Selection dissection: round 13
Who could, who should, and who won't be selected against Sydney
Hawthorn's grumpiest fan Brad Klibansky (@BradKlibansky) tells us who should be and will be picked for the Swans game on Friday night.
Sydney v Hawthorn
Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday, 7.50pm
The bye could not have come at a better time for the Hawks, who currently sit in 17th place with a 2-9 record.
After a week off to reset, in round 13 the Hawks come up against a Sydney side that is flying with an 8-4 record, sitting sixth on the ladder. If only we followed their lead and started “rebuilding” two years ago. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Before the bye we suffered a disappointing 37-point loss at the hands of the struggling Gold Coast. Big change is required and needed!
The Backline
Well, it’s performed pretty admirably this season despite our current record. Sam Frost, Blake Hardwick, Jarman Impey, Changkuoth Jiath and Jack Scrimshaw have been staples and have worked well together. Tim ‘Almost’ O’Brien came in against the Suns to cover for the loss of the suspended Kyle Hartigan. That, there, is everything wrong with our current list. No depth!
Sydney’s forward line is stacked with talent. Buddy Franklin, Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney, Will Haywood, Sam Wicks and Logan McDonald…if the Swans have their kicking boots on this week, they are a chance of kicking 20 goals or more.
In the mix 🔄
Will Day: Hopefully he has recovered from his ankle injury. He must come straight into the side if fit as a straight swap for Damon Greaves.
Denver Grainger-Barras: He seems to have recovered from his knee injury. Will Clarko throw him in at the deep end? It is a great opportunity to come in and play on Swans young gun Logan McDonald, who he knows well, and apparently has had the better of, when they played against each other in the WAFL.
Michael Hartley: If Tim O’Brien is getting a game in front of you as a defender, your papers are most probably stamped.
The Midfield
The less said the better. Once again, the Hawthorn midfielders were utterly embarrassed last game. Hopefully we see the return of Jaeger O’Meara this week which will help against a tough Swans midfield led by Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Callum Mills.
In the mix 🔄
Jaeger O’Meara: Hopefully he has recovered from his concussion. Was sorely missed against the Suns. Straight in.
Finn Maginness: Has been playing as a tagger at VFL level but still struggles to find the ball. Not this week.
Connor Downie: After making his debut in round one as the sub (seriously, Clarko?) following a strong pre-season, Downie has struggled to have an impact in the VFL. He did suffer a bad corkie a few weeks ago, but his VFL form has been disappointing. There is a spot for him, he just needs to earn it.
Lachlan Bramble: Unfortunately he suffered a hamstring injury four weeks ago. Was close to senior selection before being injured. He should be on the verge now that he’s recovered from his injury. Tom Phillips should be nervous.
Jai Newcombe: Picked up with pick two in the mid-season draft, Newcombe has impressed for Box Hill this season averaging 23 touches and seven tackles a game. He will play seniors in the coming weeks.
The Forward Line
Just like our midfield, it has really struggled this season. Lack of talent and depth is a real issue. Jacob Koschitzke has been a shining light but had his worst game of the season against the Suns. Mitch Lewis continues to disappoint, failing to have any real impact when he plays.
The small forwards have been just as bad. Luke Breust is having arguably his worst season. Josh Morris came in last week and had two disposals. Dylan Moore has shown some good signs this season and was arguably our best player against the Suns.
In the mix 🔄
Jack Gunston: Looks like Gunston’s back injury is still a worry, listed as TBC on the club’s official injury list this week. We desperately need him back - not only for being our best forward but for leadership. It may be best to rest him up and start preparing for next season.
Emerson Jeka: Dominated his last VFL match against Carlton. Deserves a run of games in the seniors.
Tyler Brockman: Kicked two goals against the Blues in the VFL. Just get him in now.
Ollie Hanrahan: Had his chance and failed. Simply doesn’t do enough. He does have nice hair, though.
The Talls 🦒
The ruck was the only positive for the match against Gold Coast with the newly re-contracted Ned Reeves again showing he belongs at AFL level and captain Ben McEvoy leading by example.
Despite finishing the game on the bench with a shoulder injury, Reeves finished with seven disposals, 35 hit outs and his first AFL goal. Moving forward, he needs to play every remaining game this season. Jonathan Ceglar, who the club inexplicably gave a long-term contract to at the end of 2019 should not play again unless there is a rash of injuries.
In the mix:
Jonathan Ceglar: Has been arguably Box Hill’s best player the last few games. However, Reeves is the future. Ceglar should only play if Reeves or McEvoy get injured or need a rest.
What should happen:
In: O’Meara, Day, Newcombe, Brockman, Downie, Jeka, Grainger-Barrass, Morrison, Bramble (medical sub)
Out: Greaves, Howe, Cousins, Phillips, O’Brien, Morris, Lewis, Howe
What will happen:
In: Day, O’Meara, Newcombe, Morrison
Out: Greaves, Morris, Howe, Cousins (sub)
Likely team:
B: Hardwick Frost Scrimshaw
HB: Impey O’Brien, Day
C: Phillips O’Meara Morrison
HF: Moore Lewis Wingard
FF: Breust Koschitzke McEvoy
Foll: Reeves Mitchell Worpel
I/C: Burgoyne, Shiels, Jiath, Newcombe
Cousins or Howe (Sub)
Emerg: Howe/Cousins, Morris, Jeka, Greaves
Well you got the ins and outs pretty right (the real prediction, not your preferred). And once again, as noted, poor old Hartley has been overlooked in favour of O'Brien. That is just so insulting. I admit, he looks pretty average, but why did we keep him on the list an extra season if he's rated so poorly. To paraphrase Jed Clampett (for those old enough to remember) - if TOB gets a game ahead of you, Clarko rates you lower than a snake's belly in a wheel rut!
8 ins ??? Been following the hawks a while and can never remember 8 ins - ever!
This team may be comparable to the wooden spoon 1965 team in some ways.
It was the end of an era coming off 1961, and 1963 and then 1964 where a last kick of the game loss to Melbourne in R17 was the difference between finishing on top and fifth place and no finals for the Hawks.