Opinion Hypothetical 2021 Best 22

[Pessimistic]

Jeff said he wanted 2 flags between 2017-2022 at the AGM in 2016, so I assume he is expecting B2B next 2 seasons.

Even our most wildly optimistic fans thought there could be a pinched flag in that timeframe. Probably not so many now.

We have had plenty of discussion about ‘ageing or injury prone players but the losses of mitchell sicily even imply for a season have been younger guys. There needs to be a slice of luck too.

 

[Mrzohs]

Best 22 round 1 squad: injured: Sicily,Gunston. unknown: Mitchell,Patton,Scully.

Talls:Hartigan,Frost,Scrimshaw,Dgb
Small:Hardwick,Day,Impey,Greaves (8)
Rucks:BB,Worpel,Cousins,Jom,Wingard
Wings: Phillips,Downie,Sheils (8)
Talls: Lewis,Jeka,Tob
Small:Bruest,Silk,Mitchell (6)

Debut
Dgb - Should slot straight into Stratts role. (Frawley retired), (Sicily Lti) i would be hoping Frost plays the role as #2 KPD.
Downie - everything looks to be aligning. Scully in limbo. Hendo & Smith no longer around
Mitchell/Brockman - Crying out for a small fwd they drafted these two for a reason.
Jeka - Will come down to if they play two rucks. Personal think we need games into him asap. Kosi could surprise.

The spots will be hot Cj,Morrison,Moore,Finn,Hanrahan will all be knocking on Shiels & Silk Door.

 

[Hodginator]

Having a crack at our round 1 team with no Gunston and Sicily and assuming no Mitchell (hopefully he’s good to go), Scully or Patto.

FB: Hardwick Hartigan Greaves
HB: Impey Frost Scrimshaw
C: Phillips Wingard Day
HF: Moore TOB Cousins
FF: Breust Lewis Burgoyne
Foll: McEvoy JOM Worpel
Int: Ceglar, Shiels, Morrison, Downie

 

[KermitJagger]

If I can look on the positive side of things for season 2021, for all the issues we have over the ground, things are starting to make a little bit more sense from an inside midfielder point of view. It looks from the pre-season that there's been a shift in mentality on how to use Chad, we've shed or moved our coaches in that area and we've had a season for the boys to gel together properly.

I'm not upset at a midfield containing O'Meara, Worpel, Mitchell and Wings. O'Meara and Wings can share that inside/outside role as our cleanest clearance winners, without having O'Meara tied down in the contested stuff too much and without having Wings wasted up forward too often.

Weaknesses can be overcome to great effect by creative planning and good coaching. West Coast in 2016 could have been considered a write-off defensively - one of the best key defenders of all time in Glass retiring a few years prior, and losing McKenzie and Brown for essentially the entire season, but they planned around it and were the second best performing defense.

Gotta have faith that improvement can happen quickly, and blokes like Scrimshaw and Cousins having career years and statistics despite reduced minutes could make good signs for 2021. Not expecting finals, but genuinely believe we have enough talent and are too good as an organisation to completely fall off a cliff as some reckon.

 

[Hawk Hawkins]

I think we should probably play a back nine this season. Seems like a waste to have six up forward given it’s unlikely the ball will be spending any time up there, might as well send some of them down back to help out.

 

[Draftables]

Have a new series going on our website in preparation of the 2021 season. Running through all the club's lists and best 22s and Hawthorn has just dropped. Always feel like a supporters' judgement is one of the best going around so give us a follow, check it out and let us know your thoughts!

Hawthorn 2021 best 22 and list assessment

Will the Hawks continue to slide down the ladder?

t.co

 

[Davo-27]

Have a new series going on our website in preparation of the 2021 season. Running through all the club's lists and best 22s and Hawthorn has just dropped. Always feel like a supporters' judgement is one of the best going around so give us a follow, check it out and let us know your thoughts!

Hawthorn 2021 best 22 and list assessment

Will the Hawks continue to slide down the ladder?

t.co

you missed Damon Greaves, he will likely be a starting 18 player from next year imo, also DGB is a chance to play a few games, first couple years as a medium defender and then later as a Key Back, but good effort none-the-less.

 

[PenAndPaper]

Here's what I would go with.

FB: Hardwick, Hartigan, Greaves
HB: Scrimshaw, Frost, Day
C: Phillips, Worpel, Scully
HF: Impey, Gunston, Wingard
FF: Burgoyne, O'Brien, Breust
R: McEvoy, Mitchell, O'Meara
INT: Lewis, Cousins, Shiels, Hanrahan

Anyone on the bench could be replaced due to form but I think that is our strongest team on paper & if we are looking to play McEvoy as our #1 ruck.

