Great stuff Anthony. Last time we played Port, we didn't read the room and played it down, whereas Port was hugely revved up for it. We need to be really up for it from the very start - let's see some real intensity and physical pressure applied to Port.
Totally agree with your observations on the midfield and the sameness of the existing combinations is a little frustrating when we have options such as Moore, McDonald and Watson. The other thing this can do is release Jai to spend a little time forward where we know he's capable and it can also be an issue for a tagger. While Sam doesn't like to use a player in a hard tag role, we need to be prepared to deploy Nash and even Worpel in 'cooling' roles, which will be especially important this week with Butters.
Maginness is not best 23 and in their heart the selectors seem to know it, by repeatedly bringing him in and then dropping him. He's our equivalent of Carlton's Francis Evans. Let's see Jai Serong, Bailey McDonald and others given an opportunity.
Get Mabior into the game early. He's a barometer player and give him a run in the ruck relatively early in Q1. He's generally very good in there and it helps to get him involved in the game early.
Our 3 tall forwards, whatever the combination, can be a real weapon and maximising that strength is a priority for the remainder of the season as it is one area where we do have asset, which, aside from Adelaide, is also a point of difference from the other contending teams.
It's a huge 6 weeks ahead, starting this Saturday!
I agree with what you say about CJ but he can’t be a permanent sub. I’d love to see him on a wing as his tackling as a back is poor and really cost us last week. At the moment he’s not best 22 IMO.
Your point on switches through the corridor are spot on. It’s a high risk strategy but we need to do it. Given that, delivery has to be sharp and low. Floaters kill you.
Our small forwards are a weapon no doubt and were on fire early last week with great lock in pressure. What I’d like to see a bit more of is chaos forward entries when there’s no obvious tall forward options. Mongrel entries to Wizard, Cmac etc are hard to defend.
Great article Anthony and totally agree with your sentiments. Only addition I would make it in the review this week I hope the Midfield coaches are saying to Frenchie. Trust your first instinct bro. When he does that he is awesome. Second guessing is just getting him caught by opposition. Love Frenchie and will learn more from playing at AFL speed. Trusting his judgement etc. Really common with lots of young players adjusting to the speed at AFL level. They either rush instead of giving themselves that split second longer or second guess themselves and get caught in tackle.
Hi Anthony ... thanks for taking the time to contribute to the HI's with your article for us to read before the game against Port, it's very much appreciated.
Like most weeks, selection for this match and moving forward to the remaining rounds of the season, is going to be very interesting in what way Sam decides to go with given that there are more players available to choose from with good form being shown at BHH and players coming back from injury, so I guess "it's a good problem to have". Hopefully this week, the mere fact that we always play reasonably well and mostly get the W at our "home away from home ground" UTAS Stadium in Launceston is a great step and will put us in a favourable position (but not guaranteed). As you've pointed out the players need to improve in a few areas and they need to start immediately as EVERY game matters from here on in if we are to make the eight.
Congratulations and thanks again on your maiden article Anthony, job well done!!
Thanks Anthony a great read and lots of “food for thought” I agree with you re CJ he seems to loose concentration sometimes or else overthinks what to do next. Experience is a great teacher I guess. Go Hawks !
Great stuff Anthony. Last time we played Port, we didn't read the room and played it down, whereas Port was hugely revved up for it. We need to be really up for it from the very start - let's see some real intensity and physical pressure applied to Port.
Totally agree with your observations on the midfield and the sameness of the existing combinations is a little frustrating when we have options such as Moore, McDonald and Watson. The other thing this can do is release Jai to spend a little time forward where we know he's capable and it can also be an issue for a tagger. While Sam doesn't like to use a player in a hard tag role, we need to be prepared to deploy Nash and even Worpel in 'cooling' roles, which will be especially important this week with Butters.
Maginness is not best 23 and in their heart the selectors seem to know it, by repeatedly bringing him in and then dropping him. He's our equivalent of Carlton's Francis Evans. Let's see Jai Serong, Bailey McDonald and others given an opportunity.
Get Mabior into the game early. He's a barometer player and give him a run in the ruck relatively early in Q1. He's generally very good in there and it helps to get him involved in the game early.
Our 3 tall forwards, whatever the combination, can be a real weapon and maximising that strength is a priority for the remainder of the season as it is one area where we do have asset, which, aside from Adelaide, is also a point of difference from the other contending teams.
It's a huge 6 weeks ahead, starting this Saturday!
You make some good points Anthony.
I agree with what you say about CJ but he can’t be a permanent sub. I’d love to see him on a wing as his tackling as a back is poor and really cost us last week. At the moment he’s not best 22 IMO.
Your point on switches through the corridor are spot on. It’s a high risk strategy but we need to do it. Given that, delivery has to be sharp and low. Floaters kill you.
Our small forwards are a weapon no doubt and were on fire early last week with great lock in pressure. What I’d like to see a bit more of is chaos forward entries when there’s no obvious tall forward options. Mongrel entries to Wizard, Cmac etc are hard to defend.
Good conversation.
Great article Anthony and totally agree with your sentiments. Only addition I would make it in the review this week I hope the Midfield coaches are saying to Frenchie. Trust your first instinct bro. When he does that he is awesome. Second guessing is just getting him caught by opposition. Love Frenchie and will learn more from playing at AFL speed. Trusting his judgement etc. Really common with lots of young players adjusting to the speed at AFL level. They either rush instead of giving themselves that split second longer or second guess themselves and get caught in tackle.
Thanks Anthony for an enjoyable read. You made some constructive points - I hope it is read out at Bunjil Bagora.
Spot on need another tall Ramsden was stiff Lewis if not this week then Carlton will they give Huswaite one last try
Hi Anthony ... thanks for taking the time to contribute to the HI's with your article for us to read before the game against Port, it's very much appreciated.
Like most weeks, selection for this match and moving forward to the remaining rounds of the season, is going to be very interesting in what way Sam decides to go with given that there are more players available to choose from with good form being shown at BHH and players coming back from injury, so I guess "it's a good problem to have". Hopefully this week, the mere fact that we always play reasonably well and mostly get the W at our "home away from home ground" UTAS Stadium in Launceston is a great step and will put us in a favourable position (but not guaranteed). As you've pointed out the players need to improve in a few areas and they need to start immediately as EVERY game matters from here on in if we are to make the eight.
Congratulations and thanks again on your maiden article Anthony, job well done!!
Totally with you on all points Anthony, though I would be greatly surprised if either Cam or CJ hold their spots for this game.
I have been clamoring for more mid time for Watson and Moore for weeks on our Line In The Sand group.
Thanks Anthony a great read and lots of “food for thought” I agree with you re CJ he seems to loose concentration sometimes or else overthinks what to do next. Experience is a great teacher I guess. Go Hawks !