AFL match simulation: Hawks grab the win but depleted Cats had one eye-catcher

2 weeks ago 2

Hawthorn v Geelong

Dingley, Kennedy Community Centre

Hawthorn 16.15 (111) def Geelong 14.10 (94)

The match

The Hawks were goalless in the first term, conceding three, but then booted 11 of the next 13 to take control of this clash on a day when temperatures in Melbourne soared into the mid-30s.

Before a rowdy crowd at their new home base in Dingley, this was an impressive effort by the Hawks, although it was largely expected as the Cats had almost half of their grand final team missing.

Ollie Dempsey completes a huge grab against Hawthorn in match simulation on Monday.

The Hawks ended their goal drought nine minutes into the second term when Dylan Moore snapped successfully. From there, the contest turned, despite the Cats enjoying moments of exquisite ball movement through centre wing.

The moment: Hawks’ fans erupted in joy when Connor Nash delivered a super one-step snap from just inside 50 with 11 minutes remaining in the second term. The tall Irishman is known for his defensive prowess, but his goal sense is also well honed.

The eye-catcher: Uncapped Cat Joe Polkinghorne booted three goals, his sticky hands a highlight. He has impressed club officials over summer, and made claims to be a third tall inside attacking 50. James Worpel was well at home in his new hoops as a Cat. Worpel is a former Hawks best and fairest and played 148 games in the brown and gold. Judging by his form on Monday, he will fit seamlessly into the Cats’ midfield. Worpel began at the centre ball up and had Massimo D’Ambrosio as his opponent. Hawks fans reacted with glee, however, when Worpel was caught holding the ball in the third term.

Having built his reputation on the wing, emerging Cats star Ollie Dempsey spent much of the game as an inside midfielder and appears set for another robust season. Young midfielder Jhye Clark continued to make excellent strides. Shannon Neale was a man mountain in front of goal. There were also encouraging signs in the ruck, duties shared by Sam De Koning, Mitch Edwards and Joe Pike with veteran Rhys Stanley missing.

For the Hawks, former North Melbourne defender Flynn Perez and VFL star Jack Riding did their best to win the two remaining list spots ahead of the March 2 deadline (should the Hawks opt to fill both spots). Riding’s strong work in tight was impressive, while Perez, with 24 senior games to his credit, was solid in defence and converted a 50m set shot off a free kick in the second term to boost his hopes.

Given only the first half, skipper James Sicily moved well and is over the shoulder and groin/hip injuries which curbed his influence last year. Josh Weddle, who is likely to spend more time on a wing in the season proper, spent most of his time in defence. There is always a buzz when Nick Watson has – or is near – the ball.

James Worpel stepped out for the Cats for the first time.

Midfielder Josh Ward was a stand-out, and is firmly in line to take Worpel’s spot. Jarman Impey, donning Will Day’s No.12 guernsey, provided dash from halfback. Mitch Lewis moved well inside attacking 50 and further afield, while fellow forward Calsher Dear was also a target in the first term before he left the field.

Injuries

Geelong: Tanner Bruhn (illness) was a late withdrawal. Brad Close was involved in a heavy collision with Karl Amon but returned to the field.

Hawthorn: Dear took a knock to the ribs in a marking contest in the first term but returned to the field, and had an impact.

Absent

Hawthorn: Jack Ginnivan, Will Day, Cam Nairn, Will McCabe, Matt Leray, Cody Anderon, Jack Dalton, James Blanck, Matt Hill, Jamie Uhr-Henry, Tom Barrass*, Jack Gunston*, Josh Battle*, Blake Hardwick*

Geelong: Rhys Stanley, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Conway, Shaun Mannagh, Jake Kolodjashnij, Tyson Stengle, Jack Martin, Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Zach Guthrie, Mark Blicavs, Tanner Bruhn, Patrick Dangerfield*, Bailey Smith*, Max Holmes*, Tom Stewart*, Lawson Humphries*.

(*Played in Origin on Saturday)

What the coaches said

Hawthorn assistant coach David Hale praised Nick Watson’s strong output.

“He has had a great summer. He has done everything right. He has got himself into really good condition [to play in the midfield]. It wasn’t surprising the way he played - we have seen that in the pre-season games. We want to expose him a little more around the ball, obviously with Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald as well. Those types of players we think can bring an x-factor to the group we have got,” Hale said.

Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly said forward Ollie Henry had impressed, having been overlooked late last year.

“He has been working really hard on his game, really disappointed he wasn’t in the team late last year … he went to work, he has got a lot fitter, covering the ground really well,” Rahilly said.

The verdict

That Geelong were severely depleted made this contest hard to judge. Their depth appears sound, while a centre-square set up of De Koning, Worpel, Atkins and Dempsey was still A grade. They now prepare to face Carlton in a community series clash on February 25. The Hawks know they have work to do if they are to vault into true premiership contention. To do so, they need more class and drive through the midfield, particularly with Day injured (and plans to acquire Zach Merrett falling over). Watson and Connor Macdonald have trained as midfielders through the summer, and will add drive. The Hawks now face the Western Bulldogs in a community series clash on February 27.

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