I also wouldn't be surprised or adverse to Kosi playing either down back of up forward, I rate him extremely highly.

 

[hawkdork83]

I'll be honest, I'm not really sold there is any benefit playing Silk much at all this year. The benefit will definitely be there around the group at training, and perhaps when we come up against a Richmond, West Coast away, Geelong, Port or Brisbane, but in a utility role I just think we will be better served by playing someone coming through.

It feels like playing Silk might keep out a Greaves, Moore, Nash, Maginness, Downie, Jiath, Brockman or Morris at various points. With McEvoy, O'Meara, Mitchell, Wingard, Bruest, Shiels, Impey, Ceglar, Hartigan and Frost we have enough players in their prime (minus Big Boy) who should take the heat off the younger players. Hardwick and Phillips, whilst young, are also going to hit 100 AFL games during the season.

 

[rei154]

I'll be honest, I'm not really sold there is any benefit playing Silk much at all this year. The benefit will definitely be there around the group at training, and perhaps when we come up against a Richmond, West Coast away, Geelong, Port or Brisbane, but in a utility role I just think we will be better served by playing someone coming through.

It feels like playing Silk might keep out a Greaves, Moore, Nash, Maginness, Downie, Jiath, Brockman or Morris at various points. With McEvoy, O'Meara, Mitchell, Wingard, Bruest, Shiels, Impey, Ceglar, Hartigan and Frost we have enough players in their prime (minus Big Boy) who should take the heat off the younger players. Hardwick and Phillips, whilst young, are also going to hit 100 AFL games during the season.

I think they'll get Burgers to 400 and have him either retire from there, or have his 400th be the last game for the season

 

[Todman]

My Round 1:

FB: Hardwick, Hartigan, Greaves
HB: Scrimshaw, Frost, Day
C: Phillips, Worpel, Sheils
HF: Impey, Lewis, Wingard
FF: Burgoyne, O'Brien, Breust
R: McEvoy, Mitchell, O'Meara

INT from: Ceglar, Cousins, DBG, Hanrahan, Howe, Jiath, Maginness, Moore

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I'll be honest, I'm not really sold there is any benefit playing Silk much at all this year. The benefit will definitely be there around the group at training, and perhaps when we come up against a Richmond, West Coast away, Geelong, Port or Brisbane, but in a utility role I just think we will be better served by playing someone coming through.

It feels like playing Silk might keep out a Greaves, Moore, Nash, Maginness, Downie, Jiath, Brockman or Morris at various points. With McEvoy, O'Meara, Mitchell, Wingard, Bruest, Shiels, Impey, Ceglar, Hartigan and Frost we have enough players in their prime (minus Big Boy) who should take the heat off the younger players. Hardwick and Phillips, whilst young, are also going to hit 100 AFL games during the season.

Agree. He shouldn't be playing. He can still be a good influence around the club, but on the field he is just taking the spot of a younger player.

Hopefully he is mentoring the younger group and in particular Brockman. Import and Wingard can do that too as well.

 

[KermitJagger]

Agree. He shouldn't be playing. He can still be a good influence around the club, but on the field he is just taking the spot of a younger player.

Hopefully he is mentoring the younger group and in particular Brockman. Import and Wingard can do that too as well.

He's not taking the spot of a younger player until a younger player proves they can take his spot.

It's not as cut and dry as Stratton was last year, for an example. One role, no longer the best option in that role - Burger can still play multiple positions and lead in those positions.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

He's not taking the spot of a younger player until a younger player proves they can take his spot.

It's not as cut and dry as Stratton was last year, for an example. One role, no longer the best option in that role - Burger can still play multiple positions and lead in those positions.

What's the point in playing a 39 year old in a rebuilding team? He is literally no chance of being around when we are a decent side again.

All the leadership, tutoring, etc that he can provide can be done off the field.

 

[KermitJagger]

What's the point in playing a 39 year old in a rebuilding team? He is literally no chance of being around when we are a decent side again.

All the leadership, tutoring, etc that he can provide can be done off the field.

Why sign him for the year with no intention of playing him? Why omit a 39 year old who could still play good enough football to be in the side?

A floundering late draft pick or rookie has about as little chance of being around when we're a decent side again as Burgoyne. The main difference is that they won't offer anything in terms of leadership or on field performance while they're there, Burgoyne still can - forward, back or midfield he can still offer something.

 

[TheFourPillars]

I hate tjis argument oh he isnt going to be part of the premiership side so lets not play him. It really is nonsensical. Breust and gunners and the captain abd several others may not be part of our next premiership side.

