Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Pick 18, Josh Weddle

[Strapping Young Lad]

Sam says Blicavs…

 

[Roger Rogerson]

There are so many possibilities with Weddle. Sometimes I see a Rance, breaking lines from full-back, sometimes a rampaging Dipper creating havoc on the wing and sometimes a Bontempelli/Fyfe/Buckenara alternating between half forward and midfield.

The Rance one is the dream. As others have noted his body work is not there yet in aerial contests and hasn't yet shown a knack to be an effective one out deep defender. Was shown up multiple times which is fine for a first year player. But his athleticism and size make him a big chance of getting him up to speed in these areas. Let's hope he is that foundation of our backline.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

The Rance one is the dream. As others have noted his body work is not there yet in aerial contests and hasn't yet shown a knack to be an effective one out deep defender. Was shown up multiple times which is fine for a first year player. But his athleticism and size make him a big chance of getting him up to speed in these areas. Let's hope he is that foundation of our backline.

He's pure potential at this point. "He could be anything" is used alot around these parts, but it really applies with Weddle here.

Personally I think I'd prefer if we mould him into a defender. He can use his running power to break lines and his aerial ability to intercept/impact contests. Essentially he's a much better Frost replacement.

 

[lyger]

The Rance one is the dream. As others have noted his body work is not there yet in aerial contests and hasn't yet shown a knack to be an effective one out deep defender. Was shown up multiple times which is fine for a first year player. But his athleticism and size make him a big chance of getting him up to speed in these areas. Let's hope he is that foundation of our backline.

Would be great to have a Rance in our team, but I personally think we’d get more out of Weddle by playing him further up the field. Less key position defending, and more free roaming.

 

[moginie]

First of many Brownlow votes to come.

 

[peetoo]

He's pure potential at this point. "He could be anything" is used alot around these parts, but it really applies with Weddle here.

Personally I think I'd prefer if we mould him into a defender. He can use his running power to break lines and his aerial ability to intercept/impact contests. Essentially he's a much better Frost replacement.

All that and kicks long like Sicily or suckling

 

[caseman2]

I don't know about anyone else, but the fact we have not extended this GUN, has me worried. I think, and happy to be corrected, but all first rounders taken in the 2022 have extended with Weddle the exception.
Out of all the players we have selected in the past 2 drafts, he has clearly had the biggest impact and looks the most promising - at this stage anyway.
I have posted previously how he reminds me of David Mundy

16

David Mundy

Age

40

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.1

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

11.8

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.3

5star

CL

5.1

5star

D

15.7

4star

K

6.7

3star

HB

9.0

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.7

4star

CL

3.7

5star

D

27.8

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

12.4

5star

M

5.8

5star

T

6.2

5star

CL

7.2

5star

, drafted as a key defender but will ultimately end up being a big bodied midfielder. Loved watching his debut season although he needs to work on the left side of his body by both hand and foot.

 

[MuzzHawk]

Would be great to have a Rance in our team, but I personally think we’d get more out of Weddle by playing him further up the field. Less key position defending, and more free roaming.

Yes I actually see potential for an early days Kouta or Adam Goodes type when they both played on the wing early in their career.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Roger Rogerson]

I don't know about anyone else, but the fact we have not extended this GUN, has me worried. I think, and happy to be corrected, but all first rounders taken in the 2022 have extended with Weddle the exception.
Out of all the players we have selected in the past 2 drafts, he has clearly had the biggest impact and looks the most promising - at this stage anyway.
I have posted previously how he reminds me of David Mundy, drafted as a key defender but will ultimately end up being a big bodied midfielder. Loved watching his debut season although he needs to work on the left side of his body by both hand and foot.

His manager is prob advising him to wait until next year as if his formline keeps trending upwards he will get a better deal.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

I don't know about anyone else, but the fact we have not extended this GUN, has me worried. I think, and happy to be corrected, but all first rounders taken in the 2022 have extended with Weddle the exception.
Out of all the players we have selected in the past 2 drafts, he has clearly had the biggest impact and looks the most promising - at this stage anyway.
I have posted previously how he reminds me of David Mundy, drafted as a key defender but will ultimately end up being a big bodied midfielder. Loved watching his debut season although he needs to work on the left side of his body by both hand and foot.

As long as he signed by the mid season I’ll be content!

