Player honesty : helping build our next premiership!
In Sam Mitchell’s post-game press conference, it was interesting to hear him speak of the game Hawthorn received a towelling from Gold Coast.
Mitchell publicly questioned the players’ professionalism after that 53 point hiding against the Suns, and the fact that the senior players faced the music.
Mitchell said, “That was the moment when the players started to push each other, and themselves… and the players have understood the importance of the detail”.
Since then, the Hawks have won 10 games and dismantled Collingwood by 66 points in a game that felt like a final in July. On a very wet evening in front of 74,171 passionate supporters, those supporting the brown and gold enjoyed and celebrated the detail!
Tim
3. Jack Ginnivan What an incredible performance from Ginni against his old side. Coming back from a cracked fibula, one could imagine he might be short of a run, but instead Ginni was a man possessed. 31 touches, 11 score involvements, five tackles and two goals, as well as a great goal time celebration gives him the well deserved three points. 2. Conor Nash The Meath Menace has been firing of late and continued his tremendous run of form. Throwing his body around in contests, as well as as the second ruck, Nashy ended the game with eight clearances, eight tackles and eight score involvements, which helped set the tone for our midfield against the reigning Premiers. 1. Nick Watson The Wizard lit up the MCG and helped cast a spell to all but end the Pies season. Watson had 12 Disposals, six score involvements, two inside 50’s, a centre clearances and three goals in a night where he shone brightly. |
Matt
Many players could be included for votes in what was an incredibly solid team game. A special shout out to Nash and Day’s pressure acts and tough contest work to give the Hawks great usage through quick outlet ball movement.
3. Jack Ginnivan
Inspired. Thrives on a big occasion. His will to win was on display for all to see.
In Ginni’s best game for the Hawks, his stat line boasted a career highs for disposals (31), 11 score involvements and it was topped off with a couple of goals. Oh, and he didn’t mind a celebration with teammates against his former club.
Jack showed he is a fierce competitor; one that we’ll enjoy spectating for years to come.
2. James Sicily
It’s a credit to the backline’s communication, which was vital in allowing Sicily to shine, despite playing with a shoulder ‘that is held on by a piece of tape’ (to quote the captain) he still pressured well.
With nine rebound 50s and four inside 50s from his 604 metres gained, Sicily provided four score launches from his 30 disposals. It was a day for Hawthorn’s long sleeve brigade.
Sicily took six marks and had a team high 10 intercept possessions which were valuable in wet conditions.
1. Nick Watson
The Wiz had the day we were all awaiting… and didn’t he enjoy it? We saw Watto’s sprint with arms spread wide after a goal, a la Shaun Burgoyne with the match winning goal celebration from the 2013 Grand Final.
The rookie can sprint too, and we saw his pressure in the opening minutes of the game setting the tone. With three goals from three goal attempts, Watson gave Hawthorn supporters a taste of what’s to come.
With six score involvements, six pressure acts and after going at 91% disposal efficiency with his 12 disposals, I tend to side with Dylan Moore on giving the Wiz a couple of centre bounce attendances, even if they were rogue (according to Sam Mitchell).
Daz
An abundance of players could have received one vote. That’s how team-first this group was in pulverizing the Pies. Lord this was tough.
So, my apologies to the entire midfield core. Lloyd, Jai, James, Conor and Will. My bad.
3. Jack Ginnivan
Anyone who disagrees with this is factually and plainly, wrong.
31 touches, two goals, 11 score involvements, 417 metres gained and converted every fan who wasn’t fully on board with him along the way.
Daz has been though, since the beginning.
Love you Jack!
2. James Sicily
Who needs two arms?
Not the skipper clearly, who gave the Pies a bigger bath than the Melbourne weather gods did.
30 disposals at 77%, 10 intercept possessions, 604 metres gained and nine rebounds.
Dominant.
