Player Watch #28: Hugo Mikunda - selected with R3(#48) in the ND - Welcome to North Melbourne, Hugo!

[speedy]

Why the melts ? An athlete who can kick .. other sides are full of these types and we are not . Great pick.

Because on face value it seemed like we recruited yet another forward ‘of small stature’ when we had more pressing needs.

I’ve come around because it has come to light that he’s played half back also. Even though drafting another sub 180cm player grates me no end. His athletic profile (speed and endurance) are needs anyway for the team even if he were to play forward.

It has become pretty obvious now that the coaching staff see our transition game as our biggest flaw. We have effectively thrown 100 darts hoping 2 or 3 hit the bullseye.

Doesn’t excuse the atrocious list building. Still need another tall forward and 1 or 2 rebounding defenders. It does make the cuts next year pretty easy though, 1 or 2 retirements and 3 to 4 small forwards.

 

[JUST NORTH]

Pink batts.



But Turtle was fast? I'm so confused.



It was obvioulogist to me gokangas, but I'm somewhat of an expert at language and stuff.

obviously not

 

[King Corey]

I'm delighted with this pick. I have scouted Hugh since 2016

He was 9 years old in 2016.

Would you prefer a solo or shared cell?

 

[chubbspeterson]

This kid maybe great maybe shit. And if he's shit at least he will do that at a fair clip.

**** me with the amount of slow shit footballers we've endured over the years, this is a pleasant change.
Anyways I'm backing him in .

And glad we didn't take a tall for the sake of taking a tall. As I don't think we need one. If we can somehow get to a stage where we're challenging we will get a decent FA as a ready to go fwd option.

Not all footballers want the big stage weekly. And Norths money is the equal of all clubs.

Never questioned his talent. Only had to watch his game against SA when he was Vic Country's best.
I had no issue with not picking a tall forward who isn't rated because I like next years crop better.
I thought we needed some speed and run, which Hugo can provide.
I wasn't aware he played as a defender and half back in juniors, so we've basically got a versatile kid who could play almost anywhere on the ground.
Apparently his dad is tall as well, so Hugo might still have some growing to do.
I think he'll turn out to be a pretty good late pick by the looks of it, so pretty excited.

 

[RHLK]

Square shoulders = intimidation

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

He is versatile but Thursfield mainly referenced his half forward/wing flexibility in his post draft presser which felt like a hint plan A is for him upfield. He then talked about him linking play from back half to front in his club interview which is fairly ambiguous. Given that we love moving our rookies around positionally no doubt he gets a look at HB at some point.

I do have mixed feelings about our approach as I know we do it with the idea of optimising long term value even but we also see that it can slow down early development at times. For me it is a contributing factor in how slowly we are emerging from the depths but hopefully there are dividends down the line.

 

[Passmore]

He is versatile but Thursfield mainly referenced his half forward/wing flexibility in his post draft presser which felt like a hint plan A is for him upfield. He then talked about him linking play from back half to front in his club interview which is fairly ambiguous. Given that we love moving our rookies around positionally no doubt he gets a look at HB at some point.

I do have mixed feelings about our approach as I know we do it with the idea of optimising long term value even but we also see that it can slow down early development at times. For me it is a contributing factor in how slowly we are emerging from the depths but hopefully there are dividends down the line.

I'd imagine we want blokes who can push up the ground from hf, linking, pressuring, and deliver into 50.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

If he can play HB, great.

We have a glut of HF’s so let’s hope he can play back.

 

[Krakouer Bonar]

Once a jolly Clarkson camped by a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-Hugo Mikunda with me?"

Down come a Thredgold to drink at the water hole
Up jumped the Clarkson and grabbed him in glee
And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker bag
"You'll come a Hugo Mikunda with me'".

Up rode the Media, posting news on their masthead
Up rode the doubters- one, two, three
"Where's that Thredgold you've got in your tucker bag?",
"You'll come a Hugo Mikunda with me"

But Clarkson he up and jumped right into Arden Street
Crowning himself with Premierships one, two, three,
And his song may be heard as he sings it loud at Arden Street
"Who'll come a Hugo Mikunda with me?"

Finally a Bigfooty post that made me smile. Even slightly chuckle.

Well played sir.

 

[giantroo]

 

[shintemaster]

Like the first day of school. Must be pretty intimidating for most of these guys walking in day 1.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Like the first day of school. Must be pretty intimidating for most of these guys walking in day 1.

‘Hi I’m Jy, I won’t be here for much longer so best you buddy up with someone else…’

 

[shintemaster]

‘Hi I’m Jy, I won’t be here for much longer so best you buddy up with someone else…’

Lol. I went to school in FNQ for part of year 12 and they buddied me up with this bloke that was a huge unit. Lovely fella. He offered for me to be in their scratch rugby games at lunch time because "you can kick the bloody ball pretty far". I was 70kg soaking wet with rocks tied to my feet so declined on account of wanting to survive.

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

Like the first day of school. Must be pretty intimidating for most of these guys walking in day 1.

Not for Dove. Walked in with his chin leading the way.

 

[shintemaster]

Not for Dove. Walked in with his chin leading the way.

You know that saying about looking like you're supposed to be somewhere so you can get past security. I reckon that's him, but nothing wrong with faking it til you make it - as long as you're good at it.

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

You know that saying about looking like you're supposed to be somewhere so you can get past security. I reckon that's him, but nothing wrong with faking it til you make it - as long as you're good at it.

Yeah walk in like you own the joint and all that. Im cool with it if that arrogance converts to 55 small forward goals a year.

 

[shintemaster]

Yeah walk in like you own the joint and all that. Im cool with it if that arrogance converts to 55 small forward goals a year.

No pressure, only 55.

 

[lockheed]

No pressure, only 55.

Would have expected 60, myself

 

[shinboner magic]

Is this guy over his injury ?

 

[The chorus]

Lol. I went to school in FNQ for part of year 12 and they buddied me up with this bloke that was a huge unit. Lovely fella. He offered for me to be in their scratch rugby games at lunch time because "you can kick the bloody ball pretty far". I was 70kg soaking wet with rocks tied to my feet so declined on account of wanting to survive.

Likewise. I went to NSW to study when I was 18 and weighed about 60kg. This was 1966 when most Victorians knew zilch about rugby. After a 15 minute introduction to the game, I was invited to play hooker. After about 10 minutes it was agreed that maybe I should move to full back

 

[giantroo]

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

View attachment 2484771

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

I like mikunda

 

[Event Horizon]

According to ChatGPT the surname Mikunda originates in Eastern Europe, most likely in Slovakia or the Czech Republic

 

[KiwiRoo]

Lol. I went to school in FNQ for part of year 12 and they buddied me up with this bloke that was a huge unit. Lovely fella. He offered for me to be in their scratch rugby games at lunch time because "you can kick the bloody ball pretty far". I was 70kg soaking wet with rocks tied to my feet so declined on account of wanting to survive.

reminds me of my school days ! Played some great knock around games at lunchtime where I was the just about the only bloke who wasn't Maori or Polynesian.. but they looked after me. Dont get many cool points for smashing the skinny white dude !.
Loved it ..and shat myself at the same time