Hale's time is almost up.Hawthorn hardly had a forward line when Hale played. He didn't impact the scoreboard and took one mark for the game. I think he's been struggling for the past few weeks but Hawthorn's overall superiority has masked it. In 11 games so far this season, Hale has averaged 9.6 disposals per game, which is his lowest since he joined the club back in time for the 2011 season (he averaged 10.2 disposals per game last season). More worryingly, given that Hawthorn is asking Hale to play as a forward-ruck, he is averaging just 2.3 marks per game, which is down from 3.5 marks per game last season.
Given he is now into his 30s and his body has taken a battering for the best part of 12 years, if I were on the selection committee, I would think long and hard as to which of the three ruckmen (I'll exclude Pittonet as he's too raw and inexperienced and Grimley because, well, he's Grimley) I would play on Saturday night.
Pittonet will be good but Hale stays on our list for 2016 as back up.
Cegs needs a crack this week.