Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2029!

[Judd2Sewell]

Well, no way around it - that was a terrible performance. Probably his worst to date and it was in his biggest game to date. Really disappointing that he threw that up after his brilliant game last week.

I hope he uses that second half as motivation over preseason.

 

[oscarthegrouch]

Well, no way around it - that was a terrible performance. Probably his worst to date and it was in his biggest game to date. Really disappointing that he threw that up after his brilliant game last week.

I hope he uses that second half as motivation over preseason.

obviously not great but there was clearly the positional aspect that made a difference. When your parked in the fwd line or on the far wing, out of position and when the other teams way on top in possesion and field position your really not going to get much ball

 

[DearJai]

I think like a lot of our younger blokes they just had nothing left to give.

Butler, Ward, Weddle and even the Wiz were all poor. They looked like they were missing a step.

There's a lot of truth to this, and it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Two high intensity finals and short turnarounds, against a team who had much of the month off (and actually turned up to play).

No way were we going to be able to match them if we were already gassed heading in, which as it turns out, we were.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think like a lot of our younger blokes they just had nothing left to give.

Butler, Ward, Weddle and even the Wiz were all poor. They looked like they were missing a step.

They were bullied plain and simple. Hopefully now they understand the standard and the level of physicality needed to go all the way. Another preseason under their belts and they'll feel good about themselves.

 

[RoughysMullet]

I think like a lot of our younger blokes they just had nothing left to give.

Butler, Ward, Weddle and even the Wiz were all poor. They looked like they were missing a step.

Those names you mentioned aren’t seasoned enough to handle a full season at the highest level + finals. They’ve never played in a prelim. Geelong midfield have been there before and were fresh and ready.

The experience of these finals will be massive for them - they’ll keep building over a few preseasons

 

[Come back Cyril]

Those names you mentioned aren’t seasoned enough to handle a full season at the highest level + finals. Geelong midfield is.

The experience of these finals will be massive for them - they’ll keep building over a few preseasons

Weddle and Wiz also need to get used to hard tags, as they had v Geelong, always takes young players a while to work through.

 

[RoughysMullet]

Weddle and Wiz also need to get used to hard tags, as they had v Geelong, always takes young players a while to work through.

Yep gotta remember how young we are compared with a seasoned outfit like Geelong…

Wiz is only 2nd year, Weddle 3rd year, Ward is just starting to show what he can do- this is the 1st time they’ve had to deal with prelim pressure- also whilst copping opposition attention- will be a valuable lesson for them …

 

[dmark]

Weddle and Wiz also need to get used to hard tags, as they had v Geelong, always takes young players a while to work through.

Agree, i think everyone is forgetting we are a fairly young side, 2 finals last year 3 this. Were are getting better and better.

 

[dmark]

Yep gotta remember how young we are compared with a seasoned outfit like Geelong…

Wiz is only 2nd year, Weddle 3rd year, Ward is just starting to show what he can do- this is the 1st time they’ve had to deal with prelim pressure- also whilst copping opposition attention- will be a valuable lesson for the both of them …

Sorry, you beat me to the post, thinking a like though

 

[OnTheRocks]

I think like a lot of our younger blokes they just had nothing left to give.

Butler, Ward, Weddle and even the Wiz were all poor. They looked like they were missing a step.

Strange time to have nothing to give, I thought it was a game where you give everything you've got to get through to the game that you dream of playing?

 

[SSSSSS]

Strange time to have nothing to give, I thought it was a game where you give everything you've got to get through to the game that you dream of playing?

I'm sure they gave it their all mentally but sometimes the flesh isn't willing.

Geelong were fresh and rested after an easy run to finals and two weeks off.

We've played back to back away cut throat finals, and an away game to Brisbane (which was basically a mini-final) prior to that.

We were running on fumes.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Agree, i think everyone is forgetting we are a fairly young side, 2 finals last year 3 this. Were are getting better and better.

Were actually not that young. Not in terms of games played at least. Plenty of guys in that 50-100 range which is when you can play consistent senior footy every week. We can use that excuse ATM but this time next year the clock is ticking if we end up in the same position. Our issue isn't youth it's the cattle where we need it.

 

[dmark]

Were actually not that young. Not in terms of games played at least. Plenty of guys in that 50-100 range which is when you can play consistent senior footy every week. We can use that excuse ATM but this time next year the clock is ticking if we end up in the same position. Our issue isn't youth it's the cattle where we need it.

Yes we are, compared to other premiership contenders.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Yep gotta remember how young we are compared with a seasoned outfit like Geelong…

Wiz is only 2nd year, Weddle 3rd year, Ward is just starting to show what he can do- this is the 1st time they’ve had to deal with prelim pressure- also whilst copping opposition attention- will be a valuable lesson for them …

Average age of the sides yesterday:

Hawks - 26.28
Geelong - 27.03

The difference is fairly negligible given we are not an inexperienced side.

Spoiler

35 - Danger
34 - Blicavs
33 -
32 - Cameron, Stewart
30 - Martin, Atkins
29 -
28 - Mannagh, MOC
27 - Close, Bowes, Guthrie, Henry
26 - Stengle, Miers
25 - Mullin
24 - SDK, Smith
23 - Holmes, Neale
22 - Dempsey, Humphries
21 - Clark
20 - COS

33 - Gunston
32 -
31 -
30 - Amon, Impey, Sicily
29 - Barrass
28 - Chol, Hardwick
27 - Nash, Battle, Scrimshaw, Meek
26 - Moore, Worpel, Lewis, CJ
25 -
24 - Newcombe
23 -
22 - Ginnivan, MacDonald, D'Ambrosio, Ward, Butler
21 - Weddle
20 - Watson

 

[Atch]

Average age of the sides yesterday:

Hawks - 26.28
Geelong - 27.03

The difference is fairly negligible given we are not an inexperienced side.

