Deeko2

I hear what you're saying Titan but I personally find it hard not to have a look at the run home around who's in form and who's not. I even found myself perusing opposition injury lists last night to see who's out over the next month which is something I'd never do but have found more time due to the boredom caused from lock downs. Not being able to help myself in looking, the next 5 weeks we play the top 3 teams and bottom 2 teams. If we can't beat Adelaide and North who will be without at least Sloane and Ziebell then we should pack it in. The last game sees us against the Pies who will be coming off a 4 day break without Howe and DeGoey and us off a 6 day break. I'd love us to pinch that and at least jag 3 wins over the next 5 matches. I think this is a reasonable goal as we should consider ourselves a decent team. I'd take us sitting at 6 and 5 with noting we have two 'softer' matches we should win (Freo and Sydney). We then just need to jag two wins from St Kilda, Dogs, GWS and the Bombers which are all 50/50 at this stage. So all in all, we pretty much have one hand on the cup!

I'm only up for trading to fill a genuine need which I have no idea what this is yet. A couple weeks ago I was up for trading the entire list and then after Sunday there wasn't anyone in the 22 who I'd willingly let go. Our list is hard to judge at the moment but we need to start looking towards replacement for Jetta and Hibberd (although Hibberd has been great this year imo). I have been pleasantly surprised of late with Weid and OMac. The people I'm hearing will be up include the Crouch brothers and Ben Brown but all three aren't aspirational for us right now. I'll be intrigued as to who might want out if our list remains healthy and guys aren't receiving opportunities. Not sure why Preuss, ANB and Hunt would want to stick around if they're not getting a look in. Maybe we could get an upgrade on some later picks and keep some kids coming through.

I get where you're coming from Titan and if we were to play say the last round against a settled team who haven't travelled I would completely agree. The fact we are playing all the games against teams completing just as much travel on the same break time or less gives us no excuses in my opinion. We should be confident coming in to every game and won't have a better chance in knocking off potential top 4 teams in Bris/Port/Pies. If anything, I'm taking the positive thought pattern that the more time in transit will see the player spending directly more time together, experiencing more places and challenges which will surely help with group bonding. I'd say the Pies are usually the AFLs lovechild with scheduling and there travel journey is Perth > Brisbane > Adelaide > Brisbane. I'm willing to take this on the chin with the view the next block of games we will be looked after more accordingly. If not - then I'll come a hollarin.

Have loved this bloke since his first practice match for the club. I saw him charge past a team mate I think last week to lay a tackle. Just hunts bodies and is completely fearless. One of those blokes you want in your team knowing he's always got your back. I wish he would tidy up his kicking as it has hurt a couple times but I can forgive him a lot more easily noting the time he has spent out of the game with injuries especially to his foot. It's bloody hard kicking the pill even in bush footy when the fatigue kicks in let alone still trying to build fitness while playing AFL. Just hope his body continues to hold up as he deserves a good run at the top line with what he's been through. I'm not surprised about his facial injury if that's the case, even less surprised he continued playing on. I'd be surprised if he had some time off for it however, the kids a beast.

No worries. I get the hatred of Essendon. Mine is genuinely unhealthy how mush I despise them as well. Genuine scumbags and I appreciated your rant about them

Without knowing for sure I'd think this would be the case. I'd imagine they'd complete recovery that night and in the morning and then catch a flight directly down south and start preparing there. Feels like a waste of time, resources and money to fly back to Brisvegas and then back to Tasmania - but as I said.... I have no idea

It's crap in regards to travel and turn around times LH but have a read of my post above. The teams we play over the 4 rounds have either equally bad travel/turn around times or worse. Really, we have no excuses. Lets just bank the next 5 wins and look for some prime time when we're sitting 8 and 3

Tough on the travel for us but harder for our opponents. Rd 9 vs Port Adelaide sees us not travelling coming off a 4 day break. Port get a 5 day break but travelling from Adelaide. I'd say this is about even. Rd 10 vs Adelaide see us travelling to Adelaide off a 6 day break. Adelaide are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane. Win for us. Rd 11 vs North sees us travelling to Tasmania off a 4 day break. North are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Brisbane. I'd say this is par noting the flight is fairly similar. Rd 12 vs Pies sees us travelling to Brisbane off a 6 day break. Pies are coming off a 4 day break travelling from Adelaide. Win for us. So two pars and a coupla birdies. We definitely can't whinge at this fixture imo.

It's interesting this train of thought as even I was surprised at his showing and yet had a little smirk as it was something we probably all did at the time. It's fairly laughable to think that he doesn't care however. You can hear in his press conferences when he's disappointed and frustrated but he has to lead from the front acting at times like a duck on the pond. I have no doubt that he becomes as frustrated and excited watching us play as we all do however he tries to show some control. I don't think continually throwing a tantrum like a child is going to help - especially if you're losing. Players see replays/hear the noises and a slightly insecure 18-25 year old is not going to benefit from seeing a Scott brother meltdown and Clarko smashing a wall.

