View Full Version : Josh Hunt
chapmanmagic35
20 Mar 2006, 21:31
As much as I love the guy, I feel that under pressure he is a bit suspect.
Does anyone agree?
jess_555
20 Mar 2006, 21:39
His done a few bad underpressure kick outs but I'd say nothing to get worried over. I'm sure as time goes on he will be able to adapt to the pressure of some of the high pressure games the cats face. He got the most improved player in 2005 and I think he can improve even more his only 24 (i think). :)
LongBomb
20 Mar 2006, 21:49
Disagree.
He has a damn tough gig and I think he keeps a cool head nearly all of the time.
Disagree.
He has a damn tough gig and I think he keeps a cool head nearly all of the time.
Yeah what he said! ^^^^^^
Turbocat
20 Mar 2006, 22:06
Im not convinced he is a natural defender,at leats not on the last line. I dont question his composure when given time, he hits targets better than most. He is not good when swamped close quarters.the Port Adelaide final, the Swans Final , the Crows final all saw mistakes which cost goals
thehoff
20 Mar 2006, 22:40
Yeah, totally agree. The guy fails under pressure big time. Saturday night was a prime example of this. The 9 pointer from 60m out to put us back in the game was just a total choke. Shocking effort Josh. Shame on you!
You guys are a joke. His man, in 1 games kicks a few goals and all of a sudden his skills are suspect!
You guys should really look elsewhere for someone to blame.
This is a team game and Josh's efforts for the past couple of seasons have been sensational. Stop trying to place blame on his shoulders for the Sydney loss. There were several other key factors throughout 120 minutes (not 15 minutes i.e. Nick Davis). Many others situations contributed to that loss. Amazingly, Josh had very little to do with these.
Stop dwelling people, move on. There are alot of 'what ifs' in football. Bottom line, Josh lives to play football for Geelong. He is a true clubman, he is commited, he is hard at the ball, has sublime skills and would always put himself in the firing line for the sake of his team mates and to benefit his team.
Find another scapegoat!
chapmanmagic35
21 Mar 2006, 10:06
You guys are a joke. His man, in 1 games kicks a few goals and all of a sudden his skills are suspect!
I never said his skills are suspect in general. He is probably the best 'kick-out' in the AFL.
You guys should really look elsewhere for someone to blame.
Someone to blame? I'm not trying to blame anyone for anything. Just an observation.
This is a team game and Josh's efforts for the past couple of seasons have been sensational.
Yes, they have been. He has improved out of sight and he's now a regular.
Stop trying to place blame on his shoulders for the Sydney loss. There were several other key factors throughout 120 minutes (not 15 minutes i.e. Nick Davis). Many others situations contributed to that loss. Amazingly, Josh had very little to do with these.
What? We aren't blaming him for it. I never have and never will. There were several other key factors, correct.
Stop dwelling people, move on. There are alot of 'what ifs' in football. Bottom line, Josh lives to play football for Geelong. He is a true clubman, he is commited, he is hard at the ball, has sublime skills and would always put himself in the firing line for the sake of his team mates and to benefit his team.
I'm not dwelling about anything. Of course he is a clubman and he loves his club, but what has that got to do with the topic of this thread? Nothing. My point was that Hunt has a tendency to panic when he's under real pressure.
Find another scapegoat!
Scapegoat for what?
It's okay to criticise players once in a while. I like Hunt and I think he's a good footballer, but that doesn't mean you have to get jumpy when we say one critical thing about him.
LifeSpan-Void
23 Mar 2006, 20:38
Hunt is a great defender, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him played across half forward more frequently. His kicking into 50 will scare the crap out of a lot of defenders.
Renegade
23 Mar 2006, 20:43
Josh seems to make pretty good decisions i feel. He seems to have cut down on trying to be too cute with his passes and makes the right decision more often than not.
Unwritten_Law
23 Mar 2006, 21:59
Hunt went from the MOST effective kick in player in 04 to the LEAST effective kick in player in the competition in 05 and in the process takes over the record for the most clangers from kick ins, 15, in a single season EVER.
Hunt misses Sando, he is not a #1 small defender.
catattack
23 Mar 2006, 22:23
In terms of his alround decision making, he is great. Vastly improved from a couple of seasons ago - and that comes from confiedence and experience.
All the Geelong defenders are composed and resolute – a testament to the hard work that they have done together with back's coach McCartney. Egan, Rooke, Hunt, Slade and the like are all very inexperienced when you consider the circumstances on Saturday night - and they looked nearly unflappable (apart from a sluggish adaption period at the start).
I admire the composure of all of them. I would struggle to see any defensive unit as composed and less likely to make an error under pressure than Geelong’s defence.
Mr Sensitive
23 Mar 2006, 22:36
Because hunt is our kick in specialist and because his kicking is so well regarded I think any error he makes tends to get blown out of proportion. Overall I wouldn't say he cracks under pressure at all in terms of kicking... however I do have some doubts over whether he has the capacity to mark a quick small forward ala Jeff Farmer... Hopefully if our backline stays fit, Josh will be able to push up the ground where he will be able to deliver his laser kicks on to the chests of our key forwards and put the fear of god into opposition defences.
catattack
23 Mar 2006, 22:47
Mr. Sensitive, I have been a huge advocate of seeing Josh used as an impact player in the middle and around the half forward line. He has been used in this capacity before and it has been used to advantage.
