u/Sorry_Introduction90

Does anybody know what’s happing here? Is he coming to Hawthorn is it too expensive?

Forget about Merrett now. I think it’s not worth our time. What we need is to make Ned stronger and more accountable. Run through training drills that have him defending and winning contested marks. More effort is required from the big man. If this happened Loyd could play havoc in the forward half and even defend back and forth. The match up with Moore was genius and I could see him doing this to Harris Andrew’s. Imagine a Ned that was more energetic. Teams would not see it coming and the area Sam said we need work on in is not so much the midfield but clearance work from more than one ruck. If we win taps and serge the ball forward more knowing around about where the ball is dropping each time it goes a long way.

I hope we get a good draw next year to help with transition from Tasmania and so the rucks have a chance to learn how to win clearances on majority of grounds we play on.

What’s are people’s thoughts?

So on Gettable Cal lists Merrett’s cost. He states Merrett will cost 1 million a year on a four year contract and will take first round picks for Essendon to get the deal done. Ok so he hates Hawthorn. He will never find out the contracts fixtures and at best Essendon should just take round two picks as it would be absolute circus at the hanger next year. He wants out and his mental state demands it let’s face it. His partner also want’s a move. Are Essendon going to deny his partners wishes.

Long story short Cal’s obviously an Essendon fan and needs to be realistic.

It would be interesting to see how many games the Hawks have won on Sundays in the past decade. I feel we win more on days that are off set from week days and Saturday’s. This year has been different in that we played more weekday games. Anyone care to add please do so.

Anybody care to comment on the best scenario for Hawthorn and can the Pies worry the Lions.

I would think that Collingwood should play a contested brand of footy that stacks up to see if they can get back on some revenge from last year when playing the Lions.

I’m not sure if Harley Reid is worth playing full game time if the Eagles have nothing to play for. I mean if he got an injury from his cork it would be a set back for the Eagles next season.

This is also a chance for Hawthorn to play four quarters of great football before finals. So I believe we can get the score we need to better our percentage of the Collingwood game isn’t a blow out.

Would you be pissed if you went to the game and the Lions cake walked all over them if you were a fan or a member.

Anyway I hope we can get some luck this weekend.

What will Hawthorn need to do to win against Collingwood?

We need to mitigate Nicks supply by chopping it off first or winning clearances. The second thing we need to do is limit the pop and create it for all our small forwards. Then pressure them into bad decision making. The third thing we need to do is win the territory battle. Their backline is thin and they will loose a lot of areal battles if we get it in the fifty enough and lock it in. We also need clean hands going forward. If we catch them out disorganised in the backline they will cough up the ball and we can find space to get good looks.

Any one care to add be my guest.

You only have to look at games that depend on a season to see the amount of effort that is put into a match. North had their season on the line and delivered. When Hawthorn face this I believe that we can rise above all the hype and negative press.

The team needs to focus on winning contested ball and follow a game plan designed to mitigate other teams advances.

Changing gears is so important and we haven’t mastered this so far in the season against top tear teams.

When our team has no pressure they can be explosive and dangerous. I’m waiting to see all the players in full flight.

I’m optimistic about our future, but it starts now. We pick up our feet and go forward. When we fall we get up again help the team any way we can.

A bit of inspiration and motivation can help over come all the negative press around the Hawks at the moment.

I hope we win the flag to sick it up everyone that bags us out.

Brisbane seems to be getting a lot of their goals when the ball hits the deck. We need to be clean in defence. I also think that Brisbane may be a bit exposed in defence at the moment so if Hawthorn midfield give good supply then I think we can dominate the game. If Brisbanes midfield gets on top then expect a rebound game if the Hawks can hold off Brisbanes forwards.

Battle may be the key to any victory if he can make defensive and offensive plays to his game like previous weeks. Seeing him kick goals means he becomes a player that has to be tagged and that leaves holes open in other areas.

Who should we barrack for?

So Cam Rayner last night staged for a free kick. If all this staging result’s in a fine players want care. They just want to win a games.

Joe Daniher also was a repeat offender of staging with his time at Brisbane.

So my question is does this filter throughout the team? Can he expect some theatrics and acting next week from Brisbane or will they pack in and play fair.

I say this because the umpires think they are amazing and gift Brisbane loads of free kicks in majority of their games at important moments in games.

What is it with Queensland teams being able to avoid holding the ball. Even Gold Coast get away with charging through players. It’s not rugby?

People’s thoughts are welcome.

Not sure whether it’s better if Collingwood or Geelong win tonight? If Sydney drop a game that would be amazing, but other than that I don’t know? Anyone care to share?

If Essendon play the hard line in the sand approach they will miss the opportunity to get fresh blood in the hanger. It will make Walsh look stupid if Merrett just decides to save his body next year and that will be uninspiring for players around him.

Essendon needs to put egos aside and take the second round picks Hawthorn gives them or they will cop it from the media if 2027 is a flop of a year.

If Essendon agree to the Hawks wishes then they can at least make a new start without backlash from players. If Merrett needs time for a mental health break then Essendon have failed not only the club, but the players.

It would be worth even reaching out to the AFL for help to build a better list going forward with fresh faces.

If we trade with Essendon will it cost us the earth? And what will our limit be?

Just putting it out there that maybe King comes to Hawthorn without much of a premium as he wants to chase a premiership. What do people think of this?

I believe that from what I have seen North get a lot of their goals in the arch when the ball hits the deck. The Hawks have to be weary of this and shut out Curtis and Spargo by holding marks and clean exits out of defence.

Whitlock and Darling seem to be a targets that have worked for them so we can’t give them easy looks.

Hoping we can keep developing our youth and win this game comfortably.