The next 3

[dl4e 5,851]

We have to win the next 3. The saints will be the hardest.

[bandicoot 1,395]

2 hours ago, SFebey said:

8-3 not impossible IF we bring the good MELBOURNE.

The good melbourne requires 4 qtrs consistent of football which we haven’t done in a long while. 

The concern is our game style is all or nothing. If the players are off then we get opened up. We haven’t been ‘on’ consistently enough 

[Diamond_Jim 12,773]

not really worried about the next three games from a win viewpoint. More interested in how we win them.

If we lose any the season gets very hard.

My greatest concern is the game plan in the sense that it rewards lesser teams who play defensively against us and rely on the easy out the back. Playing 30 men inside the 50 makes it hard for anyone to score.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

39 minutes ago, DV8 said:

 

all away games, in the light blue.

 

* under the roof @ Edi'shat  -  Saints

* Gabba  -  Suns

* away @ the 'G'  -  Blueboys

 

Take none of these games lightly.   We are not in a position to get ahead of ourselves.

 

 

Agree. The Suns have played ok so far this year, and are 3-6 same as us. Maybe Ablett leaving has freed them up a bit, and we play them up there. Will be an interesting few weeks. We can also lose to GC and then beat Adelaide. Nothing is out of the question with Melbourne.

[DV8 2,271]

18 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Agree. The Suns have played ok so far this year, and are 3-6 same as us. Maybe Ablett leaving has freed them up a bit, and we play them up there. Will be an interesting few weeks. We can also lose to GC and then beat Adelaide. Nothing is out of the question with Melbourne.

 

18 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Agree. The Suns have played ok so far this year, and are 3-6 same as us. Maybe Ablett leaving has freed them up a bit, and we play them up there. Will be an interesting few weeks. We can also lose to GC and then beat Adelaide. Nothing is out of the question with Melbourne.

They've never been a real together club prior; now with some big ego's gone, the young players can have new leadership, and get on with it.

HE, was a poor choice by the AFL. 

Just as Karmichael Hunt was as well.

 

So all the more reason why WE should get after Lynch now, while the getting is good. Because later, he may not ant to leave.

[DeezNuts 624]

18 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

not really worried about the next three games from a win viewpoint. More interested in how we win them.

If we lose any the season gets very hard.

My greatest concern is the game plan in the sense that it rewards lesser teams who play defensively against us and rely on the easy out the back. Playing 30 men inside the 50 makes it hard for anyone to score.

I like this sentiment DJ. My concern is also the how. Acknowledging that they're all possible wins and that they're all teams that at least on paper, we look much sharper, I'm hoping that we don't spend all of our petrol tickets in doing so - or get an injury, or win by only a kick or two.

Assuming we can (and should) beat all 3, we really need to correct the % from Hawks and Tigers games. All very achievable. 

Some things that were not so obvious that I took away from this last match, which allowed us to really take control and gives me confidence going ahead was the following:

1. When Jones stepped up in the 3rd quarter, almost everyone else put their bodies on the line (less ANB, Tyson).

2. Weid whilst very quiet, looked so damn hungry (and animated at sometimes towards his team-mates) to get a chance to impact the scoreboard - I suspect his development will follow OMAC's, we need to persist with him on the park, the next 3 games would be a great development opportunity for him where we could potentially carry a lesser experienced forward/ruck relief.

3. When the Bombers got a run on, Goody (or maybe the leaders on the field) threw a few in the backline and stemmed the flow. Goody then casually referred to this in his presser, where he stated that we're building good habits behind the ball that will serve us well throughout the season, suggesting that this area of the game had been worked on.

4. Everything that Fritzch touches turns-to-gold, he looks so comfortable despite his frame, and with he and Hannan in the forward mix, makes for two truly aggressive, but silky smooth small options in the forward line that didn't unnecessarily jump for the ball when a tall was floating around (TMAC/Hogan). They were both able to play their roles and crumb/pressure without interfering in the aerial contest until it was theirs for the taking.

5. We still have a very serviceable Pedo as an option up forward, we still have Viney to return and Petracca will be back.

I'm looking forward to seeing us [censored] the Saints next week!

 

[D4Life 2,584]

In a season with a lot of upsets, 3 wins would be great, one big 10 goal plus win amongst them would be terrific.

Good to see Tommy Mac come back, brings a lot to the team. 

[btdemon 482]

• Even if we win the next 3 the second half of the season is extremely difficult. I willmore than happy to make the final eight but have grave doubts. We need a lot of things to go right.

