Hey Demonlandists,

I've just finished writing my 2008 Season Review.

Here it is:

http://hihathawkins.wordpress.com/

Please feel free to comment on it. Hope you all enjoy it.

Kevin Hawkins

Great right up

PS: As if Simon Garland only got 28 votes?

Fantastic read. Those statistics really do show how far behind we are.

Hey Demonlandists,

I've just finished writing my 2008 Season Review.

Here it is:

http://hihathawkins.wordpress.com/

Please feel free to comment on it. Hope you all enjoy it.

Kevin Hawkins

A good read, and some inciteful comments.

One thing. If Sean Wellman was a great catch as backline coach, and gets cudos for the backline, then Paul Williams deserves an absolute bucket as a total failure as mid-field coach. He should be sacked.

If they ever do a big/total review of the year, and I've heard no mention, then they best start with the coaches. Are the various assistants accountable in any way. FFS, even the tigers are doing a 'big' review.

Thanks guys for the positive feedback and to the 139 people that have clicked on the link thus far.

PS: As if Simon Garland only got 28 votes?

I tried to vote as fairly as possible, not giving any bias to younger players. Nonetheless, I was surprised he got so few, but there were a lot of games where he, PJ and Miller were very close to getting votes. All had better seasons than their position on that leaderboard suggests IMO.

One thing. If Sean Wellman was a great catch as backline coach, and gets cudos for the backline, then Paul Williams deserves an absolute bucket as a total failure as mid-field coach. He should be sacked.

Fair call. In saying that, though, it is hard to make a judgement about coaches from the outer; I think I recall reading somewhere that some of our players had cited Wellman as a helpful coach, hence why I mentioned him.

Great write-up. No fluff included. And I totally agree with your assessment of our forward line. They weren't that bad. The problem was that we rarely got the ball up there, and when we did, they were outnumbered because it took so long to get there.

Well done Dee Man - good post.

Some comments:

- I think our backline is our best feature (for the reasons you outlined) and not the forward line. Miller had a good year but he is more effective as a lead up half forward than playing deep. He played deep more often because we had no one else.

- Bate is not the answer as a half forward or anywhere else on the ground - not tough in the contest and goes missing when we need him. Clear him now while he still has trade value. I know that won't happen as he has just signed a new deal.

- Whilst we need a number one ruckman our first preference must be a key forward (Jack Watts as you say) and then our second pick needs to be a hard running tough and quick midfielder who can kick. What are the chances of getting those qualities at pick 17?

- Agree Brad Green should be given captaincy for the next 2 years and then bring on Brock providing he behaves himself and his form holds.

- As good as Cale Morton was this year if his hand and foot skills don't improve he will be a liability.

PS: As if Simon Garland only got 28 votes?

I tried to vote as fairly as possible, not giving any bias to younger players. Nonetheless, I was surprised he got so few, but there were a lot of games where he, PJ and Miller were very close to getting votes. All had better seasons than their position on that leaderboard suggests IMO.

I was taking the [censored]

His name is Colin Garland

- Bate is not the answer as a half forward or anywhere else on the ground - not tough in the contest and goes missing when we need him. Clear him now while he still has trade value. I know that won't happen as he has just signed a new deal.

- Whilst we need a number one ruckman our first preference must be a key forward (Jack Watts as you say) and then our second pick needs to be a hard running tough and quick midfielder who can kick. What are the chances of getting those qualities at pick 17?

- Agree Brad Green should be given captaincy for the next 2 years and then bring on Brock providing he behaves himself and his form holds.

- As good as Cale Morton was this year if his hand and foot skills don't improve he will be a liability.

I don't think Bate can be written off. He was fantastic last season (3rd in B+F, anyone remember?) and has proven that he can be a matchwinner on occassions. With more consistency, Bate will be a very valuable player; he has possibly the strongest hands in the team and, on his day, a very penetrating kick.

Your assessment on Morton is a little harsh. In his first season, I think some skills problems can be excused. He will get better as he grows bigger and gets more confidence. For a first year player to be racking up 30 disposals (and potentially Brownlow votes) in games is just extraordinary.

I was taking the [censored]

His name is Colin Garland

WOW. I can't believe I missed that. That always seems to happen - I write 2000 words showing off my footy knowledge and then get a basic name wrong!

.......

WOW. I can't believe I missed that. That always seems to happen - I write 2000 words showing off my footy knowledge and then get a basic name wrong!

Simon Garlick anyone?

Well done. Great read. Really appreciate the time you must have put in to tie it all together.