The inevitable Lonergan post match thread

[Linx]

Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Tonight against the hawks once again showed he (Lonergan) is not up to standard and will be a liability in big games against good opposition. Sure he can kick you the 3-4 goals against your mediocre teams but his last 3 AFL games (PF, GF and GF re-match) he was nowhere to be found. He is can't take a overhead mark, spills too many easy marks, fumbles and is a inconsistent kick (as if we need any more players like that)

This is why we need the Tomahawk to strand up this year and grab his spot. He has so much more potential and will at least give us a contest. Tom - we NEED you. Your time is now.

 

[winty]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Tonight against the hawks once again showed he (Lonergan) is not up to standard and will be a liability in big games against good opposition. Sure he can kick you the 3-4 goals against your mediocre teams but his last 3 AFL games (PF, GF and GF re-match) he was nowhere to be found. He is can't take a overhead mark, spills too many easy marks, fumbles and is a inconsistent kick (as if we need any more players like that)

This is why we need the Tomahawk to strand up this year and grab his spot. He has so much more potential and will at least give us a contest. Tom - we NEED you. Your time is now.

Hope the Tomahawk kicks a bag against the country bumpkins in the VFL practice match tomorrow. That way he'll definitely be in the side.

 

[KardiniaPark]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Yeah look i havent been THAT harsh against lonergan but ive ****in had it. I really have. He drops everything in sight , misses set shots (normally from free kicks, because the crisco on his hands seems to stop him from taking marks anywhere on the field) and generally turns it over when he gets within 5 feet of the ball.

Im not saying Tomahawk is the answer right now but in all seriousness lonergan has had a year in the 1's and hes shown nothing. Tomahawk was pitiful in the nab cup but obviously he has more scope than lonergan. So just throw him in, lonergan is taking up a spot that he really doesnt deserve. I mean we are dual grand finalists and can you really imagine how many other teams would be starting with him?. I just think we deserve better and hopefully the big tomahawk can provide us with a little bit extra.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

while competition for spots is great, I'd like to see Hawkins given the job for 3 months with a licence to go out there do your best and not worry about making mistakes

Strikes me as a confidence player who needs to know he is wanted.

Lonergan is not the answer.

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

It may well be a moot point, depending on how Scarlett pulls up out of this week. If he's out for a couple (although he looked ok when he came back on), Lonners may be needed down back anyway.

A tall combination of Hawkins, Mooney and Gamble is far more intimidating imo.

 

[someday-somehow]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

gotta agree, I was p1ssed off when I saw Hawkins wasn't in again.

I can't understand with being so skinny for defensive options at the moment why we can't try Lonergan in defense again. He's not a forward but if he turns into a decent tall defender then he would be handy to be able to pinch hit up forward but I think it's obvious to all and sundry that persisting with Lonergan as our FF is just a waste of time.

Edit: just watching the last quarter now...Lonergan in defence

 

[bulletproof]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Absolutely amazing that they persist with Lonergan. I’ve lived in London for years and I can see he is a liability. I can literally see it from 6000kms away.

The coaches have got a lot right over the last few years but Bomber’s pig headedness threatens to derail it all. He refuses to learn.

I thought it was a fantastic win overall mind you. Could not have gone better (aside from the reports).

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I think he's steadily getting worse. He's dropping easy marks and he never used to do that. Maybe the pressure is beginning to get to him

One thing I would LOVE to see him do is get a vertical leap. Seriously, when he goes for a mark he doesn't jump more than a foot off the ground and that is why it is so easy for the defenders to spoil him. Use that hop, big feller!!!

 

[Copernicus]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I think he is just much more suited to the backline. That was where he excelled originally. He just isn't a strong enough presence up forward, though he did take one good mark in the third quarter. I barely sighted him aside from that.

Tom needs to get a few games and just see if he can take someone apart. He does indeed look to be a confidence player, but once he has it, watch out.

 

[hamG]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Does he have unnaturally small hands or something? The ball just falls out.

 

[catswhiskers]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Lonergan as a swing man makes sense.
He has very long arms on top of his 197 cm. If all he has to do is get a hand in to the contest he can be very useful in defence. He is not slow for such a tall player either.

What he can't do is take a grab anywhere near a pack.

I think Bomber has the message and all we need is some k's into Hawkins now or Simpson (S) to step up along way.

4pts in the bag. This is a marathon. We are under way.

 

[someday-somehow]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I think he is just much more suited to the backline. That was where he excelled originally. He just isn't a strong enough presence up forward, though he did take one good mark in the third quarter. I barely sighted him aside from that.

Tom needs to get a few games and just see if he can take someone apart. He does indeed look to be a confidence player, but once he has it, watch out.

I disagree...I was willing to give him some space last year because, lets face it, he is still in progress after his accident and big fellas take time but this isn't a question of inconsistency - he simply does not have the talent and the presence to make it as a full forward.
If he does not become a defender he will always only be a good vfl player.