Spoiler

35 - Danger
34 - Blicavs
33 -
32 - Cameron, Stewart
30 - Martin, Atkins
29 -
28 - Mannagh, MOC
27 - Close, Bowes, Guthrie, Henry
26 - Stengle, Miers
25 - Mullin
24 - SDK, Smith
23 - Holmes, Neale
22 - Dempsey, Humphries
21 - Clark
20 - COS

33 - Gunston
32 -
31 -
30 - Amon, Impey, Sicily
29 - Barrass
28 - Chol, Hardwick
27 - Nash, Battle, Scrimshaw, Meek
26 - Moore, Worpel, Lewis, CJ
25 -
24 - Newcombe
23 -
22 - Ginnivan, MacDonald, D'Ambrosio, Ward, Butler
21 - Weddle
20 - Watson

Blicavs what an athlete haha. That's phenomenal hasn't slowed down one bit.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Average age of the sides yesterday:

Hawks - 26.28
Geelong - 27.03

The difference is fairly negligible given we are not an inexperienced side.

Spoiler

35 - Danger
34 - Blicavs
33 -
32 - Cameron, Stewart
30 - Martin, Atkins
29 -
28 - Mannagh, MOC
27 - Close, Bowes, Guthrie, Henry
26 - Stengle, Miers
25 - Mullin
24 - SDK, Smith
23 - Holmes, Neale
22 - Dempsey, Humphries
21 - Clark
20 - COS

33 - Gunston
32 -
31 -
30 - Amon, Impey, Sicily
29 - Barrass
28 - Chol, Hardwick
27 - Nash, Battle, Scrimshaw, Meek
26 - Moore, Worpel, Lewis, CJ
25 -
24 - Newcombe
23 -
22 - Ginnivan, MacDonald, D'Ambrosio, Ward, Butler
21 - Weddle
20 - Watson

There list is more balanced for parts of the field though.

Nash (27), Meek (27), Worpel (26), Newcombe (24), Ward (22), Butler (22), Mass (22), Weddle (21) is a pretty junior midfield when it comes down to it.

Danger (35), Blicavs (34), Atkins (30), Bowes (27), Miers (26) Smith (24), Holmes (23), Dempsey (22).

 

[Elhawko]

Average age doesn't mean a whole lot to me. If you have a 35 year old and an 19 year old that's not the same as having two 27 year olds.

I think the differences are really that we needed more from our kids than they did if we were going to win, and the infuriating fact that their four oldest players just refuse to slow down, break down or just $&@$?retire! They have FOUR Gunners there!

The longevity of the cats is actually remarkable and a big part of why the cliff never comes. If you look at that list their players between 30 and 25 are pretty workmanlike but the top four just keep playing elite level footy.

 

[rei154]

Ward was placed firmly in the cuck chair last night.
Next season I'd love him to be in the CBA mix instead of Worpel as I think he will provide us significantly more and will enable players like Day/Zerrett to pick defenses apart.

 

[MasterSamurai]

İf we're getting high grade mid next year, with the addition of Day, I can see Ward training up as a wing. Would be perfect. Hes not a clearence beast anyway so, he can still get plenty of the ball as a inside outside mid, bit like gaff used to. Not strong enough against the best teams in the clinches. 22 isn't old but expect better than 8 possessions in the most important game of the season.
İ have been quite adamant that he along with Mack wll become Blue Chip mids the past two years but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm a bit more sceptical now.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

İf we're getting high grade mid next year, with the addition of Day, I can see Ward training up as a wing. Would be perfect. Hes not a clearence beast anyway so, he can still get plenty of the ball as a inside outside mid, bit like gaff used to. Not strong enough against the best teams in the clinches. 22 isn't old but expect better than 8 possessions in the most important game of the season.
İ have been quite adamant that he along with Mack wll become Blue Chip mids the past two years but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm a bit more sceptical now.

Ward is not going to play wing unless it is for a rotation.

he is a mid.

Don't make me tap the sign

 

[I wanna pash Nash]

Josh has played 5 finals. 3 of them at a very high level.

You'd imagine he has as much if not more CBA's next year. Some of his clearance work is exceptional.

 

[Billyc]

Sadly followed the best game of his career with one of his worst. Had nothing for the superior strength, pressure and run of Geelong’s midfield.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Ward is not going to play wing unless it is for a rotation.

he is a mid.

Don't make me tap the sign

Well, we'll see. Especially if Day gets back, with Newcombe, Nash and another mid coming in. Our mids have to learn to play other positions. İt's only at centre bounces that Ward will start mostly wing with stints in the middle. Once the game is in play, he can cover heap of ground and can run all day. Let's see how it plays out.

 

[Ka Norkers]

interchange bench right in front of where I was sitting. After the first 20 minutes, players were actually struggling to get off the ground. I sit pretty much exactly there all year, and half way thru the first quarter they were coming off like it was half way thru the last quarter.

 

[Buckemenico]

Best season.
Top 10 BNf finish likely