Selection Dissection: Culling the Roos
How do the Hawks bounce back and bounce the Roos out to avoid being winless after 6 rounds
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Hawthorn v North Melbourne
Sunday 21 April, 4:00pm
Marvel Stadium
I don’t think there is much more to add than what has already been said about last Saturday night’s horrendous loss to the Gold Coast Suns. Watching Sam Mitchell’s press conference post game was a stark reminder of what’s ahead over the next few year’s.
What was also evident is there will be changes this week. How many? That’s the million dollar question.
Round 5 Takeaways:
The Positive: The final siren
The Negative: An embarrassing midfield performance
Looking Ahead:
This week's clash against North Melbourne is a final in April. We are 0-5 for the first time since 1970 and simply must win. A loss on Sunday and the club will rightly be under the spotlight, especially the coach Sam Mitchell.
The backline
I thought the backline played really well against the Suns. The margin could easily have been 80+ if it wasn’t for how their performance. The biggest issue currently is the form and leadership of the captain James Sicily. He’s having an incredibly poor season. I would be looking at bringing in Jai Serong this week to free him up. Try Josh Weddle up the ground or move Karl Amon back to the wing.
The burning question: Are North Larkey or bust?
Other than Nick Larkey, the North Melbourne forward isn't filled with any other dangerous players. If our backline can hold them to under 80 points, we will win.
The midfield
I’ve seen some embarrassing midfield performances in my 30+ years as a Hawks supporter but that one was the worst. Noah Anderson (😭😭) had more disposals than Newcombe, Worpel & Nash combined. Throw in Ward 7 and Mackenzie 3 (subbed) it was simply hard to believe what we witnessed. Connor Nash has had 5 poor matches in a row to start the season and needs to head back to VFL level. One of Josh Ward & Cam Mackenzie will likely be dropped. Henry Hustwaite came on as the sub and had 11 touches. He should have started the game. Another poor decision from the coach to go with his decision of starting Jai Newcombe on the bench to start the game. This week's match will be won or lost in the middle.
The burning question: How do we stop North’s midfield?
The North Melbourne midfield is their strongest line. LDU, Wardlaw and Powell are a decent unit and if they get on top, Larkey can be in for a big day. Win the midfield, win the game!
The ruck
Lloyd Meek led the team in clearances (7) and inside 50’s (5) and battled hard all night against Jarrod Witts. Hopefully he pulls up well after copping a bad corkie in the last quarter. Another big test awaits this week against Tristan Xerri.
The burning question: Does Meek go into this match as the best ruckman from either side?
Meek’s form over the past three week has been seriously impressive, in trying conditions. He will get an easier task this week than he did on Saturday night, let’s hope he steps up again.
The forward line
A horrendous night for every forward other than Finn Maginness who kicked 3 and took 7 marks. This week he should play forward again and run with young gun Harry Sheezel. Mitch Lewis is no certainty to return due to a lingering knee injury, whilst Luke Breust has been ruled out for a further two weeks with a groin injury. After kicking two goals for Box Hill last week, Jack Gunston must return to provide much needed leadership.
The burning question: Is Mitch Lewis the quick fix this forward line desperately needs?
Lewis has the ability, when fit, to take on a considerable load. If he returns, a lot of pressure will come of Mabior Chol allowing both Chol and potentially Gunston to become goal threats.
What should happen:
Out: Nash, Ward, Mackenzie, Butler, Ramsden
In: Lewis, Serong, Gunston, Stephens, Morrison
FB: Mitchell Frost Impey
HB: Weddle Scrimshaw Sicily
C: Amon Worpel Morrison
HF: Moore Lewis Maginness
FF: Hardwick Chol Ginnivan
R: Meek Newcombe Hustwaite
Int: Stephens Serong Gunston D’Ambrosio Macdonald (sub)
What will happen:
Out: Ward, Mackenzie, Ramsden, Butler
In: Lewis, Morrison, Gunston, Serong
FB: Mitchell Frost Impey
HB: Weddle Scrimshaw Sicily
C: Amon Worpel Morrison
HF: Moore Lewis Ginnivan
FF: Hardwick Chol Maginness
R: Meek Newcombe Nash
Int: Hustwaite D’Ambrosio Gunston Serong Macdonald (sub)
This is as ‘must win’ as a game can get in the middle of April. Changes are coming, but how many? What are your thoughts Hawks fans?
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I wouldn’t drop McKenzie but Ward and Nash yes. Like the serong inclusion
Nash as sub might be the rocket he needs. Serong and Stevens deserve a crack soon. Meek needs to trust his mids rather than always booting into 50 randomly.