 

[Copernicus]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I disagree...I was willing to give him some space last year because, lets face it, he is still in progress after his accident and big fellas take time but this isn't a question of inconsistency - he simply does not have the talent and the presence to make it as a full forward.
If he does not become a defender he will always only be a good vfl player.

I was talking about Hawkins, sorry - too many Toms!

 

[someday-somehow]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I was talking about Hawkins, sorry - too many Toms!

Nah you're right...my bad

 

[Lemieux8]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I thought he looked a lot more comfortable down back to be honest. And wasn't terrible.

 

[Casey Cat]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Hawkins? You mean the guy who missed 2 sitters in the NAB grand final?

I don't want to disrespect the guy but so far he's shown far less than Lonergan. And be serious - if he can't tear it up at VFL level what hope does he have at AFL level?

I fear we may have a dud on our hands in Hawkins - but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Micksy]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Like I said in the "Geelong team named" thread...play Hawkins, he's the future....of the forward line.

 

[Jef Costello]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Hawkins IN.

And Lonners available to swing down back if needed - Taylor is going to need help with Harley out.

 

[Belisarius]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

On tonight's performance Lonergan really has to go back to the twos. He just fails to take over head or contested marks - and at his height and weight - this has to be a feature of a big forward. At this point cannot see him making it.

As stated by many before me, surely Hawkins is a better option. Get some time into the lad - and he has better 'natural' hands than Lonergan. Once he learns when to lead - and when not to lead - he will be a significant force down forward. Leading, to a large extent, can be taught - and confidence will come with success and experience of another 10 games or so. Definately worth a decent trial period.

Wojo was fairly ordinary and Varcoe too much in and out of the game for my liking. Mooney looked under done.

Watching the team tonight (and last year) - I think the 3 basic weaknesses of the team are;

1. Second ruckman. Blakey is ok - but you can't help but feel a more mobile, marking ruckman / tall player could be used as another link player. Barnes did this job well for Geelong many years ago (and won a premiership with Essendon - doing this around the ground ruckman role). Whether Geelong really has another - better option, it is hard to say.
2. Second tall forward. Hawkins - enough already said.
3. Small forward - spare parts player. Varcoe has this job at present - but I am not convinced he is the one yet. Cetainly Gamble playing may help up forward.

For a team that can dominate a game - Geelong do not always put away another side. That can be for a few reasons provided for this - but the forward line still needs to work better than it does. If we had a dominate forward player - forward of the 50, they would kick a bundle and Geelong would nearly be unbeatable. Perhaps Geelong have not yet got that tall forward - so it is all the more important that they look closely and resolve these other concerns (second ruck and small forward / utility).

 

[Duskfire]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

I like Lonergan, but I just dont think he is that good a player. Granted he kicks a couple of goals a game, but with the likes of Ablett pumping it constantly into the 50 who wouldn't. I truly believe that second tall has been our biggest weakness for a while. Nablett left before he got truly talented, and Hawkins has yet to hit his stride. Loners though just isnt that good.

 

[bulletproof]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Before people label Hawkins a dud, can they please watch the dam n games.

There is nothing in his game that suggests he will be a dud. He attacks the ball, he leads to the right places, he can mark, he can kick it a mile, he is brilliant on the ground for a big man, he lays tackles, he has a great frame.

He has had injuries and even coming to club he was behind the 8 ball as he never played TAC Cup. Look at his peers in the key forward posts and there is not many 20yos taking the league by storm. Cloke, Roughead and Franklin stared making a real impact in their third year and I expect Hawkins to as well.

For gods sake Lonergan has been at the club 4 more years than him. The only doubt is injury on Hawkins. That is the only thing that will stop him from being a star. The only thing.

For god's sake, some people have no idea.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Thought he was ok (actually went to the game!!) moved well in the forward line and provided some options. Didn't get the stats, nor goals but I like the look of lonergan at the moment.

My big question is what people think of his move down back. Was very unlucky with a very soft free kick paid to Roughead, but didn't see too much of him in the defensive structure. It is evident that we need another tall to be able to play a strong defensive post. I think Lonners is the man here, would love to see him and Hawkins in the same side.

 

[catswhiskers]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Wells picking Mitch Brown with Geelong's first pick was interesting I reckon. Either he is a gun or maybe geelong have identified that Lonergan/Hawkins /Simpson/Nablett (sorry-he left) will not be the answer.

Its time to get games into Simpson. Some players look like champs in the twos but are duds at the top level. Others look like duds in the seconds but suprise at the top level. In the NAB cup Simpson seemed to be playing as a flanker - give him time in the guts. A few goals and some confidence and who knows?

Lonergan is great insurance for a defence and I can even see in my eternally optimistic gaze a place on a wing for him at times because he has pace. Then a spell up forward when the matchups suit. He is not the power forward we need.

 

[FreakShow20]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

Before Lonergan got injured a couple of years ago he played 2 of the best games of his career down back. Against Sydney at KP and then Melbourne the day he was injured. No harm in trying him in defence atm particulary as a third tall to cover Tom Harley.

 

[alfy!]

Re: Lonergan out - Hawkins in.

It seems no one wants to cement a spot. All have had there chances.