View Full Version : Mitch Hahn
I saw a lot of mitch hahn play as a junior and in the local qld league, i am just wondering what the thoughts of the western bulldogs supporters are on him. I know i was dissapointed the lions did not pick him up. So please tell me what you think of him and what his strengths are and where u see his future at the club.
Westy Boy
23 Nov 2000, 02:44
Acuguy,
I was very suprised that the Lions didn't pick him up under the zone system y in 'their' comp, especially since, as a 17 year old, he was already playing seniors with the Northern Eagles (I think).
He had a fairly steep leanring curve this year. His was the first of our draftees from the past two years to get a game in the seniors, getting a call up mid season against the Swans, but hardly got any game time for a couple of weeks.
He had the match of his season against Carlton (when we had 5 kids with less than 15 games experience between them), where Mitch REALLY stepped up, and commentators were saying that they could see a game like that, (where so much was placed on his shoulders) being invaluable for the lad's development. He played the rest of the games for the season, but was injured for the final.
I expect him to play about 18-20 games next year, as he has had a very good grounding from which to work with. This may be quite optimistic, but Terry has put this youth policy in place, and you would expect he would follow through with it after seeing Hahn (and the other kids) doing consderably well during his matches, making him more inclined to select them in the future.
He doesn't have fantastic skills, but is a VERY strong mark, not overly fast, very solidly built (even before we drafted him), and very good height (188) for the type of player he is (we chose him to add height and strength to our midfield). I think he may developing on a half back flank next season, and I see a promising future for him if he keeps improving at this rate. IMO, He wont be a star, but one of those players who carves out a meaningfull career doing their job well.
BTW Acuguy- I was just wondering whether you could tell me how Mick Martin was progressing. I still rated him highly when we let him go. I know injuries got a hold of him this year, but if fully fit would you rank him in your first 22?
Mick Martin has struggled a fair bit with injury last season and it has continued into the preseason of this year, i was very happy when we drafted him, but at the moment he would struggle to get into my best 22 going on form of last year and new draftees, though in saying that, i would like to think a fully fit and confident martin would be in our best 22 as we all know he is a very good footballer
Disagree with Westy regarding how many games Hahn is likely to play only because I do not share his view on Wallace's supposed faith in juniors. Good all-round player who will probably be Kretiuk's understudy. Needs to work on his skills and have patience in a club not renowned for playing youth. Hahn,Penny, Wiggins and Murphy were forced into playing due to a growing injury list and because it really looked like the Doggies were going to miss the finals.
They all performed well in that game.
I do not think Brisbane could claim him because of the his club was greater than 70km from Brisbane and that they also claimed two players under the father and son option.
GEP
hahn played for north brisbane there base is at ocallaghan park about 10km from the city, the lions overlooked him and drafted cupido, brown and morrison.
Played one v good game this year v Carlton at OO and showed enough to have a future. Bit rough around the edges - his skill level could improve but he gives everything and is hard at it. Should play 10 games in 2001.