Selection Dissection: When the Hawks go marching

Off the back of a massive win against the Bulldogs, the Hawks head to Tasmania to try and make it 3 wins from 4 games

May 09, 2024

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Round 9 - Hawthorn vs St. Kilda

Saturday 11 May, 1.45pm
UTAS Stadium

What a win against the Bulldogs. A wonderful team effort with the majority of the Hawks playing their role. Arguably the best win of the Sam Mitchell era, who had a great day in the coaches box. A special mention to the skipper James Sicily, who battled a dislocated shoulder and ankle injury to lead the team to victory with a match winning goal.

The positive

Welcome to the AFL, Calsher Dear! the son of a gun, kicked two goals and took five marks on debut and looked like he belongs. A future star!

The moment Dear was presented with his AFL jersey

The negative

Red time goals. The Bulldogs kicked goals in the last minute of the first three quarters. This must be worked on as it happens far too often. Against better opposition, it will cost us a win.

Looking ahead

This week is another winnable game against St Kilda down in Tasmania. Luke Breust has been declared fit to play, so selection will be interesting. Does he return as the sub or straight into the 22? There’s not often many changes after a win and I expect the same this week.

🎧 Listen: post match recap

The backline

Despite the Bulldogs kicking 14 goals, including 6.0 in the last quarter, the backline played well. Josh Weddle played his best game of the season, while Sam Frost and Jack Scrimshaw continued their great form. As mentioned above, James Sicily hurt his shoulder and ankle against the Dogs, with the Hawks deciding to play it safe and give their captain the weekend off this week.

Banged up and bruised, Sicily was immense

🗣️ The big question: If Sicily misses, who replaces him?

A lot of supporters are going to want to see Ethan Phillips come in but that won’t happen. Jai Serong was best on ground for Box Hill and will most likely come in for Sicily.

The midfield

The midfield numbers don’t look great on paper, but as a unit they played well. Jai Newcombe led front the front with 21 touches, with Conor Nash playing a strong supporting, defensive game. James Worpel and Cam Mackenzie need to do more with the latter a chance to head back to Box Hill this week after being subbed out.

The ruck

Lloyd Meek had another strong game going head to head with Tim English and breaking even. It was good to see him hit the scoreboard again. He faces another massive test this week against Rohan Marshall, a top five ruckman in the AFL.

The forward line

As mentioned above, the big story was the debut of Calsher Dear. With Mabior Chol and Mitch Lewis out again with injury, he will get another crack this week. Jack Gunston had six shots on goal, but finished with 2.4. His goal kicking this season has been horrendous (4.11) and needs to be fixed ASAP.

Connor Macdonald returned to form with 3 important goals

Nick Watson was the sub, but he needs to start on the field this week or head back to Box Hill for a full game. Luke Breust has been declared fit and is likely to return. I would bring him back as the sub.

What should happen:

Out: Sicily (injured), Ward (omitted), Morrison (omitted)

In: Breust, Mitchell, Serong

FB: Impey Frost Hardwick

HB: Weddle Scrimshaw Serong

C: Amon Nash Maginness

HF: Moore Gunston Macdonald

FF: Watson Dear Ginnivan

R: Meek Day Newcombe

Int: Worpel Mitchell Breust D’Ambrosio (Mackenzie)

What will happen:

Out: Sicily (injured), Ward (omitted)

In: Breust, Serong

FB: Impey Frost Hardwick

HB: Weddle Scrimshaw Serong