- Aug 7, 2013
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May be the wake up call he needs - that he would want to have a massive preseason and when the opportunity knocks in 2026, he takes it - for some reason i think he may play round 1.
Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Pick 37, Henry Hustwaite - Debuts against the Dees!
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May be the wake up call he needs - that he would want to have a massive preseason and when the opportunity knocks in 2026, he takes it - for some reason i think he may play round 1.
He doesn't need a "wake up call"
He was in the VFL team of the year, he's clearly working hard and making progress. Just hasn't adapted to the jump up in level yet. He had 2 good AFL games against West Coast and Richmond this year though.
Early in the year there were demands for him to come into the AFL side and he eventually made his way in, but then had a poor half round 10 and was subbed off and dropped, rd 15 the same. But he was given very little game time in both those games so hard to blame him.
Similar to Butler in 2024 was excellent in VFL early then didn't translate that to AFL level and went back to VFL. Unfortunately broke his leg, but then came back this year and was again well above VFL and this time was more equipt at AFL level too.
I hope Henry has been on the phone to Sam to say he wants to make that spot his.
He has a real opportunity here to prove plenty of people wrong, and I hope he takes that chance.
He has a real opportunity here to prove plenty of people wrong, and I hope he takes that chance.
- May 12, 2015
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Can't wait to see him rack up 25 and a goal vs the scum round 1
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Wouldn't that be something.
One or both of Huss and McKenzie blossoming into elite mids is the footballing fairytale we desperately need in 2026.
Nope, we're playing with our new toys!
Purely from what's been written (and not written!), it appears Henry has slipped into limbo - he's not the shiny new toy the coaches want to play with - pushing and pulling in different directions to see what they can do; he's not getting extra attention after being identified as a key element changing position (Weddle, CMacD), and he isn't bringing something 'new' to training' - it's more of the same.
The line between "developing depth" and "list clogger" is often more to do with opportunity and timing than ability. I fear HH is now so far down both the "Depth" and "Development" charts that he is already forgotten.
The line between "developing depth" and "list clogger" is often more to do with opportunity and timing than ability. I fear HH is now so far down both the "Depth" and "Development" charts that he is already forgotten.
I have the same feeling. He's hardly been mentioned by anyone this pre-season.
TheFourPillars
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- May 6, 2009
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Huss had a few good moments in the match sim yesterday. Showed great strength and awareness in congestion and good vision and execution. He is running well in pre season
Wonder how his tooth brushing is going
What he does these next few weeks before the boys come back will be pivotal for the rest of his professional career. No time off.
Thanks. Let's see what other track watchers have to say in 2026. Really hope he has a fire lit under him to take the next step, just like Dylan Moore took the next step after almost being delisted/rookied.
Roger Rogerson
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I’m surprised a club like WCE didn’t sound him out. He’d play consistent AFL footy in a weaker side it’s just where our list is at he’s not going to get the gig that he is best suited to at the top level.
I did tip on him in the BH final where Bodie Ryan kicked the winner. Huss missed a routine target by foot very late in the game which made me question his quality.
- Nov 13, 2018
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When you have a weakness that can't be improved, you really need to max out your strengths to have a shot at making it.
He could become a decent mid in a team that prioritised his inside skills, and I also think he could have more to offer as a forward.
I've liked HH from the start, but it may well be that the list overtakes him this season.
He could become a decent mid in a team that prioritised his inside skills, and I also think he could have more to offer as a forward.
I've liked HH from the start, but it may well be that the list overtakes him this season.
Dewnior
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- Dec 22, 2007
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Are you saying he has chosen to work through the break or are you hoping he chooses to?
Henry is only 21 and is clearly a very good VFL player as shown in is runner up result in the Box Hill B&F, in a team that finished 2nd on the ladder in the regular season.
- Col Austen Trophy VFL Club Champion – Jai Serong (87 votes)
- Runner Up VFL Club Champion – Henry Hustwaite (78 votes)
- Third Place VFL Club Champion – Trent Bianco (76 votes)
To take the next step to being a good AFL player in a team that is challenging for the AFL premiership he needs to make more of his natural assets while mitigating his weaknesses.
Pros:
Handball: the guy is good at getting the ball and handballing it, but many of his handballs are short to players who are also under pressure. I'd like to see him be more creative with longer handballs. Which leads on to...
Vision: the best in-and-under players know where other players are around them and know how to put teammates into space. I'd like to see that.
Strength: can he put on mass or improve his core strength to hold up when tackled to give him time to distribute well.
Height: the dude is 195cm tall. Surely he could improve his contested marking. Which leads on to..
Cons:
Dual position: can HH be anything other than an inside mid? At 195cm he should out-height most non-key-position backmen. I have seen him take a few contested marks against smaller men in the VFL. In my view, he should make 1:1 contested marking a priority for this season. Maybe use of that new kid that almost no team wanted as a guy to beat.
Defensive traits: we know that HH will not be doing a run-down tackle. But defensive positioning and workrate can make up for much of that. After watching him in the VFL with a single camera view, I have no clue if HH gets to good defensive positions and then quickly transitions into attacking positions, as is the way of modern football. But no AFL midfielder will get a game if they are bad at this.
Michael Tuck and Luke Breust played a lot of VFL games before becoming AFL legends.
Could Henry follow in their footsteps? History and Stats say no, but that was the same for Tuck and Breust.
Now is your time young man. Give it everything !
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Early in the season people were begging to get him in the side and he did get an oppurunity. He was pretty good against West Coast. And at the time i thought the subing off at half time was harsh on him and mackenzie that I think happened to them both twice and they got dropped after, may be a fitness thing. I know Mitchell has told Watson if he wants to play more midfield he needs to be fitter.
So while we see from the stands that he had an okay is half and want to back him in to work his way into the game, I think the coaches felt that we had to make a sub early and doing so would mean more running for everyone (compared to the late 3rd early 4th quarter subs) so chose the guys least likely to run out the game well. I think CJ was the sub in at least 1 of those games so getting his run in was important.
No Sub rule will at least mean that the 23rd guy gets more of a chance, and those who start get more game time to turn it around. Will likely also change the type of player that gets picked 23rd. I'd rather a Hustwaite as an extra mid rotation all game over someone like Bruest who was only picked last year as we new he was crafty enough to squeeze out a few goals every now and then in the last quarter. Or CJ who could inject some pace into the side while others tire.
Dewnior
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- Dec 22, 2007
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If the sub rule was removed last year, based on his level of fitness, I'm not sure Luke would have got a game this season. The sub allowed coaches to use it tactically but with a 5th bench player instead, it will be interesting to see how clubs use it.
fwiw, I reckon most will settle on having an extra runner, so for us endurance players like Finn and Dalton are better positioned assuming they can impact.
