Adam The God

Just some food for thought. In 2004, Hawthorn won 4 games and finished 15th with a percentage of 70.23. In 2005, Hawthorn won 5 games and finished 14th with a percentage of 92.01. In 2006, Hawthorn won 9 games and finished 11th with a percentage of 85.70. In 2007, Hawthorn won 13 games and finished 5th with a percentage of 113.05. In 2008, Hawthorn won 17 games and finished 2nd with a percentage of 131.85. They went on to pinch the flag and missed the finals altogether the following year. My point? We're tracking at a relatively good pace. Obviously, the reason it's so frustrating for our supporters is that we've rebuilt 2 or 3 times since we last made it to the finals. I've said all season that we'll win 10-12 games. Obviously, we won't get 12, but I still think we'll get 10. Even if we don't, we'll get 8+ now, which is comparable with their 2006 season. But it looks like we'll have a stronger percentage than they had that year. Natural improvement will come again next year as our young team gains more experience. Coupled with 1-2 important players that we acquire in FA/trading, hopefully they'll make us even better again. So 11-13 wins next year should be the target and is likely if we continue on our current trajectory. That's a terrific foundation for Goody to build on in his second season, where we should be aiming for the top 4. Of course, injuries can play a part (see the Bulldogs this year, who look like missing out on the top 4 now) and personnel changes, but Hawthorn's path shows some patience is required and that in fact, although it may be frustrating given what we've already been through, we are a real chance for some success starting 2017.

Lol. Come on, RM. You think our game plan is centred around high bombs to the square? The disciplined kick when there are no options is to kick it to the top of the square though.

We're in a bit of a tricky position leadership wise. I'd argue a lack of leadership has cost us multiple games this year. If we're looking to shoot up the ladder next year, we really need to uncover some strong leadership. Does it come from some older guys turning a corner? Does it come by recruiting leaders? Or does it come from the younger generation? As it stands, Jones is not a leader. He's been a hard trier in trying times. I love that he's stuck fat through all the rubbish and for that I'll always have a soft spot for him. However, his football is going backwards and even at the top of his game, he's never going to be a strong leader. Paradoxically, I think he should remain captain for 2017-2018, simply due to continuity and not wanting to burden the younger leaders with the responsibility just yet. Jack Viney, Max Gawn, Jack Watts and potentially even Tom McDonald should round out our leadership group. Prestia'd be nice too, but let's just let him settle into his new club first. If I'm rating Jones harshly, I'm going to rate Vince even more so. Vince is a 'character' and footy clubs have those types of flogs/larrikins. And that's fine, but they shouldn't be in the leadership group. So that leaves, Jones, Viney, Gawn, Watts and McDonald. We either make it a five man leadership group or consider popping Dom Tyson in there as well.

Haha, I wouldn't inflict that on you, mate. Let's agree to disagree. :D

It might not have been 21, but it certainly wasn't merely 3 or 4. He was horrible.

I think there's a bit of a difference here though, Nash. Harmes had 23 touches. If 21 of them go to the opposition, that's like having a 23rd opposition player. He does it week in, week out too. I agree on those attributes you've list above. He is tough, he runs both ways (most of the time) and he's a good contested mark, but he's not good at the fundamentals of AFL football, such as kicking and handballing. He continues to try too many stab passes into extremely dangerous areas that rarely come off and other times he's simply just lazy or makes poor decisions. Given he does get it as much as he does, there's point where you start to become a liability.

Debbie does Melbourne.

My film is playing at MIFF. Doing the intro, racing to the ground to watch the first and a bit of the second quarter, then back for the Q&A and then back to the footy for the end of the third and the fourth quarters. I think we'll put up a much better show next week than we did today.

He certainly made some horrible decisions on the outside today.

I'd have to watch that moment again, but I suspect Tom was trying to get as far away from possibly receiving the next pass as possible. Maybe he knows his limitations now?

Wasn't his re-signing announced weeks ago? Months ago even?

Good spot, LH. I did notice his black armband at one point.

I think he's lucky, because Hogan failed to hit the scoreboard this week. He simply didn't get it enough, but at least he took a couple of marks this week. He'll play again next week.

Wow. What game were you watching? He barely hit a target.

Minus Tyson. And Viney was injured. No excuses for Jones or Vince.

Hogan and Viney both looked incredibly sore for most of the game.

I reckon people see a couple of turn overs or HTBs against Tyson and dismiss him a bit. He is having a terrific second half of 2016. He's matching his 2014, he just needs to start hitting the scoreboard more. But he's one of our best players every week and still people overlook him. For a guy who's only played 67 games (many injury-interrupted), he is a serious talent and we're lucky to have him. I feel he might be a bit like a Scott Thompson or a Sam Mitchell pre-2015, a perennial underrated star. But he's only going to get better and I'm looking forward to it. Oh and he was best on ground quite easily today. Not flashy, but kept us in the game for three quarters.

Not good enough from a senior player. My sister and I were talking about this after the game. The younger players must look around and go, 'oh well, Bernie is having another stinker this week, he's a senior player, so I have to be superman to bridge the gap'. The senior players in our group continually lower the standards of the rest of the players and soon, this has to change if we're going to be a serious threat in the next 3-5 years.

It probably says a lot about the development of our midfield that we can still be in games (this week win it and last week lose it by a single kick) without him kicking goals. Also, our greatest win under Roos came at the Cattery last year (still stoked to have been there) and we were Jesse-less.

I agree. Was exactly my response. He has 60 games on Jesse.

A lot of the discussion in the stands today that I heard was that he's overrated and that Lynch is clearly the better player. What I'd say to this is that his attitude, work-rate and goal kicking action need a lot of work, but his ceiling is a whole lot higher than Lynch's and Jesse still remains a once in a generation prospect.

I'm inclined to agree after their two performances today.

It was our 8th win...

Petracca has star written all over him. Makes the right decision at the right time and has the skill to execute.

He didn't get a heap of it, but his 3 goals and important mark at CHF late in the game were enough for today.