The Way Forward

[AshK_9hawks]

Grr, just did a bloody long post but didn't work so I've lost most of it , see what I can remember though..

We need to go further OFF the field get further on the field.

First up, DELIST the DUDS. There are a few and we need to get rid of the driftwood - it's a part of how teams get far (next part in next para!). *looks at Dixon*

Recruit fast. Snap up the good'uns quick and pinpoint the weaker areas of our side.

And play the young guys whenever possible. Guys like Brown and Ries have had a chance but experience will help them get further.

Comments?

 

[Hawks_Fan]

Isn't that what they do every year anyway?

 

[Hawkeye28]

Something wrong at Hawthorn

Hey all,
Im sure its not just me, but there is something not quite right at The Hawks. Its started with the Croad disaster and continues. All is not what it seems. Bucky and moore just got fired as Ass. coaches. I think Scwabb has some soul searching to do too.

In terms of Players, these who i see have to either be traded or delisted

1. M Graham (enough said, costs us 3 goals a game everyweek)
2. B Nicolls
3. C bateman

Others that need to really lift or stay in the seconds in 2003

1. B Dixon
2. R. tallis
3. J Barker
4. T Clarke


I agree our Kids were great this year. The pasion was lost and i want to know why? only people inside the club know. But something this year just wasnt right. Been a member for 10 years and i was hurting after Rd 22...

 

[Bothers]

I agree that there is something not right at the Hawks at the moment and hopefully they have gone some way to rectifying that by getting rid of Buckenara and Moore.

In terms of the players listed, Mark Graham should hang around for the final year of his contract next year and then hang up the boots.

Trade Nicholls to Geelong for someone half decent. I have read an interview where I'm pretty sure he said he was having some trouble adjusting to city life. I would keep Bateman though, when not injured has shown a lot.

Get rid of Tallis - too slow, keeps getting caught with ball. Dixon is great trade bait, but we would probably need to get another forward for him so is he worth trading? Harford is another who would be great trade bait. Clarke has a lot of potential and seems to be a late maturer and would be worth giving another chance. Get a full pre-season into Barker and I think he will have another good season.

Anyone else with any trade ideas?

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Tim Clarke-gone. His attitude stinks. His refusal to play for Box Hill in the finals will see Tim elsewhere next year.

Chance Bateman-definitely stays. He had a very good year and did some very commendable stopping jobs on players running hot.

I can't see Bill Nicholls staying. If he does he'd want to start kicking goals (and lots of them) quick smart both at Box Hill and Hawthorn.

The Croad disaster? Geez, getting Luke Hodge into the club was a masterstroke IMHO. I think you will find that the right move was made by the club here. Croad (while I do like him) is very inconsistent and doesn't think sometimes. Hodge in his first year showed poise, skill and intelligence. Remember Hodge was not meant to play this year due to injury. How good is he going to be with a couple of pre-seasons behind him?

Mark Graham-still the biggest scapegoat at our club. For every stuff-up he makes, he probably saves 3 or 4 goals and sets up many others. Graham should never be a key position player. If Hay and Rawlings can step up to the plate, Graham can still have a major role to play.

I think Dixon will stay (albeit on a last chance proviso). We run the risk of cutting off our noses to spite our faces. We can't keep trading forwards as we don't seem to have many coming through the ranks. Dixon's recurring ankle injury needs to be stabilised. One year without injury might result in Dixon being a handy contributor.

Hay, Smith, Barker, Dixon, Thompson and Rawlings all need to have good pre-seasons so they enter the 2003 season without any injury clouds. All of these guys carried injuries this year and it showed.

Let Crawford, Lekkas and Vandenberg continue to be the main midfielders with Hodge, Ries and the like learning the ropes. The potential for a very good midfield beckons.

We need a good ruckman. The latest name mentioned is Spider Everitt. Who knows it might be a masterstroke or could be a complete failure.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

We desperately need some people to kick goals. How can we hope to win a premiership when our leading goalkicker booted only 31, and he's not going to be with us next year.
Thje Brisbane Lions have 5 players who have kicked more goals including Lynch who has kicked 70.
How about trying to get someone like Daniel Bradshaw from the Lions, they don't seem to need him.
Surely there must be someone out there we can recruit who can kick some goals?