NAB Round 1

[hawk_88]

Hawks fans would have to be very pleased with the display they saw tonight. After the clear out at the end the of the year along with a recruitment policy that favours very young players, we have a lot of young players who are starting to look very good.

Savage, Shiels, Puopolo and Breust are certainly pushing hard for selection. Lisle is as good as every Hawks fan has always thought but still struggle to get a start in the Hawks forward line although his unexpected period in the ruck may mean that the Hawks are going to develop him in the "Leigh Brown Mould".

Great performances from the top boys in Burgoyne, Rioli and Stratton!

At the time I write this the final game is still being played so whether or not we go through isn't decided, but even if the Eagles win, we are still a good chance to go through as an unlucky loser with our high percentage. Not that the NAB matters but it highlights the great overall performance from what is effectively our seconds team against two almost full strength sides away at Subiaco.

[MajorLazer]

Really happy with the 2nd half of the Eagles game and the whole Freo game.

Savage looks great and he should push for a spot.

Rioli and Burgoyne looked too good to be playing.

[j959]

went to the games and they looked pretty good hawk.
Rioli was very impressive - almost a lock for my DT team and considering him over Buddy for SC!  ;)

i thought it was going to be a 2nd rate side but they had a crack and the zones were working well for them ...

[valkorum]

Not that the NAB matters but it highlights the great overall performance from what is effectively our seconds team against two almost full strength sides away at Subiaco.

Not trying to make an excuse as we did play terrible but we were missing a considerable number of best 22 players (Fyfe, Balla, Barlow, Mundy, Hill, Mora - just to name a few :P)  So we were not close to a full strength side. 

Just putting things in perspective ;)

What it means to me is your depth players played considerably better than our depth players (on the day)

[hawk_88]

Maybe "almost" isn't the best choice of words but ~14 of Freo's best vs 4 of ours... the inequality there is the point.

[valkorum]

Maybe "almost" isn't the best choice of words but ~14 of Freo's best vs 4 of ours... the inequality there is the point.

I can live with that ;)

[j959]

Maybe "almost" isn't the best choice of words but ~14 of Freo's best vs 4 of ours... the inequality there is the point.

I can live with that ;)

not making excuses for Freo but i think it was pretty apparent that Harvey was trying something different - for example, in the game against West Coast he had Zac Clarke playing in the midfield while Sandi did the centre bounce ... either Zac didn't know what his role was or he was just all at sea but after the bounce he 'zoned' off on Priddis by about 15-20m and then West Coast got the ball in the midfield, whereupon the kick quickly went to a streaking Priddis out in front of Clarke who was never going to catch him for an easy Priddis goal ...

[valkorum]

I definitely think we didnt play well and I think Clarke playing in the middle was an experience thing.  Getting him some experience in the middle (during a game that isnt important) will help with his development as a ruckman.  Gotta remember he is only 21 this year

[hawk_88]

I don't think you can read too much into an overall performance from the NAB cup. What I am excited about (apart from Cyril!!) was the effort and decision making of our young players. Their skills were often suspect, but they went in hard and tactically played it well most of the time.

Come the H&A I certainly won't be tipping West Coast over Freo based on that game.

[valkorum]

I don't think you can read too much into an overall performance from the NAB cup. What I am excited about (apart from Cyril!!) was the effort and decision making of our young players. Their skills were often suspect, but they went in hard and tactically played it well most of the time.

Come the H&A I certainly won't be tipping West Coast over Freo based on that game.

I thought Savage played well for you guys, not sure if he will be regular 22 though but definitely promising signs from him.  Cyril looked to playing more from the back half and pushing in to the midfield.  Prob to get some development in to him from seeing the play at a different angle so it will help with him pushing in to the midfield

[j959]

I don't think you can read too much into an overall performance from the NAB cup. What I am excited about (apart from Cyril!!) was the effort and decision making of our young players. Their skills were often suspect, but they went in hard and tactically played it well most of the time.

Come the H&A I certainly won't be tipping West Coast over Freo based on that game.

even though West Coast won both games, i'd still put $20 on them for the wooden spoon this year and given my cash-strapped/tight-a*se nature, that's a significant investment!  ;)

their kicking is still woeful and they still turn it over close to their goal/back-half ...

[valkorum]

Keep in mind that the Eagles pretty much played a full strength side where as the Dockers and Hawks played "reserve" sides.  Harvey has said that up to 12 players from best 22 didnt play over the 2 games and it was quite obvious how many "best" players didnt play for the Hawks.

[hawk_88]

even though West Coast won both games, i'd still put $20 on them for the wooden spoon this year and given my cash-strapped/tight-a*se nature, that's a significant investment!  ;)

Totally agree - spoon favourites. Brisbane, Essendon and Gold Coast will be down there with them.

[Fletch74]

even though West Coast won both games, i'd still put $20 on them for the wooden spoon this year and given my cash-strapped/tight-a*se nature, that's a significant investment!  ;)

Totally agree - spoon favourites. Brisbane and Gold Coast will be down there with them.

Fixed for you Hawk ;)

[hawk_88]

Unless James Hird and the rest of the coaching panel pull on the boots I am pretty sure I was accurate  ;D