Preview Round 3, 2025: Hawthorn v GWS Giants, 29 March 2025, 7.35pm @ UTAS Stadium

[Bardo State]

Our coach was a plodder, but you wouldn’t deny his status in the game. Fast game plan has two elements, speed of run and carry and speed of ball movement. Hustwaite excels at the latter a la his coach. In terms of decision making he’s as quick as anyone.

If Hustwaite wins first possession he speeds this team up because he's very good at releasing the second/third posession to space and advantage. If he doesn't then I'm not sure how good he is at blocking or manipulating his opponent (ala Nash) to stop the damage. He will be caught in transition especially from turnover at this stage of his development. It is what it is, you probably have to just managed his TOG. Mackenzie, Ward, Jiath, Ginni, Day were all low-ish against the Blues and could hopefully take up minutes for running power.

I think for balance this team is missing an extractor from the mix. I dunno if Hustwaite can be that guy at AFL level but he was about 29 touches at 10 clearances through three quarters at BH. There's not a heap more he could do to push his case.

I wouldn't be shocked if Ramsden comes in either. 6 contested marks and looked above the level in the first half. Given that Hardwick and Finn basically start as second and third talls in this side, there's room to shuffle things.

 

[Hawkspot]

I’m just hoping for a ripping game, both teams have shown how damaging they can be at times but also weaknesses in some areas.

Battle of the two hardest working teams in the league in my opinion, both full of players willing to run hard each way.

With how open the game may become and how potent their forwards are, I’d be happy with Frost in either as sub or starting with Gunston as sub again. Gives us so much flexibility.

Frost had a shaky start as sub, but we can’t forget how good he was defensively last year.

 

[SA HAWK]

Hogan back for this game?

 

[Simon Crawshay]

If Hustwaite wins first possession he speeds this team up because he's very good at releasing the second/third posession to space and advantage. If he doesn't then I'm not sure how good he is at blocking or manipulating his opponent (ala Nash) to stop the damage. He will be caught in transition especially from turnover at this stage of his development. It is what it is, you probably have to just managed his TOG. Mackenzie, Ward, Jiath, Ginni, Day were all low-ish against the Blues and could hopefully take up minutes for running power.

I think for balance this team is missing an extractor from the mix. I dunno if Hustwaite can be that guy at AFL level but he was about 29 touches at 10 clearances through three quarters at BH. There's not a heap more he could do to push his case.

I wouldn't be shocked if Ramsden comes in either. 6 contested marks and looked above the level in the first half. Given that Hardwick and Finn basically start as second and third talls in this side, there's room to shuffle things.

What we really miss is Worps. His blend of hard nut extractor and powerful offensive running is not easy to replace. And his kicking is a lot better these days (he's one of our better kicks into the forward 50).

One thing I think his absence has shown is that we probably underrate how good a player James is and why we need to get him signed up before Geelong swoop in with a shady land deal / contract offer.

 

[VandoHawk]

Hogan back for this game?

Hogan, Riccardi, Stringer and Briggs should all return for GWS. McMullin and Thomas too although it's arguable whether they are best 22.

They'll be at full strength.

 

[MasterSamurai]

At centre clearances, with even numbers we've shown we're one of the best in the league we win more than we lose in there. At stoppages, we allow one extra to sag across half back for the intercept and then sling shot from there. İt's what made the cats under bomber Thompson so dangerous with their ball movement. Also, Clarko did this halfway through 2015 , hence the likes of suckling, Duryea, Gibbo and birch did so well. As long as the Oppo are getting harrased and pressured into bombing it long, we're ok. Swans went the man on man, what happened? We destroyed them with even numbers around the contest. So, this team is well equipped to play differently if needed.

 

[Iceman!]

Out: Croc
In: Bruest (sub)

Dont overthink it Sam & the selection committee dont, Night game at York Park will be slippery as it gets dew sets in early Bruesty's smarts & guile will be invaluable in those conditions late

Yep he has kicked 93 goals at the stadium, he knows it well. Back in Punky!

 

[Yardie]

To think Hawthorn desperately wanted McKay and ex-Cat Esava Ratugolea, instead ended up luring Tom Barrass and Josh Battle this year.

Talk about sliding doors.

Can someone tell purple this is how you do a sliding doors......

 

[burner1]

Should be a great contest.

GWS has the smalls - Greene, Daniels, Jones - to worry our tallish defence (with hogan, Cadman, brown to keep the talls busy).

Big games for Chol and Gunston - need to keep Taylor and Buckley honest (Gunston was elite against Taylor). Whitfield etc worried us from half back last time - possibly a role for Finn?

 

[Iceman!]

Should be a great contest.

GWS has the smalls - Greene, Daniels, Jones - to worry our tallish defence (with hogan, Cadman, brown to keep the talls busy).

Big games for Chol and Gunston - need to keep Taylor and Buckley honest (Gunston was elite against Taylor). Whitfield etc worried us from half back last time - possibly a role for Finn?

