Written by Rhys Knight & Jake Smith
Well, the hawks hit the bye at 2-9 but this is all about the plight of the Saturday night loss to the men of Gold Coast and the dissection of how all 22 players went. Whilst the loss was hard to watch and fans have every right to be disappointed, this isn’t a Hawthorn bashing exercise in the slightest. Having said that, let’s go.
Mitch Lewis – The bye will do him a lot of good as his tank looks low and is struggling to find good body position in the contest. Took his chances with a couple of goals.
Tom Mitchell – His form is becoming a little inconsistent, and although he’s going through off-field drama which is a reason for perhaps a dip in form, fans won’t see it as an excuse. Had 22 disposals but what was very encouraging was his 25 pressure acts and five tackles.
Jarman Impey – Perhaps one of the more consistent performers for the Hawks in 2021, Impey had a quieter day with 15 touches at 80% efficiency but went on some long runs in the second half, we as fans just want more, more, more!
James Worpel – The man who looks like he most needs the bye, the ‘Worpedo’ looked a shell of his self in the first half before a really solid second half. Four of his six clearances came in the second half and he played angry, which is what Hawks fans are crying out for.
Ben McEvoy – An elite leadership performance by the skipper and although his soldiers didn’t come to the party, 14 touches, two goals, six marks, four tackles, 18 hit-outs and five score involvements was his day and it was a fantastic captain’s display.
Sam Frost – Got the job on Ben King and had his colours lowered in the first contest where King dominated him but Frost was a victim of poor midfield structure and the Suns were torching the Hawks on turnovers. Still, not the elite performance from the number one contested defender in the league that he was hoping for.
Shaun Burgoyne – ‘Silk’ played down back and with just four games until he hits 400 Hawks fans need to enjoy the ride. Burgoyne ranked third for the Hawks in metres gained and had four rebounds and three inside 50’s. What a champion he has been.
Jack Scrimshaw – 21 disposals for ‘Birch 2.0’ but it was the 90% efficiency that was most pleasing. Took seven marks and had four rebound 50’s and won his position which would delight the coaches.
Blake Hardwick – 17 kicks amongst eighteen disposals at 83% efficiency was delightful but nine turnovers was a killer. He also had nine rebounds, ranked second for 401 metres gained and even had a clearance. Has his back against the wall most weeks and comes through it extraordinarily well.
Daniel Howe – One of the better games in his career with 20 disposals, seven marks and four tackles but what was pleasing was eight contested possessions and 85% efficiency.
Chad Wingard – A game high 31 pressure acts for the Chad and has his name at the top of the Peter Crimmins Medal chart for most fans. Five tackles, three inside 50’s, three clearances, over 300 metres gained and half a dozen score involvements was his day, amongst 24 disposals.
Tom Phillips – Covers the ground well but tends to rush his disposal once he gets it and although he had 14 kicks amongst 19 disposals, he only went at 53% efficiency and had seven turnovers.
Luke Breust – Looked dangerous at times but wasn’t his usual output. Only the nine touches but did kick a goal. Three tackles amongst 20 pressure acts was solid but the Suns torched the Hawks from half back and there wasn’t enough pressure applied.
Tim O’Brien – Had a big chance to nail down a key back post now that Kyle Hartigan went down and had eleven touches at 82% efficiency with five rebounds but didn’t make a surety of that spot.
James Cousins – Had a moment or two but was quieter than previous weeks. At times he looks like he isn’t sure what his role is but can go and get the footy really well. Had 23 touches, 319 metres gained, eighteen pressure acts and three inside 50’s but needs a set role per week.
Liam Shiels – Number one at the Hawks for metres gained and was one of, if not the best for the Hawks. Led the Hawks for disposals with 27, took seven marks, had six tackles with 23 pressure acts and had over 400 metres gained. Big tick on a night that the midfield was once again, outclassed.
Changkuoth Jiath – Another decent game from ‘CJ’ but still hasn’t reached the heights of his opening month. Had 18 touches on Saturday but only eight kicks, took five marks, had four intercept possessions, three one-percenters but only ten metres gained per possession. Does he need a rest?
Damon Greaves – Had Izak Rankine lower his colours in the first half but will be better for the run and needs to keep his spot. Kicked a ripping first goal and for nine disposals, 252 metres gained is the most pleasing number.
Jacob Koschitzke – Was a bit stiff as he led well early and was either ignored or the ball wasn’t hitting him on the chest but he seemed to fall away from leading after those efforts which he needs to fix. Only kicked a point and had a couple of marks.
Josh Morris – The ‘Tank’ had a ripping opportunity to stamp his claim on a forward pocket spot and although he had some ripping pressure moments – four tackles and 22 pressure acts was fantastic –, he only had three touches and only one was effective, wasn’t the output required.
Dylan Moore – No more fan hatred on this man, period. In two or three years from now, he could be one of the premier high half forwards, with his ability to take overhead marks, he can hit a target and kick a goal, with 2.2. Had 18 touches (14 kicks), took eight marks and went at 89%. We wanted ‘Moore’ from him this year and he has been fantastic.
Ned Reeves – Looks like the ruck of the future for sure does big ‘Ned’, and the mark he clunked to kick his first goal showed Hawks fans what a weapon he could be. With the expectation that Ned Moyle will be a Hawk in the mid-season draft, the Hawks are developing that one-two punch. Laid another four tackles, had 35 hit-outs and four score involvements.