 

[hawkinoz]

His manager is prob advising him to wait until next year as if his formline keeps trending upwards he will get a better deal.

No one from last year's draft have extended. Maybe as a club we have told them we will look at extensions prior to mid-season 2024.

We won't mind paying them more than extra if they show they deserve it as we have cap space and will have better handle of their development after seeing their outputs in pre-season & first 8-10 rounds

 

[barbster]

Is there any chance of Weddle becoming a CHF? We desperately need another key forward and if we are unable to trade for one which looks to be the case, maybe we can manufacture one. To me he has all the physical attributes plus some.

 

[Slainte]

Is there any chance of Weddle becoming a CHF? We desperately need another key forward and if we are unable to trade for one which looks to be the case, maybe we can manufacture one. To me he has all the physical attributes plus some.

I doubt he is a plug-in CHF. He has mostly played in the back half and, when we recruited him, the club stated that they saw him as a future mid.

CHF is a very difficult position. It requires mobility, good hands, strength and reliable kicking for goal. Jeremy Cameron is the best in the business by a margin. With a better conversion rate he would be one of the all time greats. You have to ask yourself, how would Weddle measure up against Jezza (given a few more seasons of course)

Weddle has the mobility and leg. He is good overhead but a little undersized. He has decent body size for his height but is not overly physical. He would also need a fair bit of schooling to understand the leading patterns. Lewis is a very good CHF. Arguably we need a FF rather than a CHF - hence the interest in Ben King.

Weddle could potentially play any position aside from ruck but I think his future is in the back half or as a mid rather than as a forward. But, he is only a kid, so who knows.

 

[barbster]

I doubt he is a plug-in CHF. He has mostly played in the back half and, when we recruited him, the club stated that they saw him as a future mid.

CHF is a very difficult position. It requires mobility, good hands, strength and reliable kicking for goal. Jeremy Cameron is the best in the business by a margin. With a better conversion rate he would be one of the all time greats. You have to ask yourself, how would Weddle measure up against Jezza (given a few more seasons of course)

Weddle has the mobility and leg. He is good overhead but a little undersized. He has decent body size for his height but is not overly physical. He would also need a fair bit of schooling to understand the leading patterns. Lewis is a very good CHF. Arguably we need a FF rather than a CHF - hence the interest in Ben King.

Weddle could potentially play any position aside from ruck but I think his future is in the back half or as a mid rather than as a forward. But, he is only a kid, so who knows.

Lewis is a great CHF & FF. At the moment I’d play Lewis as CHF and Ryan FF, but that is asking a lot of Ryan. I think all can agree that we need another one or two key forwards, especially as Lewis struggles to get through seasons. Weddle has impressed me when up forward, thinking maybe he could be a HFF. But saying that and with our need why not a CHF. He seems to have enough size and strength (for a 19yo), is a good mark and has a decent long kick on him. What he doesn’t have in height he has in speed and endurance, meaning he could really work over a key defender.

Putting hopes in bringing a player like King to Hawthorn is pie in the sky stuff, as the chances of it happening is minimal. It’s Tom Lynch all over again.

 

[number23]

Lewis is a great CHF & FF. At the moment I’d play Lewis as CHF and Ryan FF, but that is asking a lot of Ryan. I think all can agree that we need another one or two key forwards, especially as Lewis struggles to get through seasons. Weddle has impressed me when up forward, thinking maybe he could be a HFF. But saying that and with our need why not a CHF. He seems to have enough size and strength (for a 19yo), is a good mark and has a decent long kick on him. What he doesn’t have in height he has in speed and endurance, meaning he could really work over a key defender.

Putting hopes in bringing a player like King to Hawthorn is pie in the sky stuff, as the chances of it happening is minimal. It’s Tom Lynch all over again.

I agree 100%. Naughton is an inch or so taller and about the same weight. Weddle can work like a Jeremy Cameron type of forward who can work his man over because fitness wise he is a beast. Whilst we may lack a bit of run out of the backline, I think that we can cover that easily. That's not the case with our forward line which is the more pressing problem. Some comparisons have been made to Kouta with Weddle. I can see that and he's a great mark. Moving him forward gives him a better chance to go for it more without worrying about his man kicking a goal off him.

 

[tommyk72]

Very excited to see Weddle’s evolvement over this preseason. His tank is so much further advanced than any other player his age it will give him the luxury to focus on many areas of development. Will be great to see the 2024 model emerge.

