Hawthorn 2017

[MatteeG]

After a reasonable fist of defending the 3 peat we fell down late, a lack of ball winning and winning big forward probably the main reasons, and a lack of pace through the midfield as some of the champs of the past 5 years started to slow.

The loss of Ceglar on the eve of finals certainly didnt help.

Now the list for 2017 is finalised:

Outs:

I'm still pissed about Sam Mitchell leaving, reckon he had 18 months of decent footy left. By all reports a 5-6 year deal at WCE for playing/coaching, if true you cant pass that sort of offer up. Absolute champ.

Jordy Lewis off to the Dees- While sad to see another champ leave, there is no way he has 3 years of top footy left. He looked almost done toward the tail of this year before pulling out a special effort v the cats in the first final. If he is still racking up 30 half way through 2018 I'll eat my words.

Hill off to Freo- we knew this was happening early in the year, his run will be missed, and his skills hitting targets at pace cant be undersold.

While surprised to see Litherland delisted- he hasnt grabbed an opportunity, and the fact he wasnt picked up by anyone else means maybe I saw more there than there is. Most of the other delistings weren't real shocks.

Ins:

Jaeger O'Meara- No pressure son. If he gets back anywhere near his best its boom. If not, a mighty bust. I wont be looking for much from him until at least June.

Tom Mitchell- Great pickup. If he embraces being one of the main men in the midfield he could improve again on his output the past 18 months/2 years. We sorely needed a younger contested beast.

Ty Vickery- If he competes hard, clunks a few and kicks straight I'll be happy. Wont hold my breath.

Ricky Henderson- Never liked him at the cows, thought he was very average. But maybe that was because he was a crow. Solid depth for the Wing/Half back spots.

Big Rough- If he gets back on the park its a win. Anything near what he is capable of and we have 'recruit' of the year.

Overall- looking to O'Rourke, Brand, Lovell and Hartung to play a lot more this year and show if they have what it takes. Not to mention Burton, who if he stays fit will certainly play most if not all of the season.

Certainly back in the pack this year I feel, but if we are anywhere near the top half as we come through winter and the new heads start to gel we could make a decent run at the 3-6 spots.

Funnily enough if we look out of calculations with 8 or so rounds to go it may actually assist our development for the following season.

Interesting times!

[MW]

Hearing you got Ricky for absolutely nothing too...pittance.

[Booney]

Good write up.

Winning 6 games by under 9 points was the catalyst for you finishing top 4. I can't see that "luck" running with you again, in the 3 games you won by 3 points ( in a row ) Hodge and Lewis were the keys. Not anymore. Burgoyne, while still silky, will spend less time in the midfield and Gibson will need to marshall the back half troops with the help of Hodge as I think your back half is the weakest link, if you will.

Roughy back is a massive in, the second half of the year too much was on Gunston, Breust and Poppy's shoulders. It showed in the two finals that you needed another target. Is Vickery the man? I doubt it!

Hawks bottom half of the 8 at best for mine, at worst 10th a game or two out the 8.

[Wedgie]

Roughhead announced as Captain.

[bennymacca]

Roughhead announced as Captain.

Awesome news, they must be confident he is over his issues

[Brodlach]

I really hate Hawthorn but that truely is the best thing I will hear today. #goroughie. #bathyshashtagsarecontagious

[bennymacca]

I really hate Hawthorn but that truely is the best thing I will hear today. #goroughie. #bathyshashtagsarecontagious

Roughy has always seemed like a genuinely good bloke though.

[Corona Man]

I really hate Hawthorn but that truely is the best thing I will hear today. #goroughie. #bathyshashtagsarecontagious

Jealousy is a curse!

[Brodlach]

I really hate Hawthorn but that truely is the best thing I will hear today. #goroughie. #bathyshashtagsarecontagious

Jealousy is a curse!

Haha more their supporters than the team

[RustyCage]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/hawthor ... 179467bbe1

Luke Hodge suspended by the club for Round 1 after failing to inform club of training absence

[Booney]

"Breakdown in communication"?

[Jim05]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

[stan]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

Important life lesson there for all of us.

[amber_fluid]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

BUT why did he miss training?
Are we only getting half a story as per usual from Hawthorn?

[Corona Man]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

BUT why did he miss training?
Are we only getting half a story as per usual from Hawthorn?

Knocking off WOS?

[amber_fluid]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

BUT why did he miss training?
Are we only getting half a story as per usual from Hawthorn?

Knocking off WOS?

Whose wife/missus is that?

[Corona Man]

Drink driving and no suspension, misses training and gets a week. Better off getting on the piss Hodgey

BUT why did he miss training?
Are we only getting half a story as per usual from Hawthorn?

Knocking off WOS?

Whose wife/missus is that?

SOS

[amber_fluid]

Is that son of serge or son of steve's missus?

[Corona Man]

Is that son of serge or son of steve's missus?

Could be both!

[Booney]

O'Meara and Mitchell both looked very good on Sunday, what didn't look good was the Hawks back half without Gibson and Hodge organising it. Will be interesting 12 months for the Hawks as they replace Gibson, Hodge and Burgoyne in the back half mix.