Did we Overrate the Hawks??
Posted by JBricMay 11. 2010 8:40 am
It has only taken seven round of the 2010 AFL season for the jury to be out on one of the leagues pre season favourites.
Hawthorn set the footy world alight in 2008 when they surprisingly showed up the more fancied Geelong to take out the Grand Final, and to go down as one of the most memorable premiership sides of the decade.
The next year they entered the season as flag favourites, and then failed to make the eight.
This year we see a repeat case.
But while many are saying it now, I ask the question, how did we overlook all their bad qualities to really think they were a genuine contender this year?
In 2009, the Hawks were a shamble. They struggled to beat sides they would have easily accounted for the year before, and they were happier to live in the shadow of their premiership selves than to actually test themselves.
We all thought this would change in 2010, but it hasn’t.
In fact, if anything, we are only starting to se more cracks in the side we once thought were invincible.
The flaws are obvious.
The side is too heavily dependant on Lance Franklin. It seems as soon as sides figured out how to shut him down, the Hawks were average.
Their backline does not have the depth it once used to, largely thanks to Trent Croad leaving.
And, the midfield doesn’t do enough.
Yes, they might have recruited Shaun Burgoyne this year, but he is yet to have an impact.
If there is one piece of advice to take out of the first few rounds this year, it is not to expect Hawthorn to make the eight.
Tags: coach, Essendon, football, footy, hawks, Hawthorn, John Michael Bric, sport
Filled under: Expert Analysis, Hawthorn
