SA Footy

IMHO yes. Sure there are a lot of guys out but seriously they have been hyped up so much it's ridiculous. The Dogs are a much better side as proven when they took the Hawks apart a few weeks ago. Sydney are better too. None of those sides are near Geelong but the rubbish being thrown about that Hawthorn can beat the Cats etc. is just stupid. Hawthorn does not deserve to be regarded in the elite company and now that the Dogs have pushed them into third place perhaps it will become more apprent to those who have prematurely talked up the Hawks.

rod_rooster wrote:IMHO yes. Sure there are a lot of guys out but seriously they have been hyped up so much it's ridiculous. The Dogs are a much better side as proven when they took the Hawks apart a few weeks ago. Sydney are better too. None of those sides are near Geelong but the rubbish being thrown about that Hawthorn can beat the Cats etc. is just stupid. Hawthorn does not deserve to be regarded in the elite company and now that the Dogs have pushed them into third place perhaps it will become more apprent to those who have prematurely talked up the Hawks.

I don't reckon the Hawks are over-rated mate, sure they might have hit a flat spot (by their own standards this year) just now, but they'll be right around the money at season's end IMHO.

Most of the Hawk hot air has been buddy related to be fair. On Saturday Hawthorn went in without Crawford, Taylor, Sewell, Croad and Bateman. All fairly handy ins. They are a genuine top four side and thus a genuine chance for the flag.

regards,

REB

Rik E Boy wrote:Most of the Hawk hot air has been buddy related to be fair. On Saturday Hawthorn went in without Crawford, Taylor, Sewell, Croad and Bateman. All fairly handy ins. They are a genuine top four side and thus a genuine chance for the flag.

regards,

REB

A major in for the Hawks on Saturday was Guerra. He is vital to the setup in the back half (the area where the Hawks still have their most concerns) as he acts perfectly as the quarterback setting up rebounds from defensive 50 and run through the middle

Hawthorn not at all over-rated yet a couple of sides here in Adelaide certainly are.

I sure didn't expect this response. Particularly from REB. For those who don't know i'm a Hawthorn supporter. I just don't think they have what it takes to push the Cats or the Dogs this year. The zone Hawthorn play is being worked out by other sides and the second half of the year will be a real challenge. Clarko needs to come up with something and also get six of our best players back if the Hawks are to be an issue come September.

rod_rooster wrote:I sure didn't expect this response. Particularly from REB. For those who don't know i'm a Hawthorn supporter. I just don't think they have what it takes to push the Cats or the Dogs this year. The zone Hawthorn play is being worked out by other sides and the second half of the year will be a real challenge. Clarko needs to come up with something and also get six of our best players back if the Hawks are to be an issue come September.

Having had Croad and Guerra out makes a huge difference in my opinion in the way the ball comes out of the defensive half, and of the effectiveness of the zone relies on the midfielders, of which a number have spent time injured.
Our best 21 is more than able to push/beat both Cats and Dogs!

brod wrote:

rod_rooster wrote:I sure didn't expect this response. Particularly from REB. For those who don't know i'm a Hawthorn supporter. I just don't think they have what it takes to push the Cats or the Dogs this year. The zone Hawthorn play is being worked out by other sides and the second half of the year will be a real challenge. Clarko needs to come up with something and also get six of our best players back if the Hawks are to be an issue come September.

Having had Croad and Guerra out makes a huge difference in my opinion in the way the ball comes out of the defensive half, and of the effectiveness of the zone relies on the midfielders, of which a number have spent time injured.
Our best 21 is more than able to push/beat both Cats and Dogs!

I hope you're right. Unfortunately we cannot cover our outs as well as Geelong. If we have our best 22 in September we're a chance but otherwise we're f*cked.

Constance_Perm wrote:I don't reckon the Hawks are over-rated mate, sure they might have hit a flat spot (by their own standards this year) just now, but they'll be right around the money at season's end IMHO.

As usual, the voice of reason.

Hawks overrated, yeah right...

Constance_Perm wrote:I don't reckon the Hawks are over-rated mate, sure they might have hit a flat spot (by their own standards this year) just now, but they'll be right around the money at season's end IMHO.

agreed.

rod_rooster wrote:I sure didn't expect this response. Particularly from REB. For those who don't know i'm a Hawthorn supporter. I just don't think they have what it takes to push the Cats or the Dogs this year. The zone Hawthorn play is being worked out by other sides and the second half of the year will be a real challenge. Clarko needs to come up with something and also get six of our best players back if the Hawks are to be an issue come September.

A lot of people seem to need reminding that the Hawks are still a young and developing team. Their perfromances to be 11-2 so far have exceded expectations of the team.

They are in great shape for 2009 and beyond, and a flag in 2008 would be a bonus. Over-rated? You can only rate them on what they've done up to now, and most of it in 2008 has been pretty good.

Don't allow one poor weekend to worry you too much. Just because the Cats thrashed an ordinary West Coast team doesn't alter how the Hawks are rated as a team.

Adelaide Hawk wrote:Don't allow one poor weekend to worry you too much. Just because the Cats thrashed an ordinary West Coast team doesn't alter how the Hawks are rated as a team.

You're right about that Hawk but the Cats have gone up a gear in the past two weeks without our best defender. The Hawks are understrength but the Cats have rarely fielded a full strength side this year either. I think both sides have used a similar amount of players this season, i.e. a lot more than the Bulldogs.

regards,

REB

no

I think REB has hit the nail on the head. The Bulldogs great form has been helped by their low injury count - I think 15-16 players have played in every match this year.

The Footy gods will no doubt even up the score come September at which time I think the Hawks and Cats will replay 1989. If not injuries, the Bullies will hit a flat spot at some stage.

The Bullies remind me of the Crows of 2005 and 2006 (especially 2005). At this stage of 2005 it was looking like no-one could get near us. Then 5 key players get injured around rounds 17-18 and we never got the vibe back. However, if the Bullies stay as injury free then who knows?

Hawks = not over-rated
Cats = slipped into top gear

rod_rooster wrote:IMHO yes. Sure there are a lot of guys out but seriously they have been hyped up so much it's ridiculous. The Dogs are a much better side as proven when they took the Hawks apart a few weeks ago. Sydney are better too. None of those sides are near Geelong but the rubbish being thrown about that Hawthorn can beat the Cats etc. is just stupid. Hawthorn does not deserve to be regarded in the elite company and now that the Dogs have pushed them into third place perhaps it will become more apprent to those who have prematurely talked up the Hawks.

Every year the Melbourne media hype up one team as the great local hope for the flag. Usually, it has been the Saints, but they have constantly disappointed them.
Geelong is embraced only in the same way as "South" or "Fitzroy", as a consolation when the true Melbourne-based team doesn't win.

No mention of the team that caused this thread to begin?

Like the Hawks it seems the posters here have underrated them again!

Our MCG bitches!

I doubt that the Hawks underestimated the Roos at all.The pasting in the final last year and the convincing ass-whipping in the game in Tassie last year also would have meant no underestimation at all .They just got belted again thats all.

Dutchy wrote:No mention of the team that caused this thread to begin?

Like the Hawks it seems the posters here have underrated them again!

Our MCG bitches!

Hey Dutchy:

Not sure about being overrated, but definitly have a few questions about them mentally. And not to mention have a few that lose the plot when they get frustrated.