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Now that the Hawks know who they're playing in 2024, what is a realistic outcome for the season? Our match committee chairman/resident pessimist BRAD KLIBANSKY has his say.
Round 1 v Essendon (MCG)
Win. No excuses.
Round 2 v Melbourne (MCG)
Lose. Jack Billings to kick four goals.
Round 3 v Geelong (MCG)
Lose. Jeremy Cameron to kick six.
Round 4 v Collingwood (Adelaide Oval)
Lose. Honourable loss.
Round 5 v Gold Coast (Heritage Bank Stadium)
Lose. Ben King to kick five.
Round 6 v North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
Win. Jack Ginnivan and Mabior Chol to kick three goals each.
Round 7 v Sydney (MCG)
Loss. Logan McDonald to kick a bag.
Round 8 v Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
Loss. Sam Darcy’s break-out game.
Round 9 v St Kilda (UTAS Stadium)
Win. No excuses.
Round 10 v Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Loss. The Lloyd Christmas Game. “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”
Round 11 v Brisbane (Marvel Stadium)
Loss. An honourable one.
Round 12 v Adelaide (MCG)
Loss. See above.
Round 13 v GWS (UTAS)
Loss. Our bogey team.
Round 14 v Richmond (MCG)
Win. No excuses.
Round 15
Bye.
Round 16 v West Coast (Optus Stadium)
Win. Midfield masterclass.
Round 17 v Geelong (GMHBA Stadium)
Loss. Skinny wings. Good luck!
Round 18 v Fremantle (UTAS Stadium)
Win. No excuses “at home”.
Round 19 v Collingwood (MCG)
Loss. Honourable.
Round 20 v Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Loss. A big one.
Round 21 v GWS (Manuka)
Loss. Bogey side in Canberra. Hope for snow.
Round 22 v Carlton (MCG)
Loss. Blues will playing for a top four spot.
Round 23 v Richmond (MCG)
Win. No excuses.
Round 24 v North Melbourne (UTAS Stadium)
Win. Hand North another wooden spoon.
Abject pessimism isn't realism. It's just a cry for help.
Hawks will be about 20% better, easy. This is based on games and demographics
Others will also improve some at the same rate - but others by less.
Tigers and Cats are not getting better in 2024 they will be worse
West Coast and North will be better but not enough to bridge the gap
Bombers, Saints and Dogs...Hawks will improve more than they will
This is what happens...12 to 13 wins
4 UTAS = 4 wins. The return of Fortress Tassie
GWS in Manuka = win. They hate that place.
Cats on Easter Monday = win
Tigers x 2 = 2 wins. They will struggle in 2024
North at Marvel = 1 wins
WCE = 1 win
Dogs and Lions at Marvel = 2 wins
Bombers = 1 win
A little from the track this morning:
1st sightings - Frost, Impey & Ginnivan whose tan gives Finn some competition.
Ginnivan did an extra block of running with Moore, Worpel, Nash & Impey.
Wingard an onlooker in training top - did some casual 10m kick to kick (left foot only) with a support staff.
CJ still on a separate program and didn’t participate in group activities.
A new ball drill with a focus on defensive running/pressure getting kms in the legs was interesting to watch.
Hickmont (with Sam) looked to be working with the forward group that mainly comprised the small/medium players.