4 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

A lot to like today. I think this group has really come together and are starting to gel. 

Just watching the replay, I’ve got a question for Jake Melksham - why when you had a minute on the clock and you’ve just received a short pass to waste time, and you are winning by 5 points, why would you pull the kick to the middle of the forward line and pick out McEvoy. It won’t get spoken about, because we won, but why. Surely the kick is to the line in the hope that it gets knocked through. I found it mind boggling at the time and upon review. 

Not trying to be negative as there was much more to like than not this week, but it could have cost us the win. I hope Goodwin reviews it 

Agree with the above.

What's particularly surprising is that Melksham is such a good kick and usually pretty smart with the ball inside 50.  That pass to Hunt earlier in the game was sublime.

Perhaps it was the heat of the moment and/or maybe he was trying to create a stoppage inside 50 for us at the top of the square, rather than potentially give them a clean possession straight back if he kicked a point?

I’ve watched but more and it’s given context to a lot of things that have been said in here. Firstly on Garlett, he got himself in good positions which is at least an improvement and he was dangerous and creative enough to cause the hawks defence headaches. BUT what the hell has happened to his kicking and skills? Is it purely confidence? I don’t know what it is but they’ve gone from elite to horrific in the space of two years. Worse that Tom Bugg! I’m hoping as he gets more time out there his confidence will grow and his skills will improve. 

On Lewis, I saw the last quarter and he did some important things (although he played a part in a key turnover) but early on he did some terrible shanks that directly resulted in Hawks opportunities. He can’t keep going with those poor disposals, how long will the selection committee allow him to get away with it?

Finally I have to pose question, what the hell is with Petracca’s shots for goal? Such a brilliant mark deserved a better finish, I’ve seen better shots for goal from Bugg, Godfrey, and Holland. This can’t continue, can they please hire someone to sort out his kicking (and get Hunt as well for that matter) because it’s costing us goals. 

Edited May 4, 20196 yr by Pates

Just a thought - If Jay Lockhart had held the mark in the final 3 minutes and jagged a goal- Petracca would be hailed a genius with that kick.

8 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Just a thought - If Jay Lockhart had held the mark in the final 3 minutes and jagged a goal- Petracca would be hailed a genius with that kick.

No doubt Lockhart should’ve gobbled that one up, I can only imagine he got a bit scared by inevitable contact. It was an excellent kick from Trac. 

Although it was a vast improvement on recent weeks,Istill dont understand how the skills of afl players can be so poor .We won because hawthorns skills were no better than ours.Trac seems to lock up when taking set shots must be a confidence problem,even the fritters kicking has gone to rubbish and he was probably our best kick last year.As for omac he just has no idea

22 minutes ago, forever demons said:

Although it was a vast improvement on recent weeks,Istill dont understand how the skills of afl players can be so poor .We won because hawthorns skills were no better than ours.Trac seems to lock up when taking set shots must be a confidence problem,even the fritters kicking has gone to rubbish and he was probably our best kick last year.As for omac he just has no idea

I honestly think it's a confidence thing.... When we clicked in the third we went from looking like a bottom 4 rabble to a premium team. Our hands in close where quick and effective our forwards were moving and clunking marks. We are not a precision team and dare I say it we wouldnt train like that. We rely on a sharp hand ball game in close to get our space and build numbers at the contest to create the next outlet. 

I am actually really happy the Hawks surged and we fought back and came from behind in the 4th after giving up a 3 goal lead. 

Shows a lot of character and I think we gain more from a tight 5 point win than running over them in the fourth to win by 5 goals. 

Hopefully the boys take something from the win and start building into the season. 

Just woke up from a nightmare where Keilty gave away a questionable too high free kick against a player already on the ground and Hawthorn kicked a goal after the siren to win by a point.

Let me just say that judging by my reaction in the nightmare that my furniture is happy that didn't occur yesterday.

Havent watched or listen to the game to due to myself also playing a game of footy. Gonna watch the replay now.

Would like to ask how did my boy Billy Stretch play? 18 disposals and 1 goal seems like a good game?

11 hours ago, Damo said:

Jayden hunt has a few things to work on... true.

but I have NEVER seen anyone lead so fast at the football and take it when he marked and kicked a goal.

That was brilliant. Love the Hunt.

Leading from the goal square to the dangerous 30-40m out was a very successful tactic.

Separation for our forwards has been really difficult this year.  Hunt has the speed to burn most defenders out of the goal square and it is a lot harder for another defender to intercept or have an outnumber.