Is a perfect chance for Finn to shut down one of the Giants most valuable players while also trying to impact offensively and hurt Whit the other way.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

I do remember Whitfield being instrumental in their comeback against us last year

 

[KermitJagger]

I do remember Whitfield being instrumental in their comeback against us last year

Nah Whitfield was firing when we were in the lead. Had very little to do with the eventual win.

That little shite Brent Daniels killed us in the last.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Who are The Hawks best defenders for Stringer and Toby?
It's our first time seeing them play together and I'm fascinated to see how teams line up on them.

 

[KermitJagger]

Who are The Hawks best defenders for Stringer and Toby?
It's our first time seeing them play together and I'm fascinated to see how teams line up on them.

As far as Greene goes, Hardwick has one of the best records in the league on him. Hard to keep him out of the game completely but Hardwick does well.

Stringer generally fires against us but with Battle, Sicily and Weddle we've got enough height and versatility to cover them. Won't count for much if we can't stop you from getting it forward too often. Mostly it'll just be trying to win that midfield battle and get the ball forward and to the ground against your talls I'd say.

 

[Mr Lizard]

I keep thinking Hardwick will play on Toby Greene which makes me think Josh Battle will get Toby Greene, that's what happened against Sydney with Papley.

 

[hawkheart]

I suspect the words 'grand final preview' will be bandied about in the aftermath of this game. Will be close.

 

[VandoHawk]

I keep thinking Hardwick will play on Toby Greene which makes me think Josh Battle will get Toby Greene, that's what happened against Sydney with Papley.

Can't really afford to with Scrimshaw out though. Assuming Brown is omitted:

Barrass --> Hogan
Battle --> Riccardi
Weddle --> Cadman
Sicily --> Stringer
Impey / Hardwick --> Greene
CJ / Amon --> Jones

Scrimshaw gives us a lot of flexibility with matchups which we lose when he's unavailable. It's why I think Frost will be sub, because it enables moves like Battle to Greene or Sicily forward.

 

[SA HAWK]

Hogan, Riccardi, Stringer and Briggs should all return for GWS. McMullin and Thomas too although it's arguable whether they are best 22.

They'll be at full strength.

Big test we have at least 4 first choice players missing.

 

[TylerDurden]

Karl. 50th game for the Hawks.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Jom with another 30 disposal game

Love seeing him play well.

The commentators were also acknowledging what he does off the ball for the other mids - bullocking, blocking, etc. He did that dirty work with us and it was largely unheralded and underappreciated.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think we have to play Gunston to help make Taylor, Himmelberg and Buckley a bit more accountable.

Hardwick to the backline - GWS have Greene and Stringer, who are likely to light us up if they get favourable matchups.

I'd consider bringing in Frost, to take on Stringer or Greene - OR - Mitchell, to take on Greene or Daniels. With Morrison dropping to sub.

Hardwick - Barrass - Impey
Battle - Sicily - Weddle

Meek - Day - Newcombe
CJ - Nash - D'Ambrosio

Moore - Gunston - Mackenzie
Watson - Chol - Ginnivan

Bench: Amon, Ward, Maginess, Frost / Mitchell
Sub: Morrison

 

[grumbleguts]

At centre clearances, with even numbers we've shown we're one of the best in the league we win more than we lose in there. At stoppages, we allow one extra to sag across half back for the intercept and then sling shot from there. İt's, along with TB4, is what made the cats under bomber Thompson so dangerous with their ball movement. Also, Clarko did this halfway through 2015 , hence the likes of suckling, Duryea, Gibbo and birch did so well. As long as the Oppo are getting harrased and pressured into bombing it long, we're ok. Swans went the man on man, what happened? We destroyed them with even numbers around the contest. So, this team is well equipped to play differently if needed.

fixed.

 

[parsons nose]

At centre clearances, with even numbers we've shown we're one of the best in the league we win more than we lose in there. At stoppages, we allow one extra to sag across half back for the intercept and then sling shot from there. İt's what made the cats under bomber Thompson so dangerous with their ball movement. Also, Clarko did this halfway through 2015 , hence the likes of suckling, Duryea, Gibbo and birch did so well. As long as the Oppo are getting harrased and pressured into bombing it long, we're ok. Swans went the man on man, what happened? We destroyed them with even numbers around the contest. So, this team is well equipped to play differently if needed.

And that tactic of having an extra number behind the ball paid dividends against two teams that are not clinical with their ball use. GWS are an entirely different proposition. At stoppages around the ground we won’t be afforded that luxury.

 

[parsons nose]

Hogan, Riccardi, Stringer and Briggs should all return for GWS. McMullin and Thomas too although it's arguable whether they are best 22.

They'll be at full strength.

Risky if they do that. Three key forwards all playing their first game of the year coming in at once and one them new to the GWS system. I expect they’ll hold Riccardi over until the following week.

 

[MightyFightings]

Seeing a lot of Morrison to the sub, sitting Level One Essendon, then was Level Four against Carlton, was blown away by his selfless gut running, to create space for the Half Forwards in dangerous positions when we are transitioning out of Defensive 50.

I can’t see him being Sub just for his ability to wear down his opponent as the game wears on.

As to who would be the Sub instead, that’s why Mitch earns a lot more than I.

Hope our Tassie family turn out big at UTAS on Saturday night!


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