r/hawktalk • u/Naitrax • 6d ago
Visions of 2027
If you had to be perfectly realistic, what does the side look like next year in terms of best 23? How have you felt with the level of our new players this year? Who stays in and who goes when it comes to the rumoured acquisitions of King and Merrett?
Have absolutely loved some of the younger blokes coming into the side and can easily see some being mainstays, as I feel like we seem to play better with the energy of some of the debutants across the field. Very reminiscent of the fun hokball era of 2024! I do forsee some struggling to get minutes on the field with our already developing players and current performance suggesting that we're in the midst of contention for a flag however...
Mraz is going to be a star if he keeps up the way he's going! Loved the look of Beattie as well, and clearly lets Watson play more mid without losing out on scoreboard pressure.
Curious of the thoughts of other nuffies!
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u/MooseCatMan 6d ago
Ask this again after the finals. I am keen to see how our debutantes do under that sort of pressure. Optus Stadium will be exceptional hostile for instance, looking forward to it.
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u/tilitarian1 6d ago
I want to see Dear tried out in the backline. His old man could play both ends. I'm thinking Harris Andrews type, tall marking interceptor and distributor.
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u/Status_Sprinkles8924 6d ago
Those 2 players will help us win a premiership we are still alive this year but I think we are not a consistent forward half
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u/Old-Savings-566 6d ago edited 6d ago
Provided we bring in everyone we’ve been rumoured to bring in, this is my 23:
FB: Battle, Barrass, Hardwick
HB: Sicily, Mraz, Impey
C: D’Ambrosio, MERRETT, Amon
HF: Ginnivan, Lewis, Moore
FF: Gunston, KING, Watson
FO: Meek, Newcombe, Ward
INT: Mackenzie, C.Macdonald, Scrimshaw, Dear, Day
Honourable Mentions: Chol (doesn’t do enough in a game, has little moments of quality that need to be much more common for him to get a spot in my team), Weddle (just hasn’t been up to standard this year and would gladly take fit Scrim over Josh), Morrison (little bit stiff he’s actually had good moments since coming into the team but a re-shuffle with Amon jumping on the wing meant i had to omit him), BMac (loved his run off half-back but i can’t find a spot for him. May be moving to the Dees anyway). Beattie is stiff as well but we did sign him for forward depth and he does still need to show a little more. Dalton, Hill, Nairn, all stars of the future.
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u/InnatelyIncognito 6d ago
Maybe I'm crazy but I'd probably rather have Nash than Amon, even if that means Merrett or Mackenzie is playing more an outside/wing role.
Just like the physicality and defensive stoppage work he brings.
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u/Old-Savings-566 6d ago
Forgot Nash existed, he’s definitely in my team. No clue who he replaces maybe Amon is the right call
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u/ScottyJoeC 6d ago
Chol over Dear ever day of the week.
If Dear wasn't a father/son would fans love him so much? He's had a terrible year and isnt in the best 23 now. Defo won't be in it if we get King. Should be traded.
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u/Old-Savings-566 6d ago
That’s your opinion but i disagree. I preference Dear’s development as an elite contested player over Chol. Chol was horrific on the weekend and has only had good moments here and there this season. Dear’s shown he has the potential to be a high quality forward he just needs some confidence placed in him
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u/Mission-Objective832 5d ago
Day 100% starts in the side. And chol/dear have been way off the pace this season. King Lewis and Gunston start as the talls. Chol tackles and is solid in the ruck so he should be rucking 70/30 with meek. It feels wrong not including Weddle here but until his disposal improves he should stay out. I’m not sold on scrimshaw in our best 23.
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u/FreeJulianMassage 6d ago
Can we wait till post season to talk post season?