Changes for Round 23 V Hawks

[707]

Surely the Match Committee agonised over Dawson's inclusion? Agree with your summary Liz, Robbo did as asked last week so hasn't been dropped. Buddy doesn't get up, Dawson in please.

[KSAS]

Just came across this trivial stat on Swans v Hawks games in the HS. Hope the betting odds changes Hawthorn's way before the opening bounce on Saturday night!

UNDERDOG status spells success in recent years when fierce modern-day combatants Hawthorn and Sydney have faced off, with the outsider always successful.

If you follow that formline, the Hawks — $2.35 outsiders with TAB — could be just the roughie for those trailing in tipping competitions as they attempt to reel in their rivals.

The fact that Hawthorn has not lost at the SCG since 2010 also augurs well for the true believers.

[Ludwig]

I'm also disappointed that Dawson didn't make the cut. My feeling is that Robinson stays in the side to tag Isaac Smith, which leaves Cunningham free. The Hawks have a few key players that carry most of the load, so it makes sense to try to take a couple out of the game. Hewett will likely take Mitchell again this time round.

COR and Dawson both out of side this week, but it's good to have a couple of quality young players ready to come in when needed. Also bodes well for next year.

[liz]

I'm also disappointed that Dawson didn't make the cut. My feeling is that Robinson stays in the side to tag Isaac Smith, which leaves Cunningham free. The Hawks have a few key players that carry most of the load, so it makes sense to try to take a couple out of the game. Hewett will likely take Mitchell again this time round.

COR and Dawson both out of side this week, but it's good to have a couple of quality young players ready to come in when needed. Also bodes well for next year.

I'd send Cunningham straight to Smith. I agree with you that it's worth targeting a couple of their players. It was Mitchell and Smith last time we played them and it makes sense it's these two second time around. I don't think Robinson has the speed to keep up with Smith if he breaks free, though last time Cunningham kept him quiet more by blocking his run than by chasing him. But however he does it, he did such a creditable job last time I don't see why he wouldn't be first choice this time.

[ugg]

Grundy back would require a reshuffle of the backline. Either Newman or Florent, more likely the latter will have to move out of the back 7 and to a wing/forward position. This could result in a more inside role for Hanners particularly if Parker misses.

[AB Swannie]

There's some suggestion on the Hawks BF board that Burgoyne may have a hamstring issue and be a late out too.

[Ludwig]

I'd send Cunningham straight to Smith. I agree with you that it's worth targeting a couple of their players. It was Mitchell and Smith last time we played them and it makes sense it's these two second time around. I don't think Robinson has the speed to keep up with Smith if he breaks free, though last time Cunningham kept him quiet more by blocking his run than by chasing him. But however he does it, he did such a creditable job last time I don't see why he wouldn't be first choice this time.

I thought me might go with Robinson on Smith given that he did a good job on Whitfield last week. He's not as quick as Smith, but I think he's quick enough to go with Smith in a tagging role. Otherwise, I find it hard to justify keeping Robbo in the side in lieu of Dawson.

[Blood Fever]

Nevermind Buddy, has Parker ever played a good game against the Hawks?

Hawks would typically try to shut down Hanners as the outside runner (which may be attention better directed to Lloyd this time around) but I dont remember them applying a hard tag to Parker and he's never had any impact close to that of last week for example - that I remember at least.

Clearly one of our best players in the game v Hawks earlier in the year, especially in last quarter when the game was on the line.

[707]

Critical Out for the Hawks - Stevic!

Will be rolled out for finals for them, particularly against us!

[ugg]

The most important question has yet to be answered. Who will relieve Sinclair in the ruck. Last week’s option Fox and the previous two weeks’ option Dawson are not in the team. Neither are previous options Rohan or Towers.

I suppose Aliir could follow Roughead into the ruck or failing that, Parker or Robinson.

#rucktalk

[Blood Fever]

I am disappointed not to see Dawson come back in. He seems to have suffered the same fate as COR - play a few decent to good games, pick up a minor injury, and then get relegated. In the case of COR one could argue that he might have lost his spot anyway once McVeigh was ready to resume, but there's not a closely equivalent player who has replaced Dawson. Given they named him last week and only withdrew him at the last minute (presumably to see if he could get over his ailment) I had taken this to mean the coaches had him in their best currently available 22.

I guess it is Robinson who is holding Dawson out of the side, and I acknowledge that it would be rough to omit Robbo after he was credited with controlling Whitfield's influence last week. But I am not sure that the Hawks have a single playmaker in their backline who influences their ball movement quite as much as Whitfield does for the Giants (other than Sicily, who is still injured - and I think Dawson would be a better defensive match up for Sicily if he were playing, given his aerial prowess). And I think Dawson offers more offensively with his marking and kicking skills.


If Buddy doesn't come up, I presume Dawson will come into the side. He can't replace Buddy (stating the bleeding obvious) but can at least provide some kind of fairly mobile marking option in the forward line).

Agree about Dawson but maybe expected wet conditions played a role in selection.

[S.S. Bleeder]

When we played them last year they targeted Lloyd. From memory, they bashed him up in Q1, he got concussion and took no further part in the game.

Correct. It happened at the start of the match. We were down a rotation the whole game.

[Hotpotato]

If Mitchell comes down with man flu, I’ll be empathetic and hope he gets well soon .

[S.S. Bleeder]

Kennett is a tosser of the highest order.

Jeff is a friend of a friend. One of the nicest, most honest and loyal blokes you'll ever meet. He says what hethinksbecause he doesn't GAF about what people think of him which projects that image.

[KTigers]

Jeff is a friend of a friend. One of the nicest, most honest and loyal blokes you'll ever meet. He says what he thinks because he doesn't GAF about what people think of him which projects that image.

Hey, you don't think there may be way too many high profile people already "saying what they think and not giving a F what people think of them".
This is not exactly a great human quality to have.