Hawkers Unofficial Blog

Video – Hawks membership Ad pokes fun at Myki

Mollyfud — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:12:51 +0000

Check out the Hawks membership ad poking fun at Victoria’s struggling Myki ticketing system!

Love your work Hawks! If you haven’t already, go get your memberships now!

Training Photos – The Factor is back!

Mollyfud — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:58:09 +0000

I am writing this report of training last week after the bad news about Simon Taylor and Brad Sewell’s injuries from the weekends game. But during the week there was excitement that the man, I like to call “The Factor”, Clinton Young rejoined the main group for parts of training. There is a still a long way to go for Young to return to the team, but it at least is positive news.

So the injury to Taylor (4 months) will mean its almost certain that Wade Skipper will be upgraded and it will probably mean that KT (Jarrod Kayler-Thomson) will also get upgraded along with Garry Moss. To my calculation there could be one more spot and that might be a battle between Carl Peterson and Luke “Punky” Breust. (a few more photos available here).

Protected: Video from Training

Mollyfud — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:39:12 +0000

Photos from NAB Cup, Round 2 vs Bulldogs

Mollyfud — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:55:46 +0000

So we didn’t quite Perform the way we hoped, my feeling is that the Hawks had a younger side then the Dogs. Some good signs from some of the young players (including KT and Straton). Don’t forget that you can checkout other photo galleries in the pages above under “Photo”. Enjoy and Go Hawks!

Video – Luke Hodge interview From Hawks Family Day, 2010

Mollyfud — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:19:08 +0000

Sam Mitchell had to leave the day early as he had Baby Classes to attend. Luke Hodge had a brief interview and here it is:

Video – Jeff Kennett’s speech From Hawks Family Day, 2010

Mollyfud — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:41:42 +0000

As always happens, Hawks President, Jeff Kennett gave a speech at the start of the Official Presentation session at the Hawthorn Family day 2010. Here it is:

Video – Jumper Presentation (part 2) From Hawks Family Day, 2010

Mollyfud — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:30:27 +0000

Here is the rest of the Jumper presentation video (First Video here):

Video – Jumper Presentation From Hawks Family Day, 2010

Mollyfud — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:06:04 +0000

This is the first in the group of videos from the Hawks Family Day 2010. This first video is the first 44 players recieving there jumpers. They did a nice thing were they had a member that had been to every MCG game presenting the player with their Jumper and the fan got the players training top. More videos to come (Second half of the presentation here):

Teams – Squad for NAB Cup Round 2, 2010 vs Bulldogs

Mollyfud — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:41 +0000

After a good performance in Round 1 against the Tigers, w should have a harder task against the Dogs in round 2. The 3 guys likely to come into the side that interest me most are Sam Grimely (Ruckman and sneaky backman option), Josh Gibson after moving to the Hawks from the Roos in the offseason and Carl Peterson, Second year rookie that is impressing many at training and could be a smokey in fantasy terms especially if Hooper and Rioli are missing with injury. Anyway, here is the side:

2. Jarryd Roughead
3. Jordan Lewis
4. Rick Ladson
5. Sam Mitchell
6. Josh Gibson
8. Xavier Ellis
12. Brad Sewell
13. Simon Taylor
14. Grant Birchall
15. Luke Hodge
17. Beau Muston
18. Brent Guerra
19. Jarryd Morton
21. Shane Savage
23. Lance Franklin
25. Ryan Schoenmakers
26. Liam Shiels
27. Stephen Gilham
28. Garry Moss
29. Tom Murphy
30. Campbell Brown
31. Matthew Suckling
35. Sam Grimley
36. Jordan Lisle
39. Ben Stratton
43. Will Sierakowski
45. Jarrod Kayler-Thomson
47. Luke Bruest
48. Carl Peterson.

Audio:Our Presidents thoughts on Free Agency

Mollyfud — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:22:15 +0000

Earlier this week, the AFL and AFL Players Association, during a joint press conference, announced the 2012 would see the introduction of Free Agency.

