I had this inked in as a defeat. But I got a lot of joy b4 being gobsmacked with 8 seconds to go. I noticed the petrol tickets were running out early in the last quarter.
Yeah totally agree. I am glad you pointed out the press conference because like a few supporters I had thought why are we trying to play so defensively. I thought too that in the first 3 quarters we were kicking their butt in the centre and in the last quarter the tide turned. But I was saying to a mate whilst watching the first quarter we need to be taking advantage of our dominance because Port will come. I think thats another learning point the coaching staff will work on. That being to improve our inside 50 conversion and make sides pay on the score board when we do have the dominance. All of which will come over time and hard work from our lads.
Thanks for the pod fellas. Like every hawks supporter I was gutted at the end of the game but in your chat I was reminded of the age of some of the players I look for each week and who are making significant contributions. Its a credit to the club and the players that many of our young lads are playing well ahead of their years. Yes the loss hurt but loved your point of it hurt in a different way to the Gold Coast one where I was thinking WTF. Bring on the Lions I think because they are there for the taking if we can take an undermanned side to Adelaide and almost beat Port. I hope the loss becomes a great teaching experience for the young lads and they can learn some ways to attack when a team is throwing the kitchen sink at them. I totally agree that if a Scrimma or Sicily are there we win because they both have composure. But it was a great ride and one I wasnt expecting. I was mentally preparing myself for a Sydney type loss and in hindsight to lose by a kick with such a young side its onwards and upwards Hawkers.
The Coaching Box caused the loss, NOT the players.
If the whole team is defensive from the start of the quarter, it is a tactic. I’m not accepting tiredness and the Power Surge as the reason. I said to my 92 year old mother, 5 mins into the 4th that we will lose if we continue with the defensive plan. We were both broken. My thoughts were vindicated when I read Kingy, Dermie and Dicko’s take on the game this morning. Check out foxsports.com.au . All scathing! You said it yourselves without realising it, if we had Scrimshaw/Sicily we might have won it. So why choose to play DEFENSIVE footy without them?
Whilst not all was prefect by some to 3 qtr time, the boys as a collective were great, the game plan was admirable and I loved the way all went about it. Had we lost applying the same plan for even half of the 4th, I wouldn’t be annoyed.
DIMMER was a standout, DAY not far behind and I love what MEEK brings - helps the midfield, works hard around the ground and should be handed another contract immediately. FROSTY is playing well this year, a great turn around from the past and I trust him ATM, deserves acknowledgement.
I don't think it was a tactic not to attack Michelle, I think if you listen to Mitchell's presser post match, he wanted the players to find an avenue to score, they were just unable to. That probably stems from a combination of energy levels, inexperience, missing key defensive leaders and an overall lack of composure in dealing with the wave after wave of Power attacks.
Do you think keeping Hardwick in a forward line that the ball wasn’t getting to, or putting a seasoned and high level defender behind the ball was the better option?
I’m not sure on the midfield rotation, and I’m assuming you’re referring to Will Day? He was behind the ball at times late, but he was in the centre square for the last contest and was part of the group who lost it.
You said it! Will Day was in the middle for the last centre bounce, at which time it was too late. Your argument is that the coaches didn’t go defensive in the last quarter. I’m simply stating that Dimma and Day to the backline is going defensive. You have 10-12 players under 22 seeing that move and you think they are thinking about attacking.
I don’t think it was a great move but I have no problem with Sam, it’s his call and he probably got that one wrong. He’s in his 3rd year and we have a developing group, like the players he’s going to make the odd mistake.
I think there’s a difference between making a move or two in order to solidify the team, and changing an attacking mindset to a defensive one, which is what was insinuated and I pushed back against.
Hardwick went back to replace Jiath, and Jiath was replaced by Breust. Players shouldn’t and won’t lose confidence because they have to kick to a triple premiership player instead of Blake Hardwick. That’s my point.