He was a forward in his junior days and his penetrating kicks are conducive to beating flooding tactics with quick, long ball movement. Imagine a flood being implemented around the half forward line, and instead of bombing into that congestion, Hunt receives from 70 and launches one over the pack to the top of the goal square.
Strong hands Magee
24 Mar 2006, 08:29
I would rather see D Johnson on the last line and Hunt on the wing with the aim of floating upforward and letting a few rip from 60m out.
Partridge
24 Mar 2006, 08:38
... however I do have some doubts over whether he has the capacity to mark a quick small forward ala Jeff Farmer...
I think he's up to it. First semifinal v Melbourne last year, absolutely slaughtered Aaron Davey. The only time Davey got a touch was when Hunt was off the ground early in the 2nd quarter.
Agree about him pushing up the ground though, would be a nightmare for a defender to see him running towards the 50.
Hunt misses Sando, he is not a #1 small defender.[/QUOTE]
There may be a little something in that idea - but Wojcinski's impending return may take some of the pressure off Hunt to take out the quickest/best opposition small forward each week. Having said that, Hunt is obviously a valuable member of the team - they can't all be as cool and composed as Scarlett out of the backline...
There may be a little something in that idea - but Wojcinski's impending return may take some of the pressure off Hunt to take out the quickest/best opposition small forward each week.
I would have suggested Wojcinski to be inferior in all the forementioned qualities Hunt arguably lacks (not that he does to such an extent in my books).
Plays far too loose to be the number one small defender - would be a downgrade over Hunt if anything. That's not as much of a knock on Woj as it could be; I just think he's better suited coming off the flanks and playing down the wings. Play to his strengths.
thehoff
24 Mar 2006, 11:05
I would have suggested Wojcinski to be inferior in all the forementioned qualities Hunt arguably lacks (not that he does to such an extent in my books).
Plays far too loose to be the number one small defender - would be a downgrade over Hunt if anything. That's not as much of a knock on Woj as it could be; I just think he's better suited coming off the flanks and playing down the wings. Play to his strengths.
Got to agree. I think Josh is is our number 1 small defender, closely followed by Dave Johnson.
Sando really did leave a significant gap but the boys will be able to cover that gap successfully.
Josh is a superstar.
The GFC are blessed with the amount of hardworking utilities we have: GAJ, Chapman, Hunt, Kelly, Enright, Milburn, Mackie, Corey, D. Johnson, Monica, etc.
Got to agree. I think Josh is is our number 1 small defender, closely followed by Dave Johnson.
As far as negating the opposition goes, DJ is far and away our best option (which speaks volumes of his rise from a fringe player to a clear-in 22'er).
Not to suggest Josh is incapable of guarding the top-flight small forwards, but with Rooke moving closer to the midfield, I think we can afford to let DJ spend more time in the backhalf. Steady's the ship.
I like Josh and yes he has made a blue or two when under pressure but who hasn't. He's done the job on most small forwards over the past few years including Milne, Davey ect but I also think the DJ has shown that he too could fill that void if necessary. I would hate to loose Hunt's ability to hit targets from defensive 50 but in the same breath I would like to see him play that Stuey Dew role on a forward flank. Perhaps that is why he appears to be a touch lighter that last year because they intend to push him forward or play him on a wing every now and then.
Monica would be in the same boat. Plays a lot more of a free flowing game and backs himself in alot of the time rather that trying to starve his opponent of possessions. His game against the bluebaggers in 04 showed that he has the ability to play onball or on a wing and create havoc. We really lacked his drive and run last year and I'm lloking forward to his return to the senior line up.
chapmanmagic35
24 Mar 2006, 16:27
I like Josh and yes he has made a blue or two when under pressure but who hasn't. He's done the job on most small forwards over the past few years including Milne, Davey ect but I also think the DJ has shown that he too could fill that void if necessary. I would hate to loose Hunt's ability to hit targets from defensive 50 but in the same breath I would like to see him play that Stuey Dew role on a forward flank. Perhaps that is why he appears to be a touch lighter that last year because they intend to push him forward or play him on a wing every now and then.
Monica would be in the same boat. Plays a lot more of a free flowing game and backs himself in alot of the time rather that trying to starve his opponent of possessions. His game against the bluebaggers in 04 showed that he has the ability to play onball or on a wing and create havoc. We really lacked his drive and run last year and I'm lloking forward to his return to the senior line up.
Monica provides great dash, no questions there but his disposal is still questionable to say the least.
thehoff
25 Mar 2006, 11:17
Perhaps that is why he appears to be a touch lighter
Josh himself told me that he is the heaviest he has ever been. He told me that he is 102kg (4 weeks ago), but was 104kg prior to playing intraclub matches.
