Bluebear
Brownlow Medallist
Many of the nay sayers, trollers, whatever you want to call them have, in light of our pre-season victory, rubbished as as having played soft opposition (non were finalists in 2006) with undermanned teams.
On SEN this AM Alistair Clkarkson was being interviewed, and was asked about whether Hawthorn would like to have progressed further in the NAB cup.
His answer lead me to thinking about this thread.
Apart from saying yes, they would like to have won, he went on to talk about the value of winning for a young team, and that building winning form, and winning culture is very very important.
He suggested that the more senior teams, and those likely to be finalists in 2007 don't push to hard this early because the don't want to burn out in July/August, but for younger sides that doesn't matter as much and you take wins were you can.
My point (if you're still reading this far down), is that far from having an easy run in the NAB cup, if last years finalists are not really bothered with it, then surely playing four, young, bottom 8 sides is a tougher contest at this time of year than playing WCE, Sydney or Crows, who really don't care. The exception is Freo who IMO were going for the million $.
The fact is that each winner in the first round of the NAB cup was placed lower at the end of the H&A last year than their opposition.
If we beat WCE, Sydney - they haven't got their full side in,
If we beat the Hawks, Dons, Roos, Lions - they aren't top 8 sides etc.
I think our form is better than people give us credit for, and they are hoping that its another 2005.
Its not blind optimism, its logical reasoning. Thoughts?
On SEN this AM Alistair Clkarkson was being interviewed, and was asked about whether Hawthorn would like to have progressed further in the NAB cup.
His answer lead me to thinking about this thread.
Apart from saying yes, they would like to have won, he went on to talk about the value of winning for a young team, and that building winning form, and winning culture is very very important.
He suggested that the more senior teams, and those likely to be finalists in 2007 don't push to hard this early because the don't want to burn out in July/August, but for younger sides that doesn't matter as much and you take wins were you can.
My point (if you're still reading this far down), is that far from having an easy run in the NAB cup, if last years finalists are not really bothered with it, then surely playing four, young, bottom 8 sides is a tougher contest at this time of year than playing WCE, Sydney or Crows, who really don't care. The exception is Freo who IMO were going for the million $.
The fact is that each winner in the first round of the NAB cup was placed lower at the end of the H&A last year than their opposition.
If we beat WCE, Sydney - they haven't got their full side in,
If we beat the Hawks, Dons, Roos, Lions - they aren't top 8 sides etc.
I think our form is better than people give us credit for, and they are hoping that its another 2005.
Its not blind optimism, its logical reasoning. Thoughts?
)
I agree with you, a lot of people/other clubs can't stand the thought of Carlton being back on top again. Make no mistake that is where we are now headed. Just look at what happened after the game on Saturday night. Muted celebrations, everyone home by 1am and, everyone at the recovery session early next morning.
can;t say NAB cup grand final as Soft its just Brisbane lost it them Selves when they missed so many easy shots many what we would have kicked 