It’s all interpretation anyway. Hopefully lessons are learned and whatever mistakes were made (which would be identified internally) are rectified the next time they’re in a similar situation.
An opinion doesn’t become right just because it’s yours. The entire Football media have suggested Sam went defensive. Again it’s his call and he’ll in his heart it wasn’t a good move. But, let’s be serious if winning mattered we’d have played Gunners instead of Chol and Finn instead of CJ and maybe Butters wouldn’t have had 17 touches in the 4th. Enough said mate, I’m a Sammy fan but we need to get past this mentality that losing is acceptable
Agree 100% - for sure we could have won if Dear had kicked straight (drop punt anyone?) but we were not been seriously threatened when we turned defensive. Of course you try and kill the game at same point but it was way too early. It was bad coaching. Like the team he isn't the finished product. But nothwithstanding the heartbreak it was a huge effort without Sic and Scrim and unfortuately Impey had about his worst game for the year as Captain for the day. I just hope we can pull ourselves up for Brisbane and don't let this destroy our morale.
Throwing Hardwick back and having Watson one out in the f/line is a coaching decision. Yes they started getting smashed out of the centre but fundementally we went defensive at very early stage and that is my gripe
You initially linked that coaching decision to going defensive, correct? What I'm saying is that it wasn't. Breust coming on to play in the forward half, necessitated a shuffling of the deck, putting some experience in the back half that was missing Sicily and Scrimshaw wasn't a bad move at all.
Of course Jiath was underdone, were you critical of the selection of Day when he came in and looked underdone? They have to get their legs somehow. Blaming the coach isn't it for me this week.
Hi folks, still at work and taking lunch break to send this note. Yet to listen to pod will do so for some deep therapy later. Have to say, I was in a fetal position figuratively and literally after final siren and I barely spoke to the family .. going to bed thinking about the game and did the same this morning. Still feel gutted. Final summation: brilliant football for first 3 quarters (away in enemy territory) and should be imprinted as the DNA for the club going forwards. Didn't play 4 quarters, so adage not tough enough for long enough rings true. Pressure from the Hawks dropped off considerably to match Ports greater intensity at the source. With so many inside 50's to only leak 4 goals is a genuine credit to the defense. A lot of debate has circled around defending a lead vs keep attacking. By comparison, I watched the last 10 mins of Eagle v Demons game, and the resurgent Eagles kept playing the same attacking way even 4 goals up, right to the end. Didn't see much of a defend lead type play. So, let's hope a LOT of good learnings come from this game, so that the playing group will be better for it. I have full faith with the coach and the coaching staff and the coaching. Perhaps incorrect judgements when it mattered - this goes for players and coaches. This group is still young. I'm sure the boys want this next round to come as fast as possible to atone for the loss. Watch out Brisbane Lions!
Allowing a half back flanker to kick three goals in a low scoring match and at a time when their forward line wasn't working at all well, may have been more significant on the result than what happened in the last quarter. #dontgetbeatenbywhatyouknow
I have a feeling that Day had spent his petrol tickets and the Hawks were also searching for a calm head behind the ball with Sicily and Scrimshaw out of the side. It would be nice to have a couple of Will Day's and Blake Hardwick's to be fair.
I had this inked in as a defeat. But I got a lot of joy b4 being gobsmacked with 8 seconds to go. I noticed the petrol tickets were running out early in the last quarter.
Yeah totally agree. I am glad you pointed out the press conference because like a few supporters I had thought why are we trying to play so defensively. I thought too that in the first 3 quarters we were kicking their butt in the centre and in the last quarter the tide turned. But I was saying to a mate whilst watching the first quarter we need to be taking advantage of our dominance because Port will come. I think thats another learning point the coaching staff will work on. That being to improve our inside 50 conversion and make sides pay on the score board when we do have the dominance. All of which will come over time and hard work from our lads.
