Prediction Will the Hawks go a step further in 2025?

[moginie]

We were a poster off a prelim after many people tipped us to be bottom four

That's a game I haven't watched since attending it. I've watched all the feel good games of last season (and there are plenty) and seen how attractive we are in victory, I've got to see how we can be beaten and therefore the areas of improvement when the finals pressure comes.

The expectations at the moment are reasonably high. Love to see us make top four and go from there. If not, we'll find out a lot about the character of the squad.

 

[Roddy]

That's a game I haven't watched since attending it. I've watched all the feel good games of last season (and there are plenty) and seen how attractive we are in victory, I've got to see how we can be beaten and therefore the areas of improvement when the finals pressure comes.

The expectations at the moment are reasonably high. Love to see us make top four and go from there. If not, we'll find out a lot about the character of the squad.

I haven't watched it either, and I won't. But my memory of it is that we didn't play very well, against a more experienced side with far greater expectation on their own dungheap, and we STILL nearly pinched it...

 

[peetoo]

Without both Day and Frenchie

Young Burgoyne had a break out. Very exciting. He’ll be better than JHF

 

[Mojo]

You just feel we have enough pieces to win a premiership now; so anything shy of a grand final appearance, or the perception that we'll likely salute the following season (2026), would be pretty disappointing.

 

[peetoo]

Just watching highlights not many opponents defences can cover our fwds.

When on song they are loose everywhere

If Barass is the Lake piece revisited meaning less folding back to cover defence, we are going to see some heavy scoring, especially MCG

We should not be beaten there. 17 games at MCG UTAS Marvel

Leaves six other trips all on the difficult side, no gimmes

 

[The Chad and I]

Our form line is top 4.
If we get improvement out of Mackenzie and Day, Battle and Barrass, that will see us push for top spot.

 

[Roddy]

I think the growing hype and expectation around us now is the biggest concern I have coming into season 2025. Can this young team handle it? More than any list/player/positional issues, more than any opposition side.

It's good some of the older heads have stuck around....

 

[peetoo]

I’m still bullish but let’s not underestimate the task in round 0

Sydney toyed with us early last year
Sydney rarely get beaten at home and especially round 1 even after their many embarrassing GF fails
Sydney have a new coach so just as likely to be better then round 0 last year

 

[matey]

I think the growing hype and expectation around us now is the biggest concern I have coming into season 2025. Can this young team handle it? More than any list/player/positional issues, more than any opposition side.

It's good some of the older heads have stuck around....

If any coach can manage expectations I think we got him. Thr morning training on the opposite wing to the stand they were doing a drill and Sam wanted to say something to the small group of players and said, ‘come in’. I think because the drill only had a boundary/area of maybe 40 by 30 metres the players were just casually coming in. Then you heard a big roar by Sam, “COME INNN!!!!!”. Players came in real quick after that . I think under Sam if you are 0-5 or making finals …… it’s doesn’t matter. Internally these are the standards expected always from every player, every training session, every game etc

 

[Roddy]

If any coach can manage expectations I think we got him. Thr morning training on the opposite wing to the stand they were doing a drill and Sam wanted to say something to the small group of players and said, ‘come in’. I think because the drill only had a boundary/area of maybe 40 by 30 metres the players were just casually coming in. Then you heard a big roar by Sam, “COME INNN!!!!!”. Players came in real quick after that . I think under Sam if you are 0-5 or making finals …… it’s doesn’t matter. Internally these are the standards expected always from every player, every training session, every game etc

It seems theyre striking a good balance between having fun and enjoying themselves and letting their unique personalities come out, while still getting down and dirty and serious when they need to, working hard and focusing on the prize.