The plan involved (as a basic summary) the unrestricted ability for a delisted player to pick his own new club, the middle tier of players to also pick there own club and the top 25% earners at a club to sign with a new club but the original club can match the offer either forcing the player to stay or go into the draft.

Well its fair to say, like me, our president, Jeff Kennett was not a fan of either the rule brought in or the process that saw it come in. You can check out what he had to say on the Hawks web site by clicking here.

Also I have linked our to audio of Jeff talking to Kevin Bartlett on Melbourne radio station, SEN.

Round 2, NAB Cup 2010 – Hawks vs Western Bulldogs

Mollyfud — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:45:59 +0000

Second round of the NAB Cup sees our might Hawks take on last years preliminary finalist, The Bulldogs. Last time we played them, they flogged us at the dome. Also in this 2nd round game last year, we had the key injury for the year of Gilham. Lets hope for another good game and a good win!

My thoughts on NAB Cup win over Tigers

Mollyfud — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:46:24 +0000

Thought I would add some points from our Round 1 NAB Cup 2010 win against the Tigers.

Lots of non-Hawker fans are saying don’t get excited about Buddy’s performance against the Tigers as they aren’t that good. There is some truth to that but I think the most exciting thing that I saw from Buddy was his straight kicking. He kicked (from my count) 5 from 5 set shots. Also (and I noted it from a video of training a week before) that he seems to be running in for his set shots a lot straighter then previous years. So far, its seems to be working. Lets see how it goes when he gets more pressure on him!
The Hawks seem to have decided that our rucks might not be dominatant enough and have decided that using the tactic of Third man up is going to help out in this area. Main guy for this task seems to be Jordan Lewis. In saying this, the rucks were solid and (as others have noted) were rarely caught behind. I am no footy expert but I wonder if this helps the thirdman up if the hawks control the front of the ruck contest?
Still on ruck work. Was intersested to see Roughy in the ruck. He seem him work a little on it. After hearing Clarko talk about it late in the year last year, I have a funny feeling that he wants a mobile ruck option and Roughy could be it if Dowler/Schoenmaker can play as the second forward and if Wade Skipper doesn’t come along (have a feeling he is also thought to be that mobile ruckman).
I have long thought that one of our weakness (and it could be a factor of the Cluster) is the lack of a good tagger. Sewell did it for a while but I think we have a beauty in the making in Liam Shiels! Did a really good job on Deledio and even did a fair job on Sammy Mitchell in the intra-club. He has the tank to go with most in the league and it will be a great education for him
(This is pretty obvious) Mossy loves a goal! He could move into the midfield but just leave him up forward!

So that are my thoughts. Just as a bonus, here is the highlights off the game.

Training Photos – 17 Feb 2010 – Burgoyne joins Main Group

Mollyfud — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:45:52 +0000

After the good NAB Cup Round 1 win over the Tigers (I hope to write up my thoughts soon) the boys returned to Melbourne and back at training. Their were some extra guys in the rehab group from the game (Franklin, Mitchell and Gilham to name a couple) but shouldn’t be too much worries on these guys. The good news was the guys that were in the main group (for the first hour of training that I saw anyway). The guys I was excited to see most were 3 new guys and one young guy that we haven’t seen a lot of. Josh Gibson, Rhan Hooper and Shaun Burgoyne along with second year rookie, Carl Peterson (who is looking lean). I am trying something different with the photos. I will include some photos here and then there is about 100 of them on the following page that you can check out. On these posts I try not to have too many of the same player where as on the Page there are some players that there are many photos of (Shaun Burgoyne just to name one). Here are the photos:

Squad for NAB Cup Round 1, 2010

Mollyfud — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:24:45 +0000

Shane Savage - One to watch in Round 1 of 2010 NAB Cup

The boys will be having an Open Training tomorrow morning before heading out to Tassie to take on the Tigers in the opening Round of the NAB Cup. Here is the Squad:

