Selection Dissection: Taking one of the Cats nine lives
The Hawks head down the road to Geelong, and selection this week will be a major talking point
Round 17 - Hawthorn v Geelong
Saturday, July 6, 4:45pm @ GMHBA Stadium
SEVEN WINS FROM EIGHT!!
The Hawks are flying and are arguably the most in-form team in the AFL. Even though the last 10 weeks has been incredible and great to witness, the real season begins this week away to our arch rival the Cats.
In fact, our season and race for the final spot in the top eight will come down to the next three weeks in my opinion. Geelong away, Fremantle in Tasmania and Collingwood. Win all three and we can start dreaming of September action.
The positive
Winning and winning well after the bye - a lot of sides seem to struggle directly after their rest. For us, the bye didn’t come at a good time as we had a huge wave of momentum and it showed in the first half.
Poor goal kicking and lazy skills were obvious to see. However, after half time the “real Hawks” showed up and we punished the horrendous Eagles accordingly.
The negative
James Sicily’s shoulder injury - even though he hasn’t been ruled out for this week yet, the fact Sicily suffered another dislocation to the same shoulder he injured earlier in the season is not a great sign.
Even if Sicily can play this week, the risk of re-injury is extremely high. Fingers crossed he can play through it for the rest of the season before getting a much needed reconstruction.
Looking ahead
Geelong at GMHBA Stadium is not something this Hawthorn team is used to, so it’s definitely going to be a very tough test.
The backline
As mentioned above, James Sicily re-injured his shoulder. Last time it happened he missed two matches but hopefully he pulls up well from main training and can play this week.
A special mention to the whole defensive unit that once again performed brilliantly restricting the Eagles to just four goals for the game.
🗣️ The big question: Who replaces Sicily if he can’t play?
I believe there are two legitimate options:
Jai Serong - Serong has been the best performed defender at Box Hill the last month and will likely be the replacement.
Seamus Mitchell - the Hawks may opt to go “smaller” down back which means Mitchell gets the nod over Serong. Mitchell would be a good match-up for either Stengle or Miers which will allow Blake Hardwick to play his swingman role.
The midfield
Another brilliant performance from the midfield unit last week. Harley Reid and Tim Kelly returned to join Elliot Yeo and what looks like a quality midfield on paper. Our midfield absolutely embarrassed theirs and was the key catalyst for the big win.
The Cats midfield is an interesting mix currently. Dangerfield, Stewart, Bowes and Atkins are forming a much improved midfield and will be a big test for our young midfield.
The ruck
I touched on it last week and it proved to be correct. Matt Flynn is an average ruck and Lloyd Meek took full advantage of that. Meek will have an interesting match up this week.
The Cats have been playing without a recognised ruckman in recent weeks with Sam De Koning and Mark Blicavs sharing ruck duties. They will look to expose Meek around the ground.
We may see more of Conor Nash instead of Mabior Chol as the second ruck this week, as Nash can run with Blicavs.
The forward line
After an average first half struggling to contain Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass and poor kicking for goal, they lifted in the second half and played brilliantly.
A special mention to Dylan Moore who continues to show why he is one of if not the best player at his position in the AFL.
Mitch Lewis got through a full game in the VFL last week and will return this week. Unfortunately Calsher Dear was subbed out after a knock to his ribs and will likely make way. Jack Ginnivan failed to get through main training earlier today with a lower leg issue and is in doubt.
What should happen:
Out: Dear (injured), Sicily (injured), Morrison (omitted)
*Morrison to hold his spot as sub if Ginnivan is out
In: Lewis, Serong , Breust
FB: Hardwick, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Impey
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Lewis, Macdonald
FF: Watson, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
Int: Serong, Worpel, Gunston, Mackenzie, (Breust)
What will happen:
Out: Dear (injured), Sicily (injured), Morrison (omitted)
*Morrison to hold his spot as sub if Ginnivan is out
In: Lewis, Serong , Breust
FB: Hardwick, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Impey
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Lewis, Macdonald
FF: Watson, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
Int: Serong, Worpel, Gunston, Mackenzie, (Breust)
⭐ Ben Ronke of the Week⭐
Shannon Neale, a ruckman, to play forward and kick 3+ goals. Punished.
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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If Ginnivan is not selected who would you consider to come in. Thinking perhaps its Josh Ward or Henry Hustwaite that could come in. Gunston then starts instead of interchange and Ward/Hustwaite become interchange.
Brad, why not consider Day in Sic’s quarterback role, as his delivery by foot is better than Serong at this stage, and bring Hustwaite or Ward into the midfield?