Would like to see him stay there.  It let TMac roam up the ground a bit and get involved.  As a result our fwd line was a lot less congested. 

Best forward structures we've had all year.

 

As an aside, good to see us win on the G again.   Back home where we belong!

Edited May 4, 20196 yr by Lucifer's Hero

2 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Agree with the above.

What's particularly surprising is that Melksham is such a good kick and usually pretty smart with the ball inside 50.  That pass to Hunt earlier in the game was sublime.

Perhaps it was the heat of the moment and/or maybe he was trying to create a stoppage inside 50 for us at the top of the square, rather than potentially give them a clean possession straight back if he kicked a point?

He did the right thing in not try to score because the probability of kicking a point would be quite high giving them the ball.  But if he did the same kick but into the pocket there is a good chance it would end up out of bounds or a ball up and burn through more time.  He kicked it to about the worst spot possible.

1 minute ago, sue said:

He did the right thing in not try to score because the probability of kicking a point would be quite high giving them the ball.  But if he did the same kick but into the pocket there is a good chance it would end up out of bounds or a ball up and burn through more time.  He kicked it to about the worst spot possible.

Especially given the point would have made it a clear goal, and at worst we would have drawn the game. Instead, he gave them the same opportunity to go Coast to Coast with us out of position, while still 5 points down.

Have mixed emotions. I’m really glad we won without such important players on the field, but we really nearly gave the game away at the end. We really struggled and Hawthorn are not really an outstanding team.

I’m hoping we can get a few more wins, but I still have my doubts about turning the season around.

Just watching the highlights, I think we played more like we did in the Last 6 games of last year today, just the excursion is just not quite there. 

31 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Havent watched or listen to the game to due to myself also playing a game of footy. Gonna watch the replay now.

Would like to ask how did my boy Billy Stretch play? 18 disposals and 1 goal seems like a good game?

He did his bit, disposal was tidy and he created some run. Wasn’t BOG but was handy on the day, he will keep his spot. 

For once the umpiring gods fell our way. That Frost throw was as blatant a free as you will see. Can only imagine the blow up at Dork land make it all the sweeter. The ultimate in bad losing is to call your conqueror average. Clarkson you maybe a great coach but that poor losing. How about restricting your comment to your own team. Would be plastering that on the wall for the boys to see before the rematch.

32 minutes ago, Cassiew said:

Have mixed emotions. I’m really glad we won without such important players on the field, but we really nearly gave the game away at the end. We really struggled and Hawthorn are not really an outstanding team.

I’m hoping we can get a few more wins, but I still have my doubts about turning the season around.

It was a good game to watch, but Clarkson is right: both teams have a loooong way to go.

A masterful piece of chicanery by Goodwin. One always needs an unexpected win to throw the inevitable tanking inquiry off the scent . Still on track for a high mid season and end of season pick in what will end up being a shrewd rebuild into a series of 4 flags

3 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

Just a thought - If Jay Lockhart had held the mark in the final 3 minutes and jagged a goal- Petracca would be hailed a genius with that kick.

I'm sorry but puh-lease. Kicking for goal is a different kettle of fish. If you miss simple set shots for goals then you're letting the whole team down and giving the other team a confidence boost. Petracca should never be played in the forward line until he's fixed his kicking.  I've said this for 18 months and it's about time people opened their eyes to this. 

even in the finals last year, petracca had a chance to ice the game against geelong but failed. And he does it time and time again. He is the biggest anti-clutch player in the AFL.

46 minutes ago, Deesprate said:

For once the umpiring gods fell our way. That Frost throw was as blatant a free as you will see. Can only imagine the blow up at Dork land make it all the sweeter. The ultimate in bad losing is to call your conqueror average. Clarkson you maybe a great coach but that poor losing. How about restricting your comment to your own team. Would be plastering that on the wall for the boys to see before the rematch.

We finally got most of the 50/50 ones in the last quarter but for the rest of the game it was clear the Hawks got the umpires favour, even the Hawks supporters behind me were saying that. There were 2 blatant 50s which would have iced the game we didn't get. 

Clarkson's comments were terrible, why take a pot shot at the other team when you've lost, bloody sook

8 hours ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

A lot to like today. I think this group has really come together and are starting to gel. 

