Player Ratings: Hawks vs Swans
This will be fun
Now we understand why we were scheduled to play on the big stage. Friday night footy and boy didn’t we put on some kind of performance.
So much to dissect, so much to be upbeat about, and so much fun to rate all of our players after a great win against one of our modern day rivals.
Let’s get at it shall we?
Luke Breust – 6/10
Make no mistake, this is the contribution we can only hope Punky continues to make each week. Didn’t set the world on fire, but his two goals, two assists and five score involvements is exactly what we need from him. Popped up when he needed to, slotted a great set-shot from 45m out near the boundary, and played his role well.
Shaun Burgoyne – 6/10
While he only finished up with 12 touches, it should be noted he did a pretty important job in blanketing the ever dangerous Isaac Heeney. The Swan only had 10 touches himself and fumbled the ball several times, but most importantly only kicked one goal. Burgoyne also had the magical moment on the back flank where he dropped the ball in the vicinity of Buddy, before fending him off and waltzing past him. Feel good.
Jonathon Ceglar - 9/10
Big Cegs was a late inclusion for Big Ned, and what a game from our starting ruckman. Cegs has only polled Brownlow votes one time in his career, but this will surely be the second time his name is read out at the AFL’s night of nights. Was immense in his battle against Tom Hickey - a huge factor in our centre clearance domination. As well as 20 disposals (including 19 contested) he managed 35 hitouts, 11 clearances and a goal. Will be super stiff if he doesn’t get a game against the Bombers next week.
Will Day - 6/10
Such a beautiful sight seeing Will back in the lineup for the Hawks, and while he didn’t set the world on fire his ball use was fantastic. As good friend of HI Darryl Kerrigan always says, “It’s what you do with it”, and Day’s decision making was again on show for all to see. His addition to the team also allowed the likes of CJ and Scrimshaw to push higher up the ground at times, so it was a good return and will only get better with each week that passes.
Sam Frost – 9/10
What a game Frosty played on Buddy. He refused to give up in any contest, and worked tirelessly to blanket the one-time great. Bud only managed one goal from three marks - and it was a sneaky handball receive, benefitting from the hard work of a teammate. Nearly came undone when he stupidly gave away a 50m penalty to Sam Wicks in the third term, but battled on to be one of the best players on the ground on the night.
Blake Hardwick – 6.5/10
Mr Consistency, Dimma had another solid outing as part of a backline unite that we are pinning this rebuild on. Went at his usual high efficiency but was down on touches as he didn’t take the same number of kick-ins that he usually does. Another five rebounds from defensive 50, Hardwick is well overdue for another contract extension.
Daniel Howe – 7/10
Easily his best performance of the year, Howe was outstanding in the first half. He came off the ground at half-time with 17 touches to his name before a more subdued second half saw him finish with 23. Was great to see him take the opportunity and should get the chance to prove himself again next week.
Jarman Impey – 6/10
Drifted in and out of the game, but worked in absolute harmony with the back six running the ball out of defence. Went up into a number of contests that he had no right to, and it was classic the Jars that has endeared him to fans showcasing an equal amount of heart versus speed.
Changkuoth Jiath – 8/10
His best game since the early rounds of the year, it was fantastic to see CJ back at the peak of his powers. Recorded 28 disposals - a career high, and went at an incredible 85% disposal efficiency, all while gaining the second highest number of metres on the ground with 553. Was run down at one point going on one of his trademark gallops, but happy to accept it will happen when trying to take the game on and paled in significance compared to the breaking runs he completed. The presence of Day down back also gave him his licence back - and with that has refilled his bucket with confidence.
Jacob Koschitzke – 7.5/10
Was shocked to see he only took three marks for the game. Seemed to take them at important moments, contested in the air, and was physical on the ground. He showed he continues to improve as our best developing young forward. Calmly slotted his two goals as well, and was again part of the group of kids showing that there is plenty to look forward to.
Ben McEvoy – 8/10
It has been staring us in the face all this time - Big Boy has a huge role to play with us moving forward. That’s moving forward in the future, and moving forward inside attacking 50. Not only did McEvoy rein in seven marks for the night, he managed to clunk five that were contested. Perspective: the next best by any other player on the ground was two. Our captain was dominant when put into the ruck, kicked a goal, and showed that he can still be a force on-field.
