-Carlisle-Hibberd
C: Stanton-Watson-Heppell
HF: Crameri-Gumbleton-Monfries
F: Davey-Hille-Jetta
R: Bellchambers-Hocking-Myers
I: Howlett-Browne-Dyson
S: Winderlich

Hawthorn:
B: Stratton-Gibson-Guerra
HB: Birchall-Schoenmakers-Suckling
C: Burgoyne-Mitchell-Hodge
HF: Bruest-Hale-Lewis
F: Rioli-Roughead-Gunston
R: Bailey-Sewell-Shiels
I: Puopolo-Savage-Smith
S: Young

Key Match-Ups:

Jobe Watson vs Sam Mitchell: These two are arguably the best inside midfielders in the competition. Mitchell was instrumental against Collingwood, Watson a shining light against Geelong, even if he was down in disposal efficiency. This is a fantastic match-up if it eventuates. Both will hold keys to winning the game for their respective sides

Jake Carlisle vs Jarryd Roughead: Simple case of best key defender on best key forward. Carlisle gave Clark a bath earlier in the year and has been by far the best defender in recent weeks for Essendon. I like this match-up for Hawthorn, Roughead is simply a fantastic forward, although he does have aa poor record against Essendon.

Thomas Bellchambers/David Hille vs Maxwell Bailey/David Hale: The ruck combination could be very important battle, Bellchambers has had 69 hitouts over the past 2 weeks in the AFL, 28% going to advantage and Hawthorn’s biggest weakness according to many experts is their ruckmen. Hopefully for my sake Bellchambers wins this part of the game

Keys for each team:

Essendon:
· Kick accurately- Essendon have wasted good chances in the forward line in every game. Will want to improve heavily in that regard
· Spread from the contest better, the hawks are fantastic at it. Spread better and you’re ½ way there.
· Win the rucks. Bellchambers is in fantastic form, so win it.

Hawthorn:
· Just do the same that you’ve been doing.
· Win the rucks, that’s really the only weakness you’ve had

Summary:

Essendon are in a form slump. What better way than to fix it than against the great enemies of the 1980’s? Essendon need to win to confirm that they’re a very good side. Stanton, Watson, Bellchambers and Hocking are vital to getting the right combination through the middle. They’re pissed, I guarantee it, and they’ll want to fight tooth and nail against the scum

Hawthorn are nigh on flawless right now, and their confidence will be sky high. They should be wary though, this could lead to arrogance and from previous encounters in the season, and this is one team you don’t want to be arrogant against. They should be ready for a dog fight

Tip: Essendon and Hawthorn are great rivals. I reckon it’ll be a tight, tough, hard contest, one Hawthorn haven’t had in a while, so I’m going to say Essendon by 6

 

[Thai Hawk]

Don't get too ahead of yourself
During the week Collingwood had a thread that was called "How much do we need to win by?"

I would take any win

If we don't respect them as a team, Richmond all over again. I don't think this will happen, just saying that you need to respect even the scum. Besides we criticize other teams supporters for arrogance, lets not give ammo

 

[PenAndPaper]

Guerra in for Savage
Suckling to move to a wing
Murphy on Jetta/Davey
Cheney Sub

That's my 2 cents

 

[Glebehawk]

Hodge must come in now - if he'll be battle ready for finals. He will play.
Guerra not sure if he's ready to go, but perhaps another in.
Big Max will push, but I saw nothing wrong with Hale's game, so only injury will see him sidelined.

IN: Hodge, Guerra,
OUT: Cheney, Murphy.

by the by, anyone thinking Murphy should play finals this year needs to have their brain examined.
He is very average at best...always has been end of story.

 

[Bardo State]

I'd drop Sav before I took out Murphy or Cheney.

In the long run I think

In: Guerra, Hodge, Franklin
Out: (from) Savage, Cheney, Murphy

Will be interesting to see if X can crack the team when fit. Injuries will probably take care of it either way.