Agree Dr.D. Some very ordinary commentary here on a sample size of a couple weeks from what has still been a very good season from the kid. The kid wasn't at his best but is still in our first three picked along with Gawn and now Trac and again proved it on the weekend. Not sure what some people expect of our players.

If Gussy is our worst player during a match then we're in pretty good shape. We all know the kid can play and is clearly having a few challenges getting back to his best. I struggle a bit with the "third in the Brownlow" comments. It just shows the lack of knowledge that umpires have in giving votes for BOG. Gawn and Oliver were miles above Brayshaw in 2018. He was bloody good but he didn't even finish in the top 5 of our B & F playing as a midfielder with no recourse for his opponent. Last year he played on the wing in a team that refuses to use wingers. It seemed a spot wear we left good footballers out to die (Jones, Tyson etc). Also looks like this year and last that he is playing a more accountable style which is contrary to way he has probably always played his whole life. He is now behind Oliver, Trac and Viney in centre square ball ups but he's a pretty handy player as your first rotation. You don't trade players when they're at there worst - we back ourselves in to getting him back to his best. Right now his trade value is low but his ceiling remains high and he looks to be a very popular member of our young core group. Just keep picking him and back the kid in.

I know its bad karma to wish ill will on people, but I couldn't be happier that the Hawks have absolutely [censored] the bed. The smugness of their club over the last few years just amazes me. Yes they won flags and well done to them but every time a Hawks supporters pipes up about that I remind them it was when free agency came in and the draft pool was destroyed by GC and GWS leaving teams with no access to talent for development and trading. Might not be 100% true but, well, stuff them. The arrogance of there recruiter is on a whole other level and they have backfired massively over the last few years picking up multiple injured players and 'not quite rights' who they believed they could fix and turn into stars. Scully with a stuffed ankle is a shadow of his former self. Lot's hear despise him still and talk him down but his 2016 was sensational and his 2017 year was great as a pure winger until his injury. He ran hard on the weekend but squibbed at least 2 contests and didnt chase at times as well. Ty Vickery. Was a battler at the Tigs while the Hawkers were going to turn him into Carey V2.0 Jaeger cost them a P10 and second rounder. Is a B Grader at best Patton looks slow and even before his injury I wonder if he would get a game in stronger teams Jono O'Rourke. Former P2 bust who they beleived they could turn around They clearly over rated there list when they brought in Wingard as well. They bugger off a young talent in Ryan Burton and another first rounder to get him and although he's been good, for that kind of investment you want him being good in September. No way they will get there. Mitchell was a steal, I'll give them that. His injury was awful and I'll be surprised if he gets back to his best. Now they have a team full of NQR mercenaries, players impacted by horrific injuries and bugger all talent coming through and I'm very excited to watch a decade of Hawthorn filth.

I've always been a 'no changes' kinda guy when you're winning. With Jackson playing a really good "second ruck/forward" game the argument shouldn't be TMac for Jackson imho. Jackson must stay as his round the ground work was solid and we need to keep his confidence riding high. I'm very excited by him as a prospect but wasn't overly excited by selecting him last week thinking Brown deserved a chance. My thinking was he's still too raw but he definitely proved me wrong! Good lad. If TMac gets in, it would only be for the Weid as a permanent forward. Pretty easy decision as the Weid was great on the weekend and produced a far better game than 90% of TMacs last 18 months. Can't see us playing all 3 so Tommy can run around in the midday show until his form forces selection. Last time against the Lions I'm fairly certain May took Cameron and gave him a bit of a touch up. Has the speed and plenty of physicality. Certain this will happen again. Lockhart will stay in, he's a work in progress but is tracking fine. Milkshake isn't getting much of it, but I still think 10 of his touches are more dangerous then a couple more which say ANB/Jones/Sparrow might get. As much as a I love AVB, he really needs to improve his kicking as it's horrendous at times.

6 - Gawn. Ruckwork was incredible and his contested marking was some of the best I've seen for a long time. 5 - Trac. Once again amazing. Probably the best 'second best on' game I've seen 4 - Viney. Just ahead of Oli. He was everywhere in the first when the game was there to be won. Plus his kicking was wonderful today, hit plenty of targets and a few I/50 3 - Oliver. Just another standard Oliver accumulation game winning plenty 2 - Weid. Loved his crashing of the packs. Has gone way past TMac. 1 - May. Was a wall in the backline and his kicking was elite.

