I don't think there can be any correlation between Simpson and the Wellingham hit and his present form. He returned from injury for 5 games last year and posted outstanding statistics in two of them.

In 2012, Simpson had his highest number of below 20 possession games. In all games that he had less than 20 possessions (excluding the Collingwood Wellingham game) we lost. In 2011 he had 6 for the entire season including finals. So far in 2013 he's had one sub 20 and a 22 possession game.

I believe clubs have progressively invested more time in stopping Kade Simpson, because when he gets plenty of the ball, he is a guy that lifts the team and relieves pressure on his constituents. He's also someone that can wrestle back momentum through his 1% actions. It's one of the things Hawthorn have always done really well, and I believe other teams have cottoned on. With Murphy and Carrazzo out last year, the focus would have been entirely on Simpson and Judd

I've always battled to determine whether we play well when Simpson plays well, or Simpson only plays well when we do.

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"I had to eat"

Thanks for the stats Tek. Can't really argue with those. Maybe it just seemed to me like he was struggling since that game. I think your right about your observations in that rival clubs have put more time into curtailing his influence.

That's a fair point... I recall on several occassions Simpson has injected a lift in the team through some individual brilliance.

I don't think he's a one way running player, but his stats don't lend weight to my belief (hope?).

Simpson - T (3), CP (11) UP (29)

In comparison

Judd - T (5), CP (28) UP (23)
Gibbs - T (9), CP (23), UP (31)
Carrazzo - T (8), CP (18), UP (28)
Murphy - T (6), CP (25), UP (18)
McLean - T (4), CP (9), UP (16)

Actually those stats paint a picture of not working hard enough for Simpson.

Actually in looking at the stats and in particular the Quarter by Quarter breakdown from the Pies game, two players stand out in the last quarter of letting their opponent get on top.

The most obvious was Bell, who had his lowest effective quarter of the game, and Sidebottom his opponent had his highest effective quarter for the game including kicking a goal.

The second was Robinson who had three solid quarters and went completely missing in the last to the point of invisibility.

Yarran and Rowe were the other two. Yarran in particular had a negative impact quarter in the last.

Tighten these things up, and we will beat Geelong.

Well his jaw should be safe enough now.

Your right there BigKev. Maybe thats his plan.

GEELONG
In:Steve Johnson, Jordan Murdoch
Out: James Kelly (calf), Mitch Brown

CARLTON
In:Aaron Joseph, Shaun Hampson, Dylan Buckley, Heath Scotland
Out: Jeremy Laidler, Levi Casboult, Tom Bell, Josh Bootsma

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Team?

You're talking about young guys who will show some improvement through the year and years but aren't there yet for whatever reason.

I think its going to be a year of that somehow.

So far
Casboult has played 2 in a row
Bootsma has played to in a row
Rowe played 1
Hampson played 1

and you've spotted Watson White and McCarthy then there's also Mitchell.

This is all before Waite gets back in.

It is going to be an up and down trial and error year for our talls.
Hopefully 2 of yhem want it bad enough they make a KP spot their own.

Its a year of patience and it will take a lot of luck for us to win the flag let alone make the top 4.

This week's selections will tell us a bit about whose in line.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Bucks!

Well done Dylan!!!

Joseph must be coming in to handle one of he small forwards.

yes !!

Bell??

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"I had to eat"

Bucks in the team .....

I remember his dad laying out Malthouse many years ago now

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"IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARED TO FAIL" - Mark Spitz

Thought Bell would get another run, was he that bad?

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Happy Days Are Here Again!!

He was in the last quarter.

I don't love those changes

Gone for a bit of speed at Etihad.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Can't argue with any outs.