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

[James Colorado]

Loved his game tonight. Was compared to Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

upon being drafted, and despite being a different type has done what he can to live up to it. Hope he gets 250+ for us.

 

[cryptor]

One of the big criticisms of him had been that he was over thinking his disposal and that he should endeavor to play more on instinct. (I was one who said this)

I don’t think his improvement has come from following that keyboard/armchair observation. I think he’s just improved his composure and decision making speed.

He’s becoming the best version of the type of footballer he is. A very cerebral, highly skilled, tough and reliable midfielder.

The next challenge over the rest of our finals campaign is to become a direct scoreboard threat himself.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

One of the big criticisms of him had been that he was over thinking his disposal and that he should endeavor to play more on instinct. (I was one who said this)

I don’t think his improvement has come from following that keyboard/armchair observation. I think he’s just improved his composure and decision making speed.

He’s becoming the best version of the type of footballer he is. A very cerebral, highly skilled, tough and reliable midfielder.

The next challenge over the rest of our finals campaign is to become a direct scoreboard threat himself.

He definitely has improved his ability to play on instinct, trusting his ability. He’s said so himself. He also has clearly made improvement to his overall game on top of that, putting in the work makes it easier to trust.

 

[cryptor]

He definitely has improved his ability to play on instinct, trusting his ability. He’s said so himself. He also has clearly made improvement to his overall game on top of that, putting in the work makes it easier to trust.

I think his instinct is to think through it. He just does that so much quicker now that it can be mistaken for reflex. Very Sam Mitchell in the way he played tonight.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I think his instinct is to think through it. He just does that so much quicker now that it can be mistaken for reflex. Very Sam Mitchell in the way he played tonight.

Definitely can agree with that, he did say himself that he has more confidence to take the game on. This goes with bursting away, taking the hard kicks, the fancy handballs, and taking on tacklers. I agree with you tho too. It’s a mix.

He played an awesome game and has been improving each game. Future star.

 

[CHUBBSS]

The better ward goes the easier games look, he has an uncanny nack of making it a clean game amongst all the chaos.

Lifting in a big final is a great stepping stone onto his next most important game of his career

 

[HawthornHawk]

One of the big criticisms of him had been that he was over thinking his disposal and that he should endeavor to play more on instinct. (I was one who said this)

I don’t think his improvement has come from following that keyboard/armchair observation. I think he’s just improved his composure and decision making speed.

He’s becoming the best version of the type of footballer he is. A very cerebral, highly skilled, tough and reliable midfielder.

The next challenge over the rest of our finals campaign is to become a direct scoreboard threat himself.

How good were those tap ons of his under pressure

 

[DearJai]

he has an uncanny nack of making it a clean game amongst all the chaos.

Such a great point it's worth repeating!!

Can turn s%&t to shinola with a blind forward handball to a teammate in space, a deft step or a burst from the contest.

Cleaner than a bottle of bleach.

 

[SSSSSS]

All that work with Sam on his right foot is starting to pay off.

Not as good as his left but it's a reliable option now. Too often he would always turn himself into trouble to find his left or take too long to dispose of the ball because he was out of position.

He's now able to hit targets with both and is really blossoming as a footballer.

 

[dmark]

All that work with Sam on his right foot is starting to pay off.

Not as good as his left but it's a reliable option now. Too often he would always turn himself into trouble to find his left or take too long to dispose of the ball because he was out of position.

He's now able to hit targets with both and is really blossoming as a footballer.

Absolutely

All this Zac Merrett trade stuff going on do we really need a 30 yr old mid who’s best is past him.
Maybe we already have a young Zac already.

 

[tommyk72]

The thing that nearly excites me the most is not about Josh, but that we were worried about Josh in the same way we're worried about CMac now. God, if CMac comes on in the same way, watch out. Absolutely brilliant game last night.

 

[Hodginator]

Has been huge the last 10 weeks or so.

Was incredible last night.

 

[Billyc]

Not to toot my own horn but I posted this in the round 19 autopsy thread.

Every few weeks we say it’s his best game.

Yep, upward and upward. He believes now which I do think was an issue for him.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Absolutely

All this Zac Merrett trade stuff going on do we really need a 30 yr old mid who’s best is past him.
Maybe we already have a young Zac already.

I felt last night was the first time I could finally see it with Ward.

He played like Merrett. But in a final!

I wouldn't be overpaying now.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

One of the best ball users in the comp, i love that he always takes that extra second to make sure he puts the ball to the advantage of a team mate. He would be most of our forwards favourite player for sure.

 

[Sturty]

Good christ he was fantastic last night.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

I felt last night was the first time I could finally see it with Ward.

He played like Merrett. But in a final!

I wouldn't be overpaying now.

Eh 2 Merretts sound pretty good to me

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Eh 2 Merretts sound pretty good to me

Zach can take a spot behind Ward.

Id say Merretts prep and mindset would be good for Ward but I hear Ward is one of the best prepared as well!

I get these vibes...

 

[extractasam]

2 of his best games have been in finals now.

31 touches and barely heard him mentioned on fox coverage. His second qtr was elite. Confidence going to skyrocket from that performance

 

[DearJai]

2 of his best games have been in finals now.

31 touches and barely heard him mentioned on fox coverage. His second qtr was elite. Confidence going to skyrocket from that performance

I'd say 2nd and 3rd quarters, when Jai became less prominent he really stepped it up.

Starting to show that he can really bash as well as operate with a scalpel with his disposal.

Dare I say Lachie Neale like the way he can get the ball and then make something happen down the field from out of a contested or limited position.

Some of those forward handballs to put a player into space were sublime.

 

[Philhawk]

It was a game so good it’ll force Essendon to ask for him + 3 1st round picks for Merrett.

To which we will obviously laugh and then hang up the phone.

 

[Come back Cyril]

That was the next level I've been hoping to see from Ward, feels like he fully understands the Matrix now, to do it in a final is amazing. That was an a-grade midfield performance in a final. So excited for his future at the club.

 

[Hodgey 15]

I'm so happy to see Wardy having the season he's had so far.
Onwards and upwards from here for him.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

He had a great game, it would have to be his best to date.

He's had two great finals (Doggies last year and today), and was good last week too. Hopefully he's developing into a big game player.

Teams can't let him use it in space.

Mate I think it’s time you did the Choco Williams on me -

Noel Gallagher - “ You were wrong!!! “

 

[hr_23]

Josh Ward legacy game