Thoughts?

[Pornstar]

So far in 2003, only 5 ruckmen have managed 5 or more consecutive games of 20+ hitouts.

Michael Gardiner
Steven King
Matthew Clarke
Peter Everitt
David Hille

Hille has also kicked 12 goals this season, which ranks 3rd amongst the top 10 ruckmen in the league, behind Everitt and Stafford.

So what are your thoughts on him? I am fairly happy with his progression in the ruck, although personally i think his official hitout stats flatter him a little. He needs to improve his body work. He got bullied by Trent Knoble against the Saints.

I still think his best position is center half forward. We saw what he can do there against the Dogs - 22 disposals, 8 marks, 4 goals. He is good on the lead for a guy his size and he can take the contested grabs too. But with nobody else to take the ruck duties i doubt he'll get to play CHF much in the next few years.

[Darealrath]

I think he's coming along nicely - but like the team is lacking consistency, which is understandable for a young ruckman.

When he realises how big and strong he is and learns to have a physical presence then he'll be on his way.

At the moment i'd like to see him used with Ces, as i think Ces' ruckwork this year has been solid, and it would give Hille a chance to rest forward - where he seems at home.

btw that 20+ hitout stat is inflated because the last 5 weeks he's been pretty much the only ruckman, when most other clubs rotate 2.

[Pornstar]

Originally posted by Darealrath

btw that 20+ hitout stat is inflated because the last 5 weeks he's been pretty much the only ruckman, when most other clubs rotate 2. Alessio played in 2 of those 5 games and rucked for approximately 30-40% of the time. Geelong basically don't rotate anyone with King, and he's averaged 26 hitouts per game this season. Over the last 5 games Hille has averaged 23, despite rotating with Alessio for a significant period.

[topdon]

Ruckmen mature a lot slower than your run-of-the-mill footballer. At 21, Hille is coming along nicely. I'd say he is ahead of Fraser in terms of development and will become a better player, if not a better ruckman. People seem to forget that Hille didn;t play much football as a junior ... he played representative volleyball.

[pazza]

Hey Pornstar..going to let the Josh Fraser fans know those statistics?

[windyhill]

Loved him from day one. Rapt with his progress. Excellent around the ground, getting better at directing his tap outs. An absolute steal considering where we got him in the draft, brilliant work Dodoro. We are very lucky to have him , nearly died in a car crash.

[Pornstar]

24 hitouts, 17 disposals, 1 goal. Keep going big Windy! Like John said, not a bad swap for Andrew Ukovic - thank you CollingwoodFC.

He took mark of the night IMO, running into the pack and taking a Careyesque grab. Pity he couldn't convert though.

[bugman5]

He only cost us Ukovic? Hell getting Illija Grgic would have been a good swap for him.

Hille is having a great season, it would be good to give him some decent support though. Hes coming along nicely, and it would be great to have a long term dominant ruckman.

[bacon buster]

yep
love him
he'd be even better if he got the easy ones as well as the hard ones though ;)
could end up as one of the best ruckman/forwards in the league, as his contested marking is very good

[Rogue Bomber]

I wonder If O'keefe comes good and takes the No 1 ruck mantle... and Lay**** comes good and is able to do the key position forward thing... And Hille is good enough (actually perfect) for the CHF spot if he keeps learning and improving at the rate he is currently. I wonder where that leaves Lloyd??? Forward pocket maybe ;)

[Pornstar]

Here's a little food for thought:

Hille has just played his 6th consecutive game of 20+ hitouts. It took him 41 senior games to achieve this. Here's how this accomplishment stacks up against the elite ruckmen of the league:

72 games - Matthew Allan
85 games - Steven King
93 games - Matthew Primus
100 games - Michael Gardiner
100 games - Jeff White
110 games - Peter Everitt
110 games - Matthew Clarke

Looks very promising.

[Rogue Bomber]

Good post pornstar.

I didn't realise that the impact he is having was above average.

I wonder if David himself is aware of it.

I reckon all he needs is to believe he is capable of beating anyone he comes up against at every contest. A bit of confidence. And a desire to punish the opponents body. A bit of mongrel I think they call it.

[myTbombers]

Hille for something like his second yr of rucking at senior level is playing great footy. I love the fact that he can also kick a goal or two, something i think madden must have brought with him

good to see consistent ruckwork now...when he plays well we win u could say!