So final game for the day...
General - Real back and forth game, ball just pinging between the 50s with a lot of long kicks to contests and then just frenzy at ground level with quick hands everywhere. Was actually pretty decent, definitely better to watch than the zero tackle Swans/Lions game (outcomes aside!).
Bombers - Bad kicking is bad football and their bad kicking let the Hawks have a sniff at least, Jones and Hooker should have both kicked all their chances and to get only one of the 5 (not even counting a couple that didn't score) was ultimately a pretty big difference. Lot of their I50 were not good either, especially in the 1st quarter.
McGrath - Everywhere, just worked super hard and the ball just kept finding him. Liked him as a sneaky choice but was never really on my radar, maybe he should have been. Another who should benefit from the rule changes.
Merrett - If only all the quarters could be odd numbered? Basically scored 100 in 2 quarters and next to nothing in the other two. Got stuck on the bench for way too long for an established senior player, he probably benefited from being on the bench for pretty much all of the Hawks goals in the 3rd, was actually fascinating to watch the assault and just wonder "where is their best player" as you watch his TOG% just dropping the whole time and get the answer.
Caldwell - Ratio seemed pretty damn brutal to me, like really brutal. Would be happy if I picked him on the back of that, role was there and he scored well in DT while playing what felt more of a SC style. He looked like a solid 90s chance.
Hind - His ratio also pretty harsh but it also felt like he missed a lot of targets that were pretty costly so it kind of made sense. Played really well but does need to better balance the attacking run with the defensive as it was his man that seemed to get free a few times.
Ridley - Chose the right quarter to do all his work in the last, genuinely invisible for a lot of the night, especially with the Hawks basically not missing until the last. Have to be happy with that score. Still feels like it's going to be a hard season for intercept marking as the 3rd man with the ball moving between 50s so fast. Good thing he's such a good kick and taking all the kick-ins though
Heppell - Really solid game, did fade as it went on but would be happy anyone who picked him.
Shiel - Definitely a bit more forward to allow Caldwell more minutes.
Draper - Moves so well for his size, was solid.
Langford - Got stuck on the wing basically and not a lot to show for it.
Jones - Solid game, kicks straight and he probably scores 80+. Impressive mover and will be a solid cow if he keeps playing like that.
Cahill - Actually played quite well, not from a fantasy perspective but in the real stuff, had a 30 second period where he made a couple of bad mistakes but was otherwise really solid defensively. We don't care about that though so it's a poor outing for fantasy. Don't see any reason he should be out of the team unless Rutten is trying to send messages for the collapse and even then wouldn't make sense as he was one of the better finishers for them. Still not ideal!
Cox - Report should be nothing, kind of awkward bump where his untucked arm flailed into the head, would have thought it was not sufficient impact, if it was it should be low and probably should be a strike. His moments were great, just nowhere near enough of them which is going to be his issue. Might be a case where wingers aren't going to do so well as teams just bypass them altogether. Probably enough for both those with and without to be happy with their choices...
Hawks - Stole the win, have to be happy with that, definitely a lot more competitive than I expected, joys of having a good coach!
Mitchell - There is always an exception to the rule, everyone else with a bad preseason has made a bad start and then Mitchell just comes out and runs everyone into the ground. Monster game and especially 2nd half by him.
Day - Was everywhere down back. He is the early breakout contender, that's for sure. Basically looked like Ridley at the other end only more prolific and moving better... It's clear who the Hawks wanted the ball in the hands of the most.
McEvoy - Was solid, good work around the ground and was more involved than other rucks have managed, showing there is hope. Weird season where the rucks in shares who get rested forward are doing better than the sole rucks...
Phillips - I don't know why he was wearing 21 and it really threw me off after he wore 16 all preseason and I have no idea when the change happened but he was really solid. Nothing special but anyone who picked him will have seen plenty to be happy about at his price. Just a rock solid game where he did a bit of everything and even used it well.
Moore - His 3rd quarter was absurd. The rest of the game almost nothing. Still, the ability to score I believe 60 points in a quarter is pretty special.
Impey - Solid but unspectacular. Exactly what anyone picking him would have expected tonight, basically that's what you want each week with the odd 85+ type game thrown in and then cash out.
Worpel - Just not good when Mitchell plays it seems. Was a different player in the preseason in the main role. Needs to find ways to contribute as something other than that role because, quite frankly, Mitchell is flat out better at it.
Jiath - Same as Impey basically, he's got some flash though and is going to break some ankles this year.
Brockman - Did some nice things, ratio seems pretty harsh but I guess the clangers stack up... Hard to see him getting dropped after kicking a couple and did more than enough in a win. The score is a bummer though!
Kosi - Really solid outing for him, had a couple of chances to goal that he needs to take but if he can post 50s and then an 80 when he goals, that's the job done.