Hawks tactics?

[Go Swannies]

At present it's fair to say that the Swans are playing better footy than the Hawks. So, like Wallace and the Tigers, they'll probably not turn up to play us at our own game.

I haven't seen enough of the Hawks in the past few weeks to know their strengths. What tactics do you expect them to produce to have a shot at winning the game?

[573v30]

Don't really expect much from the Hawks. They are missing a couple of good players in particular Croad and may miss Vandenberg. I think they'll most likely play a "we've got nothing to lose approach" and try to attack at every opportunity but then again they'll probably play defensive style possession footy. Don't expect a Wallace style of possession/flooding as the Hawks will just make to many errors and allow the Swannies to dominate.

[BigBadBarryNo1]

If they have one thing going for them, it's height and run.

Their only good player watching the Melbourne game the other week was Vandenberg, and we're quite fortunate that he's out, Roughhead at times, and definitely Croad should not be underestimated.

I think they'll focus on improving their ruckwork with Spida who has room for improvement when he won the ruck and punted the ball out to nowhere last week, with Williams as a running half-forward to pick up and kick a few, especially with our down (and possibly out?) Craigie, which they could exploit.

If they were in an aggressive mood, they'd probably move Crawford off half back and move into that position too to exploit it and give a good kick off to Williams or one of their rookies. Those two must be shut down at all costs, barring king hits

Tadgh is a great rebound-running player, but sometimes in the chase he can be run circles around in his position too. I'm more than certain that they'll be flooding back to protect themselves from his counter-attack.

Leo Barry finally has the chance to give a real workover on his opponent after working out the new rules in the past couple of weeks, and trying not to be a hero too much (despite the STARRRRR that he is!). Although I noticed that he has been running a fair bit up the ground when we've flooded the forward line hasn't he? His kicking needs a bit of work in placement on that count..

At their best, they've had their half-forwards banging in their goals, and we're most likely exploitable there.

If LRT gets moved forward again, I hope that we don't have Richards (if he's in this game?) used in defence, as Hawks are likely to target him too. LRT is growing as a good defender, and instead of countering with run, does it more with balance. His kicking needs some work too though.. but disposals are getting better.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by BigBadBarryNo1
If they have one thing going for them, it's height and run.

Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.

[dendol]

Originally posted by NMWBloods


Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.

is this the spanish inquisition?

[Legs Akimbo]

Originally posted by NMWBloods


Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.

Yes, but of the five elements, none is always predominant; of the four seasons, none lasts forever; of the days, some are long and some short, and the moon waxes and wanes.

That is the secret to defeating the hawks

[dendol]

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
That is the secret to defeating the hawks

how about just kicking more goals and than them? Not many people know about that one, but I reckon if we try it, we'll win.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
Yes, but of the five elements, none is always predominant; of the four seasons, none lasts forever; of the days, some are long and some short, and the moon waxes and wanes.

That is the secret to defeating the hawks

Ah, thank you Master.

[Zlatorog]

How about we all sit down in a lotus position and try to meditate about it?

[katie-scarlett]

Originally posted by Legs Akimbo

That is the secret to defeating the hawks

I think Legs actually meant,
'The secret to defeating the Hawks, that is' .

[dendol]

Originally posted by katie-scarlett
I think Legs actually meant,
'The secret to defeating the Hawks, that is' .

you have to do that in a yoda voice.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by dendol
you have to do that in a yoda voice.

...the voice that sounds an awful lot like Fozzie Bear.

I think the Hawks will utilise the "circles", they have used it before. The idea is you pass the ball around and around in a circle across the centre of the ground for no apparent reason. Then someone miskicks it and the opponent grabs the ball and kicks a goal.

[Schneiderman]

I think all the team need to do is watch the tape of last year's two games against them. Same side, same tactics. Maybe a few more 'bunnies' in this side.

Clarkson also doesn't seem like a tactically astute coach to me, although he has a tough battle with his current resources. I would be greatly surprised if he went as far as experimenting with such a radical move as the 'Wallace Fiasco' from the weekend. You need a lot of control and faith in your team to execute it, and I reckon the Swans are THE BEST team at beating a flood, or the chip-around method.

[dread and might]

I hope they go with the "education of Zac" tactic. That one's been going great.

[hammo]

Originally posted by dread and might
I hope they go with the "education of Zac" tactic. That one's been going great.

Baz is primed to hand out a thorough football lesson to the youngster