View Full Version : No. 34 Simon Hogan
CatmanForever
4 Jun 2007, 22:54
http://gfc.com.au/portals/0/images/players/cats/Hogans_S_135x200.jpg
Simon Hogan
Fast Facts
Jumper No: 34
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 72 kg
DOB: 16 August 1988
Recruited From: Geelong U18
CatmanForever
6 Jun 2007, 16:08
Hogan out to join Corio heroes
10:56 AM Wed 6 June, 2007 | Back
By Jennifer Witham
for gfc.com.au
News
GEELONG recruit Simon Hogan's footballing career might have taken an entirely different path had it not been for last year's NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra.
The youngster forced everyone to take notice with a plethora of impressive results.
Hogan placed first in the repeated sprint, equal top in the beep test, second in the 3km time-trial, equal third in the 20m sprint, and fifth in the agility assessment.
"Before draft camp, I was hoping for a rookie list spot, or maybe a late draft pick," he said.
"The camp really helped me to show off my assets, and it really helped me a lot to get drafted. I was really lucky to get invited.
"I put a fair bit of pressure on myself because I knew I had to perform well up there to give myself more of a chance, but it was good fun. I met some good blokes and made some good friends, so it was a good time."
With his pre-season hampered by a groin complaint, Hogan has taken the slow route into his first year at the club.
The chance to play in the reserves and develop his slight 72kg frame is an opportunity Hogan is trying his best to make the most of, and believes he's learning every time he runs on to the field.
"I've learnt a lot more about how to position myself, and how to read the game," he said.
"Before I got to Geelong, I thought I knew a fair bit about reading the game, but when you play at this level, you realise there is a lot more to footy than you think.
"I'm trying to learn how to play against men when I've got a less-mature body, but I've learnt a lot of things I can use to improve my game – now I've just got to implement them."
Reserves coach Leigh Tudor said Hogan's maturity is reflected in his hard-working nature.
He also said the 18-year-old has endured few problems with making the transition from his home town of Warrnambool and under-18 footy, to living in Geelong and playing against experienced players.
"He's very easy to work with, and he comes in and goes through the video with me every week," Tudor said.
"You don't have to tell him the same thing twice. He picks it up very quickly, what you're on about, and he understands the game as well.
"He missed a fair bit of the pre-season with groin soreness, so as a first-year player, we've had to look after him a fair bit.
"He's up and playing games now, which is good, and he's started off playing out of the forward pocket and off the interchange bench, but now that he's started to get a lot fitter, in the last two games, he's been playing on the wing and the half-forward flank.
"He's just starting to get his body right now, and he's playing about 80 per cent of game time every week, so he's well and truly on the way. His work ethic is really good, and the players already really respect him for that."
Hogan didn't start to pursue a footballing career until late in his high school days, with another sport occupying his attention for much of his teenage years.
"I started playing when I was 10. I was more of a basketballer until I was about 15," he said.
"I was more focused on basketball, and then I switched over just in time. I decided I enjoyed footy more, a lot of my friends dropped out of basketball and went to footy, so I had more friends playing footy and I was starting to enjoy it more.
"I was never big enough to play basketball anyway."
He might not be playing senior football just yet, but he's relishing the opportunity he's been given at the club – and there's no place he'd rather be.
"It's been really enjoyable so far. It's a great club to be at, obviously as they're doing well at both AFL and VFL level," he said.
"I was injured over summer, so I had a pretty interrupted pre-season, but I'm starting to feel fit now and I've played the last five games, so I'm starting to build up to a bit more game time, as well as starting to get more involved in the games.
"It's good when we're winning. I'm really enjoying it."
http://gfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/3933/Default.aspx?newsId=44613
dtrainium
8 Jun 2007, 07:06
I really like this guy. He is a good user of the ball and seems to be a very mature player. Once he gets himself fit and understands the game a bit more, I think he'll really start to blossom and could be competing for a starting 22 spot this time next year.
I actually think it'll be awhile till we see him in the seniors.
His body will need Mackie-type hours in the strong room, and he'll struggle to win a spot in the senior rotations. The small forward gig will be tough, what with the rotation we have going right now, and he's down the pecking order for a midfield spot (not that his body would be ready, I would have thought).
He has handy pace though, and his skills are generally okay.
VFL - 9th June Report
Hoges was fairly good i thought today in the VFL. Has something about him, but just can't put my finger on it. Has great endurance and was pretty sneaky around the packs. Disposal let him down a bit
thejester
9 Jun 2007, 17:44
Got plenty of it, but to suggest his disposal let him down was the understatement of the year. It was atrocious, though no-one in the side did particularly well.
Not that it matters that much - he's only 18, IIRC. He'll make it in due time.
Got plenty of it, but to suggest his disposal let him down was the understatement of the year. It was atrocious, though no-one in the side did particularly well.
Not that it matters that much - he's only 18, IIRC. He'll make it in due time.
Yeah lol, was trying to be kind. He was drafted as an athlete rather than a footballer.
Hogan placed first in the repeated sprint, equal top in the beep test, second in the 3km time-trial, equal third in the 20m sprint, and fifth in the agility assessment.
The next year or two will really be development years, however the potential is there for him.
Metallica_Man
30 Jun 2007, 21:35
In the best in the VFL today, but is still the 2nd smallest player in the AFL. Hopefully he can keep building up, might become a handy player
equal best with tim houlihan in beep test at draft camp another impressive performance last week now really pushing selection