1. Sam moved the magnets with CJ starting on the wing (a move many have been interested to see), however this meant Amon going forward which I doubt most supporters would have picked as the impact. With Blanck going off early, the experiment was curtailed early as Bramble for the second week was to go to the wing as the sub with Morrison and CJ going back.
(As a tactical sub, I do wonder if a more flexible option is important rather than say taking the next best performing player?)
2. This was the first game for the year where the kicks (181) were less than handballs (205). Quarter by quarter: 42/45; 45/46; 55/56; 39/58. The issue with the handballs was for most of the times, it was a matter of "hot potato", particularly when inside 50, rather than creating a better option or taking ground.
8 players were ahead on their own kick count (inc Blanck) & all were defenders, aside from Bramble & Amon; 11 were ahead on handballs & 4 were equal (Worpel & Mackenzie being the only mids).
3. Kick ins & exiting the D50 are a real issue.
In the 1st quarter, the Demons first five shots were from difficult angles, so the defenders were doing their work. The issue then became trying to get the ball out of D50. The energy spent in the first 5-10 minutes defending came back to haunt us the quarter progressed. It was almost better for the Dees to kick a goal early to get the ball back to the middle as we did win centre clearances across the day.
Without multiple tall marking options for the kick outs, we are very predictable. Also, some of the skill execution has been poor in this area as well - Hardwick in the 1st & 4th quarters being a culprit.
4. Meek taking on Gawn/Grundy more than held his own. This is an interesting outcome as Reeves was also dominant as a sole ruckman against English, so given the age of Meek/Reeves, these are green shoots that will need to be properly nurtured.
5. Given the team's profile on experience and age, against a top 4 side, I think a reasonable expectation would be for:
* 1 strong competitive quarter - 3rd yesterday
* 1-2 competitive quarters - 2nd
* Probably being overwhelmed in the 4th on strength.
I think the fact that our 3rd quarter was our best is a positive as we have been terrible in the 3rd quarters this year. As Jai noted, the bleeding was stemmed in the second. It is worth noting the Dees beat Nth by 90 points & WCE by 63 points (doubled their score).
6. The small forward conundrum - Breust, Wingard, Moore & Butler - do we have 4 of the same? Butler was caught a couple of times (acknowledging one should have been a free to him) reflecting the AFL/VFL divide.
7. There was further progression in the work of Weddle - he had the opportunity to use his run and carry a couple of times which had been a feature of his U/18 video ; Seamus again played a sound game - for both the skill/decision errors were those of a young players. Mackenzie showed glimpses in the 2nd half and getting the goal kicking monkey off his back was a bonus.
8. Kicking skills and seeking the corridor - this will be the death or glory path for the year.
Random Observations:
* Koschitzke in the 3rd quarter made a few marking contests break evens which allowed the small forwards opportunity and kept the ball inside 50. It will be interesting to see how the selection works out next week.
* Dees forward set up was interesting at times with 3 across the 50M line with Neal-Bullen pushing into the centre square; another forward was about 25 metres out; with 2 forwards in/near the goal square. This gave them the space to lead into the flanks. Maybe an option for us to consider?
I'm no Kosi fan, but his efforts in the third to halve those marking contests while out of position were huge. Obviously Kosi's work-rate has never been in question and having a KPF whos main strength is splitting a contest isn't going to cut it. Such a shame that he missed that first quarter shot. Dude deserves a break to get out of this 18 month rut.
I agree with pretty much everything on the review. Hoping Dylan Moore is only having a form dip due to leadership rather than a full blown demise and also hoping Breust hasn't fallen off the cliff which can happen quickly at his age. We can not afford to play Chad and Breust in the same game, one must make way and I’d rather see Brockman and Butler play given we are supposed to be in development mode. I hope CJ’s injury isn’t bad but we can not afford to play him ATM as he can’t kick, tackle or mark. CJ needs a month at Box Hill and I have been saying this all year now. YOU ARE CORRECT - Sam MItchell needs to address the DGB and Scrimshaw situation. Paid up members deserve to know what’s going on. I will be asking that question at the annual inside The Huddle if I get the chance. Something is ON THE NOSE with that situation…. #GoHawks and LOVED the WEDDLE, MACKENZIE and MEEK goals.. In closing, here’s one for the umpires……. LUKE BREUST has a neck and Head….. PAYTHE FREE (second time this year)…..
This was glass half full no doubt. We got a taste of the team we can be in the third quarter, even in the second quarter. What is holding us back is the very high rate of diabolical turnovers - it's killing us, just as it did last week, and against Sydney and Essendon. If we can materially reduce those, we can be competitive against any side. The more these boys play together and develop the cohesion, understanding and confidence that will go a long way to seeing those errors reduced. It is the high number of catastrophic errors that is holding us back.
In terms of individuals, Meek, Sicily and the midfield were outstanding and there were encouraging signs from youngsters such as Mackenzie, Seamus, Weddle and Butler. Hoping that CJ is ok and will be good to see Reeves and Brocky back this week for Wingard and Kosi.
Yes, we need a quality tall defender, another key forward and a hybrid forward/midfielder, but you can see this team slowly coming together.
Liked Seamus Mitchell’s game he caught my eye in Perth last week also . So glad I flew to Perth for that game NOT. Keep Butler in too and to me it looks like Dylan is just trying too hard . 🤷🏼♀️
What was learnt?
1. Sam moved the magnets with CJ starting on the wing (a move many have been interested to see), however this meant Amon going forward which I doubt most supporters would have picked as the impact. With Blanck going off early, the experiment was curtailed early as Bramble for the second week was to go to the wing as the sub with Morrison and CJ going back.
(As a tactical sub, I do wonder if a more flexible option is important rather than say taking the next best performing player?)
