Welcome 2018 national draft, pick 63: Welcome to Hawthorn Mathew Walker

[TylerDurden]

Two ways to skin a cat, the rip off the bandaid approach or the slow burn. With our powers combined we could be unstoppable!

If we get Cogs, I’m very tempted to switch to “Incognito”!!

 

[Leather Poisoning]

supremely talented kid, Mathew Walker just needs to work a bit harder on the field, welcome Mat

Gets walked all over sometimes.

 

[Brant]

Two ways to skin a cat, the rip off the bandaid approach or the slow burn.

What in Hell kinda cats are you skinning?

 

[Sir Galahad]

supremely talented kid, Mathew Walker just needs to work a bit harder on the field, welcome Mat

Hey Davo,
Pretty decent effort predicting 4 months ago that Kozzi would go at 54 and Mat Walker at 56
https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/davo-27s-2018-afl-draft-watch.1198126/

A snippet of background...
Mat played for NSW in the 15 years and under 2015 Australian Schoolboys Championships, in Geelong. He was named second best player for that carnival, and then selected in the All Australian team to go to South Africa in January 2016.

While in Geelong, he was shown around Skilled Stadium and met some of the Geelong players. Fingers crossed that this experience hasn't caused lasting harm.

 

[Luv_our_club]

To me, he looks like a young Tony Hall.

I had the same thought..... but you have to squint a little.

 

[The German Hunter]

What in Hell kinda cats are you skinning?

Only ones from Geelong

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

To me, he looks like a young Tony Hall.

I thought it was just me thinking that.


Here’s hoping.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[Dr.J]

Yep - Looks like a cross between Joey Kennedy and The Fed Express
(Hope he can play footy)

 

[Dave Id]

Playing at The Espy with Tex Perkins in December!

 

[TylerDurden]

Yep - Looks like a cross between Joey Kennedy and The Fed Express
(Hope he can play footy)

Spot on.

Nearly thought the club was trolling that Joey was back!

 

[threesixpio]

Yep - Looks like a cross between Joey Kennedy and The Fed Express
(Hope he can play footy)

My thoughts exactly

Lol

 

[threesixpio]

I proclaim Mat puns to be awesome. I've heard 500 and I'd like to hear 500 more.

If he doesn’t work out Clarko will say “There’s the door Mat”

 

[Steven Tyler]

 

[TheFourPillars]

I can see another Dimma here same credentials

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I can see another Dimma here same credentials

We obviously rate our chances to rediscover his 2017 form since we traded up to get him.

It’s a really intriguing selection.

 

[Deleted member 170709]

I can see another Dimma here same credentials

Care to elaborate here?

I'm excited

 

[Alite]

It seems to me that the Hawks really wanted Walker but knew they could not get him if GWS were still capable of matching a bid.

GWS’s 6th and final Draftee for 2018 was at ND pick 61 (they did not take a rookie). It looks like they were out of regular spots on their list and may have been trying to get Walker as a Category B rookie*.

The Hawks then traded up to pick 63 to get Walker as soon as GWS could no longer match a bid: just 2 picks after GWS were out of contention.

Classic Hawthorn drafting behaviour: identify who they want and aggressively trade to get him. If anything says Walker has something special, it is the way the Hawks went after him.

* would need to check GWS’s list, but frankly cbf.

 

[Gold Member]

Any of Max, Tangles or Roger I'm fine with.

 

[Hawks1994]

Very interested in watching his development, considering we traded up to be able to snag him

If he has half the amount of athletic class as is Swiss doppelganger, I'll be highly impressed

 

[arupist]

It seems to me that the Hawks really wanted Walker but knew they could not get him if GWS were still capable of matching a bid.

GWS’s 6th and final Draftee for 2018 was at ND pick 61 (they did not take a rookie). It looks like they were out of regular spots on their list and may have been trying to get Walker as a Category B rookie*.

The Hawks then traded up to pick 63 get Walker as soon as GWS could no longer match a bid: just 2 picks after GWS were out of contention.

Classic Hawthorn drafting behaviour: identify who they want and aggressively trade to get him. If anything says Walker has something special, it is the way the Hawks went after him.

* would need to check GWS’s list, but frankly cbf.

It could be that another club was interested and could have drafted him before our pick

 

[TheFourPillars]

Care to elaborate here?

I'm excited

Have a look at hardwicks draft year resume forward kicks goals, good leap, strong hands, strong at the contest and quality skills

 

[grumbleguts]

Did we have to pick a player with this surname FFS?

This thread will be 95% jokes 5% info on the player.

You might want to just run with it.

 

[HolyRioli]

Legitimately didn’t realise Federer had nominated for the draft

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

It seems to me that the Hawks really wanted Walker but knew they could not get him if GWS were still capable of matching a bid.

GWS’s 6th and final Draftee for 2018 was at ND pick 61 (they did not take a rookie). It looks like they were out of regular spots on their list and may have been trying to get Walker as a Category B rookie*.

The Hawks then traded up to pick 63 to get Walker as soon as GWS could no longer match a bid: just 2 picks after GWS were out of contention.

Classic Hawthorn drafting behaviour: identify who they want and aggressively trade to get him. If anything says Walker has something special, it is the way the Hawks went after him.

* would need to check GWS’s list, but frankly cbf.

We aren't taking rookies this year except to manipulate Mummy back onto our list. I dont think it's that devious.

The academies job is to identify the talent available and assist them to reach the elite level. The clubs job is to draft to fit needs on our list.

If the next superstar comes along those needs align, Otherwise they often wont. Absolutely we do squeeze every last drop of advantage when they do.

I imagine Walker is delighted to make it onto the list if a club with a strong system and the best coach in the business, he should be.