Interesting mic effects on that!
Past Ben Hudson (2012-2012)
- Thread starter Grimreepah
- Start date
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Ben Hudon 2012 End of Season Review
by matwt73
Senior games: 18
Dreamteam: 1295
Supercoach: 1673
Goals: 3
Club Best and Fairest votes: 18
Image (2012 preseason) courtesy of Mr Ripper
I reckon Ben Hudson will be a better recruit for the Lions than Mitch Clark for Melbourne and save about half a million dollars in the process."- Leigh Matthews
It's tempting to just leave it at that, after all Lethal has forgotten more about foortball than most of us will ever know. But for those from down south who would be tempted to pass the above quote off as Matthews stirring...
Best Laid Plans
It wasn’t meant to be this way, ‘the peoples beard’ was going to retire, and in retirement had agreed to earn some beer money, playing the occasional game for the Lions. We had an emerging elite ruck, and the top rated ruckman from the 2011 draft, Huddo would come in, knock’em around in training, toughen em up and maybe help out when we were playing a team with two genuine rucks. He wasn’t meant to be our number one ruck, and after Ben blew up early in the Carlton game (albeit after a six day break), it looked like that was a good thing.
But even in that game Hudson showed what he could offer. Outgunned, outjumped and out of breath, he kept battling all day, throwing his body into the stoppages, and giving a gobful to any blues players that got within earshot. If he looked passed his best, he also impressed as a willing worker, able to lift himself and his teammates.
When Luenberger went down with an Achillies injury in Round 3, and Longer with only one preseason under his belt, struggled in Fremantle it was up to Hudson to step up and carry the load. The fact that he did so effectively, is testament to his professionalism and the foresight of the lions recruiting staff.
Hudson ended up playing 18 games, and though ably supported by Merret, he was the sole ruckman in a majority of those matches.
By The Numbers
Stats rarely tell the full story, and Hudson’s numbers for 2012 were a perfect example.
The Brisbane Lions averaged only 34 Hitouts per game, 15th in the League. Hudson averaged, just over 25 per game which was 11th amongst those who could be described as their teams main ruckman. On occassion Brisbane were comprehensively beaten in the the clearances and the Lions finished 12th in Total clearances on the season. If a ruckman’s primary role is to consistently get first hands on the ball, and give his team mates first use, then the stats suggest Hudson didn’t have a stellar year.
Even by the numbers though there were some telling and compelling figures.
Hudson had a respectable 267 disposals over his 18 games. Not bad for a ruckman who was never going to be a huge ball winner around the ground. Perhaps most impressive was that 185 of those were contested possessions. That is 69%. Nearly 7 out of every ten touches Huddo got, was in the contest with the ball in dispute. To put that in perspective. Jack Redden’s CP percentage was 50% and Simon Black the past master of getting the ball out of the packs was at 48%. Granted Hudson's disposal efficiency was not great but he is after all a ruckman. Add to that his being fifth in total clearances for the club, and Hudson’s value in the engine room becomes all too clear.
The Bottom Line
The Brisbane Lions made significant improvements on the field in 2012. Whilst we reamain a young team, and were terribly inconsistent, we were able to win six more games than last year, and see increasingly positive signs from our young midfielders. To make that improvement without our number one Ruckman, is as good an explanation as any of Hudson’s impact.
Hudson was recruited as insurance, to be an experienced body and to be a mentor, teacher and a positive club man. If we judge a recruit purely on the basis of filling their role, Hudson was a better recruit than Mitch Clark. On that basis he was recruit of the year.
by matwt73
Senior games: 18
Dreamteam: 1295
Supercoach: 1673
Goals: 3
Club Best and Fairest votes: 18
Image (2012 preseason) courtesy of Mr Ripper
I reckon Ben Hudson will be a better recruit for the Lions than Mitch Clark for Melbourne and save about half a million dollars in the process."- Leigh Matthews
It's tempting to just leave it at that, after all Lethal has forgotten more about foortball than most of us will ever know. But for those from down south who would be tempted to pass the above quote off as Matthews stirring...
Best Laid Plans
It wasn’t meant to be this way, ‘the peoples beard’ was going to retire, and in retirement had agreed to earn some beer money, playing the occasional game for the Lions. We had an emerging elite ruck, and the top rated ruckman from the 2011 draft, Huddo would come in, knock’em around in training, toughen em up and maybe help out when we were playing a team with two genuine rucks. He wasn’t meant to be our number one ruck, and after Ben blew up early in the Carlton game (albeit after a six day break), it looked like that was a good thing.
But even in that game Hudson showed what he could offer. Outgunned, outjumped and out of breath, he kept battling all day, throwing his body into the stoppages, and giving a gobful to any blues players that got within earshot. If he looked passed his best, he also impressed as a willing worker, able to lift himself and his teammates.
