Preview Round 18, 2019: Geelong Cats v Hawthorn, 21 July 2019, 1.10pm @ MCG

[Manila_Hawk]

Agree, when the time is right I would love to see Hardwick up forward. This guys absolutely revels in the pressure of taking set shots - unlike some who seem to have a bad case of the yips or prefer to pass off when in range. I trust Topiary when he said a while ago that once all the pieces come together down back and Clarko is happy with the formation - Hardwick will go forward.

He is a beautiful set shot and I’m sick of seeing so many easy shots at goal fluffed this year. I’m excited to see a potential forward line of Patton, Lewis, Gunston, Hardwick, Wingard/Hanrahan and Breust. Waiting in the wings for their chances would be Walker, Nash, and Jackson Ross. Pretty exciting forward line IMO

This is what the scribes were saying when we recruited him (check the 2015 thread)....

Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall.

Hardwick plays out of the goal square, where he beats his opponents consistently on the lead. He’s got some nice acceleration off the mark, but his top speed isn’t terrific. He’s a smart small forward, who knows exactly where to lead.

Marking is Hardwick’s strong suit. He’s a sure bet to take a mark on the lead, but he’s also equally adept overhead and in contested situations. He usually takes around five marks per game, and one or two of those will always be contested.

Hardwick is the leading goal kicker in the TAC Cup. He has kicked bags of 12, 10 and eight this year and really picked up the slack since Sam Weideman has missed through injury. He’s a wonderful set shot kicker, kicking 45.14 so far. He doesn’t mind if he’s 50 metres out on a tight angle, as his routine is the same for every kick. It’s technically sound and he stays cool under pressure.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Gaz in doubt.

Hopefully he misses, the bald w***er loves playing us, even at the age of 35.

 

[4THAWN]

Stratton will likely take Dangerfield when he plays forward. Sicily on Rohan?

Sicily on Ratugolea maybe

 

[Off The Couch]

Can’t see Stratts winning the day If he plays on Dangerfield

 

[MasterSamurai]

Out Scully (managed)
In Gunston

Although tob could make way. I thought he was serviceable and should stay in but as someone mentioned to me that if Gunston had 8 disposals and kicked 0.2 , would that be acceptable? I said no, not really , so why is acceptable for Tob? I thought it was a good point so we’ll just have to wait and see which way the MC go with this.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

So who makes way for Gunner?
Nash
Poppy
Timmy
Scully
Strongest team we will field this year so expecting a big showing. Tipped us the last 3 weeks and will again this week.

 

[TylerDurden]

Pop needs a spell. It's simple.

 

[Dew2KFC2Flag08]

Has to be O’Brien if it’s a like for like or maybe Howe and a bit of a reshuffle with Chad/Silk to up their midfield minutes.

Nash needs games IMO, there’s something brewing with him.

 

[Mojo]

Pop needs a spell. It's simple.

What, no way Tyler!

He had a decent game on the weekend - albeit, he isn't kicking the goals he once was he's still applying pressure and a strong component of our forward line.

Ppl have been quick to jump on him this season, some of it unjustifiably.

 

[TylerDurden]

What, no way Tyler!

He had a decent game on the weekend - albeit, he isn't kicking the goals he once was he's still applying pressure and a strong component of our forward line.

Ppl have been quick to jump on him this season, some of it unjustifiably.

I'm saying a rest. He's carried a big load all year.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

Won’t happen but I would go Gunston for Howe with Wings and Silk spending more time in the midfield. Gunston for Nash is the like for like change.

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

What, no way Tyler!

He had a decent game on the weekend - albeit, he isn't kicking the goals he once was he's still applying pressure and a strong component of our forward line.

Ppl have been quick to jump on him this season, some of it unjustifiably.

As a forward it would be nice if he kicked the occasional goal.

 

[TylerDurden]

As a forward it would be nice if he kicked the occasional goal.

Haha. Yeap.

 

[WWSD]

If Puopolo is rested then it might be time to give Minchington a go. He does play well against Geelong.

