Hawthorn game day thread

[Donners]

I can't agree with you on the youngsters. Moore had 7 I50s, Jack kept Bateman relatively quiet and Bird is a very classy distributor, even wearing the traditional Swans bandage round the head (why don't they have red and white bandages?).

Jack did hs role well enough, but he made lots of mistakes. Bird gave the ball away at least twice in the first quarter. They weren't too bad overall, I just have doubts over their skills.

[givekidsakick]

Bolton BOG

That game had to be one of the best performances I have ever seen of Bolton....what a job on Buddy. And Buddy is still going to be a handful for anyone....big, strong and fast. Wish we had him.

[Triple B]

Fox replay in 15 minutes @ 09:00.

Record, burn and keep this one I think.

[Dalai Lama]

Fox replay in 15 minutes @ 09:00.

Record, burn and keep this one I think.

Unlike last week - which was just burn!

[Playsmart]

Shaw has great pace

Shaw looks good, doing a lot.

Looks to have greatest pace a few times. Smart coaches would use him to play like our previous Irish guy (geting out from defense 50m) and Eagle captain (attacking midfield).

Is it me only thinking that our defending hatner (spelling?) pace is one level down and defense (missing opponent ) looks terrible past 2 games?

Better to analyse our weaknesses now. Easy in getting carried away with this win against a weaken Hawk team.

[hammo]

You can see why Pies supporters became so frustrated with Shaw's disposal, but his pace gives as what we have lacked off half back in recent years when an injured Kennelly and Malceski weren't at their best. He'll be a great pick-up for us though, just needs to keep working in his kicking.

I disagree with comments re Bird's disposal. Generally I think he's very good, but last night's clangers followed a heavy head knock so he was probably in disneyland for a while there.

I think Crouch looks off the pace (no crime against someone like Rioli) but his place in the 22 must be under scrutiny if we are serious about building a competitive team this year. Disagree on Bevan though, his strong body is needed out there and he's quite reliable.

It was refreshing to see Roos try a few different things to exploit the weakened Hawks' backline and ruck division. Moving Jolly to FF at times is something I hope we do a lot more often, similarly with Goodes. Goodes can be the antithesis of Barry up forward - whereas umpires a prejudiced against Hall, it's the other way around with Goodes as a couple of the free kicks last night showed.

Finally, it would be nice if our friends in the Melbourne media who, even this morning, still refer to the Swans' old list, pay some attention to the performances of McVeigh, Malceski, Bird, Moore, Meredith, White. It's not all about Kirk and Hall any more.

[Playsmart]

Shaw acceleration & goodes grab

Apart from some early blips, I thought both McVeigh and Shaw were outstanding tonight. Very impressed with Shaw's acceleration. As were Jolly and White in the ruck.
Since White's potential mark of the year was denied, Goodes' one was a cracker too.

.

Agree with Shaws acceleration - my observation too. His strength should be tapped by smart thinking coaches now. The pace should help more often to get out kickin-in which was very bad against St Kilda - we have established before. We should not one dimension in getting out of 50m - then we overide our opponents game plan in blocking our kickin.

Kick-in against Hawks have not improved alot from my observation. Some runouts from defence with Shaw acceleration will be caught still and goals will be scored but that should be ok with the expected many more rewards from it. Opponents set plan against kickin then wont work as well - THEY have to change their plan. Take calculated risks.

Gooddes grab at the goal post was great. The smart non-infringing thing that Goodes did was pushing the opponent in front out with his raised leg when he jumped towards the mark. Putting the hands on the back is a no-no as we know now.

This tactic should be adopted more often especially with bigger heavier people that we have (such as White, Hall, Jolly, LRT) on most against other opponents of lesser "weight. Jolly was "kicked at the back last week and it was not a foul either.

This tactic should be used when the ball is kicked high to the attacking square.

Why is this tactic not used more often? Someone knows? Coaching failure?
Hall hardly uses this tactic - for fear of injury?

I can see White/Goodes using this tactic with greatest effect and legit goals with big man agility. Just time it well.

[liz]

They were certainly the low lights for the night. Every time you saw Bevan he was about 5 metres behind his opponent, who was making the play across half forward. The sooner these two are in the twos the better.

To be replaced by who, exactly?

I agree that Crouch looked like he was struggling but Bevan was a solid contributor. Regardless of different opinions of their games, there was no-one playing in the early game with any hope of doing any better in the short term.

[Cant turn right]

Finally, it would be nice if our friends in the Melbourne media who, even this morning, still refer to the Swans' old list, pay some attention to the performances of McVeigh, Malceski, Bird, Moore, Meredith, White. It's not all about Kirk and Hall any more.

If McVeigh and others fly under the Melbourne media's radar I for one am quite happy. It means they are more likely to have the time and space to develop into the next generation of leaders. Let the old blokes on the list take all the attention, the younger guys quietly go about their business and the Melbourne media get egg on their faces again when the Swans quietly make the finals.

[Playsmart]

Weaken opponents.

Good win. We were very fortunate that they were missing so many players, particularly in certain positions, but at least did well enough to exploit that.
.

Agree. This is not a true test of our team against the best teams.

[Playsmart]

Jack

Jack did hs role well enough, but he made lots of mistakes. Bird gave the ball away at least twice in the first quarter. They weren't too bad overall, I just have doubts over their skills.

Agree with Jacks many mistake observations. Also showing lack of pace as well for a young suposedly agile player. Not enough of training? Injury?
He can do alot better from his past games.

[Playsmart]

No excuse should ever be given.

Sydney only lost to St Kilda by two and half goals. Further, the Swans rarely have round one away wins, (with just an 18% win-loss record in the past 20 years or so).

No "first round rarely win " excuse should never ever be given. It is mainly the coaches failure in the game against St Kilda.

The sooner we rectified the errors in St Kilda game, the better. In my opinion, we did not rectify one of the problem - the kick-in, against the Hawk. Against a normal strength stronger team, we would have struggled, in my opinion.

[cruiser]

Agree. This is not a true test of our team against the best teams.

I think that Hawthorns injury list is being used as an exagerated excuse and people are falling for it. They still had a very impressive lineup out there last night. People downplaying the significance of Sydney's win might also want to take a look at Sydney's injury list.

[2005]

Great win by the boys, certainly didnt think they could turn it around.
Didnt think we could do it and glad to eat humble pie.Great night at the Rising Sun , in real good company and the beer was great.

While the Hawks had a few out, to keep Buddy that quiet ,to be 4 goals down early and win by 6 is a great effort.

Dont want the Melbourne media to bang on about us especially Jarred McVeigh the guy is a serious footballer and getting better by the week.

Good :
Craig Bolton & Goodsey : Great games by both.
LRT : Great 2 weeks, awesome last night. Proving a heap wrong.
Nick Malceski : The left foot is still a weapon, good to see him back.
Luke Ablett: Like a few have stated, just watch some of his stuff alot of it doesnt go in any stats.real good when needed
Jesse White : Crucial goal and played well . Really had a chance to play well against what will be the weakest opposition he will see this year.
Brett Meridith : Got better as the game moved on ,and got a real good run.
Great to see Roos wants to play the kids now.

Bad
Crouchy : Not the player he was.
Rhino : ???
Kick Ins : WTF ?? Seriously have to work on this. Its a problem

[Margie]

The whole team played for each other. What a difference that makes.

There was one incident - when Kirk was down and a free kick awarded - Crouch stood over him, ball in hand and that epitomised team spirit for me.

Craig Bolton is becoming one of the best defenders in the league. Awesome job on Buddy.

Best game for ages!