All your burning pre-season questions answered
Will Ward debut? Is the Finn hype real? We go trackside to find out
Subscribe to Hawks Insiders for all the news through Hawthorn-tinted glasses and more exclusive content.
It’s always good to have an extra set of eyes just checking out the lay of the land - particularly during the pre-season when the AFL’s beat reporters are nowhere to be seen.
Lucky for us, superfan and Hawks Insiders debutant Shane Morgan (you probably know him as @Smorganism on Twitter) has been to a huge chunk of the 2022 pre-season training sessions. He’s here to answer some of the key questions heading into the new season.
So please make sure you let him know how much you appreciate his insight and feel free to hit us up on the usual channels (Twitter, Facebook, and the comments section below) if you have any burning pre-season questions if your own.
Who has been the clear standout?
Dare I say it, but I think Sam Mitchell might be leading the pack here. The clear standout of the 2022 summer so far has been the complete change in vibe out on the track.
Whether it’s the finesse that the assistants are bringing to the group or the way in which such exercises like ‘Simon Says’ and other old school footy disciplines such as ‘dropping and giving push ups’ have been adapted into training, there is often a strong ‘expect the unexpected’ theme about each session which seems to have everyone on their toes and ready to go.
If you listen to the players they all seem to be enjoying the sessions, and even the rehab groups have been quite vocal and buoyant at times - although most players have also noted that the sessions have been quite tough and demanding.
Should we be surprised that sessions lead by Sam Mitchell are buoyant, vocal, tough and demanding? Probably not.
Is the hype on Finn real?
Finn does indeed look like a different player on the track with his size and shape, and he has really started to compete for his spot in the 22 with his bullocking at stoppages. While I am hoping that he really has a strong start to 2022, his output is marginally less than the hype suggests it could be.
Will Josh Ward play in round one?
Lock it in - Josh is a workhorse with talent and desire. We’ve arguably not had a more impressive new draftee put in a summer like he has had, since… you know who.
Should Big Boy not be given the captaincy, who has been screaming ‘leader’ to replace him this preseason?
Big Boy still looks every bit the captain of the side, but Sicily seems to be the heir apparent.
Is Titch training like he could win another Brownlow?
The simple answer is yes, as he is in ripping shape. The harder thing to understand is just how Sam uses Tom in 2022.
How is the midfield looking?
There’s a lot to like about what Finn, Connor MacDonald and Ward may bring to the side in 2022, as the opportunity to re-tool is now there in the form of some youngsters.
Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara have taken a back seat in a lot of stoppage drills which has been intriguing, however James Worpel and Jai Newcombe have also had strong summers.
With Conor Nash only days away from joining back into the full sessions, the competition for spots in the midfield is stronger than we’ve seen for over five years.
Harry Morrison, Dan Howe and Finn are all reportedly training the house down. But can they all fit in to the team?
I wouldn’t think so unless we have some injuries, and with an eye on the future I’d rank them: Finn, Morrison and Howe.
Morrison has been a standout in most sessions with his composure and kicking.
Will Day seems to be training at limited capacity. Do we need to start worrying about his body?
Not at all, and although we would love to see a hulking and bustling Day dominating match sim in early Feb, it’s good to know that the club have decided to take their time with the best talent on our list to get him right for the real stuff.
The question of whether that is round one or round three, remains to be answered.
Jack Gunston - how is he looking?
Jack is looking lean, fit and hungry. Will we see him playing a high hall forward role, almost as a tall winger, delivering into the 50? It seems that we may with Lewis, McEvoy and Kosi staying closer to goals.
Is big Max Lynch a shoe-in for best clubman?
He’d be one of the favourites.
Liam Shiels - is it nearly time to write him off?
One of the most consistent on the track each session, and although I would expect that he would feel the pressure of a few who will be aiming to push passed him in 2022m I would not be at all surprised if he played the majority of games.
How active / hands on has Sam Mitchell been with the group?
If Sam’s not out in the middle when the ball is whizzing around the drills, he’s running next to the rehab guys having a chat, or perhaps even getting the leather back in his hands and showing that he’s still got ‘it’ by having shots at goal from either foot.
Both he and Adrian Hickmott seem to be very hands on within the sessions.
How do the coaches seem to be gelling - anyone perceivably taking on a bigger role than the others?
All eyes are on the players most sessions, however Hickmott as mentioned above really looks to have taken on the mantle as the 2IC, and has a lot to say to the group.
David Hale is a key mentor for the talls and is very encouraging.
How has DGB looked and do you think he fits into the team round one?
In the match sims DGB’s shown his ball reading ability, and desire to really impact the contest.
Personally, I can see DGB competing for the same spot that Frost would take, however I think there’s a role for him in the side alongside Frost if Scrimshaw or Jiath are released up the ground during games.
Who’s locked into the back six?
Hartigan and Frost seem to be locked in with Sicily putting on some very good showings in the match sims, and then the abundance of half backs makes selection incredibly difficult.
We have Scrimshaw, Impey, Hardwick, Bramble all having strong summers, and Jiath and Day building towards round one.
How do they all fit? I certainly wouldn’t want to have to choose the side.
Reeves / Lynch / McEvoy. Any insight into early ruck combo plans?
McEvoy looks like being a deep forward for large stints of our games, which would mean that Lynch and Reeves are fighting it out for the first ruck spot at the centre bounce.
Depending on whether we want tap dominance or some real fire within the contest an argument could be made for either one to be ahead in the pecking order.
Who has been our brightest forward and can you give updates on Kosi / Mitch / Jek?
Mitch Lewis is impressing on the track, with an improved intensity in the contest. The way he is leading at the ball and using his frame has me excited about what he could do this year.
Kosi is continuing on from 2021 and is moving really well, although he’s somewhat flown under the radar while being consistent with each session that I’ve watched.
Jeka just has that something special, and really could be the one to watch if he can sustain his efforts.
And what about Jackson Callow?
Jackson has a really good tank it would seem, and has shown that in drills against other talls where he’s still motoring when others are starting to shuffle.
The big question mark from my point of view is whether he can get separation from an opponent at AFL level as he’s not super quick, although when you can mark it like he can perhaps he just needs to plant himself in the square and let the ball come to him.
Vincent Adduci - to list him or leave him?
This is such a hard call to make, and one that I have heard plenty of opinions on from other track watchers. I don’t want to sit on the fence, but if the footy dept think he can get to the next level, then I’m happy for him to get that shot because he’s exciting.
Any others who are impressing that are flying under the radar?
Luke Breust, Jack Scrimshaw and Tyler Brockman look assured and smooth at pretty much everything they do. All three are at different points of their career, however they all look like having very good seasons if their training form translates to game day.
 | A guest post by
|
Think Lynch has been up on Reeves overall over pre-season. Dylan Moore also one been motoring along
Really fortunate for us Hawks Insider fans benefitting from getting some inside info and wicked intel for all of us to get excited about. Keep the great work up! The articles are just the tonic we need to get through the Summer!