 

[Chocoholic]

A risky post here.

Should be a close game, always are usually.

I fully expect Stanley to be beaten quite badly in the ruck as per usual by McEvoy which should give your midfield a really good opportunity to get on top of ours.

Anyway, should be good and here's hoping no defibrillators are needed.

 

[Brant]

Hopefully he misses, the bald w***er loves playing us, even at the age of 35.

Silk loves playing them, at 37!

 

[tommyk72]

Are any of our lads still carrying injuries? I recall earlier in the year many players were playing sore. Anyone else still in need of a rest for injury reasons? Or are most playing ok now?

 

[beta_condition]

This is what the scribes were saying when we recruited him (check the 2015 thread)....

Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall.

Hardwick plays out of the goal square, where he beats his opponents consistently on the lead. He’s got some nice acceleration off the mark, but his top speed isn’t terrific. He’s a smart small forward, who knows exactly where to lead.

Marking is Hardwick’s strong suit. He’s a sure bet to take a mark on the lead, but he’s also equally adept overhead and in contested situations. He usually takes around five marks per game, and one or two of those will always be contested.

Hardwick is the leading goal kicker in the TAC Cup. He has kicked bags of 12, 10 and eight this year and really picked up the slack since Sam Weideman has missed through injury. He’s a wonderful set shot kicker, kicking 45.14 so far. He doesn’t mind if he’s 50 metres out on a tight angle, as his routine is the same for every kick. It’s technically sound and he stays cool under pressure.

I9 remember reading up on Hardwick when we drafted him and I could work out why he went so late in the draft and I still haven't figured it out.

 

[StillAtLarge]

Nash needs games IMO, there’s something brewing with him.

Agreed. He could be one of the best Irishmen ever to play afl, he's so raw but has oodles of talent. One day in the near future it's all gonna click

 

[hawkguru]

We need howe in to shut down kelly plan and simple. I think nash ollie breust chad and burger can provide enough ground ball pressure without pup in there. Even though TO didn't hit the scoreboard i liked how he split the packs last week, took some solid grabs as a lead up fwd i thought scully was off his game maybe he needs a spell but im going gunners in (thought he needed another week) for pup, id be pissed if ollie was dropped

 

[tommyk72]

We need howe in to shut down kelly plan and simple. I think nash ollie breust chad and burger can provide enough ground ball pressure without pup in there. Even though TO didn't hit the scoreboard i liked how he split the packs last week, took some solid grabs as a lead up fwd i thought scully was off his game maybe he needs a spell but im going gunners in (thought he needed another week) for pup, id be pi**ed if ollie was dropped

Can Howe keep up with Kelly?

 

[TylerDurden]

Can Howe keep up with Kelly?

That's my concern. He's not quick enough.

 

[PhatHQ]

O’Brien won’t be dropped.

If he isn’t lining up at CHF again I would be surprised. If he isn’t clunking them it’s coming to ground & that’s something we absolutely need to stop the cats rebound, same for Nash.
Lewis, O’Brien & Nash at the very least give us an areal advantage up forward to compete to bring the smalls into the game, not forgetting that all 3 are pretty mobile at ground level.
It’s not a coincidence that these 3 are structuring up our forward line as good as it has been all year.


If the Cats get a run on I would argue that O’Brien will be needed in defence anyway to get Sicily involved as the 3rd tall interceptor.

 

[PhatHQ]

Can Howe keep up with Kelly?

Personally I’d have Shiels tag Kelly for the game & let Howe run free banging up whoever came near him with the focus on Danger & Guthrie.
If Howe can get 20 disposals, bang up the opposition & make space for Jags, Worps, Wingard ect to get their hands on the footy more that would be a massive win for some fast ball movement from stoppages & space for the big forwards to lead to.

 

[KermitJagger]

Lewis, O'Brien and Nash sounds like a disco band.

Either way - Geelong have a very athletic backline and it's vital to have guys in that can keep up with them. Nash stays just for that, there aren't many KPP height blokes who can come close to matching him athletically and we have one. May as well use him!