Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2025!

[The Chad and I]

People have been questioning his performances because he hasn’t been performing to expectations or even previous form. Also match day threads have a lot of frustration in them.

If Ward wants midfield time he has to earn it and perform when placed in the middle. The team is now in the mode of trying to win flags. With everyone fit Ward won’t just be given time to develop especially if he’s not performing.

It’s up to him to grab the opportunities he’s given and make the most of them. If he does the right things that the coaches are looking for he will get games. If he’s not ticking the boxes he will likely find himself in the VFL again.

It's almost like you agree with me but looking for an argument to pass some time.

 

[The Chad and I]

Silly post. Criticism of Ward has been fair because he’s lacked consistency (and you’ve admitted that yourself) - that’s why the coaches dropped him 3 times last year to Box Hill. He’s been in the system for 3 years and has certainly not come on as the coaches would have hoped. He’s been overtaken by a younger player like Can Mackenzie so it’s fair to level those comments against him.

Talking about his consistency - his first final against the Bullies was good, but his second was ordinary (he laid one tackle).

And don’t conflate any warranted criticism or misgivings about Josh with “writing off or criticising young players”. Who are the young players and who’s criticising them? All I see at the moment is a massive optimism and talking up of our young players!

We all agree on his inconsistent form, but some disagree on the causes.

I don't conflate anything.
Many people literally saying Ward is not up to it.

It's funny to watch people develop amnesia during pre-season optimism.

 

[H00t]

It's almost like you agree with me but looking for an argument to pass some time.

I think we agree more than we disagree.

We both want Ward to succeed (as all hawks supporters should)

It just read like what you felt was holding Ward back was getting enough opportunity in the middle. Whereas I feel he’s getting enough opportunities he just hasn’t been able to fully capitalise on them and cement himself in the team.

My apologies if I misread your meaning

 

[The Chad and I]

I think we agree more than we disagree.

We both want Ward to succeed (as all hawks supporters should)

It just read like what you felt was holding Ward back was getting enough opportunity in the middle. Whereas I feel he’s getting enough opportunities he just hasn’t been able to fully capitalise on them and cement himself in the team.

My apologies if I misread your meaning

nope, that's pretty much it.

He's not going to "earn it" with a few minutes in the middle every other game.
Ward needs continuity to hit a high level of output, and he's got the talent to back him IMO.

 

[H00t]

nope, that's pretty much it.

He's not going to "earn it" with a few minutes in the middle every other game.
Ward needs continuity to hit a high level of output, and he's got the talent to back him IMO.

He will earn the opportunity in the middle by doing all the right things at training and while playing games at VFL or AFL level.

From there it’s all about him making the most of his opportunities. If he keeps doing the right things he will get more midfield time. If he isn’t ticking the boxes for the coaches he won’t.

It seems harsh on him that he gets limited time but he’s got 5 mids ahead of him currently. He’s got to turn talent into performance and make himself too valuable to not get midfield time.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

Watching from where I did at the Elimination Final, it was Ward's defensive work, intensity, and support to Newcombe that won us the battle in the middle. Ward was constantly blocking potential avenues to forward progression for the Dogs, whether it be his movements or intensity. And he was there immediately with turnovers and our progression forward.

In my opinion, Mitchell should make greater rotations of Newcombe, Day, etc. to other positions or give them greater interchange time to get Ward and Mackenzie more midfield or stoppage time. Because I think it will only make us better and cause greater headaches for opposition coaches by offering even greater differentiation. And to anyone doubting it, you only have to look at that Elimination Final. Because that was as impressive as a performance as I have seen in years considering his time on ground.

 

[threesixpio]

Watching from where I did at the Elimination Final, it was Ward's defensive work, intensity, and support to Newcombe that won us the battle in the middle. Ward was constantly blocking potential avenues to forward progression for the Dogs, whether it be his movements or intensity. And he was there immediately with turnovers and our progression forward.

In my opinion, Mitchell should make greater rotations of Newcombe, Day, etc. to other positions or give them greater interchange time to get Ward and Mackenzie more midfield or stoppage time. Because I think it will only make us better and cause greater headaches for opposition coaches by offering even greater differentiation. And to anyone doubting it, you only have to look at that Elimination Final. Because that was as impressive as a performance as I have seen in years considering his time on ground.

So far Nash, Newc and Day have all spent time forward in the preseason. I think this is the plan. And if it pays off it will be devastating to the comp

 

[threesixpio]

I think we agree more than we disagree.

We both want Ward to succeed (as all hawks supporters should)

It just read like what you felt was holding Ward back was getting enough opportunity in the middle. Whereas I feel he’s getting enough opportunities he just hasn’t been able to fully capitalise on them and cement himself in the team.

My apologies if I misread your meaning

I think the “give him a chance” “but is he good enough dichotomy” is a false one. It’s always a bit of both and probably drives coaches bonkers

 

[TheFourPillars]

We'e past the point of giving younger players a go. Everything will be merit based.