Ceglar hasn't been killing it for the Hawks but he'll be a decent out for them and maybe force McEvoy back into the ruck. I see that as a win as I'm worried about how Weid and LJ will compete already wrestling big bodies in Frawley and Frost before worrying about McEvoy and Sicily in the air. As much as I'm excited about LJ, I'm really not expecting to see anything other than the occasional flash of excitement this year and next. I'm not sure what he's going to add yet but hopeful of the best. Excited for a few matchups. First in Melksham on Sicily. Melksham got right under his skin in the 2018 semi final and I loved it. Want to see this again. From the Hawks games I've seen this year, I'd definitely have Harmes on a shut down roll on Smith and Viney to Mitchell. Smith is there prime mover of the ball and Mitchell isn't back at his best but is still continually winning lots of the ball. Hopefully if we negate these two in the midfield then Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca and Harley can keep us moving.

Only out for me would be TMac if injured. Otherwise no change. I can’t recall Tomlinson doing anything of note up forward for GWS. I’d rather May up there noting Hawks will lose Patton. If not, it’s pretty hard to look past Brown. I’m not a massive fan but he’s done everything right in the twos and you need to reward form.

Please for Weid but still needs to build he strength around the legs and backside. He definitely gets outbodied a bit and shoved under the ball but this will come. Played his role yesterday clunking a couple and crashing some packs. The structure looks a thousand times better with him in. Hopefully they just play him all year now as a second target. Gives Maxy a rest not having to push forward so much

I think playing some footy in the twos right now would be a massive help for some key position players. They have some space to operate in and plenty more opportunities one on one with the 14 a side (or whatever they’re playing). For people like Weed and OMac I really think this would work wonders for specific skills. The Suns were always my second team since starting and I’ve always rated Mays kicking as excellent. Been a bit hit and miss so far but I’m still backing him in. If OMac keeps improving YOY in time he might take this role (kicking in) as well. I still see him as young (in key position years) and a confidence player. I’d hate to see him drop his head with a shank kick as I worry he takes things more to heart than someone like a May. Right now he’s a neat kick and that will do me. Talia/Astbury/Tarrant/Frawley/Barrass are the players I hope he models his game on. If he gets on the end of a few rebounds or attacking chains that’s great but I’m not concerned if he doesn’t. I had confidence in everything he was doing yesterday. Looked like a seasoned pro. Well done to the young lad

I know you’ve been a supporter of OMacs for a while now binman. You must have been grinning like a Cheshire Cat after his game. Couldnt be more pleased for the kid. Looked like he belonged today. I thought he played his role perfectly. Doesn’t need big possessions or bulk intercept marks, just needs to defend hard and well. Very happy for him.

Would love this but doubt they’d go for it.

Coupla points from tonight: Great to see Hibberd back to his best lately. Not as big on rebounding tonight but destroyed Sexton. OMac played his role beautifully. Even a cheeky run through a pack and spot up kick that I enjoyed. Always thought he had played to soon looking like a baby giraffe. He seems stronger and more confident now. Love AVBs intensity but far out he’s still a liability with the pill. I’m all for him playing still but he needs to get better. Weid still gets pushed off in the contest a little bit but I loved how he hit a few contests and finished two shots off. Just keep playing him. Felt oddly calm during the match feeling we were always going to win but got frustrated by some bull crap goals they kept pulling off. That Rankine kid is going to give defenders nightmares over his career. Enjoyed his spunk. They have some serious talent on the Coast. If they keep them all they could be up for a strong run from 2022ish.

6. Maxy. Ruck work back to his best and took some great contested marks around the ground giving us an out. 5. Petracca. Kicking was poor at times and a couple turn overs but lots of clearances, couple strong marks and two goals 4. Viney. Same as Trac in that he can frustrate at times with his disposal but he was inspired today with his strong work around the ball 3. Hibberd. I massively rate Sexton and Hibberd gave him a bath and Sexton wasn’t even noticed. Had to go on Rankine late as well. Plus, I got a little emotional when he pointed to the sky after kicking that goal. 2. May. Just a great defender who’s physicality worries people. Some great kicking as well. 1. Oliver. Just standard Clarry, lots of clearances and good work isn’t tight. Coupla great kicks as well.

Interesting that Milkshake and Brayshaw were around the ball that quarter, obviously trying to get them more involved. At quarter time I was calling for Brayshaws head but the first two clearances and an intercept mark that quarter puts him in the good books. He’s still a jekkly and hide for me. Ive always been a AVB fan but not sure what he’s bringing right now. Couple uncontested turnovers aren’t helping him. Hoping for a big second half

He’s hardly setting the world on fire tonight but he’s had a couple intercept marks. Should have got one more but May and him both clashed - at least they both wanted it. Very happy with Oscar tonight, looks quicker and stronger in the air. Him in definitely helps May/Lever.

What a load of crap! Im one of the first to payout on poor defence but he forced a player with more toe than himself outside towards the boundary. He did nothing wrong defensive wise. It’s a long shot to nail that kick and if Weller missed that shot he would of looked like a selfish galah instead he nailed it. Turns out it was a good goal. Your ongoing criticism of Lever is genuinely unhealthy.