Selection Dissection: Time to move on
How will our Chairman of Selectors react to the disappointment in Adelaide?
Round 11 - Hawthorn v Brisbane
Sunday, May 26, 1.10pm @ Marvel Stadium
Was that a nightmare or did it actually happen?
You can play that last 45 seconds again 100 times and Hawthorn would win that game 100 times.
The positive
The first quarter - our best first quarter in a long time. The game style was elite. Hopefully we can start playing like that more consistently.
The negative
The entire last quarter. From the coaches to the players it was a complete a disaster. The “we’re young” rationale doesn’t pass for me.
Luke Breust, Jarman Impey and Dylan Moore were arguably the three worst players on the ground in the last quarter - three of our most senior and experienced players.
How old are Zak Butters, Jace Burgoyne & Jason Horne-Francis?
Looking ahead
It’s a very winnable game against the Lions at Marvel Stadium, who we have beaten the last four times that we have played them. One thing to note is we have never played them at Marvel Stadium.
They do play Marvel much better than the MCG which will make this game tougher than it otherwise could be.
The backline
Jack Scrimshaw will return from suspension and replace the unlucky Jai Serong.
James Sicily will need to get through the main training session on Friday to play. If he’s 100% and declared fit to play, who he replaces will be fascinating.
Ethan Phillips was brilliant on debut but would likely be the unlucky one to make way. Seamus Mitchell did a decent job on Willie Rioli last week and will have an even tougher match-up this week against Charlie Cameron.
The midfield
It was great to see Will Day return to top form against the Power but he lacked support.
Jai Newcombe was okay, while the likes of James Worpel, Conor Nash and Cam Mackenzie were unsighted in the last quarter when the game was there to be won. The three combined for just four disposals - hard to believe I know.
It was good to see Mackenzie kick two goals in the first half though. His lack of fitness and ability to run out games continues to be an issue.
The Brisbane Lions have an elite midfield with the likes of Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage. We can’t have another Zak Butters and Travis Boak debacle like last week.
The ruck
Another strong game from Lloyd Meek, who is one of the most improved players in the AFL this season. This week he comes up against the underrated Oscar McInnerney who will provide another big test.
The forward line
Blake Hardwick kicked five goals and was by far the best forward on the day. The small forwards in Dylan Moore, Connor Macdonald, Nick Watson and Luke Breust (sub) combined for 0.3 between them. In those conditions that was simply not good enough.
Breust has been a legend of the club but his time may be coming to an end. When Chad Wingard returns in a few week’s time, it will be interesting to see who makes way. For me, it’s Breust.
🗣️ The big question: Does Finn Maginness come in to tag Dayne Zorko?
Zorko has been one of the most in-form players in the AFL over the last six weeks. If he is allowed to have 35+ touches, Hawthorn can’t win this game. I would bring Finn in.
What should happen:
Out: Serong (omitted), Breust (omitted), Nash (omitted), Dear (managed)
In: Sicily (only if 100%), Scrimshaw, Maginness, Gunston
FB: Impey, Frost, Hardwick
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: Amon, Worpel, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Maginness, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
I: D’Ambrosio, Mitchell, Mackenzie, Phillips, Watson (sub)
What will happen:
Out: Serong (omitted), Dear (Managed)
In: Scrimshaw, Gunston
FB: Mitchell, Frost, Hardwick
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Impey
C: Amon, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Breust, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
I: D’Ambrosio, Phillips, Mackenzie, Worpel, Watson (sub)
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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The other aspect of selection will be Jiath’s role & whether he will need to have significant time management. If there is a management issue, then the sub selection may again be an issue.
If Watson is the sub & Jiath subbed out, CMac/Mackenzie probably go on to the wing in rotation with D’Ambrosio. (Weddle did this against Port.)
The management of Gunston and Breust is a real challenge. Neither really works as the sub and given their inability to apply pressure and make a second effort, we can't afford to play both in the same forward line. Dear was good last week, took 5 marks, two of which were contested and could have kicked multiple goals. I'd argue that it's better for both the now, and for the future, to give Calsher another game, and more senior footy in general. With the suspension to Hipwood, not sure that Phillips is needed this week - they'll either play Darcy Fort or Brandon Ryan, both of whom can be handled by Scrimshaw / Weddle. The other point, which I think Mick is alluding to, if CJ has to be on highly managed minutes, he may play as the sub - preferably not as his minutes become unknown then. Given that Breust has to play this week, he and Scrimshaw come into the 22 and Phillips and Serong go out. Gunston will likely be the sub but would prefer someone like Bailey McDonald, who can give some real speed and run, or Josh Ward, to play that role.