When Luenberger went down with an Achillies injury in Round 3, and Longer with only one preseason under his belt, struggled in Fremantle it was up to Hudson to step up and carry the load. The fact that he did so effectively, is testament to his professionalism and the foresight of the lions recruiting staff.
Hudson ended up playing 18 games, and though ably supported by Merret, he was the sole ruckman in a majority of those matches.
By The Numbers
Stats rarely tell the full story, and Hudson’s numbers for 2012 were a perfect example.
The Brisbane Lions averaged only 34 Hitouts per game, 15th in the League. Hudson averaged, just over 25 per game which was 11th amongst those who could be described as their teams main ruckman. On occassion Brisbane were comprehensively beaten in the the clearances and the Lions finished 12th in Total clearances on the season. If a ruckman’s primary role is to consistently get first hands on the ball, and give his team mates first use, then the stats suggest Hudson didn’t have a stellar year.
Even by the numbers though there were some telling and compelling figures.
Hudson had a respectable 267 disposals over his 18 games. Not bad for a ruckman who was never going to be a huge ball winner around the ground. Perhaps most impressive was that 185 of those were contested possessions. That is 69%. Nearly 7 out of every ten touches Huddo got, was in the contest with the ball in dispute. To put that in perspective. Jack Redden’s CP percentage was 50% and Simon Black the past master of getting the ball out of the packs was at 48%. Granted Hudson's disposal efficiency was not great but he is after all a ruckman. Add to that his being fifth in total clearances for the club, and Hudson’s value in the engine room becomes all too clear.
The Bottom Line
The Brisbane Lions made significant improvements on the field in 2012. Whilst we reamain a young team, and were terribly inconsistent, we were able to win six more games than last year, and see increasingly positive signs from our young midfielders. To make that improvement without our number one Ruckman, is as good an explanation as any of Hudson’s impact.
Hudson was recruited as insurance, to be an experienced body and to be a mentor, teacher and a positive club man. If we judge a recruit purely on the basis of filling their role, Hudson was a better recruit than Mitch Clark. On that basis he was recruit of the year.
- Aug 10, 2005
- 46,545
- 42,486
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Hollow Knight
Imperfect vessel
- May 3, 2005
- 96,485
- 106,670
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- Scuderia Ferrari, Dallas Cowboys
Great news. One more Huddo year would be awesome.
Here's hoping he gets to spend more time in the NEAFL this time. Not that he wasn't wanted in the seniors, of course.
If he does play 2's more regularly, I look forward to more clearly hearing some of his feedback to opponents.
One game at Yeronga last season sticks in my memory. Classic.
Hollow Knight
Imperfect vessel
- May 3, 2005
- 96,485
- 106,670
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- Scuderia Ferrari, Dallas Cowboys
His very loud " Jesus!... how bad are these guys!" on-field remark vs the GWS reserves at Coorparoo was great too.
Karnezis_13
Norm Smith Medallist
The new "no-contact" ruck rule - can't imagine Huddo will be loving that! Positioning is a lot of his game at this age ... and how is he gonna dig the elbow in now
Grimreepah
BigFooty One Armed Man
- Thread starter
- #159
Fair thee well, oh bearded one. May your sledging continue for many a year in the NEAFL.
Ceebee
Norm Smith Medallist
You were not a Lion for long, but you were a wonderful one while we had you.
Enjoy your retirement big fella you have earnt it.
Enjoy your retirement big fella you have earnt it.
iBeng
Intentionally left blank
- Apr 3, 2012
- 58,148
- 66,409
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Great player and gave it his all for us this year. If we didnt have him, I suspect we would have had a few less then the 10 wins got.
In Huddo we trusted. In Huddo we won. Here's to the people's beard.
source?
Where is the source to Huddo's retirement?Wow that is more disappointing than I expected, but I could see it coming
iBeng
Intentionally left blank
- Apr 3, 2012
- 58,148
- 66,409
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Im curious about this to, youd think it would at least be on the Lions website by now...
Rally
All Australian
Having seen that Round 23 game again, it's heartbreaking how that shot for goal of his in the last couple minutes didn't carry the journey. The celebration would've been one for the ages.
Thanks for a great year Huddo.
Thanks for a great year Huddo.
iBeng
Intentionally left blank
- Apr 3, 2012
- 58,148
- 66,409
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
His goal celebration against Adelaide was the best.Having seen that Round 23 game again, it's heartbreaking how that shot for goal of his in the last couple minutes didn't carry the journey. The celebration would've been one for the ages.
Thanks for a great year Huddo.
Hudson set to retire again
October 29, 2012
Damien Stannard
October 29, 2012
Damien Stannard
BEN Hudson's AFL comeback is over.
The former Western Bulldogs and Adelaide ruckman is poised to announce his retirement, this time for good, a year after answering an SOS call from the Brisbane Lions.
The 34-year-old shelved retirement plans to join the Lions for the 2012 season and the surprise pick-up proved invaluable in the absence of No.1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger for most of the year
