35 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Sorry folks, but I do not think Hawthorn will make the eight.

 

I hope you're right.

38 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Sorry folks, but I do not think Hawthorn will make the eight.

The question is whether Essendon is that bad? Possibly yes and have not improved their team.

Wow, that's a big call. I'm guessing right now the bookies would offer punters only 25-1 on (1. 04) for the Hawks from here. I was expecting the Hawks to drop back a little this year. I doubt both Swans and Essendon are bad teams. So now I'd the Hawks scraping into the 8. (Given they barely lost after May last year and their percentage post-round 7 or 8 was around 130 ending up on 13 wins and 105 per cent age come September would still be a step backwards)

51 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Sorry folks, but I do not think Hawthorn will make the eight.

Oh they'll make the 8. Only question is how high they are in the 8 and how deep into Sept they go.

They're better than last year through natural progression of the younger players, and then adding Barrass and Battle shores up their backline and leaves Sicily to play where they need him.

Impressive and will be hard to stop once they get their tails up.

5 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

100%
Both supporter bases are interchangeable nuffies.
Collingwood are special tho'.
 

😂😂😂 I hope you don’t have a copyright on this coz I’m using it! 😂😂😂

The Hawks got smashed in clearance and contested possessions last night. The only thing that got them over the line was their uncanny efficiency going inside 50 against a very disorganized defence. 

The Hawks midfield and their tall forwards are still major weaknesses. They'll get found out against the top teams. They still don't have a sustainable game plan.

Having said that, their small forwards will run riot against Carlton next week even with Weitering keeping Chol statless.

I think Dingley look terrific and every chance of being a top 4 team

They’re exciting to watch

 It’s extremely aggravating

So I guess I'll just leave my tv on foxtel all day.

The nth v dogs came fascinates me. Surely this is nths best chance.

I just somehow hope Port can beat the pies

1 hour ago, At the break of Gawn said:

 Having said that, their small forwards will run riot against Carlton next week even with Weitering keeping Chol statless.

Forget Carlton.
I only watched the highlights but can see their small forwards absolutely terrorising our backline.
And I've never seen a collection of "Look a' moi" posers in all my life.

Hawthorn are a wait and watch for me. I look at their list and think they're bottom 6 but I watch how they play and think top 6. I think if you pressure them hard and can shut down a couple of their small forwards you'll beat them. You need to be on your game though because they can score heavily and fast. Meek is a good ruck and he's the type that bothers Gawn. Their mids aren't as strong as ours but they play with an energy that we didn't last year.

Just now, Roost it far said:

I look at their list and think they're bottom 6 

This is ridiculous. They literally were a kick off the PF last year.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

😂😂😂 I hope you don’t have a copyright on this coz I’m using it! 😂😂😂

Was demonstrated at a wedding I attended once.
The brides family was all Essendon and the grooms all Collingwood.
At the reception a Collingwood/Essendon chant started up with both families trying to drown each other out.
Gotta say the Collingwood side looked as they were straight out've the movie Deliverance.
And I sheet you not the MC was an actual clown, make-up, clown suit, the works.
How apt.
 

Edited March 14Mar 14 by Fork 'em

Teams figured out Collingwood - let them have their handball chains but full pressure on their designated kickers. They couldn't maintain their gameplan under pressure. The Hawks looked very good last night, and their gameplan is wonderful to watch. But a lot of their effective kicking was unpressured. Cats, GWS, Freo, Dees who have a style of game based on defence and pressure will worry the Hawks. 

Today, really interested in the North v Dogs match. I see the Dogs sliding big time this year and North look set to finally mature and aim for the 8-10 ladder position. Beveridge is a cunning old bugger and could surprise, but it does not look likely. 

4 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

 Today, really interested in the North v Dogs match. I see the Dogs sliding big time this year and North look set to finally mature and aim for the 8-10 ladder position. Beveridge is a cunning old bugger and could surprise, but it does not look likely. 

No Bont , no Dogs.

20 minutes ago, danielE288 said:

This is ridiculous. They literally were a kick off the PF last year.