2 Jarryd Roughead
3 Jordan Lewis
4 Rick Ladson
5 Sam Mitchell
6 Josh Gibson
8 Xavier Ellis
12 Brad Sewell
13 Simon Taylor
14 Grant Birchall
15 Luke Hodge
16 Beau Dowler
17 Beau Muston
18 Brent Guerra
19 Jarryd Morton
21 Shane Savage
23 Lance Franklin
25 Ryan Schoenmakers
26 Liam Shiels
27 Stephen Gilham
28 Garry Moss
30 Campbell Brown
31 Matthew Suckling
36 Jordan Lisle
39 Ben Stratton
42 Wayde Skipper
43 Will Sierakowski
45 Jarrod Kayler-Thomson
47 Luke Breust

The boys I am most looking forward to seeing are:

Josh Gibson – One of the two prize recruits (along with Shaun Burgoyne). How goes Gibson might be how goes the Hawks. Brad Sewell claimed that he will be playing Full Back this year. May not actually play.
Shane Savage – Like what he has done both late last year and in the last two training sessions I have been too. Could be a Smokey to make the Round 1 side v Melbourne
The Cobbler (Ryan Schoenmakers) – One of the players with the most excitement around him this year from the Hawks faithful. With Croad’s retirement, big things are hoped from him. Would be suprised to see him wear the 24 by the start of 2011.
Liam Shiels – Another Popular player. Has finished school and word is that he is killing it on the track, leading all the runs. With his outstanding fitness, could find himself as the Hawks number 1 tagger this year.
Matthew Suckling – Another fan fav for his work at Box Hill last year. Great kick and that is something that the Hawks coaches love.
Wade Skipper – Sneaky chance for round 1 with the burns to Brent Renouf. I have a strange feeling that Clarko is a big rap for the mobile ruckman and he should be on all DreamTeam and SuperCoach Benches!
Rick Ladson – Back from injury and another Fantasy hot item. Has been talk that he is injured but has looked good in the last few weeks.

Who are you looking forward to seeing? Comment below!

Don’t forget to checkout the article on the Hawks site: “Pre-season Report: New faces”

Audio – Brad Sewell’s Interview with 3AW 10-02-10

Mollyfud — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:07:44 +0000

The man some Hawks think could be in for a tilt at the Brownlow if all goes well for the Hawks was on 3AW Sports Today the Wednesday 10th Feb 2010. Discussed the Hawks better fitness base, some of the new players and other matters!
Enjoy

Training Photos – 10 Feb 2010 – Where is everyone?

Mollyfud — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:41:59 +0000

Got down to training this morning. Really enjoyed seeing the drills this morning. A few boys stepped it up and others in the rehab group. Unfortunately won’t be at Open training Friday before they go to Tassie for the NAB Cup opener against Richmond (if anyone does and wants to share commentary/photos, let me know, would love to put them up).

Enjoy the photos below! Who looks good. Don’t hesitate to comment below (have made it easier but will moderate to stop spam).

Hawthorn’s Intra-club Match – 5th Feb 2010

Mollyfud — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:10:10 +0000

Wander down to Waverly this morning and what did we find but a bit of a hitout for the Hawks. It was like the good old days at Waverly with misty rain rolling in (not too windy though) so the skills weren’t as good as you would expect in the dry. There were players missing but most of the team was out there (as you can see from the photo below taken after the 1st Quarter). Enjoy. Also, if you wanted to name players in photos at the bottom of the post, would be very helpful for me and others! GO HAWKS (and make sure you are Proud, Passionate and (most important) Paid up)!

Training 1/2/2010 – What’s your decision

Mollyfud — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:39:35 +0000

Went down to Waverly today on my way to other things and thought that there was no chance of training as the community camp in Tassie was meant to start toady (Monday). To my suprise the guys were training and in fact had a guest down there. There guess was an AFL Umpirer present. He addressed the team and then addressed the forwards. After they did this, the forwards split up in to groups of two with players kicking it to the other two for a contest with the Umpirer watching on. Most of the photos are from this training were of these contests but some others are here including a sticked together Photo of the group. On to the Photos:

Audio: Johnny Barker interview on SEN

Mollyfud — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:36:33 +0000

SEN’s Drive program, The Run Home with David Schwarz & Francis Leach have been doing previews of the up coming AFL season by interviewing someone from each club. They got to the Hawks recently and the man they interviewed was Johnny Barker. I thought it was a really good interview where Barks gave up enough for the fans without giving up to much inside information. Talked about the troubles last year. Talked about players on the rise and thoughts on where players where going. Enjoy!

