We had them last time until the rain hit. Our pace was too much for them to handle. If we get a nice clear day I say we have a good shot at knocking them over. A wet slippery game and they'll destroy us with their stronger midfielders in close.

Sunday 3 April

Summary

Min 11

Max 19

Shower or two.

Metropolitan area

Cloudy. Isolated showers. Winds west to southwesterly averaging up to 30 km/h tending south to southwesterly up to 20 km/h later in the evening.

Workrate, it's all about workrate.

If we play as hard, intense, and relentless as we have shown we can last year then I think we're a big chance for an upset. BUT if we are one microbe off our game I think the Hawks have the potential to make us pay.

They'll be majorly [censored] with their loss last week, we should be [censored] we couldn't get the job done against the Swans. The big thing will be if we are able to keep with them in the midfield.

All I can say is, I've got a feeling......

Apparently...

I think we should all talk tough, but at the end of the day give credit where credit is due.

Not sure on the sarcasm or not? Ricky played well that match. And the premiers were our better match up last year.

Why can't we win? Hodge looks like he will play, but is he fit? People have us down in this match because of the run out of the centre/through the midfield from the hawks.

They started well last week, but were over ran in the second half. That point looks good to me. Even if we are 3-6 goals down at half time we show we are a comeback chance. I believe Melbourne has had the better pre-season from all the reports. If we are up towards the end, can we hold onto a win? This let us down last year and last week.

With Bennell, Moloney and Sylvia's run, It's a massive boost against the Hawks. Davey will be tagged yet again (Rd 2 last year, Davey V Swan was unbelievable to watch).

If Tappy and Garland bring the same game again this weekend, with Chip back and Grimes kicking better, it's game on.

Delivery into the forwards is the key. Expect Jurrah to have more influence, and with Petterd starting down forward at the first bounce, why not.

Bring it and WHY NOT.

However I will never stop complaining about the attitude of "honourable losses"!

I think we've noticed - but banging on about it ad nauseum in every other thread is just counter-productive.

Why not make your point and then ... move on to other points.

If you have any.

As for the subject at hand, I'll be happy if we take last week's second half and apply it for 4 quarters. I suspect though that that the result depends on which Hawthorn turns up - if we get the finals contenders, it's going to be tough. Talk that Sewell won't play, which would be one less mid to worry about.

I think we're in for a loss this week. I don't have a good feeling at all.

Almost a line in the sand game. Sick of getting belted around by them. I'm sure the players are too.

I think we're in for a loss this week. I don't have a good feeling at all.

With all respect Cudi, but poor form. What did the members stickers have on them last year. We have seen what this team can do when HOT.

"I Believe".

Hawks will win because they are a more developed and (at this stage) better side then us. We need to be competitive and learn from the experience.

Last year we were burning them for pace when we were switching to open space of the 'G'

Then the rain came and it was like somebody flicked a switch, they slowly gained the upper hand.

we will win

we will win

This is the most compelling argument so far, so I am inclined to agree!

Will be at the game, first this year. Hate losing to the Dorks especially since the almost merger,

I have a bad feeling it will be even at the end of the game tmorra,

Hodge might play but he was limping last week when he played, will be underdone but so might Chip.

Hoping our speed and fitness allows us to run the game out better than them.

We will have up and down games for most of this year but at least lets enjoy the ride.

So much better than hoping McMahon kicks a goal that day !

Come on Melbourne, Give EM HELL! Go Dees !

Last year we were burning them for pace when we were switching to open space of the 'G'

Then the rain came and it was like somebody flicked a switch, they slowly gained the upper hand.

Loosing Davey did not help either.

We have had so many beltings by the hawks I struggle to see us winning.

I will be there hoping of course even if it is in the gloom freezing our butts off!

We will win and win well 20 points +

With all respect Cudi, but poor form. What did the members stickers have on them last year. We have seen what this team can do when HOT.

"I Believe".

I'm just not confident. We can beat them, but I think this team will take 3-4 weeks to start getting some good, consistent football going. People are expecting us to jump out of the blocks. I'd much prefer a slow start leading into building momentum. I'm confident we'll lose tomorrow. Hope I'm wrong.

Workrate, it's all about workrate.

If we play as hard, intense, and relentless as we have shown we can last year then I think we're a big chance for an upset. BUT if we are one microbe off our game I think the Hawks have the potential to make us pay.

They'll be majorly [censored] with their loss last week, we should be [censored] we couldn't get the job done against the Swans. The big thing will be if we are able to keep with them in the midfield.

All I can say is, I've got a feeling......

Damn straight. If Melbourne REALLY come to play we can win. Teach Bruce a lesson on loyalty while we are at it.

Hawks by 26.

Face facts, Hawthorn has got us covered on all ends of the ground. This is one team that has annoyed the crap out of me for years. We will beat them, but not this season.

I won't say we can't beat Hawthorn, but I will say it is very unlikely.

Hawthorn own us. They have beaten us the last six times over 4 years, all at the G (however our last meeting was close all day until the last few minutes).

TAB is paying $1.38 vs $2.90 in their favour.

we might have Frawley back

someone give me a reason to believe

we were paying $3.50 against the lions round 5/6 last year.odds dont mean everyything. their backline is their weakness, we have a good spread of forwards. jones and beamer need to get on top of sewell/mitchell. quick ball movement. green to play forward all game, jurrah flashes in and out of games. petterd is a massive in for us. frawley to show buddy why he is the best going around