Pre-Game Pressure: AFL 2019 Rd 6: Carlton vs Hawthorn in Launceston

[Thryleon]

I thought the battle of the midfield looked reasonably even yesterday, however it was when the Handbaggers pushed forward that the real differences showed up.

I think Clarkson has the makeshift Dawks midfield well organised and any shortfall is a bit overstated.

Agree.

The difference between Hawthorn and Geelong yesterday was only related to class and experience.    When the game was in the balance, the likes of Gary Rohan, Gary Ablett, Harry Taylor , Dangerfield, Selwood, Luke Dahlhouse and co were the difference, and Hawthorn kept on coming.  Fair amount of grunt, class and premiership winning experience in that group.

Our fear factor from Hawthorn is as follows:

Paul Puopolo, Liam Shiels (test), Jarryd Roughead, Ben Stratton, Luke Breust, Isaac Smith Permiership players in 2012 and obviously still there.

Ben McEvoy, Jack Gunston, Shaun Burgoyne,  were the others still there that won a flag in 2014 and are still there.

Thats a fair chunk of experienced heads leading the way for the current group who managed a preliminary final last year.



Considering our issues lie in inexperience, and team synergy we are coming against perhaps the team that has the most consistent message from coach and leadership in the AFL competition at the moment, and take them lightly at your own peril.