Heroic Hawks
Kennedy’s Commandos, Clarko’s Cluster you name it, the Hawthorn Football Club has been given plenty of tags during their fabled recent history. That “One for All and All for One” ethos was clearly evident in their stirring win over the Sydney Swans on Friday night. Leading by example, experienced players in Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead and Shaun Burgoyne made absolutely certain that their side won. Burgoyne was sensational around the ground with 26 disposals and 5 tackles, plus 2 goals including a vital one in the last quarter when all hope seemed gone for the Hawks. I watched Luke Hodge very closely on Friday’s game and I was amazed at the focus, desire and endurance he displayed. It was in defense where he spent most of his night. He also spent most of his night yelling out to his fellow defenders marshaling them and asking them to adjust to whatever offense the Sydney team would deliver. The fellow could barely walk after the game, he’d put so much effort into his game. No wonder the bloke has 4 premiership medals, he’s an absolute champion of the game. Then there was that bloke Roughead. Fair dinkum it’s incredible what happens in a year or so. Last time Hawthorn was in town, I remember turning up early to a deserted SCG and seeing Jarryd Roughead and Sam Mitchell walking the oval slowly having a chat, bouncing a couple of footy’s as if to check every inch and nuance of the surface.That night Jarryd wasn’t playing due to being diagnosed with a melanoma. He was going through treatment and it must have been a terrifying time for the young man.Yet he overcame that adversity and is now playing again for Hawthorn. In the final two minutes Roughie marked just outside the 50 metre arc. Scores were tied and either a behind or goal would put the Hawks in front. With precision, he put the ball right through the middle and drove a dagger into the heart of the Sydney Swans. It was pure clutch. Amazing what can happen in a year.
We Love Our Club And We Play to Win!. Photo: Jodie Newell
Luke Hodge Terrific… Swans counter tactics terrible
As discussed Luke Hodge at the back line was sensational. Yes, Sydney did breach the Hawthorn defensive structure and looked like they’d run away with the game in the final quarter, yet Hawthorn stuck to their strategy and kept the Swans out. Yes Lance Franklin booted 5 goals, but he did that with superb class that not even the best defender in the competition could stop. Whenever the ball went forward, the Hawks would obviously press, but they made sure their press had a “symmetry” about it. The chief architect was Hodge, who made sure the structures were kept in a disciplined formation. I’ve seen Hawthorn apply this tactic a couple of times over the Swans and I’ve seen teams such as the Western Bulldogs employ a very similar tactic on Sydney and guess what? Dogs coach Luke Beveridge is a former Hawthorn assistant coach.I’m astounded that Sydney coach John Longmire or his line coaches didn’t try to counter this strategy. They could have placed a man on Hodge, disrupted his commands with tight one on one play and bumping. But they did nothing until very late into the game and even then Hodge remained in the same spot. One wonders if dissenting views are tough to bring up in the box when Coach Longmire’s volcanic like, explosive outbursts are to be seen on national TV when things don’t go to plan. The point I’d like to make is Sydney have been gamed.They were gamed in last year’s grand final and they have been gamed several times this year strategically. They haven’t adjusted to the fast pace of the game of 2017. I’ve heard the lack of pre-season preparation excuses, but I didnt then and I wont buy into it now. There are passengers in this team that seem to have the idea that all will be the same as previous years and the W’s will just be the default position. Sure I’ll eat my many hats and eat buckets of humble pie and gladly admit I was wrong if they get into the finals and go deep, but I honestly think this version of the Swans is done. The photos below show just how effective Luke Hodge (circled in red) and the Hawks were at keep a tight press and tight defensive structure. And this was allowed to happen and function for the majority of the game.
Luke Hodge (circled in red) was a key component in the Hawks successful defensive structures. Photo & Graphics : Jodie Newell
Lance Franklin worth every cent and some
Lance Franklin is my favorite Sydney Swans player. He puts in every game and he delivers some of the most thrilling football you can watch in the modern game. Whether it’s on the 50 metre arc or inside the forward zone, you never know what Lance is going to do. His five goals almost won the game for Sydney single-handedly. His five goals were pure gold. He works very had for the big money he earns. There is plenty of comment in footballing circles about Kurt Tippett. Maybe they should nickname him “The Fizzer”, as he’s been less than consistent. I haven’t seen Tippett play a game like he put on against an unbeatable Hawthorn in a preliminary final in which he almost got Adelaide into a grand final. He’s been very disappointing. Given he’s copped some nasty injuries and he had to stand out when he first joined the Swans, it hasn’t been a smooth time in Sydney. Wrestling great Jake “The Snake” Roberts would famously say, “You know sometimes the worse curse in life is to have unlimited potential”. Two grand final losses where he failed to make a significant impact. He has potential but hasnt realised it in a consistent manner. The questions also being asked by the pundits is the wisdom of letting Tom Mitchell go. Mitchell is suffering a severe case of leather poisoning this season. I nearly choked on my Saturday night pizza last week when I saw he had 50 disposals against Collingwood. On Friday he racked up 31 disposals and played a great game against his old team. Sydney are going to have to look very seriously of letting Tippett go as part of an adjustment if they wish to compete at a higher level. The Franklin trade has proved to be an astute one, unfortunately the Tippet deal hasn’t, but that’s football, nothing is guaranteed.
Franklin about to boot another one of his 5 sensational goals against the Hawks. Photo: Jodie Newell
The One that Got Away. Tom Mitchell had a night out against his former club with 31 disposals. Photo: Jodie Newell
Good to see Goodsey and Mickey O back
It was Indigenous Round in the AFL and the jumpers worn by all team teams were fab. Think the Sydney and GWS Giants jumpers were the pick but of course we’d think that coming from Sydney. I liked the concept of the number 67 on the backs of indigenous players, I thought the lack of not mentioning former Prime Minster Harold Holt was disappointing. He was part of the push to get the vote for Australia’s indigenous peoples during the 1967 referendum and he did deserve a mention I felt. Anyhow, it was great to see Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin talk about life after football at the presidents pre-game luncheon. Adam and Mickey looked like they could still pull on a jersey and play footy, both are in tip top shape. They presented a signed jersey to Swans supremos in Andrew Ireland and Andrew Pridham
The 2017 Swans indigenous round jersey presented by Adam Goodes, Michael O’Loughlin to Andrew Ireland (left) & Andrew Pridham (right). Photo: Jodie Newell
