Who will be better in 2024? Hawthorn or Essendon?

[Taper]

Both young teams seemingly on the rise with their 2023 seasons being mirror images of each other.
Hawthorn finished the year strong after a slow start.
Essendon started the year strong only to fade late.

Which side do you think will be better next year?

 

[Xtreme]

Hawthorn should improve
Essendon will start strong but fall away at the end of the season. I've seen the script too many times!!!

 

[TheUnicorn]

Hawthorn

 

[Bipolar Bear]

If it's April, Essendon.
If it's August, Hawthorn.
If it's September, N/A.

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Hawthorn will be this years Adelaide imo.

 

[9874123]

Probably Essendon. But Hawthorn will be back in the top 4 before the Bombers.

 

[HTPunter]

Essendon.

However Brad Scott doesn’t quite have what it takes to take the next step as coach. He should get them playing finals, but won’t win a flag.

I think Sam Mitchell and the Hawks are building a flag brand. And Mitchell is still insanely inexperienced.

 

[Orange crush]

Hawthorn will be this years Adelaide imo.

yeah, I can see the hawks pushing up the ladder a bit next year ...

 

[g_TRAIN]

Hawkington

 

[blitzer]

Hawthorn should improve
Essendon will start strong but fall away at the end of the season. I've seen the script too many times!!!

Actually aside from this year we've been doing the opposite recently. Starting slow then getting some wins when they no longer matter (basically what Hawks did this year).

Honestly both teams aren't too good. Hawks got all their wins when there was no expectations on them as their season was already shot and we all saw Essendon's shocking fall away at the end of the season.

I'd say Essendon will finish higher than Hawks but neither will be anything special. Hawks have a huge over reliance on Sicily to win games of footy. Its really easy for their entire season to fall apart when he gets injured/suspended - which happens regularly.
Essendon don't bat deep enough and are especially shallow in terms of key position players and lack good leadership to keep them motivated when times get tough.

 

[spudmaster]

Hawthorn will be this years Adelaide imo.

We'll just miss the finals because the goal umpire still hasn't gotten his eyes fixed?

 

[WillHayward]

Both still a bit shit.
Really everyone is just guessing.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Depends how many first rounders this fella gets for Zerk-Thatcher

 

[Engimal v3]

Hawks

 

[Foucault1989]

Essendon, but not by much. Both bottom 6.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I’m going to say Hawthorn.

 

[Danw0w]

Now this is a good one.

Hawthorn imo. They played some of the best footy I've seen this year. They are inconsistent of course, but that's natural for a young side.

 

[Caligo]

Even money I would think. But I am biased.

 

[SSSSSS]

Now that Mckay is going to Essendon it will be Hawthorn.

 

[Red Bull]

Well the dons “walked the walk” and landed themselves a genuine KPD today.
Obviously McKay was impressed with the facilities on offer at the hangar which should assist the club’s cause in 2024 …

 

[My Tilly]

Now that Mckay is going to Essendon it will be Hawthorn.

His body will break down midway through the year.

 

[Back One Out]

Oh goody... another useless thread for the trolls to bump after every Hawthorn loss next year.

Thanks Taper

I look forward to 50 pages of interesting, informed discussion between all the usual trolls and the usual hawthorn fishies

 

[TheUnicorn]

His body will break down midway through the year.

Played 19 games in a row this year

 

[Roby]

His body will break down midway through the year.

That would be a win for Essendon

 

[Roby]

Played 19 games in a row this year

Hahahaha, played.