Just watching the replay, I’ve got a question for Jake Melksham - why when you had a minute on the clock and you’ve just received a short pass to waste time, and you are winning by 5 points, why would you pull the kick to the middle of the forward line and pick out McEvoy. It won’t get spoken about, because we won, but why. Surely the kick is to the line in the hope that it gets knocked through. I found it mind boggling at the time and upon review. 

Not trying to be negative as there was much more to like than not this week, but it could have cost us the win. I hope Goodwin reviews it 

At the time I thought the umpire might have called him to play on before his 30 had expired, arguing he and Lockhart were wasting time. The umpire would have been right to do that I reckon, I’m not sure you can take the 30 then kick sideways and expect to say “oh no this time I’m actually going to take the shot”.

7 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

I'm sorry but puh-lease. Kicking for goal is a different kettle of fish. If you miss simple set shots for goals then you're letting the whole team down and giving the other team a confidence boost. Petracca should never be played in the forward line until he's fixed his kicking.  I've said this for 18 months and it's about time people opened their eyes to this. 

even in the finals last year, petracca had a chance to ice the game against geelong but failed. And he does it time and time again. He is the biggest anti-clutch player in the AFL.

Well if you also say things like Harmes was terrible yesterday because of his two 50s then don’t be surprised if people don’t listen to you.

1 hour ago, Deesprate said:

For once the umpiring gods fell our way. That Frost throw was as blatant a free as you will see. Can only imagine the blow up at Dork land make it all the sweeter. The ultimate in bad losing is to call your conqueror average. Clarkson you maybe a great coach but that poor losing. How about restricting your comment to your own team. Would be plastering that on the wall for the boys to see before the rematch.

Was in the car with my fam when I heard his comments. All I can say is the loss must have really struck a nerve with him because that is quite out of character for a guy of his experience. Sounded like a complete d i c k when he said it and am sure he would not say it again if the press conference were to be held today.

7 hours ago, Dr.D said:

almost 20% of hawks goals came from harmes. 

The chance for the future is that Harmes is likely to play more cracker games than give away multiple 50 metre penalties. Yesterday he played like he did last season and I don’t recall too many 50 metre penalties then. They were errors for sure but don’t happen often. He will note that and be more alert. If anything it showed too much enthusiasm to get back to help the defence. Without his dynamic four quarter contribution we would have lost.

Edited May 4, 20196 yr by america de cali

Okay, that wasn't the best game we have played but things seem to be starting to click again. It is not surprising we have been struggling to defend since we actually have more than half our first choice backline injured. I am really looking forward to seeing this team with May, Lever and Jetta down the back.

I think our forward structure would work way better with Joel Smith and Hannan there. They are both really hard to match up on and can mark well above their heads and be dangerous at the drop of the ball. They spread the defence and make room for our talls to lead into.

When you think about it, this team is pretty much the walking wounded, People have been ragging on them and complaining about lack of depth but look at the injuries: May, Lever, Jetta, Viney, VDB, Hannan, J Smith, Preuss, KK. With the possible exception of the last 2 they are all starting 22 players. No team can cover those kind of injuries. We just need to hang tough and rack up the wins we can during this period. 

50 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

I'm sorry but puh-lease. Kicking for goal is a different kettle of fish. If you miss simple set shots for goals then you're letting the whole team down and giving the other team a confidence boost. Petracca should never be played in the forward line until he's fixed his kicking.  I've said this for 18 months and it's about time people opened their eyes to this. 

even in the finals last year, petracca had a chance to ice the game against geelong but failed. And he does it time and time again. He is the biggest anti-clutch player in the AFL.

huh..I can't see the  relevance to my post... this was about hitting a target with great vision and perfect execution, vs kicking for goal.

3 hours ago, Pates said:

Firstly on Garlett, he got himself in good positions which is at least an improvement and he was dangerous and creative enough to cause the hawks defence headaches. BUT what the hell has happened to his kicking and skills? Is it purely confidence? I don’t know what it is but they’ve gone from elite to horrific in the space of two years.

 

Someone raised the question somewhere herein but I've been saying it for the past couple of years: Jeff is stuck in two minds. A forward pocket of his talent needs to be selfish and instinctive. He's had it coached out of him under Goodwin and always looks first for the assist - then gets caught between shooting and passing.

I'll see if I can dig it up but there was a perfect illustration I think from 2017; Garlett kicked a beautiful slow-running snap from the deep right pocket, but he only kicked for goal because he couldn't find another option after several moments. Unfortunately, I think he's now lost his touch - but contrary to most, I also think he's super valuable with his forward pressure and sets the tone.