Selection Dissection: 'No excuse' Thursday awaits
Happy with the win, but already angry if we don't beat the Swans. Never change Brad.
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Hawthorn v Sydney
Thursday 19 March @ MCG, 7:30pm
Season still alive!
How good was it to smash the Bombers in primetime to get our first win of the season! As good as the win was, we move on quickly to Thursday night football this week against the Sydney Swans. This is another huge game and a must win, with games against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs to follow.
The Swans will be without their two best players in Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney, so we have no excuses this week, especially with the game at the MCG.
Sam Mitchell rarely, if ever, makes any changes following a win and I expect that to continue this week. However, there are a few players who need to start performing in the coming weeks or they will risk losing their place in the team, with a handful of players in the VFL waiting for their opportunity.
The Backline
A much better performance against the Bombers following their disaster display against the Giants. The first quarter was still a bit of a worry and if that happens against the Swans on Thursday night, we will be punished. Jack Scrimshaw had a shocker against Essendon and will look to bounce back this week.
Bodie Ryan and Noah Mraz are both in the mix to debut this season and Scrimshaw won’t have many more chances, should he have a repeat performance this week.
The Midfield
A really good performance from the midfield unit against what looked to be a strong Essendon midfield. Josh Ward bounced back from Opening Round and was our best midfielder on the night, while Connor Nash also played a great game, shutting down the important Darcy Parish after quarter time, while winning plenty of his own ball. It was nice to see Cam Mackenzie return from concussion and have 21 disposals as well.
The Swans are missing Gulden and Heeney this week, so our midfielders have no excuse.
The ruck
Welcome back Noodle! How good was Ned Reeves? Having called for him to play in in Opening Round and again last week, it was great to see him given the opportunity and perform. Hit-outs to advantage, follow-up work, strong marking and kicking goals. It’s fair to say Reeves deserves a good run at AFL level and will be challenging Meek for he number one ruck spot.
This week the Reeves/Meek combination will face a much tougher test against one of the games best rucks in Brodie Grundy. Grundy is a contested beast and brilliant around the ground. Hopefully our duo can physically work him over.
The forward line
Jack Gunston continues to defy father time and is sitting equal with Ben King on top of the Coleman Medal ‘ladder’ with nine goals in his first two games. Following his 73 goals last season, ‘Uncston’ doesn’t look to be slowing down. Surely he can’t win the Coleman, can he?
It was great to see the small forwards hit the scoreboard last week and even better to see Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald (the jailhouse connection) both have excellent games after a tough week. A special mention to Mabior Chol, who plays game number 50 for the Hawks this week.
Ben Ronke of the Week: Caiden Cleary to kick 3+ goals
What should happen:
No change
B: Hardwick - Barrass - Sicily
HB: Amon - Battle - Impey
C: D’Ambrosio - Ward - Weddle
HF: Moore - Lewis - Ginnivan
F: Watson - Chol - Gunston
FOL: Meek - Newcombe - Nash
INT: Reeves - C.Macdonald - Scrimshaw - Butler - Mackenzie
EMG: Mraz - B.Macdonald - Morrison
What will happen:
No change
B: Hardwick - Barrass - Sicily
HB: Amon - Battle - Impey
C: D’Ambrosio - Ward - Weddle
HF: Moore - Lewis - Ginnivan
F: Watson - Chol - Gunston
FOL: Meek - Newcombe - Nash
INT: Reeves - C.Macdonald - Scrimshaw - Butler - Mackenzie
EMG: Mraz - B.Macdonald - Morrison
Under the pump:
Massimo D’Ambrosio, Mitch Lewis
In the mix:
B.Macdonald, Noah Mraz, Bodie Ryan, Max Ramsden, Will McCabe, Finn Maginness, Harry Morrison
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Understand the reasoning behind team stability, but would be interested to hear views on slightly widening the regular selection pool out to 26–28 players.
Preparing fringe players for late-season/finals call-ups when injuries hit. Managing player loads and resting key players as needed. Trade value at season's end - Serong and Hustwaite come to mind
Not asking for wholesale change, just a wider contribution. Thoughts?
Spot on Brad, looks good. Agree with Matt's comment below. Ash referred to Aidan Schubert in the review of the Essendon game, and I managed to find that he'd kicked 4 goals in a practice game. However, it is seemingly impossible to find any information on Box Hill and our AFL listed players who weren't selected for the senior team. It's really disappointing and looks like we'll be in the dark until the VFL season commences and we can then follow on the live stream.