Selection Dissection: David vs Goliath incoming?
Fresh from a 13 goal hiding, the Hawks head into the land of the Giants with a mosquito fleet. Has Brad found the solution to get the Hawks back to winning ways?
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Round 8 - Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday 5 May, 4pm
Marvel Stadium
Talk about a horror show. After beating North Melbourne the week before for our first win of the season, we backed it up with a 76-point loss to the Swans on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the MCG. What a way to celebrate the return of Buddy Franklin!
After 7 rounds, we sit 17th on the ladder with a percentage of just 69%. We have officially been over taken by West Coast, who only a few weeks ago were considered the worst side since Fitzroy. That title may now lay at the feet of North Melbourne.
The positives
Buddy Franklin returns home! How good was it to see the former champ. On field, other than Will Day returning and getting through unscathed & Lloyd Meek battling hard against Brodie Grundy, there was nothing else.
The negatives
Too many to write but the biggest for me was the disposal, especially inside 50. We lost inside by only 3 yet lost the game by 12 goals. Shameful.
It’s another tough test this week in prime time (4pm at Marvel on Sunday) against the Bulldogs who smashed us twice in pre-season and get Tom Liberatore & Jamarra Ugle-Hagan back. Joy!
The backline
It won’t happen but James Sicily should be dropped like Tom Jonas was at Port Adelaide last season. His form this season has been horrendous. Sam Frost and Jack Scrimshaw continue to carry the backline. Josh Weddle is low on confidence and is experiencing the dreaded second year blues. Maybe he should be moved up the ground?
The big question: Is it time for an Ethan Phillips debut?
The Bulldogs do have a tall forward line, including Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy and potentially Rory Lobb. Unfortunately Phillips left the track early yesterday after training with the rehab group, so a debut this week looks unlikely.
The midfield
Not one of them had over 25 touches against the Swans. They were all beaten and beaten comprehensively. Conor Nash continues to disappoint, with Jai Newcombe and James Worpel are just going. It was good to see Will Day return and get through. He’s still at least 3-4 week’s off getting back to his best. Cam Mackenzie was a rare positive for the day, collecting 21 disposals. The Bulldogs midfield is their key strength. Bontempelli, Treloar and Liberatore are a nightmare combination. The midfield will have to be on from the opening bounce this week.
The big question: Should Connor Nash be dropped?
Nash has been average in 6/7 games this season but will be needed this week against Marcus Bontempelli who he played on and beat last season. Another poor game this week and it might be time for a few weeks at Box Hill. Hopefully Josh Ward can play well at VFL level this week and earn his spot back.
The ruck
Lloyd Meek continues to impress. He played a solid game and broke even with Brodie Grundy. He has another massive test this week against Tim English, who is back to his best.
The big question: Can we play Reeves and Meek this week?
No. Reeves had one of his better games last season against English, but neither Reeves or Meek have any forward craft. Meek has been playing well as the #1 and will get the gig again this week.
The forward line
Other than Dylan Moore, our forwards had a shocking day. They weren’t helped by the disposal from the midfielders, which was below average, but still had 47 inside 50’s and only kicked 5 goals.
Connor Macdonald struggled & will struggle to hold is spot in the coming weeks with the likes of Breust, Wingard & Watson to return. Watson & Breust are both a test this week and may come straight back into the side. Jack Gunston is a big worry, and Max Ramsden is not AFL ready. Once again, Mitch Lewis is out injured & is a discussion for another day.
The big question: With Lewis and Chol out, who plays up forward?
There’s no easy answer, and kicking goals will be a problem again this week. Will Mitchell back Gunston and Ramsden in or go full ‘chaos’ and select a small forward line?
What should happen:
Out: Serong (omit), Morrison (omit), Chol (susp)
In: D’Ambrosio, Watson, Breust (sub)
FB: Mitchell Frost Sicily
HB: Impey Scrimshaw Weddle
C: Amon Nash D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore Gunston Maginness
FF: Hardwick Ramsden Ginnivan
R: Meek Newcombe Day
Int: Watson Mackenzie Worpel C.Macdonald (Breust)
What will happen:
Out: Serong (omit), Chol (susp)
In: D’Ambrosio, Watson
FB: Mitchell Frost Sicily
HB: Impey Scrimshaw Weddle
C: Amon Nash D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore Gunston Maginness
FF: Hardwick Ramsden Ginnivan
R: Meek Newcombe Day
Int: Worpel Mackenzie C.Macdonald Watson (Morrison)
Hit us up with your thoughts Hawks fans? Has Brad nailed his selection this week, or should other changes be made?
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Don’t agree with your comments on Sicily Brad. He’s being asked to do too much and if anything he’s trying too hard. There was a passage of play there on Sunday where he single handidly was fighting a numbers of Swans, got belted in the first melee, went again in pain to the next contest and was cooked. Thankfully one teammate came up and patted him on the back for effort.
If we’re not prepared to give Calsher Dear a game I think we go small and play a chaos game. I don’t want to see Meek and Reeves in the same team especially not as forwards. I say again Morrison and Maginness are not the future in my humble opinion. Get games into Ward, D’Ambrosio, Bailey McDonald et al.
I’m an optimist but am not optimistic about this game.
This is about as pessimistic as I've felt going into a game in a long time. If we can manage 12+ goals and remain competitive, that feels like an achievement. A small-ball forward line sounds novel (almost fun) in theory, but our side just doesn't seem to have the in-game smarts to execute the type of game plan that would work... so... how about Weddle forward?