by Corona Man » Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:16 pm
I don't want to hijack your thread here Matte G. But here is my quick take on the round 5 game.
The Hawks started slowly, as we tend to do from time to time. I reckon that Stratton was playing a little too high up the ground in the 1st Quarter, that allowed that "out the back action" to Betts. My take was he was told to get back to him, and as a result Betts while not totally shut down, had his influence taken away. Thought the Crows mids probably won the day, despite the Hawks centre clearance being 21-12. The key for me was our pressure & tackling. Hawthorn laid 20 more tackles on the night... the kicker being we had 20 MORE in our forward 50.
OK - now for the Elephant in the room. The umpires, did not have a great night, lets be honest. Not exactly a first in the history of footy though is it. It's also not the first time, or probably the last, that we will see the umps "put the whistle" away in the last minute of a tight finish. Was Smith holding the ball - maybe, did Poppy get a push in the back - maybe (I thought he marked that one anyway). Were Hawthorn fortunate to win, yes possibly. Have the crows improved - yes (said with the taste of vomit in my mouth).
The Hawks have a heap of room for improvement as the season unfolds. To be 4-1 at this point has been a huge bonus. Hill looked like he really needed the run, he will only get better. Can't wait for Roughy to be back by mid season, then I reckon we will be back at our absolute best.
1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.... And don't you forget it!