Player Watch #17: James Stewart - Groin injury, not running yet. couple of weeks once he starts running - 23/4

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Towno78

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Does anyone still believe he's not good enough to be a genuine key forward and can only play as a 3rd tall? I reckon he's a genuine key position forward now. Has improved his contested marking but still has his agility to use as a weapon as well. Really stepping up this season.
His contested marking is improving no doubt, if that continues to improve it will close the Hooker forward/back debate.
 

hurlygurdy

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His contested marking is improving no doubt, if that continues to improve it will close the Hooker forward/back debate.
When you combine Stewarts improved marking with Stringers inability to play both in the midfield and as a mobile forward, i think the debate might be over. We need to be more patient with Stringer as a mid, he has to be given the chance to rest deep after a midfield burst.
 

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Towno78

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When you combine Stewarts improved marking with Stringers inability to play both in the midfield and as a mobile forward, i think the debate might be over. We need to be more patient with Stringer as a mid, he has to be given the chance to rest deep after a midfield burst.
Well I'm with you there, but I doubt everyone is. I'm not even sure if you're allowed to mention Hooker back on here without being chastised yet...
 

hurlygurdy

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Well I'm with you there, but I doubt everyone is. I'm not even sure if you're allowed to mention Hooker back on here without being chastised yet...
I was totally on the Hooker forward bandwagon... but i think realistically Stringers output was always going to call the shots. You can't ignore a forward of his quality particularly when Hooker has a clear alternative position
 

Bunk Moreland

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I was totally on the Hooker forward bandwagon... but i think realistically Stringers output was always going to call the shots. You can't ignore a forward of his quality particularly when Hooker has a clear alternative position
Agree.

Stringer's arrival was always going to move somebody out, and that somebody was always going to be Hooker. Not sure why it took until Round 4.
 

Bombermania

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Agree.

Stringer's arrival was always going to move somebody out, and that somebody was always going to be Hooker. Not sure why it took until Round 4.
I guess it was good to give the Hooker forward/Stringer mid a few weeks and it wasn't a total flop with Stringer showing that maybe he could develop into a part time mid and Hooker was doing okay upforward and we did come out of the three matches 1:2 so not much damage was done, suspect Hooker will still go forward from time to time.
 

Vander18

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I was totally on the Hooker forward bandwagon... but i think realistically Stringers output was always going to call the shots. You can't ignore a forward of his quality particularly when Hooker has a clear alternative position
The other aspect to Hooker going back is that Stewart is looking more and more like a geneuine key forward every week and demands the attention of his opponent. As does Stringer. The Daniher, Stewart and Stringer combo is very viable for this reason.

Hooker had to play forward last year because he was the only player on our list who could keep JD from being swamped. Teams couldn't sag off Hooker, they could and did sag off everyone else we tried there and Joe was getting mauled as a result.
 

Lore

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He's fine :D Rolled his ankle but will be available for ANZAC Day.

Key forward James Stewart should be available for Essendon’s blockbuster ANZAC Day match against Collingwood next Wednesday.

Stewart left the ground late in the last quarter of the Bombers’ victory over Port Adelaide last week, but Essendon Physical Performance Manager Justin Crow says the former Giant should take his place.

“James had a light roll of the ankle late in the game towards the end of the match (and) pulled up really well the next day with minimal swelling,” Crow said in the SKINS Injury Update on Wednesday.

“He’s been strapped up (and) did a little bit of light skills today.

“Our main session’s on Sunday and we’ll expect him to complete that and be available for the match on ANZAC Day.”
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2018-04-18/skins-injury-update-rd-5
 
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