2. This was the first game for the year where the kicks (181) were less than handballs (205). Quarter by quarter: 42/45; 45/46; 55/56; 39/58. The issue with the handballs was for most of the times, it was a matter of "hot potato", particularly when inside 50, rather than creating a better option or taking ground.
8 players were ahead on their own kick count (inc Blanck) & all were defenders, aside from Bramble & Amon; 11 were ahead on handballs & 4 were equal (Worpel & Mackenzie being the only mids).
3. Kick ins & exiting the D50 are a real issue.
In the 1st quarter, the Demons first five shots were from difficult angles, so the defenders were doing their work. The issue then became trying to get the ball out of D50. The energy spent in the first 5-10 minutes defending came back to haunt us the quarter progressed. It was almost better for the Dees to kick a goal early to get the ball back to the middle as we did win centre clearances across the day.
Without multiple tall marking options for the kick outs, we are very predictable. Also, some of the skill execution has been poor in this area as well - Hardwick in the 1st & 4th quarters being a culprit.
4. Meek taking on Gawn/Grundy more than held his own. This is an interesting outcome as Reeves was also dominant as a sole ruckman against English, so given the age of Meek/Reeves, these are green shoots that will need to be properly nurtured.
5. Given the team's profile on experience and age, against a top 4 side, I think a reasonable expectation would be for:
* 1 strong competitive quarter - 3rd yesterday
* 1-2 competitive quarters - 2nd
* Probably being overwhelmed in the 4th on strength.
I think the fact that our 3rd quarter was our best is a positive as we have been terrible in the 3rd quarters this year. As Jai noted, the bleeding was stemmed in the second. It is worth noting the Dees beat Nth by 90 points & WCE by 63 points (doubled their score).
6. The small forward conundrum - Breust, Wingard, Moore & Butler - do we have 4 of the same? Butler was caught a couple of times (acknowledging one should have been a free to him) reflecting the AFL/VFL divide.
7. There was further progression in the work of Weddle - he had the opportunity to use his run and carry a couple of times which had been a feature of his U/18 video ; Seamus again played a sound game - for both the skill/decision errors were those of a young players. Mackenzie showed glimpses in the 2nd half and getting the goal kicking monkey off his back was a bonus.
8. Kicking skills and seeking the corridor - this will be the death or glory path for the year.
Random Observations:
* Koschitzke in the 3rd quarter made a few marking contests break evens which allowed the small forwards opportunity and kept the ball inside 50. It will be interesting to see how the selection works out next week.
* Dees forward set up was interesting at times with 3 across the 50M line with Neal-Bullen pushing into the centre square; another forward was about 25 metres out; with 2 forwards in/near the goal square. This gave them the space to lead into the flanks. Maybe an option for us to consider?
Great observations Mick.
I'm no Kosi fan, but his efforts in the third to halve those marking contests while out of position were huge. Obviously Kosi's work-rate has never been in question and having a KPF whos main strength is splitting a contest isn't going to cut it. Such a shame that he missed that first quarter shot. Dude deserves a break to get out of this 18 month rut.
I agree with pretty much everything on the review. Hoping Dylan Moore is only having a form dip due to leadership rather than a full blown demise and also hoping Breust hasn't fallen off the cliff which can happen quickly at his age. We can not afford to play Chad and Breust in the same game, one must make way and I’d rather see Brockman and Butler play given we are supposed to be in development mode. I hope CJ’s injury isn’t bad but we can not afford to play him ATM as he can’t kick, tackle or mark. CJ needs a month at Box Hill and I have been saying this all year now. YOU ARE CORRECT - Sam MItchell needs to address the DGB and Scrimshaw situation. Paid up members deserve to know what’s going on. I will be asking that question at the annual inside The Huddle if I get the chance. Something is ON THE NOSE with that situation…. #GoHawks and LOVED the WEDDLE, MACKENZIE and MEEK goals.. In closing, here’s one for the umpires……. LUKE BREUST has a neck and Head….. PAYTHE FREE (second time this year)…..
This was glass half full no doubt. We got a taste of the team we can be in the third quarter, even in the second quarter. What is holding us back is the very high rate of diabolical turnovers - it's killing us, just as it did last week, and against Sydney and Essendon. If we can materially reduce those, we can be competitive against any side. The more these boys play together and develop the cohesion, understanding and confidence that will go a long way to seeing those errors reduced. It is the high number of catastrophic errors that is holding us back.
In terms of individuals, Meek, Sicily and the midfield were outstanding and there were encouraging signs from youngsters such as Mackenzie, Seamus, Weddle and Butler. Hoping that CJ is ok and will be good to see Reeves and Brocky back this week for Wingard and Kosi.
Yes, we need a quality tall defender, another key forward and a hybrid forward/midfielder, but you can see this team slowly coming together.
Some really good efforts and patches of play.
Demons are Top 2 and the best side we have faced this year.
We have found a player in Seamus. Mackenzie and Weddle are coming along.
Midfield crew was solid against the strongest combination going around.
Meek was good. Great to see Sicily show some form.
A few of the guys should not be around in 2024.
Jiath, Harry, Bramble, Kozi, Wingard, Breust, Frost, Finn,...all should be cut, traded or retired
These changes will make us stronger.
Absolutely need 2 book ends
This #1 pick will be worth 3 firsts plus maybe a second.
If Hawks they would be well served to trade it and draft in 3 first rounders plus get a big tall
We will need at least 8 more players for 2024.
Liked Seamus Mitchell’s game he caught my eye in Perth last week also . So glad I flew to Perth for that game NOT. Keep Butler in too and to me it looks like Dylan is just trying too hard . 🤷🏼♀️
We never lead in game.