Burgoyne's leadership on field will be just as important we are a fractured team down back with players coming back from injury, from other sides and youngens trying to cement their position. He provides stability in game as a calming influence. Same goes up forward. We need experience and he will be gradually moved out of side we r not going to play an under 22 side that would be bloody suicide losing 150 every game

 

[Bugs1977]

What's the point in playing a 39 year old in a rebuilding team? He is literally no chance of being around when we are a decent side again.

All the leadership, tutoring, etc that he can provide can be done off the field.

I would've thought the answer to this is pretty obvious… to set a standard. IMO as long as his form warrants being selected then Silk will play until it no longer does anymore.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Agree. He shouldn't be playing. He can still be a good influence around the club, but on the field he is just taking the spot of a younger player.

If he’s good enough, he plays, and we know he is.

 

[hamohawk1]

My Round 1:

FB: Hardwick, Hartigan, Greaves
HB: Scrimshaw, Frost, Day
C: Phillips, Worpel, Sheils
HF: Impey, Lewis, Wingard
FF: Burgoyne, O'Brien, Breust
R: McEvoy, Mitchell, O'Meara

INT from: Ceglar, Cousins, DBG, Hanrahan, Howe, Jiath, Maginness, Moore

I'll be tearing the walls of the club down if Finn is fit and not playing next season.

 

[Todman]

What's the point in playing a 39 year old in a rebuilding team? He is literally no chance of being around when we are a decent side again.

All the leadership, tutoring, etc that he can provide can be done off the field.

Marketing and the $$$ Silk's 400th will bring in.

The build up will be enormous. The media will be milked for all its worth.

 

[hawkdork83]

He's not taking the spot of a younger player until a younger player proves they can take his spot.

It's not as cut and dry as Stratton was last year, for an example. One role, no longer the best option in that role - Burger can still play multiple positions and lead in those positions.

I disagree with that. He didn't really have much impact for me last year at all.

Absolute champion, so lots of people get prickly over this, but all you need to do is look at his 2020 stats. It was a significant decline, goals aside. He's 38 and we are likely a bottom six list in need of a rebuild. I said earlier, we will probably have 10 or more players most weeks who are 25 or over. Surely that's enough to take the heat off the kids.

Hopefully we see him against the contending teams, and if/when we have injuries to more senior players. I'd be disappointed if he is considered best 22.

 

[WWSD]

Losing our three outside midfielders from the last two seasons really hurts. Hopefully we see a number of players rotating on that wing position.

I would go with the one ruck setup and have O’Brien as the second ruck and maybe bring in an extra midfielder instead.


IN: Hartigan, Phillips, Impey, Grainger-Barras, Day, Cousins, Greaves, Moore, Hanrahan


OUT: Henderson, Frawley, Stratton, Smith, Puopolo, Scully, Patton, Sicily, Gunston


B: Hardwick, Hartigan, Impey

HB: Greaves, Frost, Scrimshaw

C: Day, Mitchell, Phillips

HF: Burgoyne, O’Brien, Wingard

F: Breust, Lewis, Hanrahan

R: McEvoy, O’Meara, Worpel

INT: Shiels, Cousins, Grainger-Barras, Moore

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Some of the players in these hypothetical teams really do show how threadbare our list currently is, really isn't pretty reading.

 

[hamohawk1]

Losing our three outside midfielders from the last two seasons really hurts. Hopefully we see a number of players rotating on that wing position.

I would go with the one ruck setup and have O’Brien as the second ruck and maybe bring in an extra midfielder instead.


IN: Hartigan, Phillips, Impey, Grainger-Barras, Day, Cousins, Greaves, Moore, Hanrahan


OUT: Henderson, Frawley, Stratton, Smith, Puopolo, Scully, Patton, Sicily, Gunston


B: Hardwick, Hartigan, Impey

HB: Greaves, Frost, Scrimshaw

C: Day, Mitchell, Phillips

HF: Burgoyne, O’Brien, Wingard

F: Breust, Lewis, Hanrahan

R: McEvoy, O’Meara, Worpel

INT: Shiels, Cousins, Grainger-Barras, Moore

Highlighted players are unlikely to play in our next finals campaign if its more than 12 months away.

Lose some real talent, with the remainder having a few fringe players at best.

Need to hit the draft the next 2 times at least.

 

[WWSD]

Highlighted players are unlikely to play in our next finals campaign if its more than 12 months away.

Lose some real talent, with the remainder having a few fringe players at best.

Need to hit the draft the next 2 times at least.

The forward-line is the biggest worry.