However, i do believe he does look thinner and quicker this year. Maybe he's baulked up via the chest, shoulders and arms. Who knows?
cats2rise
25 Mar 2006, 14:46
I would rather see D Johnson on the last line and Hunt on the wing with the aim of floating upforward and letting a few rip from 60m out.
I would love to see a few more goals from him from 60m out. Great to watch.
He is not a natural defender but has progressed far beyond that what i thought he would have in this short space of time.
His legs are as big as tree trunks.
WestCat
26 Mar 2006, 15:45
Josh himself told me that he is the heaviest he has ever been. He told me that he is 102kg (4 weeks ago), but was 104kg prior to playing intraclub matches.
However, i do believe he does look thinner and quicker this year. Maybe he's baulked up via the chest, shoulders and arms. Who knows?
Maybe he's added some more muscle to his legs (if that's possible)?
With the comment about him missing Sando, I thought there were 2 differences in Josh's game from 04 to 05. First was what you mentioned, his kicking got worse, but the second is that his defensive game stepped up another notch. If he can combine his defensive game from 05 with his kicking game of 04, he'll be set as a top notch small defender in the AFL.
I know he had a few bad games defensively last year, but overall I thought he was great as the number 1 small defender. After about 5 rounds I thought he was a certainty to be AA, but he did have a few fade outs, I think he can put it all together this year.
chapmanmagic35
23 Apr 2006, 15:43
My point still stands, in relation to under pressure.
He is a good kick of the football, but gee he makes some odd decisions.
cats2rise
23 Apr 2006, 15:45
My point still stands, in relation to under pressure.
He is a good kick of the football, but gee he makes some odd decisions.
The main one that comes to mind is in the 2nd qtr he marked on D50m, and went to play on, was about to get caught and just booted it to the other side of the gorund on D50 to a one on one contest. If your gonna do that, at least boot it up the ground..
thehoff
23 Apr 2006, 19:13
My point still stands, in relation to under pressure.
He is a good kick of the football, but gee he makes some odd decisions.
Pressure like that gets to any player except someone like scarlo who just seems like his is always cruising in second.
A bit of talk on the field would also help the many mistakes that MANY players made yesterday.
thejester
23 Apr 2006, 19:42
I think the problem with Hunt last year was not necessarily that he bought the hype, but that everyone did. It suddenely became an expectation that he would always nail the moving target outside the 50 arc. How many times early in the season did you hear callers say 'And watch him kick this, it'll go 55m like a rocket!' Kicking long is always going to be fraught with risks, and Hunt is the type of player who is clearly going to take them. OK, sometimes it doesn't pay off. OTOH, he nailed some beauties in the last quarter yesterday. The one fault I would dearly like him to address is not riding his luck to far when he takes them on. The Port game is an obvious example of this, but yesterday was another: he fended off a Dogs players like he wasn't there, exhilirating stuff, but then didn't dish off and got caught.
Number21
23 Apr 2006, 19:51
I Thought Hunt was one of the worst players for us yesterday as rarely did he stop Murphy on the lead or when it was within spoiling range. He also just seemed to go to ground at the worst moments that lead to the Bulldogs getting a couple of cheap goals.
I Thought Hunt was one of the worst players for us yesterday as rarely did he stop Murphy on the lead or when it was within spoiling range. He also just seemed to go to ground at the worst moments that lead to the Bulldogs getting a couple of cheap goals.
He didn't have his best day yesterday, but was great last week IMO. I thought he was one of the only guys who won his position last week.
I was thinking who Scarlo would have played on yesterday if he was able to play, and Murphy was the obvious choice. Given the way they use Murphy, Hunt had the most dangerous job yesterday. So two weeks in a row he has been given the most dangerous forward in the opposition side. A big wrap for the kid, and I think he is 1 win 1 loss so far.
As for the decision making, he is improving, and yesterday he did make some mistakes, but without Scarlo so has everyone. For a guy who doesn't talk much Scarlo seems to have this calming effect on the rest of the backs. Not to mention his attacking runs, and the fact he doesn't get beaten. Even Egan's hands have turned to concrete in the last two weeks.
I think Hunt is going alright, and like all defenders gets better with experience.
ablettjnr
23 Apr 2006, 21:10
Josh has suffered because of the injuries in our backline. He is supposed to take their last forward, allowing him to pretty much do as he likes. He's not your traditional defender like Scarlett or Egan. He plays like a winger. Without our best backline, he has to take a better forward, but still has to play his creative role. He's put in a tricky position. When we have a full defence, he plays much better.
I can understand the 'Scarlett effect' on his defensive game, but what worries me more than that is his increasing hesitancy with the ball. He certainly looks the part of a general, with his insistence on directing traffic whilst the the ball is in his hands, but his resultant decisions and disposal really leaves much to be desired.
Call it a lack of a footy brain or just plain crap decision making, but he still has ways to go if both the team and himself are to reap the full benefits of his prodigious boot. Sometimes mindless bombing is the better option to a cute attempt at a pin-point pass.