Selection Dissection: Giving Carlton the blues
Licking their wounds, the Hawks meet the Blues in a Round 22 'Elimination Final'
Round 22 - Hawthorn v Carlton
Sunday, August 11, 1:10pm @ MCG
Deja vu all over again!
The nightmare from the Round 10 clash against the Power was repeated. What a disaster. We can only hope it has the same effect on the group as the Port one, and the team goes on a multi-game winning streak.
The positive
Jack Gunston. Four goals straight for the veteran forward who returned to the line-up after a few weeks on the sidelines. He also managed to curtail Sam Taylor’s impact on the game at the same time. Gunston has been an inspired recruit this season and will likely go again in 2025
The negative
The 4th Quarter. The entire last quarter was a disaster. Even when up by four goals you could see what was happening and what the end result would be. Everyone from the coaches to the players would be disappointed with what was delivered.
Looking ahead
Time to move on to this week’s elimination final against Carlton. Lose this game and it’s season over. Carlton are in horrendous form, losing four their last six but they have won their last three against us. This game will be a coin flip!
The four key match-ups that will decide the game will be:
Frost v McKay
Scrimshaw/Weddle v Curnow
Nash v Cripps
Gunston v Weitering
The backline
Despite holding the Giants to only five goals in the first three terms the backline struggled. Had the Giants kicked straight in the first half (3.9), I’m not sure the Hawks would have been in the lead at half time.
Jesse Hogan was the difference in the end, kicking five and showed why the club is chasing Tom Barrass and Josh Battle.
This week will be a massive test with Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay. Both had a shocker last week and will be looking to bounce back. Curnow for me is a massive worry and if our midfield get beaten, he will kick a big bag.
The midfield
Other than Jai Newcombe (30 disposals and 12 clearances), the midfield were poor against the Giants. Day was tagged and had his worst game in years. He’s going to need to find ways to work through a tag, as it’s going to happen more often than not.
Alex Cincotta or George Hewett await this week. James Worpel, Connor Nash, Josh Ward and Changkouth Jiath were all poor. Nash in particular will have a huge job this week on Patrick Cripps, who will win the Brownlow Medal this year.
On the wing, Massimo D’Ambrosio’s star continues to shine bright, with the young gun adding goals to his game. He’ll only get better from here.
The ruck
Meek did his job against the Giants, providing Hawthorn’s midfielders with first use more often than not. Had he kicked straight (0.3) the game may have been completely different and Meek would have been in the frame for best on ground honours.
The forward line
Other than Jack Gunston, Hawthorn’s forwards were average against the Giants. Their ability to contest and pressure in the last quarter when the game was on the line was non-existent.
Calsher Dear looks tired, but when he was subbed out for Breust, the issue of having Gunston and Breust on the ground together arose again. Their lack of defensive pressure means the duo simply doesn’t work.
🗣️ The big question: Is it time to reward VFL form?
YES. Serong, Mackenzie, Morrison, Hustwaite and Maginness have all been dominating at VFL level and deserve a crack.
Mackenzie must return with Ward being omitted. I’d also look to bring in Maginness or Morrison. Serong is the other that deserves another chance.
What should happen:
Out: Ward (Omitted), Jiath (omitted), Dear (managed), Breust (managed)
In: Mackenzie, Morrison, Maginness, Serong
FB: Serong Frost Amon
HB: Sicily Scrimshaw Impey
C: D’Ambrosio Nash Mackenzie
HF: Moore Gunston Macdonald
FF: Hardwick Chol Ginnivan
R: Meek Day Newcombe
Int: Watson Maginness Worpel Weddle (Morrison)
What will happen:
Out: Ward (omitted)
In: Mackenzie
FB: Hardwick Frost Amon
HB: Sicily Scrimshaw Impey
C: D’Ambrosio Nash Jiath
HF: Moore Dear Macdonald
FF: Breust Chol Ginnivan
R: Meek Day Newcombe
Int: Watson Mackenzie Worpel Weddle (Breust)
⭐ Ben Ronke of the Week⭐
Darcy Jones didn’t kick the three goals I anticipated, but he was a thorn in Hawthorn’s side, and is a quality young player.
This week I’m tipping Matt Owies to give the Hawks defenders some trouble by hitting the scoreboard with three goals.
As always, we appreciate your opinion on Brad’s selection decisions. Did he get it right? Or was he off the mark? What changes would you make? Hit us up below.
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Does Ramsden deserve a chance to replace Dear? Or is he just a ruck option 🤷♂️