Training 27/1/2010 – Its been a while for me!

Mollyfud — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:29:31 +0000

After life (i.e. family committments) had prevented me from getting to training, I was able to get down for 30 odd minutes of training this morning. My son (Patrick) and I were down at Waverly for a training kickoff about 9:30am, with players coming down in two waves (including Hodge sneaking down late (see photo below)). One of the nice sights to see and hear is Max Bailey taking a very active role in the rehab group (okay, I mean I would rather him not in the rehab group but you know what I mean)! Anyway, I am sure your not here for my report, there are better around, on with the photos!

Hawks 2010 Family Day at Waverly Park

Mollyfud — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:49:14 +0000

The Hawks will be holding their annual Family day on the 28th of February 2010. They are helping to overcome the parking problem that large events at Waverly have by running a shuttle bus service from Monash Uni. Activities on the day include live entertainment including Bob the Builder for the kids, Skills and drills with the players, face painting, spinning wheel and of course, Hawka!
At 2:30pm the players will be introduced to the crowd and there will be speachers by coach Alastair Clarkson, Captain Sam Mitchell and I am sure, Jeff Kennett!
For more information, please check out the clubs page!

HawksTV – Chris Pelchen’s review of Drafted players

Mollyfud — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:37:36 +0000

Here is video of Chris Pelchen talking about the players we drafted.

Enjoy

Our 2009 AFL NAB Draft Picks

Mollyfud — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:11:51 +0000

Here are the Players that the Hawks have picked up:

Pick	Player	From
39	Sam Grimley	Northern Knight
46	Benjamin Stratton	East Perth
57	Jordan Williams	Bendigo Pioneers
58	Rhan Hooper	Brisbane Lions (AFL)
69	Taylor Duryea	Murray Bushrangers
70	Matt Suckling	Promoted Rookie

Matt Suckling

Benjamin Stratton

Jordan Williams

Rhan Hooper

Taylor Duryea

Training 25/11/2009 – More Running

Mollyfud — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:04:07 +0000

Second post form the 25th November 2009. Mostly running although there is one of Jordan Lewis doing kicking practice. Not sure the reason for this as its the second time that while the rest of the group ran, he was doing kicking practice. Amoungst the photos is one of Wade Skipper, formerly of the Bulldogs, who is hoping to be picked up in todays draft. From the phantom drafts that have come out, it appears he might be waiting for the Rookie draft to be picked up as a Mature Aged Rookie.

Campbell Brown and Lance Franklin

Matt Suckling

Thomas Murphy and Garry Moss

Wade Skipper

Liam Shields

Jarrod Roughead and Luke Hodge

Riley Milne

Beau Muston, Grant Birchall and Ryan Schoenmakers

Brad Sewell and Xavier Ellis

Jarrod Lewis

Training 25/11/2009 – Main Session

Mollyfud — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:24:31 +0000

Another open session this morning. I got there after 10:30am and the team was involved in a match simulation. I was asked by the coaching staff not to video it, so no video this week. But a couple of photo posts (and perhaps a music video style video of the photos). Hope you enjoy. The man that seems to be attracting a lot of interest and excitement at the moment is young backman, Ryan Schoenmakers

Ryan Schoenmakers

Simon Taylor battling draft hopefull, Dean Putts (thanks to all those that pointed it out!)

Rick Ladson

Jarrod Roughead

The Man, Lance “Buddy” Franklin

Cyril “Junior” Rioli

Trent Croad doing rehab drill

New recruit Shaun Burgoyne doing a Rehab Excerise that involved walking down the stairs to the ground on the side, balance beam style!

Part of the ground coming off to get ready for there running session

Another rehab participant, Cameron Stokes, now out of the sling

Carl Peterson (rookie list) and Noble Park’s own, Shane Savage

Riley Milne (rookie list)