Thanks for the pod fellas. Like every hawks supporter I was gutted at the end of the game but in your chat I was reminded of the age of some of the players I look for each week and who are making significant contributions. Its a credit to the club and the players that many of our young lads are playing well ahead of their years. Yes the loss hurt but loved your point of it hurt in a different way to the Gold Coast one where I was thinking WTF. Bring on the Lions I think because they are there for the taking if we can take an undermanned side to Adelaide and almost beat Port. I hope the loss becomes a great teaching experience for the young lads and they can learn some ways to attack when a team is throwing the kitchen sink at them. I totally agree that if a Scrimma or Sicily are there we win because they both have composure. But it was a great ride and one I wasnt expecting. I was mentally preparing myself for a Sydney type loss and in hindsight to lose by a kick with such a young side its onwards and upwards Hawkers.
Thanks Reg. Fair enough that you were gutted, I think I still am. Perspective is key in everything, and helps in my ability to cope haha.
The Coaching Box caused the loss, NOT the players.
If the whole team is defensive from the start of the quarter, it is a tactic. I’m not accepting tiredness and the Power Surge as the reason. I said to my 92 year old mother, 5 mins into the 4th that we will lose if we continue with the defensive plan. We were both broken. My thoughts were vindicated when I read Kingy, Dermie and Dicko’s take on the game this morning. Check out foxsports.com.au . All scathing! You said it yourselves without realising it, if we had Scrimshaw/Sicily we might have won it. So why choose to play DEFENSIVE footy without them?
Whilst not all was prefect by some to 3 qtr time, the boys as a collective were great, the game plan was admirable and I loved the way all went about it. Had we lost applying the same plan for even half of the 4th, I wouldn’t be annoyed.
DIMMER was a standout, DAY not far behind and I love what MEEK brings - helps the midfield, works hard around the ground and should be handed another contract immediately. FROSTY is playing well this year, a great turn around from the past and I trust him ATM, deserves acknowledgement.
I don't think it was a tactic not to attack Michelle, I think if you listen to Mitchell's presser post match, he wanted the players to find an avenue to score, they were just unable to. That probably stems from a combination of energy levels, inexperience, missing key defensive leaders and an overall lack of composure in dealing with the wave after wave of Power attacks.
Yet he moved Hardwick to defense after kicking 5 and our best ball winner out of the middle and into defense. Your smarter than that Danny boy
Do you think keeping Hardwick in a forward line that the ball wasn’t getting to, or putting a seasoned and high level defender behind the ball was the better option?
I’m not sure on the midfield rotation, and I’m assuming you’re referring to Will Day? He was behind the ball at times late, but he was in the centre square for the last contest and was part of the group who lost it.
You said it! Will Day was in the middle for the last centre bounce, at which time it was too late. Your argument is that the coaches didn’t go defensive in the last quarter. I’m simply stating that Dimma and Day to the backline is going defensive. You have 10-12 players under 22 seeing that move and you think they are thinking about attacking.
I don’t think it was a great move but I have no problem with Sam, it’s his call and he probably got that one wrong. He’s in his 3rd year and we have a developing group, like the players he’s going to make the odd mistake.
I think there’s a difference between making a move or two in order to solidify the team, and changing an attacking mindset to a defensive one, which is what was insinuated and I pushed back against.
Hardwick went back to replace Jiath, and Jiath was replaced by Breust. Players shouldn’t and won’t lose confidence because they have to kick to a triple premiership player instead of Blake Hardwick. That’s my point.
It’s all interpretation anyway. Hopefully lessons are learned and whatever mistakes were made (which would be identified internally) are rectified the next time they’re in a similar situation.