Tom Mitchell – 9/10
What a performance. His first quarter that included 10 touches and a wily snapped goal was absolute, top-shelf elite. Finished the game with 16 contested possessions (second highest behind Cegs), seven tackles, six intercepts and five clearances. Titch clearly enjoyed playing against his old mob, and looked committed to giving the Tom Morris’ of the world an absolute taste of where he wants to play his footy. Brownlow Tom, and don’t you just love to see it.
Dylan Moore – 8/10
Another industrious game for Moorey, and further claims to the title of our most improved player in 2021. Managed to kick two goals from 18 touches, and worked hard high up the ground to get into the game. Tough and put his body on the line when he had to, but also had the presence of mind to know when to wait and receive on the outside to release play up the field. Looking increasingly like the player who will lay claim to Breusty’s position long term. A player who can swing through half-forward, but you also love to have resting in a pocket.
Josh Morris – 3/10
Poor Tank. Lucky to come in as the sub and get three-quarters of game-time, but he really struggled to have any sort of an impact. Only managed three touches. His one notable ‘contribution’: a head clash with Will Hayward that forced the Swan out of the game with concussion and Morris off the ground with the blood rule.
Harry Morrison - 6/10
Officially the unluckiest Hawk on the ground. Harry had a great opening quarter, where he was super damaging - kicking a goal and going at 100% disposal efficiency for the term. Ended up with eight possessions before being forced out of the game with a hamstring injury. Exactly what he didn’t need after earning himself a recall post-bye.
Jai Newcombe - 9/10
Okay, maybe it is a high rating but so what. Jai had a marvellous debut despite a slow start when he actually looked a little overawed by the occasion. In the opening term he ran to forward 50 and blazed away at goal (missing) but after that he looked super hungry. Our debutant laid 14 tackles for the game - the most ever by a player on debut, and was calm and generally used the ball well. Settled in perfectly, and will clearly be a key part of this midfield group moving forward.
Tim O’Brien – 4/10
I wanted to be on Timmy’s side tonight, I really did. After dropping his usual bevy of marking opportunities in the first quarter, things seemed to change in the second and he took a couple in key moments. But then he dropped what ended up being an uncontested chest mark 30m out from goal, and normal service resumed. Would rather see Jackson Callow get a game at this point - especially with a two-pronged ruck attack making his pinch-hitting role redundant. Actually, redundant is probably the appropriate word.
Jaeger O’Meara - 9/10
I asked the question in the mid-year review which JOM we would see in the second half of the season. And against the Swans we got the same one that was a BEAST in rounds one to six. Jaeger was an offensive weapon with 13 of his 26 disposals contested, recording nine inside 50s, creating seven score involvements and having five effective tackles. Absolute workhorse and his big body, fend-offs and involvement in the contest was a delight to behold.
Tom Phillips – 6/10
Flip’s score was significantly lower throughout the game, but redeemed himself with an assured and important contribution throughout the final quarter. Finished the game with two goals, six score involvement and in our top-five players for contested possessions. Need to see more consistency but that final quarter was definitely something to be content with.
Jack Scrimshaw – 8/10
Ever reliable with the ball in his hand, Scrimma was again an important cog of our solid backline finishing the game with 18 touches and four marks. Not his highest disposal tally of the year, but when you consider that 17 of the 18 possessions were effective, it shows you can depend on him with the footy. Worked well in unison with CJ, Day and Jars taking turns to push up the field, and took majority of the kick-ins on the night.
Liam Shiels – 6.5/10
You just know what you are getting with Liam, and when we are winning it stands up to the test - when we are losing it’s another story altogether. Pup had a solid contribution laying seven tackles to go with his 21 touches and five inside 50s. Managed to snag a goal as well, so it wasn’t an outstanding night, but a solid performance nonetheless.
Chad Wingard – 5.5/10
Faded as the game went on, Chad was busy in the first half but did butcher the ball more often than he usually does. Snapped a goal in the early stages of the second quarter, and seemed to enjoy the win as much as anyone - often the first up to congratulate a teammate after a big mark or kicking a goal.
James Worpel – 5/10
Hard to assess because his numbers just don’t stack up despite the fact that he was part of a midfield that dominated on the night. Went at 55% efficiency, with only six of his 18 disposals contested. What was good to see is that he continues to back himself in the contest, and is not scared to take players on to try and force a clearance.