Oppo Camp Non-Eagles Discussion 2026

[Tugga27]

He missed all of last year with injury. Give him a few games to find some touch.

I realise that, but he's played 76 games now.

Has been underwhelming for a pick 4 IMO.

 

[Cuzz09]

Hawks shit me just about as much as Swans

 

[ep2018]

Hawks get both Sydney and Dogs with untimely injuries. Lucky pricks.

 

[Tugga27]

WB should spank them by 30+ if they are top 4 bound

I can't stand Hawthorn, but a lot on here seriously underrate them.
Maybe because of it.

Pretty sure they were firm favourites with the bookies.

 

[WCE777]

I can't stand Hawthorn, but a lot on here seriously underrate them.
Maybe because of it.

Pretty sure they were firm favourites with the bookies.

Maybe so but if WB are a serious top 4 team then this should be well within their ability.

On the other hand Hawks are no better than last year and are amongst a group of teams that will finish 6-8 come season end and Hawks midfield is B grade at best.

 

[Keys]

I can't stand Hawthorn, but a lot on here seriously underrate them.
Maybe because of it.

Pretty sure they were firm favourites with the bookies.

Hawthorn are deceptively good

They don’t really have any genuine superstars like a Bontempelli or Daicos or Butters or Heeney or Rowell or you get my drift

What is clear though is that they’re very well coached to the point where Mitchell has legitimate claims to be considered the best coach in the league

Consider what he has to work with

• Meek is a solid, but not dominant ruck
• Without Day, their midfield lacks depth. Newcombe is a very good grunt player but doesn’t have the polish of the genuine A grade mids. Nash, D’ambrosio, Mackenzie, Ward etc aren’t striking fear into opponents
• Watson is becoming a genuine impact player but is still prone to inconsistency
• Under Mitchell, Ginnivan has transformed from a precocious talent to a surprisingly intelligent onfield general
• Bunch of small forwards who can be dangerous around Gunston who’s allowed to operate with a freedom that exploits his football smarts
• Their genuine strength is the backline. Barrass and Battle can be relied upon to shutdown their opponents whilst Sicily, Impey and Amon provide the rebound

In short the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

And they win games on the back of it

Where they fall down imo, is that when it gets to the really pointy end of the season they don’t quite have the depth of talent to go head to head over a full four quarters against the very best

Which is why I think that at the end of this year they will likely be left to rue their inability to complete the Merrett trade. It might well cost them a flag

 

[Farang83150]

Wow. 14 hit outs to zero!

 

[FKASC]

Hawthorn are deceptively good

They don’t really have any genuine superstars like a Bontempelli or Daicos or Butters or Heeney or Rowell or you get my drift

What is clear though is that they’re very well coached to the point where Mitchell has legitimate claims to be considered the best coach in the league

Consider what he has to work with

• Meek is a solid, but not dominant ruck
• Without Day, their midfield lacks depth. Newcombe is a very good grunt player but doesn’t have the polish of the genuine A grade mids. Nash, D’ambrosio, Mackenzie, Ward etc aren’t striking fear into opponents
• Watson is becoming a genuine impact player but is still prone to inconsistency
• Under Mitchell, Ginnivan has transformed from a precocious talent to a surprisingly intelligent onfield general
• Bunch of small forwards who can be dangerous around Gunston who’s allowed to operate with a freedom that exploits his football smarts
• Their genuine strength is the backline. Barrass and Battle can be relied upon to shutdown their opponents whilst Sicily, Impey and Amon provide the rebound

In short the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

And they win games on the back of it

Where they fall down imo, is that when it gets to the really pointy end of the season they don’t quite have the depth of talent to go head to head over a full four quarters against the very best

Which is why I think that at the end of this year they will likely be left to rue their inability to complete the Merrett trade. It might well cost them a flag

It’s hard to say without coming across as salty because he was our assistant and bailed, but I think it’s pretty clear that Mitchell is a very very good coach.

You don’t see any passengers in their side each week and he’s getting a lot out of pretty average players. A lot like Hardwick did at Richmond.

 

[amazingjoshy]

Watson just tackled O'Donnell who's head hits the ground and he gets up almost throwing up

Play on, no issue at all

 

[domad33]

Bulldog are feeling what its like not having a ruck to give your mids first use

 

[KERRPOW]

I can't stand Hawthorn, but a lot on here seriously underrate them.
Maybe because of it.

Pretty sure they were firm favourites with the bookies.

Came on here to say I don't believe the hawks are this good..
. because i flipping hate em

 

[Cuzz09]

After Gather Rd last year Brisbane Lions were top... they won the flag

this year... Swans Premiers??

 

[Keys]

Watson just tackled O'Donnell who's head hits the ground and he gets up almost throwing up

Play on, no issue at all

Yeah, would love to see a replay of that. Definitely slammed him pretty hard into the ground

 

[stallon]

A prime example of why a ruckman is by far our highest priority.

Could have the best midfield in the comp vs one of the weaker/shallower midfields and still get smashed entirely due to the ruck situation

 

[amazingjoshy]

Bulldog are feeling what its like not having a ruck to give your mids first use

They've had that for 5 years

English has never won hitouts. Revisionist history

 

[FKASC]

A prime example of why a ruckman is by far our highest priority.

Could have the best midfield in the comp vs one of the weaker/shallower midfields and still get smashed entirely due to the ruck situation

I don’t think Hawthorn are good because they win ruck contests

 

[stallon]

I don’t think Hawthorn are good because they win ruck contests

Thats not what I said at all

 

[Keys]

I don’t think Hawthorn are good because they win ruck contests

It is having a big influence on this game though - dominating clearances on the back of the first use they’re getting

 

[Tugga27]

Maybe so but if WB are a serious top 4 team then this should be well within their ability.

On the other hand Hawks are no better than last year and are amongst a group of teams that will finish 6-8 come season end and Hawks midfield is B grade at best.

If you mean "No better than they were last year", well they made a prelim.

People keep banging on about their midfield, yet they keep winning.
If be surprised if they didn't finish top 4.

 

[illegaleagle]

Boring as this years gather round most games terrible skills and poor weather.

 

[amazingjoshy]

It is having a big influence on this game though - dominating clearances on the back of the first cause they’re getting

Just not having a raw kid in there has changed it

Its Rory Lobb now, whos still losing the hitouts but just making a better contest. Suddenly they look competitive

 

[Keys]

**** me that was a soft free kick to ratboy

 

[Farang83150]

Darcey gonna go for that?

 

[Biggie]

Hawthorn are deceptively good

They don’t really have any genuine superstars like a Bontempelli or Daicos or Butters or Heeney or Rowell or you get my drift

My significant other is a Hawthorn supporter, so I watch all Hawks football

You could not have been more accurate.

Team football, no passengers, no individuals. (Maybe expect that arsehat, Watson)

 

[WCErevival]

In short the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

You could almost say its synergy.