Autopsy Round 5, 2026: Hawks kick the Dogs

[RCAB]

Been in the system four less years than the much-hyped and probably soon-to-be-overpaid-by-Adelaide Zac Bailey.

Croc is a far better player than Bailey was four years ago and will end up being a far better player overall in the long run.

Ok buddy

 

[RCAB]

I only venture on here to praise.

Whomever your forwards coach is, give them a raise. I am super impressed by the way your forwards stay out of each other's way. Yours, atm, is the most functional forward line in the league and quite comfortably so.

I'd even say it's noticeably different from last year; everyone seems on the same page now. Cult hero he may be, but Chol's absence won't be an issue in this regard, as you could argue he's the loose cannon.

Am I off base here?

You'd know the name it's Adrian Hickmott.

I also think Gunston is the main driver and teacher in that forward line.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Game a lot closer on xscore. Thought we kicked well from 50.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Been in the system four less years than the much-hyped and probably soon-to-be-overpaid-by-Adelaide Zac Bailey.

Croc is a far better player than Bailey was four years ago and will end up being a far better player overall in the long run.

Don't think that's actually true. Though let's see how this season plays out, as MacDonald has really taken his game to another level and is playing more around the ball than he (or Bailey) did in previous seasons.

 

[Off The Couch]

Watching the replay and listening to commentary Darcy really is the second coming


Not the kids fault of course but you can understand why players like him, daicos and wiz bring the trolls out

 

[chippie]

One week still to go but if we could make it a 5 week stretch of wins over Dons, Swans, Cats, Dogs and Port would be like….

 

[unitedhawk2]

I only venture on here to praise.

Whomever your forwards coach is, give them a raise. I am super impressed by the way your forwards stay out of each other's way. Yours, atm, is the most functional forward line in the league and quite comfortably so.

I'd even say it's noticeably different from last year; everyone seems on the same page now. Cult hero he may be, but Chol's absence won't be an issue in this regard, as you could argue he's the loose cannon.

Am I off base here?

Former Geelong player Adrian Hickmott.

 

[Mercy Seat]

We never play that dog track well. It’s up there with GHMBA with places you can almost pencil in a loss.

We won a pretty good semi final there last year….

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Watching the replay and listening to commentary Darcy really is the second coming


Not the kids fault of course but you can understand why players like him, daicos and wiz bring the trolls out

Especially when his old man was a media numpty for years too.

 

[Off The Couch]

Especially when his old man was a media numpty for years too.

Yer I did wonder how much of it is because of who his dad is and that he would of grown up around a lot of these commentators

 

[Badesumofu]

In the top 4, having beaten two of the other top 4 sides, both of whom have not been beaten by anyone else.

Feels really good.

 

[unitedhawk2]

Don't think that's actually true. Though let's see how this season plays out, as MacDonald has really taken his game to another level and is playing more around the ball than he (or Bailey did) in previous seasons.

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Is there any - even one - metric there in which the Bailey of 2022 is ahead of the Croc of 2026?

 

[QuietB]

I thought Darcy was going to kick 10.

I was worried early, but I never thought he would get that many free kicks

 

[VandoHawk]

Is there any - even one - metric there in which the Bailey of 2022 is ahead of the Croc of 2026?

Bailey kicked an extra goal per game.

Croc is tracking beautifully and basically mirroring Bailey's trajectory. It's been a super start to the season for him.

 

[madhawksfan]

What a start to the season!

Mitch Lewis has built into this season a ripper. Keep it up young man. So good to see. Was BOG for me.

Ginni everywhere. Wiz explosive. TB/JB/JC we are so lucky to have as a back trio. We outplayed the dogs dragging them forward or to one side of the ground, switching and going forward. Like puppets on a string. Chol will be out for a month. I'd love to see McCabe get a go. I feel he is the most versatile option of Dear/Schu/Mccabe.

I'd like to see Moore lift his game a little. He's not playing badly. But he can play better. Battle also needs to clean up his kicking which has been off this season. Scrim unlucky as I don't think he's done much wrong but Perez looks more versatile and active. 2 rucks is going to be a massive weapon for us come finals.

Agree re McCabe. He could play wing, forward or back. Love Calsh but he’s still working his way back. Perez reminds me a more skilful Ben Stratton. Hard at it and no fuss.

Harsh on Moore though. Last night had 23 and 2 which is a good game for HHF. Averaging 20 touches and over a goal a game for the season. Not many in the AFL doing that. After Round 0 he has responded to the negative press and been good for mine.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

We won a pretty good semi final there last year….

Exactly.
We actually have a pretty good record there. A couple of close losses, one blow-out

 

[mustang]

He seems to especially love Ginnivan's attitude and personality.

Could Ginni be the second midfielder we thought we needed.

 

[mustang]

I think Dear will return as he offers what Chol does in his tackling forward presence and his marking.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

i don't see us dropping the two-ruck combo anytime soon. I reckon Meek has been great with the help from Reeves. 16 possession, 5 tackles and a goal shows me he is enjoying a bit more freedom. He is going well ATM.

Yep, the best thing is that playing both Reeves and Meek they both compensate for each others weaknesses.

Reeves is never going to be able to impact the game around the ground the way Meek can and Meek will never be able to impact the ruck contest the way Reeves can but together they form a formidable combo.

Plus they are two massive units and they tend to physically wear down opposition rucks over the course of a game just through their sheer size and strength.

I'd be very surprised if Sam didn't keep rolling with the two ruck combo for the rest of the year.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Could Ginni be the second midfielder we thought we needed.

I think his current role is what is best for him and for the side.

We are winning without our midfielders being bulk accumulators, which is largely thanks to the supporting roles Moore, Watson, MacDonald and Ginnivan are playing. I'd rather we keep that dynamic and rotate Day through when he returns.

 

[JRH]

Could Ginni be the second midfielder we thought we needed.

let ginni go where he pleases. Barring taking hit outs, he puts himself where he is required. Once weddle works out how to function at top speed, those two should have unlimited licenses.

 

[peetoo]

I think Dear will return as he offers what Chol does in his tackling forward presence and his marking.

It could be his instructions at VFL were to prioritise match fitness over actual output which has been sparse

Otherwise mccabe

 

[grumbleguts]

Is there any - even one - metric there in which the Bailey of 2022 is ahead of the Croc of 2026?

Was my exact response. Looks streets ahead.

 

[Hodgey 15]

 

[Hodgey 15]