Preview R21: Changes vs. Hawthorn

[ams4crows]

I don't think either team will "win easily" but if one team was to "win easily" it would more than likely be us.

Hawthorn didn't play all that well against Carlton in fact have been coasting now for awhile doing enough to win but not doing it impressively.

I think who ever wins it'll be under 20 points

 

[WeeBlake]

But Cumming doesn't need to go back if we bring Bond in.
Then it gives us the flexablilty to play Cumming on the wing with Curtin and Cook or HBF if Bond doesn't work out

That’s obviously possible. So is Bond as sub, to come on if we are getting torched by their smalls. Or Bond starting on the bench.

Bond for Max is not a straight swap. Max gives a fair bit offensively, Bond much less.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

That’s obviously possible. So is Bond as sub, to come on if we are getting torched by their smalls. Or Bond starting on the bench.

Bond for Max is not a straight swap. Max gives a fair bit offensively, Bond much less.

Against the Hawks small forwards, replacing the defensive side of Max is more important than the offensive side of Max.

It's a no brainer to bring in Bond, who can be offensive too, but obviously not the same class as Max.

Thought we should have played Bond earlier in the season against the Hawks & now we get to see him as an alternative option.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

actually makes sense - Peds or Taylor to sub. Cooke had better make the most of his opportunity

I would go for Pedlar as sub, as Taylor can play it tight on Impey. Ie. The anti-Murphy.

 

[119others]

I’m not so sure. In the Dogs game Cumming went back when Butts went off. They might do that again. It wouldn’t be crazy, it’s where many on here wanted him to play.

I guess the question is do they think it’s more important to keep some attacking ability in the backline or to have someone whose sole job it is to lockdown hard on a small-medium fwd.

That’s where I would be tempted to play Jones over Taylor or Peds. Has more positional flexibility - wing, hbf or midfield (tagger). Also very hard at the ball (as Peds is)

Perhaps I just don’t see or rate the qualities in Taylor that many others do.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

That’s where I would be tempted to play Jones over Taylor or Peds. Has more positional flexibility - wing, hbf or midfield (tagger). Also very hard at the ball (as Peds is)

Perhaps I just don’t see or rate the qualities in Taylor that many others do.

Yeah, I would prefer Jones as sub as gives us more flexibility.

 

[aabp1978]

In: Cumming, Bond
Out: MM, Jones

Would love to see them do something bold, like play Edwards, but would be happy with Bond coming in...need a lock down defender on the Hawks small forwards...

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

vs Collingwood 0-10

Disgusting.

From 1996 to 2000 we had a 1-8 record against the powerhouse North Melbourne team

It's all in the timing

 

[MrBarry]

Why are we discussing the oppo board? Who cares?

On the game, we were the superior team in Tassie and were very unlucky to lose.

However, they have got a lot better since then. Sicily is now in form and must be sat on. Similarly, Day and Lewis are in and will need to be watched. We have also got better and are at home. It will be difficult, but, provided we keep up the frantic pressure and defence, we should be OK.

On paper yeah, but I'd argue the results since that game in Tasmania haven't been that great. They struggled past St Kilda, lost to Freo, sort of pushed Port aside and beat Carlton by a few goals last week.

Since that Hawthorn game we demolished Richmond, just got past Melbourne, demolished the Dogs away, demolished Gold Coast and demolished port Adelaide.

Our form line is just significantly better and we are playing better football.

 

[Vince in Tassie]

On paper yeah, but I'd argue the results since that game in Tasmania haven't been that great. They struggled past St Kilda, lost to Freo, sort of pushed Port aside and beat Carlton by a few goals last week.

Since that Hawthorn game we demolished Richmond, just got past Melbourne, demolished the Dogs away, demolished Gold Coast and demolished port Adelaide.

Our form line is just significantly better and we are playing better football.

Mate, don't what you're trying to acheive going onto their board and posting. You'll either get abused and/or banned....

They know their form hasn't been super, so they talk down The Crows, hype up their team and think they'll just walk it in.
This game has the same feeling as the GC game.