 

[Dewnior]

Putting hopes in bringing a player like King to Hawthorn is pie in the sky stuff, as the chances of it happening is minimal. It’s Tom Lynch all over again.

Disagree. Lynch came free and King will require, well let's say a King's ransom. There aren't many clubs that will have the trade capital to pull it off.

GC are getting Walter this year and he'll pair nicely with Lukocious. They won't need King in 2025 as much as they did this year.

fwiw, I'd prefer Naughton

 

[hawkinoz]

Hoping Weddle can add a GF sprint win to his already amazing year

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

Hoping Weddle can add a GF sprint win to his already amazing year

Anyone know what time Weddle runs 100m in ? Say with running spikes on a proper athletics track?

I know there’s all kinds of acceleration measures and beep tests and whatever they use these days. But a straightforward 100 is probably the easiest way for a simple soul like me to understand.

 

[wahawk]

Anyone know what time Weddle runs

Heats are at 12:30

 

[barbster]

Anyone know what time Weddle runs 100m in ? Say with running spikes on a proper athletics track?

I know there’s all kinds of acceleration measures and beep tests and whatever they use these days. But a straightforward 100 is probably the easiest way for a simple soul like me to understand.

Not sure why they don’t have a 100m test at the draft camp. Would put speed into perspective and really running 100m is not too much to ask.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Not sure why they don’t have a 100m test at the draft camp. Would put speed into perspective and really running 100m is not too much to ask.

Mainly, that longer sprint distance is just not a football related skill to warrant specific measure.

5m, 20m, maybe at a stretch 50m all relate to onfield athleticism and are used multiple times a game.

100/200/400 show top speed, but not much else.

Beep Test/2k/3k, maybe even a 10k - all relate to that short/medium distance running and show general pace, and stamina to get through a game.

 

[barbster]

Mainly, that longer sprint distance is just not a football related skill to warrant specific measure.

5m, 20m, maybe at a stretch 50m all relate to onfield athleticism and are used multiple times a game.

100/200/400 show top speed, but not much else.

Beep Test/2k/3k, maybe even a 10k - all relate to that short/medium distance running and show general pace, and stamina to get through a game.

20m test is only good for a short lead
100m test would indicate sustained speed and would be of more interest to the general public.

 

[hawkmang]

20m test is only good for a short lead
100m test would indicate sustained speed and would be of more interest to the general public.

The last time I can remember a player having to do a 100m sprint on the footy field was Cale Hooker chasing down Buddy. 50m maybe at a stretch but breakaway speed over 5-20m is a far more significant indicator of a player’s useful speed

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

The last time I can remember a player having to do a 100m sprint on the footy field was Cale Hooker chasing down Buddy. 50m maybe at a stretch but breakaway speed over 5-20m is a far more significant indicator of a player’s useful speed

Sure.

But the club’s hopes and dreams for tomorrow are being carried by Weddle.

Which means, in context, 100m is the measure of ‘useful’ speed. Now before anyone tries to say the GF sprint doesn’t matter, it’s our only chance of glory tomorrow. No one remembers Gary Ablett Snr or Jnr for example. But everyone knows their brother/uncle Geoff Ablett won the GF sprint 4 times. And remembers his involvement in that corruption scandal.

Who cares about beep tests, tomorrow these are the things that matter.

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

Sure.

But the club’s hopes and dreams for tomorrow are being carried by Weddle.

Which means, in context, 100m is the measure of ‘useful’ speed. Now before anyone tries to say the GF sprint doesn’t matter, it’s our only chance of glory tomorrow. No one remembers Gary Ablett Snr or Jnr for example. But everyone knows their brother/uncle Geoff Ablett won the GF sprint 4 times. And remembers his involvement in that corruption scandal.

Who cares about beep tests, tomorrow these are the things that matter.

Also I understand Peter Burge has been working closely with Josh Weddle in the last few weeks on this.

Like Sam Mussabini with Harold Abrahams in Chariots of Fire.

‘I can find you an extra yard young Weddle’ Burge has said to Josh.

To which Weddle replied‘what’s a yard?’

‘It’s old school, like a metre but a bit less’ Burge replied.

So, armed with all this training and new knowledge I’m confident Weddle’s gonna bring it tomorrow.