SB has Hawks 6 dollar favorites for the flag

From what I've seen thus far, that's pretty accurate,

29 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

I think Dingley look terrific and every chance of being a top 4 team

They’re exciting to watch

 It’s extremely aggravating

I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder because I find them so unpalatable to watch. They epitomise so many traits in this generation I can’t stand. Arrogance .. lack of respect & the “me me” culture. As I’ve said before ..I found the young recruits from Richmond much more humble which is probably Yze’s influence rather than that very unlikeable Mitchell 

7 minutes ago, Deestar9 said:

I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder because I find them so unpalatable to watch. They epitomise so many traits in this generation I can’t stand. Arrogance .. lack of respect & the “me me” culture. As I’ve said before ..I found the young recruits from Richmond much more humble which is probably Yze’s influence rather than that very unlikeable Mitchell 

their style of football - fast, flowing, aggressive - is super exciting to watch

the arrogance of their players has nothing to do with the thrill of their style of play

55 minutes ago, danielE288 said:

This is ridiculous. They literally were a kick off the PF last year.

You’re quoting just one part of my post.

9 hours ago, Willmoy1947 said:

Sorry folks, but I do not think Hawthorn will make the eight.

The question is whether Essendon is that bad? Possibly yes and have not improved their team.

I'd be very surprised if Hawthorn miss finals, they look top 4 quality.

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

their style of football - fast, flowing, aggressive - is super exciting to watch

And that's how you put bums on seats, get primetime free to air games and sell memberships.
Something that's completely lost on Goodwin and co.
We've wasted most of our window playing boring defensive uninspiring footy.

Edited March 15Mar 15 by Fork 'em

Dingley fans have their arrogance back in a major way.

10 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

And that's how you put bums on seats, get primetime free to air games and sell memberships.
Something that's completely lost on Goodwin and co.
We've wasted most of our window playing boring defensive uninspiring footy.

That's rubbish and the rewriting of history to suit your narrative. In 22 we ran out of energy tickets and had too many injuries to our best players. Gawn was hobbled, Petracca had his leg busted, Lever was on one leg, may was stiffer than a groom on wedding night. In 23 had we not lost Petty, Melksham and Brayshaw I reckon the flag was ours. Last year the wheels fell off and we missed finals by a game and percentage. That's hardly the resume of a team playing boring football. We played to our strengths.

11 hours ago, Kev said:

Thought there was not much difference in effect of having already played, and a first up team.

Essendon, scramble and long down the line kicks, versus a precise disposal and swarming game, with the good use of space by Hawks. 

You could argue that as the game went on the Bombers looked to be running the game out better. They are just an average football side, so couldn’t capitalise. We just need to ensure we go with the Giants in the first half and then I think we could overrun them.

28 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

That's rubbish and the rewriting of history to suit your narrative. In 22 we ran out of energy tickets and had too many injuries to our best players. Gawn was hobbled, Petracca had his leg busted, Lever was on one leg, may was stiffer than a groom on wedding night. In 23 had we not lost Petty, Melksham and Brayshaw I reckon the flag was ours. Last year the wheels fell off and we missed finals by a game and percentage. That's hardly the resume of a team playing boring football. We played to our strengths.

May kicks out to left flank to Gawn which results in a ball up.
Ball finds it's way rugby maul style till we get a man open at half forward.
Wait till forward line is choked full of players and then put it on Gawns head in left forward pocket.
Scramble around, snap shot from boundary line surrounded by opposition ... Point.
Repeat.

I also remember one of the players after the ANZAC eve game stating on TV in '22 that we aim to make the blockbusters as boring as they could after  slowly choking richmond to death. 
Another game Kozzie Picket was asked about our suffocating game plan, his reply "It's all about defence really."
And Goodwin KPI for all games was to keep the opposition under 60pts.
Problem was we only needed to kick 61pts ourselves.

I dunno who the hell you been watchin'.

 

Edited March 15Mar 15 by Fork 'em

4 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

May kicks out to left flank to Gawn which results in a ball up.
Ball finds it's way rugby maul style till we get a man open at half forward.
Wait till forward line is choked full of players and then put it on Gawns head in left forward pocket.
Scramble around, snap shot from boundary line surrounded by opposition ... Point.
Repeat.
 

I love people's criticism of the kickout to Gawn. It was the most effective kickout strategy leading to scores in the AFL.