round 1 v's dees

[dees*gal]

heya,
just wanted to know who of your big guns will be out for tomorrows match? i heard that there's quite a few, just wanted to double check. good luck for the game, hope its a good one.

 

[The Hitman]

Jon Hay is the only one out. Sorry to disappoint you but our big forward line is gonna rip you apart.

The Hitman

 

[Darky]

Will it though, Hitman?

Last year, what won Hawthorn a lot of games was their use of four marking players up forward (a rotation of Holland, Barker, Thompson, Croad and Dixon). The fourth forward varied from week to week, but whoever it was usually bobbed up with four or so goals because opposition defences can match three but not four.

Croad is gone, and there's a possibilty one of the others may have to play in defence to counter Melbourne's marking power up the other end (Schwarz, Neitz, Bruce, Robertson, Green).

That no longer leaves you with five, it leaves you with three. Who's the fourth forward that will kick a few goals?

For the record I think Hawthorn are overall a better unit and will win comfortably, but with Hay out and Croad gone, a reshuffle may affect the "four talls" match winning structure.

Luckily, I guess, three talls may win it against Melbourne who are light-on for tall defenders.

 

[The Hitman]

Nathan Thompson, Nick Holland, John Barker, Ben Dixon, Kris Barlow, Daniel Chick, and Mark Williams will all be in attack. All are very strong overhead.

Rawlings, Graham, and Smith down back will suffice for the Melbourne forwards.

The Hitman

 

[hawkstaf]

hawthornhawks.com

Sorry Darky but u have been sufficiently beaten by the Hitman in all departments - well done big fella - Hawks will tear the demons apart Hay or no Hay - end of story

 

[Grendel]

Fourth forward?

One M.Williams. Going to be a player this kid. Barlow is a fine player too.

Forwards actually are fairly even from my perspective. Midfield (much like your lot yesterday) will make or break Mondays game.

Yze, shut him down and I think were halfway there. Powell worrys me a bit too. Main danger is White. If he gets on top and gives the Dees first use...

Ahhyyy Darky. Stop making me (more) nervous!!!

 

[Deestroy]

Originally posted by The Hitman
Nathan Thompson, Nick Holland, John Barker, Ben Dixon, Kris Barlow, Daniel Chick, and Mark Williams will all be in attack. All are very strong overhead.

The forward line is good on paper, but with some under-done I wouldn't say they will "tear us apart"

Rawlings, Graham, and Smith down back will suffice for the Melbourne forwards.
The Hitman

Not sure you should feel so comfortable there.. Schwarz, Neitz, Green, Bruce, Robertson and co will definitely present a large problem for your defense.

Also there is the midfield where I would say the demons have the edge, depending on which "team" plays, because the Dees are so inconsistent, one day the midfield could be brilliant and run all over the Hawks, whereas on others it can look woeful. We also have what I consider to be the better ruckman in White.

This game could end up closer than you think, Melbourne could even win, but then the Dee's could also lose by over 100 points. I just don't see how you can all be so certain in your predictions...

 

[The Hitman]

I go out on limbs. Some times I end up with egg on my face, others I am 100% correct. Hawthorn should and will win. Melbourne could win, but I don't see how their midfielders could go from their dismal form last year (where only Yze did very well), to world beaters now.

Only Barker has an injury cloud, and he played most of last year injured and still was very, very good. He is valuable because he has learned to carry injuries - something Jeff White can't.

In my preview, I tipped Hawthorn by 33.

The Hitman

P.S. Tell me who you'd put on our forward set-up of Barlow, Thompson, Dixon, Barker, Holland, and Chick. I want a giggle.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by The Hitman
I go out on limbs. Some times I end up with egg on my face, others I am 100% correct. Hawthorn should and will win. Melbourne could win, but I don't see how their midfielders could go from their dismal form last year (where only Yze did very well), to world beaters now.

Only Barker has an injury cloud, and he played most of last year injured and still was very, very good. He is valuable because he has learned to carry injuries - something Jeff White can't.

In my preview, I tipped Hawthorn by 33.

The Hitman

P.S. Tell me who you'd put on our forward set-up of Barlow, Thompson, Dixon, Barker, Holland, and Chick. I want a giggle.

Melbourne's good 2000 season was due to other teams being unable to match up with their medium sized forwards, who were very well fed by their midfield.

Similar to Hawthorn's forward line, where teams can cover some but not all of their players - the difference is Melrourne's forwards are quick, medium sized and strong overhead, and Hawthorn's are tall and not quite as quick on a lead. Most teams have trouble matching up on a 184-188cm player who is very quick on a lead AND strong overhead... it's really hard matching up on a team which has three or four of them, because there aren't many close checking defenders who are quick enough to go with them, and athletic enough or strong enough overhead.