We expect a close'ish game but I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them by 10 goals and screw up their percentage and erode their confidence.

 

[PeterSalt]

On paper yeah, but I'd argue the results since that game in Tasmania haven't been that great. They struggled past St Kilda, lost to Freo, sort of pushed Port aside and beat Carlton by a few goals last week.

Since that Hawthorn game we demolished Richmond, just got past Melbourne, demolished the Dogs away, demolished Gold Coast and demolished port Adelaide.

Our form line is just significantly better and we are playing better football.

They've had all of Day, Dear and Lewis come back in from injury last week

Sicily a few weeks ago as well now

None of those 4 + Scrimshaw across HB were in the team we played against in Tassie

All coming back in to get some decent game time and build a bit cohesion heading towards the pointy end


On the other hand we played Murphy and Smith. Butts and MM will be other outs for us this game. Murray and Peatling will be notable ins for us

 

[MrBarry]

They've had all of Day, Dear and Lewis come back in from injury last week

Sicily a few weeks ago as well now

None of those 4 + Scrimshaw across HB were in the team we played against in Tassie

All coming back in to get some decent game time and build a bit cohesion heading towards the pointy end


On the other hand we played Murphy and Smith. Butts and MM will be other outs for us this game. Murray and Peatling will be notable ins for us

I'm not expecting us to to just turn up and roll them over, I just don't rate the Hawks anywhere near Collingwood or Brisbane, that's kind of been proven by the fact they got beaten by Brisbane by 6 goals (at the G) and Collingwood by 9 goals in the last 6 weeks. In Tasmania I did really feel like they were clinging on for most of the game, we were missing comical goals - Rob missed one from about 2 meters out and kicked it out on the full ffs.

If our boys are switched on I do see this game being easier than some here are imagining. Conditions should suit us on Friday as well.

 

[moogerfooger]

Bit worried about this one TBH. Our record against them is terrible, we've been up for a very long time and the media has jumped on the bandwagon big time. Everyone thinks they're going to be the team to miss the eight so this is a GF for them. That said, if we maintain current form I don't think they can score enough, or hold us from scoring enough, to win, especially at AO.

I'm expecting Cumming for Max and that's about it. As much as I like Bond we're all about team defense, not one on one matchups. Given our current profile its hard to argue with that.

For that reason if we bring in a defender I think they'll revert to Smith, or start Jones and shuffle the sub. Pedlar being the most likely to be dropped or start with the vest.

Little concerning that we've been losing a player to injury every week or two. Rachele, Butts, now Michalanney. Likely none of them ready before finals. We wouldn't want that trend to continue.

 

[AFC979810]

That’s obviously possible. So is Bond as sub, to come on if we are getting torched by their smalls. Or Bond starting on the bench.

Bond for Max is not a straight swap. Max gives a fair bit offensively, Bond much less.

Our defensive set up in 2025 has been very stable.

Max Butts/Murray Woz
Laird Keane Milera

Hinge as our 7th defender.

Of these 7 defenders - Max is our #6 for disposals, Rebound 50's, Metres gained only in front of whoever we select between Butts/Murray.

Whilst he is a beautiful kick and a great user - he is the one (offensively) we can afford to lose the most. Bond is the right option to bring in for this weeks game as he is the closest to max defensively.

 

[FR0GGY]

They've had all of Day, Dear and Lewis come back in from injury last week

Sicily a few weeks ago as well now

None of those 4 + Scrimshaw across HB were in the team we played against in Tassie

All coming back in to get some decent game time and build a bit cohesion heading towards the pointy end


On the other hand we played Murphy and Smith. Butts and MM will be other outs for us this game. Murray and Peatling will be notable ins for us

Interesting that Derm reckons they should play chol instead of Dear through the finals.

 

[AFC979810]

On the other hand we played Murphy and Smith. Butts and MM will be other outs for us this game. Murray and Peatling will be notable ins for us

We will also be missing Rachele from the last time we met.

 

[Alwaysacrow]

We will also be missing Rachele from the last time we met.

