Hawthorn vs Geelong

[LostDoggy]

As a football watcher ive been lookin forward to this one!

It was a cracker, everything you would want in a game..

Geelong or Hawthorn winning had advantages for us, now that Hawks have lost, if we beat Carlton we can get some breathing space and get closer to locking in 2nd spot.

Question is....If the first week of finals had us penciled in at #2 vs Hawks #3 - would it be at the dome? or the MCG regardless?

[GVGjr]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Yes I wished we could have performed like the Hawks did against the Cats. I'm not sure how the final series will be managed but I did think it was a good game to watch.

We need to get over the next couple of weeks before being too concerned on who or where we will be playing.

[hujsh]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Both teams were wasteful.

Geelong overused it. It's great to not be selfish but sometimes you need to take responsibility and kick the goal.

Hawthorn just can't kick straight.

Good game though.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Question is....If the first week of finals had us penciled in at #2 vs Hawks #3 - would it be at the dome? or the MCG regardless?

You would have to think it would be at the MCG.

If all 4 Victorian clubs were to host a final in the first week, then one game would have to be played at the Dome.

1 v 4
2 v 3
5 v 8
6 v 7

The sides that finish 1, 2, 5 & 6 will get to host a final in the first week. Bet the AFL want Sydney to finish 5th or 6th now.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Personally found it a little hard to watch the game, particularly as it was close, after our disaster last week. Hawks played well and sustained the pressure for most of the game. Still finding it hard to take that we rolled over in the second half, we are much better than that and IMO a better side than Hawthorn.

Hawks have problems finding goals outside of Franklin/Roughead, though both are very dangerous and entertaining. Rioli I thought played very well tonight too.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Personally found it a little hard to watch the game, particularly as it was close, after our disaster last week. Hawks played well and sustained the pressure for most of the game. Still finding it hard to take that we rolled over in the second half, we are much better than that and IMO a better side than Hawthorn.

Hawks have problems finding goals outside of Franklin/Roughead, though both are very dangerous and entertaining. Rioli I thought played very well tonight too.

Agree with you. I think Williams played a good game tonight as well. Hawthorn are talented but still undisciplined - comes with maturity.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

After last week and tonight, Hawthorn > Dogs?

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Flood your backline. Insane pressure on Geelong forwards when they have the ball both offensively and defensively. No easy passes conceded i/s Geelong D50. This is a must. Hold up play when Geelong in possession at every opportunity. Catch them on counter attack via two pronged marking fowards and 3 or 4 half forwards/wings breaking forward at speed. Must kick goals not points!

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

After last week and tonight, Hawthorn > Dogs?

Very simple way to look at it.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

I've said this to a lot of people this year the only team that can beat Geelong is Geelong. They almost cost themselves a game tonight IMO. They are over possesing the football far to much and it will come and bite them in the butt eventually.

BUT they still one the game so it is hard to fault them.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

After last week and tonight, Hawthorn > Dogs?

After we played them? Dogs > Hawthorn,

to the tune of:
6 goals,
32 scoring shots to 12
15 scoring players to 4
A million inside 50s to their 15
A thousand more centre clearances
200+ more disposals

Come on. Dogs >>>>> Hawthorn.

The only reasons it was this close tonight were:

a. Geelong pumped the Hawks in the first quarter, so the Hawks HAD to go defensive and short to not get blown out. The Dogs, on the other hand, were only 14 points down at 3 quarter time and had the largest lead of the game until then, thus attacking in the 4th quarter but miscalculating badly.

b. It's at the G, where it's easier to keep possession, which is what the Hawks basically did, and STILL lost.

and c. The Dogs softened up the Cats over 3+ quarters last week. It would be hard for Geelong to come out and play a blinder after their very tough effort last week.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

Very simple way to look at it.

Agreed. Hawks were competitive for 4 quarters, we weren't.

Simple really. Hawks > Dogs NB over the last few weeks.

And I have a bad feeling about the Manuka Oval game v Swans.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

After we played them? Dogs > Hawthorn,

And what's been the form line of the two teams since?

When was the last time we played really well? We have been playing like shit since, IMO.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

And I have a bad feeling about the Manuka Oval game v Swans.

Why? If we are playing close our to optimum level, we should account for Sydney IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Hawthorn vs Geelong

And what's been the form line of the two teams since?

When was the last time we played really well? We have been playing like shit since, IMO.

True.

Mitigating factors: still winning games (apart from the Cats game of course) relatively comfortably. Long, long pre-season had to have a drop off somewhere in the season and the middle six games would have been the ideal drop off after a great start and building back up for the finals.

Performance against Carlton -- an improving but clearly inferior side -- this week will hopefully provide some clues as to when the upward graph starts to kick in. If we blow this one badly I'll agree the season's shot, but if there's a considerable upswing, look out September.