Selection Dissection: David vs Goliath
Four wins in 5 games, who dis? The Hawks are on the verge of competing for a finals spot, and are one of the form teams in the competition. Next up, the Giants.
Round 13 - Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney
Saturday, June 8, 1.45pm @ UTAS Stadium
Is it too soon to mention the “F word”? Probably, but who cares. The Hawks can make the finals this season.
Five wins from the last seven games with three very winnable fixtures to come, starting this week against GWS down in Tasmania.
If you haven’t already, have a listen to our Giants recap podcast via the link below ⬇️
The positive
“The Happy Hawks”
I’m loving watching this team play currently & how happy they all look on and off the field. Sam Mitchell is building something special with this group of players.
The negative
There wasn’t much to dislike from the gains against the Crows other than red time and junk time goals against.
Looking ahead
Box Hill had a huge win over Essendon (we love that at any level) and the likes of Watson, Ramsden, Wingard & Ward dominated. Selection in the coming week’s is going to be tough, and this is a good problem to have.
The backline
The back 6 and complete defensive unit continue to impress and play their role. Jack Scrimshaw is playing at all All-Australian level, with the likes of Frost, Sicily, Weddle, Impey & Amon in season best form. Seamus Mitchell is also coming along nicely. The Giants have an elite forward line and will provide our backline with their biggest test of the season. The Toby Greene match-up will be critical.
🗣️ The big question: Do we see Seamus Mitchell or Blake Hardwick play on Toby Greene?
Seamus Mitchell has been given the big roles over the past couple of weeks (Willie Rioli Jnr, Charlie Cameron) and with his coach, Sam Mitchell’s positive reinforcement of his position, there’s a strong argument that S. Mitchell will at least get first crack on Toby Greene.
The midfield
How good was is it to see Will Day streaming through the middle of the MCG!? Since his return, the midfield has completely changed. Day makes everyone around him a better player. The Giants will be without Coniglio & Kelly this weekend, so it’s a great chance for our midfield to win the battle.
The ruck
Ned Reeves came in and took his chance, playing a strong game against O’Brien (it got O’Brien dropped!). He did spend some time off the ground with a foot injury but eventually returned to finish the game off strong.
Unfortunately for the big Noodle, if Meek is declared fit, which at this stage looks more unlikely than likely, Reeves will be the man to make way.
The forward line
Dylan Moore - you star. 27 touches and 5 goals was arguably the best game of his career. Moore is a good chance to make the All-Australian team this season if his current form continues.
Jack Gunston kicked three goals in his 250th game and has7 goals in the last two weeks, while Jack Ginnivan has another great game and has been a fantastic addition to the rascal pack (and forward line).
With Nick Watson & Chad Wingard dominating at VFL level, kicking 8 goals between, forward spots are going to be competitive in the second half of the season.
What should happen:
Out: Reeves (omitted), Dear (managed)
In: Watson, Meek
FB: Impey, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Hardwick, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
Int: Watson, Mackenzie, Worpel, Mitchell, (Breust)
What will happen:
Out: Reeves (omitted), Dear (managed)
In: Watson, Meek
FB: Impey, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Hardwick, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
Int: Watson, Mackenzie, Worpel, Mitchell, (Breust)
What do you think Hawks fans? As always, we would love your opinion on Brad’s selection decisions. Did he get it spot on? Or was he way off the mark?
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I didnt see the box hill game but agree that if we are going to manage Dear then either Watson or Wingard come in. Personally I like the idea of Wingard coming into side and playing as sub. That way its managed minutes back in the first team. Wingard also adds the little bit of defensive pressure. Could play punky from the start and then swap with Chad later in the game. Cant wait to see him back in the first team. Reward his hard physio work getting back but without pressuring him too much. Chad with his experience would be a great mentor on the bench in a similar way that punky has done in recent weeks.
Reeves played well enough to keep his spot for another week. Give Meek another week to fully recover (play the long game). But otherwise looks good, Breust has been playing the sub role really well!