I looked it up from last year's debacle at AO.
Changes this time; Dawson, Murray, ANB, Cumming, Rankine, Peatling, Milera.
Of course we had Murphy in as well.
Curtin was Sub and of course was not playing the way he is now.
That's a significant difference in the line up not to mention the confidence we have now. Hopefully it will be the difference.

 

[glengowan]

Max Michalanney is a massive out. Look forward to having him back in finals, along with Rachele.

Cumming in for Jones. Smith in for Michalanney. Taylor to sub.

Not sure we'll go too far outside of the existing 27 or so we have running around at the moment. Last weeks team plus Cumming, Smith, Rachele and Butts. Fingers crossed Thilthorpe and O'Brien go the distance. Losing one would throw the team out of whack.

 

[Peter Doherty]

We're 3-7 in our last ten games against Hawthorn

Which is actually a lot better than I remember to be honest

If we win on Friday we are 4-5 against them in the Nicks era.

 

[Greenfinger]

I can't see this being more than Cumming in for Michalanney.

Bond or Smith a small outside chance, in which case one of Cook, Taylor, Pedlar or Jones would miss out.

Highly likely. If that’s the case then surely jones gets a full game and plays in michalanneys role

 

[AFC979810]

From 1996 to 2000 we had a 1-8 record against the powerhouse North Melbourne team

It's all in the timing

Spot on!

All that matters is finals.

In 2022 - Collingwood were 10-0 in games decided by 7 points or less (11-0 in games by 11 points or less). They then lost two finals that year, each by 1 point.

 

[CrowBloke]

This game has the same feeling as the GC game.

I agree.
Intuitively, I thought we were in better form, at home and we owed them one, so I thought we'd win well.

We expect a close'ish game but I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them by 10 goals and screw up their percentage and erode their confidence.

Likewise.
We're in red-hot form, at home and we owe them a few.
If the Crows start switched on (always a key factor) and sustain their pressure I think the Hawks will be/feel shocked and eventually get run over.
My tipping is usually shithouse, but I'm expecting a 6+ goal win.

 

[CrowBloke]

If our boys are switched on I do see this game being easier than some here are imagining. Conditions should suit us on Friday as well.

I had a look at Willyweather:
"Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon".

I wouldn't have minded another wet night if we reproduced what we crushed the ferals with.
However, a dry night will be better long-term ie another hard slog in the wet (very enervating) could really tire the boys for the WCE then the Pies game (only 6 days later after the long flight).

 

[CrowBloke]

I'm expecting Cumming for Max and that's about it. As much as I like Bond we're all about team defense, not one on one matchups. Given our current profile its hard to argue with that.
Little concerning that we've been losing a player to injury every week or two. Rachele, Butts, now Michalanney. Likely none of them ready before finals. We wouldn't want that trend to continue.

I was thinking about Cumming for Max (and previously Murray back in for Butts, and Pedlar for Rachele).
Looking back, I'm surprised how well we've covered the losses although Pedlar has hardly been spectacular.

Rachele is a livewire and goalkicking danger to any opponent but without him we've beaten the Dogs and belted GCS then the ferals, kicking high scores every time.
Butts was in very good form but Murray is a pack-crashing beast and an excellent return.
Max will be missed, but Cumming might prove very effective rotating back (I'll be disappointed if Smith comes back ).
Crouch has become a distant, poorly-defending memory now that Berry is in such good form, too.

Our depth and ability to cover injuries has been very solid.
Gonna be interesting Selection-time if/when all become available again.

 

[Cromulant]

They've had all of Day, Dear and Lewis come back in from injury last week

Sicily a few weeks ago as well now

None of those 4 + Scrimshaw across HB were in the team we played against in Tassie

All coming back in to get some decent game time and build a bit cohesion heading towards the pointy end


On the other hand we played Murphy and Smith. Butts and MM will be other outs for us this game. Murray and Peatling will be notable ins for us

Lewis looks miles off it still TBH, and we are a MUCH better side than what theyve faced recently.

We fluffed our lines badly down in Tassie, we wont do it again.