Toast Tom Hawkins - 50th game this weekend.

[winty]

I know he's much maligned on here, but the big unit plays his 50th game this weekend. Here's hoping he has a good one.

I was wondering too. We all know that he had a few good games right at the start of his career (against Carlton, Melbourne and Richmond, who were all bottom 3 in 2007). If he wasn't talked up as a prospective first round draft pick, and compared to Lockett by the opposition coach after his first game, would our expectations of him be any different than they are now?

 

[Partridge]

I know he's much maligned on here, but the big unit plays his 50th game this weekend. Here's hoping he has a good one.

I was wondering too. We all know that he had a few good games right at the start of his career (against Carlton, Melbourne and Richmond, who were all bottom 3 in 2007). If he wasn't talked up as a prospective first round draft pick, and compared to Lockett by the opposition coach after his first game, would our expectations of him be any different than they are now?

Not if you've got a brain. But a great deal of football supporters, especially opposition ones (and all of the football media) don't have this capacity.

He's more or less where any 21-year-old key position forward would be after 50 games. He's played some good games for us, and some stinkers. It probably took two seasons for him to realise how much work is required, but he is improving. Too slow for some, but it's there.

I've said it a few times, he just needs to do more. His disposal around the ground is solid, his vision when he has the ball is terrific, especially when he uses handball (for example the goal Selwood kicked against Carlton the other week), and he's good below the knees for a big guy. Just needs to believe in himself and keep working. Once the marks start sticking and his goalkicking improves we could have a very useful player on our hands.

I do have to say though, if his stamina isn't where it should be yet, both he and the fitness staff should be asked questions. This isn't his first year anymore; it's his fourth, and if he hasn't built the endurance required you'd be entitled to ask why.

 

[JUBJUB]

Gee winty,no love for Harry ?
It's his 50th as well

 

[winty]

Gee winty,no love for Harry ?
It's his 50th as well

I actually wasn't aware it was Harry's 50th this week. I'm surprised one of the Q9 crew hasn't started a thread about it already.

 

[SJ]

Not if you've got a brain. But a great deal of football supporters, especially opposition ones (and all of the football media) don't have this capacity.

He's more or less where any 21-year-old key position forward would be after 50 games. He's played some good games for us, and some stinkers. It probably took two seasons for him to realise how much work is required, but he is improving. Too slow for some, but it's there.

I've said it a few times, he just needs to do more. His disposal around the ground is solid, his vision when he has the ball is terrific, especially when he uses handball (for example the goal Selwood kicked against Carlton the other week), and he's good below the knees for a big guy. Just needs to believe in himself and keep working. Once the marks start sticking and his goalkicking improves we could have a very useful player on our hands.

I do have to say though, if his stamina isn't where it should be yet, both he and the fitness staff should be asked questions. This isn't his first year anymore; it's his fourth, and if he hasn't built the endurance required you'd be entitled to ask why.

Didn't see who wrote this at first but two sentences in I knew it was a Partridge post.

Spot on.

 

[TheBigT]

Just to highlight Partridge's point
Hawkins goes into his 50th having kicked 66 goals
After his first three seasons Jonathan Brown had played 57 games for 57 goals with comparable marks to Hawkins.
Fevola had 66 goals from 41 games in 4 years.

The fact is Hawkins isn't particularly struggling compared to traditional big-forwards. Yes his output could be a bit higher, but as a key forward he's still at least 50-100 games off his peak.

 

[maryjames]

Just to highlight Partridge's point
Hawkins goes into his 50th having kicked 66 goals
After his first three seasons Jonathan Brown had played 57 games for 57 goals with comparable marks to Hawkins.
Fevola had 66 goals from 41 games in 4 years.

The fact is Hawkins isn't particularly struggling compared to traditional big-forwards. Yes his output could be a bit higher, but as a key forward he's still at least 50-100 games off his peak.

Interesting .

 

[Rellik666]

I shall wear my 26 with pride then on Sunday! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[thegerman]

I feel a bit annoyed by the lack of knowlegdge on Hawkins. The much-maligned tag constantly given to him is probably the one I despise the most.

The big lad was playing against school boys; not future prospects in the TAC cup. Sure, he played rep footy with these kids, but that is extremely limited and for a young kid at his size (100kgs+) playing against these kids it was a bit lopsided.

So he came to the Cats a little overweight. Did some significant work to cut the fat and increase the muscle. Then within the first couple of months the heat spots in the ankle came up. Into the moon boot he went. Similarly, he had the same issue the following year.

This meant his first two years were heavily reduced in the amount of time he could spend on development and fitness.

I am extremely happy to where he is today, I believe the time he is getting now will create a great player for us in the future. In a year or so, without injury, the big guy should be catching up to his body.

 

[alfy!]

Good on Tom! Hope he has a top game.

 

[Ninty]

I actually wasn't aware it was Harry's 50th this week. I'm surprised one of the Q9 crew hasn't started a thread about it already.

and I'm just the man to do it. I just noticed these posts after I made the thread.

 

[Brasil2007]

He still looks a tad heavy to me, and he still doesn't have the motor he needs, but I think he's playing his role. Another 50 games and he'll be unrecognisable I think.

 

[Vdubs]

I don't think the criticism is justified. His Prelim 09 was excellent, and the goal opening last/4 GF shows us what he can do. No other key forwards were scoring. And now he has to compete almost with Pod to keep his spot. Have a feeling he'll be big this week. Big in quality.

 

[TheCattery2007]

Hawkins will be fantastic, no doubt about it.

For those who bag him, compare him to other 21 year old key position forwards playing AFL. Oh, and in a premiership side. In three years, he'll be 24 - think about that!

His progress has been fine. Bomber Thompson has no doubt that he'll be a great player.

Congrats to the big lad.

 

[vinum coupe]

Love the Hawk.

He just needs to develop the following over the next 50 games.

Confidence to take more shots from 50+
His kicking action
One grab marks.


Then he'll be a danger to all.

 

[Partridge]

Love the Hawk.

He just needs to develop the following over the next 50 games.

Confidence to take more shots from 50+
His kicking action
One grab marks.

Then he'll be a danger to all.

Perfect summary. Actually you could even say confidence to take more shots from within 50 too.

 

[geelong_boy]

I do have to say though, if his stamina isn't where it should be yet, both he and the fitness staff should be asked questions. This isn't his first year anymore; it's his fourth, and if he hasn't built the endurance required you'd be entitled to ask why.

This last summer (his fourth pre-season) was his first full pre-season. He's going to need at least two to three more full ones to get his fitness up where it should be.