1. Massimo D’Ambrosio
We traded Pick 61 and a future fourth-round pick (currently Pick 62 without father-son and Academy bids) for a bloke who delivered 26 disposals at 73% in the wet, with two goals.
Add in six marks, six score involvements, 13 pressure acts and a tick under 400 metres gained and we need to thank the Bombers profusely.
Now let’s do what they couldn’t; and beat the Crows.
Chris
3. Jack Ginnivan
Ginni had some extra motivation playing against his former club and there is no better way to handle the occasion than a best on ground performance!
Eclipsing his previous career high disposals count of 23 and raising the bar to 31 is a phenomenal performance and showing he is a big game player.
Throw in eleven score involvements, two goals of his own, five tackles and some fine celebrations too!
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
The 21 year old is leading the charge in the Brown and Gold. The way Massimo plays on the wing is having a huge impact on our ball movement and launching scoring attacks.
Contributing 26 disposals, an equal game high six marks, two goals in testing conditions is a quality performance.
1. James Sicily
What an inspirational leader James Sicily is; he clearly isn’t 100% (shoulder) and has modified the way he approaches contests to keep playing and lead his team.
Despite this he still managed an equal game high six marks, ten intercept possessions, a total of 30 disposals at 77% efficiency and a game high 604 meters gained.
Lauren
3. Jack Ginnivan
Career high 31 disposals from Jack to go along with his two goals. 11 contested and 11 score involvements to top it all off.
It was a complete game from the half forward, and for him to do it against his old side made this performance even better.
2. Conor Nash
This type of game from Nash shows why he’s important to this side. Stood up in the rain and threw his weight around against a Collingwood midfield that looked lethargic.
Leading the tackle count and contested possession count as well as having the eight inside 50s. Just need him to clean up his disposal efficiency.
1. Connor Macdonald
One of many smalls to get off the chain for us today. Kicked the four goals but also had an influence around the contest.
Work rate was top notch as per usual, left the Pies’ players looking lazy on multiple occasions.
Mitch
3. Jack Ginnivan
A masterclass performance against his old side. Work rate was phenomenal as always and was able to hit the scoreboard. Pretty easy three votes this week
2. Massimo D’Ambrosio
Another great game from arguably the best wingman in the comp.
His left boot is lethal and hit the scoreboard too which we love! Covers the ground beautifully and has become a bargain pickup very, very quickly
1. Nick Watson
No goal kicking woes this week! Loved seeing the Wiz get some reward for effort after a tough start in front of the big sticks.
The kid has so much to offer, and boy oh boy he could be something special!
Liam
3. Jack Ginnivan
The former Pie lit up his old side like a Christmas tree and didn’t he love it.
A game high 31 disposals, 11 score involvements (another game high), five marks, five tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s, two goals, and 417 metres gained.
Using the AFL’s Draft Value Index, we gave up the equivalent of pick 50 at the time of publication. Bargain.
2. Conor Nash
Imposed himself physically as a rover and impressed as a second ruck around the ground, with the big Irishman’s hulking frame proving a problem for his opponents.
29 disposals, 22 pressure acts, a game high eight tackles, a game high eight clearances, eight inside 50s, eight score involvements, and 443 metres gained.
Those stats don’t quantify how much his size and strength made him impossible to deal with in close, and there will be plenty of sore Collingwood players from their dealings with our Meath Menace.
1. Connor Macdonald
Only 14 disposals and I could make a compelling argument for about 10 other players, but everything Macdonald did had an impact.
Eight score involvements including four goals reflects a remarkably efficient game from the 21-year-old who also laid five tackles and gained over 200m.
Was at his best when the game was alive as well, having maximum impact with every touch. Too many honourable mentions to list here.
Round 19 MVP Votes
Jack Ginnivan – 21 votes
Conor Nash – 6 votes
James Sicily – 5 votes
Massimo D’Ambrossio – 5 votes
Nick Watson – 3 votes
Connor Macdonald – 2 votes