So when you ask someone who they'd put on Thompson, Dixon, Barker, Holland and Chick, we could well ask who will play on Neitz, Schwarz, Robertson, Bruce, Green and Vardy. Bizzell and White are also options for the forward line. Can you name their match-ups without "borrowing" players you've just named as forwards?

As I said before, I think Hawthorn will win, but it will be interesting to see how the Hawks forward line works this year without Croad at least being an option; with Hay out and a forward such as Holland possibly being required in defence; with Thompson being required to do more and more ruckwork as Rehn's body turns to mashed potato as the season wears on.

I don't see how their midfielders could go from their dismal form last year (where only Yze did very well), to world beaters now.

That sort of mindset will burn a few sides this year. If the Melbourne midfield turns up to play like their 2000 form, Woewodin, Powell, Yze and Leoncelli are a very, very good group...

The problem with inconsistent sides (I suppose Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney, and until recently Richmond are others), is that you never know which of their personalities will turn up.
Could lose by 10 goals, could win by 10 goals. Probably pencil this in as a pretty safe win, but with Melbourne expect the unexpected.

 

[Dee]

Re: hawthornhawks.com

Originally posted by hawkstaf
Sorry Darky but u have been sufficiently beaten by the Hitman in all departments - well done big fella - Hawks will tear the demons apart Hay or no Hay - end of story

yeah ok.......

and hitter....there is a fair bit of egg on your face right now isnt there. LOL

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by The Hitman

P.S. Tell me who you'd put on our forward set-up of Barlow, Thompson, Dixon, Barker, Holland, and Chick. I want a giggle.

Barlow - 12 possesions, 4 marks, 1 goal, impact on the third quarter
Thompson - 13 possesions, 9 marks, no impact
Dixon - 12 possesions, 3 goals, little impact after quarter time
Barker - 3 possesions, 1 goal, zero impact
Holland - 9 possesions,5 marks,1 goal, still cant kick, no impact and seemed to play in defence
Chick - 10 possesions, 2 goals, had 5 kicks and 2 goals in third quarter but had a shocking game otherwise

i dunno about you Hitman...but im giggling

Only Barker has an injury cloud, and he played most of last year injured and still was very, very good. He is valuable because he has learned to carry injuries - something Jeff White can't

Barker obviously couldnt handle his injury today as he was on the bench most of the day. White onthe other hand was almost best on ground, dominating the ruck.

Sorry to disappoint you but our big forward line is gonna rip you apart

Only 6 goals from your big forward line, the rest came from your midfielders

Rawlings, Graham, and Smith down back will suffice for the Melbourne forwards

Graham had 5 goals kicked on him by Neitz. Smith was hawthorns second best player (in my view) and Rawlings was very quiet.

Melbourne could win, but I don't see how their midfielders could go from their dismal form last year to world beaters now.

This dismal midfield gave your world beaters an absolute BATH today. Crawford played well, as did Lekkas and at times Harford....but Chick played an absolute shocker, Greene did nothing in the last three quarters, Lonie and Vandenburg had no impact, neither did Clarke, Cox was a main mover in the third, and Picioane was good in the third.
Meanwhile it was the likes of Powell, Yze, Johnstone, James Mcdonald, Leoncelli and Walsh that were the world beaters in this game!!!!

Egg on face Hitman.....but its all in good fun

 

[Blues2001]

Originally posted by Grendel
Fourth forward?

One M.Williams. Going to be a player this kid.

It seems he had a McKernan special today

 

[goal_umpire]

I think all hawthorn supporters will be disappointed today about the loss to the Dees. I think next week it is going to be a tough game up at the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.

I hope that we can play better than today.

 

[The Hitman]

Definately egg on face. Melbourne came to play today, and got the win. They deserved it, and you can't win a game of football in one quarter.

The Hitman

 

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by Blues2001


It seems he had a McKernan special today

I didn't see him running under the football and doing Crackers Keenan impressions.

 

[Grendel]

Originally posted by Blues2001


It seems he had a McKernan special today

Ahh well, first gamer an only 18. WILL be a player... just a little longer to go yet.

 

[BT]

This has proved to be facinating reading in hindsight .

Still on cloud nine.

 

[dees*gal]

Originally posted by The Hitman
Definately egg on face. Melbourne came to play today, and got the win. They deserved it, and you can't win a game of football in one quarter.

The Hitman

very well said hitters. although it was one hell of a quarter for ya, it wasn't enough! but good game anyways, and look forward to playhing ya again in... um... 14 weeks!