An opinion doesn’t become right just because it’s yours. The entire Football media have suggested Sam went defensive. Again it’s his call and he’ll in his heart it wasn’t a good move. But, let’s be serious if winning mattered we’d have played Gunners instead of Chol and Finn instead of CJ and maybe Butters wouldn’t have had 17 touches in the 4th. Enough said mate, I’m a Sammy fan but we need to get past this mentality that losing is acceptable
Agree 100% - for sure we could have won if Dear had kicked straight (drop punt anyone?) but we were not been seriously threatened when we turned defensive. Of course you try and kill the game at same point but it was way too early. It was bad coaching. Like the team he isn't the finished product. But nothwithstanding the heartbreak it was a huge effort without Sic and Scrim and unfortuately Impey had about his worst game for the year as Captain for the day. I just hope we can pull ourselves up for Brisbane and don't let this destroy our morale.
I'm not sure it's as simple as seeing the Hawks stop attacking and just assuming it was a coaching decision that lead to it.
Throwing Hardwick back and having Watson one out in the f/line is a coaching decision. Yes they started getting smashed out of the centre but fundementally we went defensive at very early stage and that is my gripe
Hardwick went behind the ball when Jiath was subbed out, to accommodate the introduction of Luke Breust.
Sounds lilke a coaching decision... (and Jiath looked pretty underdone to me) so not sure it was the best selection decision either
You initially linked that coaching decision to going defensive, correct? What I'm saying is that it wasn't. Breust coming on to play in the forward half, necessitated a shuffling of the deck, putting some experience in the back half that was missing Sicily and Scrimshaw wasn't a bad move at all.
Of course Jiath was underdone, were you critical of the selection of Day when he came in and looked underdone? They have to get their legs somehow. Blaming the coach isn't it for me this week.
Hi folks, still at work and taking lunch break to send this note. Yet to listen to pod will do so for some deep therapy later. Have to say, I was in a fetal position figuratively and literally after final siren and I barely spoke to the family .. going to bed thinking about the game and did the same this morning. Still feel gutted. Final summation: brilliant football for first 3 quarters (away in enemy territory) and should be imprinted as the DNA for the club going forwards. Didn't play 4 quarters, so adage not tough enough for long enough rings true. Pressure from the Hawks dropped off considerably to match Ports greater intensity at the source. With so many inside 50's to only leak 4 goals is a genuine credit to the defense. A lot of debate has circled around defending a lead vs keep attacking. By comparison, I watched the last 10 mins of Eagle v Demons game, and the resurgent Eagles kept playing the same attacking way even 4 goals up, right to the end. Didn't see much of a defend lead type play. So, let's hope a LOT of good learnings come from this game, so that the playing group will be better for it. I have full faith with the coach and the coaching staff and the coaching. Perhaps incorrect judgements when it mattered - this goes for players and coaches. This group is still young. I'm sure the boys want this next round to come as fast as possible to atone for the loss. Watch out Brisbane Lions!
Some good takes here.
There was a lot of hysteria and bad takes post game on social media. That is understandable
Unlike the Suns game - by far our worst outing this year - there is a a good path emerging.
The team we fielded played remarkably and quite honestly above its capacity
Not sure we ran out of gas so much as being so far in front got to us mentally.
This is a new experience for the collective.
Maybe a tighter closer contest might have been better to maintain focus and effort
We will be better for the run and this will be a great teaching moment for the guys - the vast majority with less than 50 AFL games
We should be happy to lose in May 2024 by a point rather than lose in September 2025 under similar circumstances.
The future looks bright.
Allowing a half back flanker to kick three goals in a low scoring match and at a time when their forward line wasn't working at all well, may have been more significant on the result than what happened in the last quarter. #dontgetbeatenbywhatyouknow
We lost the midfield in the last. Day was seemingly playing full back we needed to get some clearances and get it into our forward 50.
I have a feeling that Day had spent his petrol tickets and the Hawks were also searching for a calm head behind the ball with Sicily and Scrimshaw out of the side. It would be nice to have a couple of Will Day's and Blake Hardwick's to be fair.
Coaches’ votes
5. Houston* Horne-Francis*
4. Hardwick* Hardwick*
3. Horne-Francis* Houston*
2. Butters Butters
1. Day Day
(* interchangeable as all had 8 votes)