There will be a lot of unlucky players this year on the cusp of selection

 

[H00t]

I think the “give him a chance” “but is he good enough dichotomy” is a false one. It’s always a bit of both and probably drives coaches bonkers

It’s something I like about Mitchell’s coaching is that he’s willing to give players a go. At least that what it looks like from the outside.

 

[H00t]

Watching from where I did at the Elimination Final, it was Ward's defensive work, intensity, and support to Newcombe that won us the battle in the middle. Ward was constantly blocking potential avenues to forward progression for the Dogs, whether it be his movements or intensity. And he was there immediately with turnovers and our progression forward.

In my opinion, Mitchell should make greater rotations of Newcombe, Day, etc. to other positions or give them greater interchange time to get Ward and Mackenzie more midfield or stoppage time. Because I think it will only make us better and cause greater headaches for opposition coaches by offering even greater differentiation. And to anyone doubting it, you only have to look at that Elimination Final. Because that was as impressive as a performance as I have seen in years considering his time on ground.

Ward was great in the elimination final. If he plays like that he’s going to get lots of midfield time.

He was also poor in the semi final against Port. We all know what Ward can do at his best. Which is what makes his down performances even more frustrating.

Hopefully this is the year it all clicks for him and he makes the way he played against the dogs his normal rather than it being an out of the box performance for him.

 

[Tall Tales and True]

He has aspects of his game that really stand out - vision, kicking, short, sharp handball use - that make you think, top 10. With his endurance & nous, you'd like to think it's only a matter of time ...

On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[MazHawk]

This is it for Wardy. All jokes aside, with James' injury he now has four full weeks to prove he belongs.

Four weeks to either cement a place or be facing trade-talk. Simple as that.

I hope he makes it. He has all the tools to make it but gametime is a different beast and it's up to him now. Sink or swim.

 

[matey]

Total pro on and off the field. As Sam has publicly said Wardy will be a 200 game player for the club so here’s your chance to cement your spot young man ….. grab the opportunity with both hands

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

This is it for Wardy. All jokes aside, with James' injury he now has four full weeks to prove he belongs.

Four weeks to either cement a place or be facing trade-talk. Simple as that.

I hope he makes it. He has all the tools to make it but gametime is a different beast and it's up to him now. Sink or swim.

No this isn’t it for Wardy, and your take is far too simplistic.

We could well decide to bring CJ in and keep the same midfield we had in the second half.

 

[MazHawk]

Disagree. Yes, CJ could come in but so will Ward. It's all well and good saying we'll go with the same second half midfield but we'll need another in the engine room - whether as a sub or whatever.
Actually I'm tipping Ward and CJ come in for Worpel and Maginness.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

This is it for Wardy. All jokes aside, with James' injury he now has four full weeks to prove he belongs.

Four weeks to either cement a place or be facing trade-talk. Simple as that.

I hope he makes it. He has all the tools to make it but gametime is a different beast and it's up to him now. Sink or swim.

Will certainly be interesting.

 

[kazzooka]

Almost certain to come in now. I think I said earlier in this or another thread. With everyone available and in from he was first in line to step in as he did last year in finals when Day was out.

We don't need to worry that he's not in the first few picked. As we will rarely have everyone available and playing well. Worpel out now so Ward has 4 weeks to play well and when Worpel comes back he can hopefully have made a case that it as someone else getting omitted. But there's also a chance someone else will be injured/suspended/rested when we get to that point.

 

[SSSSSS]

Wardpedo

 

[Argy]

Disagree. Yes, CJ could come in but so will Ward. It's all well and good saying we'll go with the same second half midfield but we'll need another in the engine room - whether as a sub or whatever.
Actually I'm tipping Ward and CJ come in for Worpel and Maginness.

Can't see Maginness being dropped on his game last Friday.

 

[I wanna pash Nash]

Great game for Wardy tonight. My biggest gripe with him early was his awareness in close and that looks to be much better.

His kicking and decision making is top shelf.

 

[SSSSSS]

Good game from Wardy but want him to start taking that next step from good to great.

Has the talent but he has lapses in his concentration and intensity.

He'll grow into it but I'm hoping he starts to demand the ball more.

 

[flamin_heck]

Good game from Wardy but want him to start taking that next step from good to great.

Has the talent but he has lapses in his concentration and intensity.

He'll grow into it but I'm hoping he starts to demand the ball more.

The dinky little kick into the foward 50 that was cut off last quarter was a bit of a howler- sometimes he just looks very unsure of himself.. I’d stick with him as an inside mid in the 1s for as long as possible- I think he just needs to believe he belongs before he works it out.

 

[TylerDurden]

Love him. Plough games into him now.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

The dinky little kick into the foward 50 that was cut off last quarter was a bit of a howler- sometimes he just looks very unsure of himself.. I’d stick with him as an inside mid in the 1s for as long as possible- I think he just needs to believe he belongs before he works it out.

If he had a right foot he would have had a ping at goal