Insider Question.....

[Stripes]

Out of interest were either of Grimes or Astbury part of the cross training experiment through the preseason?

[Stripes]

The reason I ask is that I fear that Hawthorn will have a better understanding of how these young players defend (strengths and weaknesses) because they have been working with them over the break. The same might be said with us and their young players but we seem to play far more of our recruits and young blokes in our senior side than the Hawks do.

Also does this cross-team training give both clubs a far better understanding of each others game plan than what would normally be expected?

What's your thoughts?

[mightytiges]

Out of interest were either of Grimes or Astbury part of the cross training experiment through the preseason?

Not sure about Astbury Stripes as he was playing seniors in the preseason games but I would think Grimes was. Mind you Buddy and Roughead wouldn't have been part of the cross training either. Just the younger Hawks.

Grimes, Batchelor and Helbig I'm guessing would've been part of it of those playing tomorrow night. Not sure about Conca and Astbury.

[mightytiges]

The reason I ask is that I fear that Hawthorn will have a better understanding of how these young players defend (strengths and weaknesses) because they have been working with them over the break. The same might be said with us and their young players but we seem to play far more of our recruits and young blokes in our senior side than the Hawks do.

Also does this cross-team training give both clubs a far better understanding of each others game plan than what would normally be expected?

What's your thoughts?

I guess it works both ways. Our young guys would also be more familiar playing against Hawthorn's structures.

[Stripes]

Just an interesting situation really for mine given not only the cross club training but also the inside knowledge Hardwick has on Hawthorn as his good mate Clarkson. I wonder if it will help players such as Grimes, Conca and Batchelor or whether the older and wiser heads of the Hawks will use information to better use.

I just hope Hardwick is able to engineer a win and figure out a better strategy to get us out of our defence and through their infamous zone.

[mightytiges]

I don't think it was totally coincidence that our first 4 quarter competitive effort last year was against Hawthorn. Both Dimma and Clarkson would know how each other thinks and ticks. Dimma would also have the inside knowledge of every strength and weakness of every Hawk who was around when he was at Waverley. IIRC Dimma was Hawthorn forward-line coach for at least a year so he would have initimate knowledge of how Buddy and co. like the ball delivered and where they like to lead to. So he would pass that onto Grimesy and Astbury. I remember a Hawk fan telling me that Hawthorn has become to Buddy conscious since Hardwick left post-2008 and their forward line hasn't functioned anywhere near as well since Dimma left.

[Stripes]

I don't think it was totally coincidence that our first 4 quarter competitive effort last year was against Hawthorn. Both Dimma and Clarkson would know how each other thinks and ticks. Dimma would also have the inside knowledge of every strength and weakness of every Hawk who was around when he was at Waverley. IIRC Dimma was Hawthorn forward-line coach for at least a year so he would have initimate knowledge of how Buddy and co. like the ball delivered and where they like to lead to. So he would pass that onto Grimesy and Astbury. I remember a Hawk fan telling me that Hawthorn has become to Buddy conscious since Hardwick left post-2008 and their forward line hasn't functioned anywhere near as well since Dimma left.

So there may be hope tonight then  He really impresses me Dimma with his no fuss style and practical teaching 

[Dubstep Dookie]

I don't think you have anything to worry about Stripey..

It's raining, we're hungry, and at $3.28 for the win, there's a lot of value  

[magpiemania]

NO