[chookrat 4,268]

3 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

St Kilda, Gold Coast and Carlton...    surely we go 3-0.  Surely?

Without question we will win the first two comfortably and then lose to Carlton.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

28 minutes ago, DeezNuts said:

I like this sentiment DJ. My concern is also the how. Acknowledging that they're all possible wins and that they're all teams that at least on paper, we look much sharper, I'm hoping that we don't spend all of our petrol tickets in doing so - or get an injury, or win by only a kick or two.

Assuming we can (and should) beat all 3, we really need to correct the % from Hawks and Tigers games. All very achievable. 

Some things that were not so obvious that I took away from this last match, which allowed us to really take control and gives me confidence going ahead was the following:

1. When Jones stepped up in the 3rd quarter, almost everyone else put their bodies on the line (less ANB, Tyson).

2. Weid whilst very quiet, looked so damn hungry (and animated at sometimes towards his team-mates) to get a chance to impact the scoreboard - I suspect his development will follow OMAC's, we need to persist with him on the park, the next 3 games would be a great development opportunity for him where we could potentially carry a lesser experienced forward/ruck relief.

3. When the Bombers got a run on, Goody (or maybe the leaders on the field) threw a few in the backline and stemmed the flow. Goody then casually referred to this in his presser, where he stated that we're building good habits behind the ball that will serve us well throughout the season, suggesting that this area of the game had been worked on.

4. Everything that Fritzch touches turns-to-gold, he looks so comfortable despite his frame, and with he and Hannan in the forward mix, makes for two truly aggressive, but silky smooth small options in the forward line that didn't unnecessarily jump for the ball when a tall was floating around (TMAC/Hogan). They were both able to play their roles and crumb/pressure without interfering in the aerial contest until it was theirs for the taking.

5. We still have a very serviceable Pedo as an option up forward, we still have Viney to return and Petracca will be back.

I'm looking forward to seeing us [censored] the Saints next week!

 

Nice post. He looks so comfortable despite his name, i thought you were going to say...

Edited April 30, 2018 by Wadda We Sing

[Demon Dynasty 17,165]

Head down.  Bum up.  Nose to the grindstone.

Just focus on one kick, contest, tackle, 2nd effort, smother, shepherd, and goal at a time.

I'm not going to repeat the cliche but it still holds true.  And don't even think about celebrating as we have yet to achieve anything with this group!

T-Mac returning is somewhat of a game changer moral / performance wise, as will the return of tracc and Viney.  But if we rest on our laurels it will all be for nought.

Focus and go go go.   No looking back!   The Hawks have been playing in the moment and giving it everything for decades and, with the exception of a few lulls over a short period, they have usually remained near the top of the tree.

We have to aspire to greatness but make sure we never rest while trying to get there!

Edited April 30, 2018 by Rusty Nails

[titan_uranus 25,255]

Whilst it's always silly to write off certain games and pencil in others, I don't think it's exaggerating at all to say this three week stretch could make or break (but more likely break) our season.

Two road trips to Adelaide, road trip to West Coast, road trip to Geelong, road trip to Darwin, plus MCG games against Sydney and GWS makes for an exceptionally difficult final 10 games.

To give us the best chance of setting up with confidence and belief for that horrendous final 10 games, we really need to lock in these early season games against bottom 6 sides.

[billyblanks29 184]

Interesting that all the players that came into the side on Sunday had good games. T Mac, Spargo, Fritsch, Hannan, Weids. No fatigue from Anzac Day eve.

If the 4 day break fatigue thing is true hopefully more changes this week.

I just hope we keep taking the game on and try our best. If we win we win but it's more how they play for me.

[Demonsone 2,056]

Need to win next 3 but who knows which team will turn up!

possible to be 7/4 at 1/2 way mark

why we continue to sell our hom games is beyond me, playing finals  would certainly compensate the gate , I’m sure would get a good crowd @ the G!

 

[Demonsone 2,056]

Need to win next 3 but who knows which team will turn up!

possible to be 7/4 at 1/2 way mark

why we continue to sell our hom games is beyond me, playing finals  would certainly compensate the gate , I’m sure would get a good crowd @ the G!

 

[Pennant St Dee 13,452]

Forget looking to far ahead. This week is massive the 3 games in 11 days is huge just like the accumulation of the 4 six day breaks was last season.

Most sides would have pencilled Meth Coast, Freo, Suns and North in as wins this season at home or away.

Saints need a win and just like the Blues are due. If we've learned anything it has to be don't get ahead of yourself. All I'm focussing on is the Saints this week