I'd love to hear what everyone thinks but this comp is getting ridiculous.

Hawthorn have just exited one of the greatest dynasties in VFL/AFL history and now they are able to simply load up on talent over two off seasons and go again!

Tom Mitchell, Omeara and increasingly likely , a Dustin Martin. This comp is so lop sided now.

How the hell can they fit that in their cap?

The issue of destination clubs is wrecking the game.  Even if MFC became a destination club I would not be happy. It's not good for the competition.

 

2 minutes ago, Fitz Fitzpatrick said:

How the hell can they fit that in their cap?

Because they just got rid of Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge will most likely retire.

Think before you post.

You're acting like this has happened already...

My take on Hawthorn is that none of the players they are bringing in are better than the ones they are replacing.  They won't be half the team they were IMHO.

I'm not really worried about what the opposition are up to: as long as the Demons play to their potential what other teams do is immaterial. We have the player resources to finally have success again.

25 minutes ago, Fitz Fitzpatrick said:

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks but this comp is getting ridiculous.

Hawthorn have just exited one of the greatest dynasties in VFL/AFL history and now they are able to simply load up on talent over two off seasons and go again!

Tom Mitchell, Omeara and increasingly likely , a Dustin Martin. This comp is so lop sided now.

How the hell can they fit that in their cap?

The issue of destination clubs is wrecking the game.  Even if MFC became a destination club I would not be happy. It's not good for the competition.

 

Last time I posted a WGAF meme I got a warning point.

I'm just picturing the Martin's at the Hawthorn Family Day. 

when did he sign?

41 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Because they just got rid of Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge will most likely retire.

Think before you post.

The bigger surprise is probably more that a lot of that space isn't taken by Roughy, Cyril, Isaac Smith, Shiels even their former AA FB taking more money, but if they fit them all in a few years ago they can fit in more recruits now. The salary cap should only be a stopper on teams getting out of control and not punitive. 

I'd be more critical about how they signed Vickery to a 2 year deal and managed to get him as a free agent when he really should've been an unrestricted free agent. The AFL just rolled over on that one to help Richmond out and not create a scandal with the AFLPA when they already have a full plate.

Administered correctly free agency should equalise the competition, but if it only helps top teams then the AFL will resemble the NBA and everyone will be lining up to play for a couple of teams.

Great post.

Tex Walker could move to GWS and Dyson Heppell could join him. They would be unstoppable. 

 

IF.... o'Smeara and Mitchell don't fire as hoped, and Hawthorn somewhat slide this year, say to 6th or 7th, and they don't do so well in the draft (haven't they traded their early picks?), and they lose Hodge, Burgs and Gibbo,  and......

* insert head exploding gif here *

Edited March 3, 20178 yr by Moonshadow

I wonder how much Hawthorn is 'banking' on being able to tell their remaining veteran top quality players "take a pay cut or try your luck getting selected and starting again as a 32 year old".

It is interesting that their recruiting is now being forced to go more for 'core of the team' players than 'carefully selected players who fill a specific need'. This makes things a bit more expensive over time, and makes failures more of a problem. They are also trying to cover attrition, rather than build further. You can live without icing but if you burn the cake there's no party at all.

They did extremely well to replace Mitchell and Lewis with Mitchell and O'Meara. But they can't do that every year and they still lost Hill.

Not many players out there would be a neat replacement for Burgoyne, Gibson and Hodge, and any team that has players of such roles and quality will kill to hold onto them.

And to be honest, if Hawthorn can turn Vickery into a long term replacement for Roughead, best of luck to them in their endeavours. It's worth noting that whatever they are paying Vickery, it is more than Richmond were willing to part with for him (RFA).

Fact is, they need to trade well and rag in free agents to prevent an implosion.

Their draft picks this year were 74 and 76, they've barely participated in the top end of the draft for 5 years, and in 2017 their draft begins at Carlton's second pick (probably 30ish). Billy Hartung is now their best drafted player since Brad Hill in 2011 (who has now left).

Plus, they also owe Carlton a quid-pro-quo for the clearly illegal favour they did them, giving up a second round pick for 48, 66,and 70.

 

Edited March 3, 20178 yr by Little Goffy
draft note

1 hour ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Because they just got rid of Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge will most likely retire.

Think before you post.

The fact that many don't 'think before they post' is one of the attractions of this site!

7 minutes ago, Hampton 22 said:

The fact that many don't 'think before they post' is one of the attractions of this site!

I always think before I post............... I think. 

Same OP two years ago and everyone is up in arms. Shows how far we think we've come.

 

There was strong word last week he was re-signing. Wonder what happened. Remembered it was Richmond probably. 

So, hold on a second - where has the rumour of Dusty to Hawthorn come from?  Have I missed something?

TBH I have been hearing about Dusty to Hawks for over a year and the same guy who said O'Meara and Mitchell would end up Hawks.

Burgoyne, Gibson, Hodge won't play next year, they can easily fit Dusty in.

This concept of drafting players who then just leave after 6-8 years for a club at the top is [censored]. Develop a player and finally get them in their best years and lose them for zip. Booo

Alternative Facts??

1 hour ago, Demi Dee said:

I'm just picturing the Martin's at the Hawthorn Family Day. 

24 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Now that's a family day!   

Rock on you crazy diamonds 

Edited March 3, 20178 yr by Demi Dee

4 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

I wonder how much Hawthorn is 'banking' on being able to tell their remaining veteran top quality players "take a pay cut or try your luck getting selected and starting again as a 32 year old".

It is interesting that their recruiting is now being forced to go more for 'core of the team' players than 'carefully selected players who fill a specific need'. This makes things a bit more expensive over time, and makes failures more of a problem. They are also trying to cover attrition, rather than build further. You can live without icing but if you burn the cake there's no party at all.

They did extremely well to replace Mitchell and Lewis with Mitchell and O'Meara. But they can't do that every year and they still lost Hill.

Not many players out there would be a neat replacement for Burgoyne, Gibson and Hodge, and any team that has players of such roles and quality will kill to hold onto them.

And to be honest, if Hawthorn can turn Vickery into a long term replacement for Roughead, best of luck to them in their endeavours. It's worth noting that whatever they are paying Vickery, it is more than Richmond were willing to part with for him (RFA).

Fact is, they need to trade well and rag in free agents to prevent an implosion.

Their draft picks this year were 74 and 76, they've barely participated in the top end of the draft for 5 years, and in 2017 their draft begins at Carlton's second pick (probably 30ish). Billy Hartung is now their best drafted player since Brad Hill in 2011 (who has now left).

Plus, they also owe Carlton a quid-pro-quo for the clearly illegal favour they did them, giving up a second round pick for 48, 66,and 70.

Yep, I think Hawthorn are in trouble. It may seem like they've rebounded and slightly renewed their list, but that midfield of theirs is snail-like. Losing Hill won't help. We should have them covered this year. 

5 hours ago, Demi Dee said:

I'm just picturing the Martin's at the Hawthorn Family Day. 

Well unless they decide to have it in New Zealand, I don't think it's gonna be much of a problem

A lot is banking on getting O'Meara on to the park. His best is superb and as a club they were able to get Burgoyne playing quality football after a similar injury to O'Meara. If JOM doesn't play much then the Hawks will slide consierably me thinks.

 

14 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Couldn't you find the pic of him in his scantily clad 'ladies' t-shirt? Something special for the kiddies