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

[Harveysuth]

Can he play half back?

 

[Shinboner1]

That doesn't say a lot. Shifter praises every player who gets drafted. Just once, I'd love to hear him say:

"this kid, he's not going to make it, a real plonker, zero redeeming football qualities, they've just burnt a pick with this one.."

1/3 of them seem to have dancing feet haha

 

[Passmore]

Can he play half back?

He can do anything. He's Hugo Mikunda.

 

[William Caresser]

Bailey - 181cm
L Ashcroft 181cm
Cameron - 180cm
Ah Chee 182cm
W Ashcroft 182 cm

Mannagh - 178cm
Close - 183 cm
Myers - 179cm
Stengle - 175cm

The best two sides ran a lot of short guys through high half forward and deeper forward.

Our problem isn't height, it's that none of our guys playing high half forward are anywhere near as good as the list above, or if they are, haven't proved it and are unlikely to. Whether it's Hansen Jnr, Harvey, Banch or one of our one-paced midfielders, we don't have anyone playing that position well. Konstanty is just serviceable.

Simpkin is reasonable but is he going to want out again? Hopefully Spargo can add something but there are questions marks.

Curtis at 185cm is a medium forward.

So the selections of Mikunda and Dovaston aren't surprising. A lot will be moved on at the end of 26. It'll be hunger games for small/high half forwards which is actually what the Cats and other clubs have done.

 

[koshari]

That takes me back. I remember learning about my body, and almost sustaining a broken hand absolutely cranking it.

Playing with the angry anderson doll?

 

[lockheed]

because... we don't have enough mid/half forwards on our list?

FFS.

I expect we'll have a good few less, coming into next year's draft

 

[Sphynx]

And Vic Country’s best against SA

Seems like he lifts his game against good opposition. Not a bad attribute.

Both of these are full cut up highlights of those games:

 

[Friday Night Lights]

Welcome Hugo. You’re Mikunda footballer

 

[r00boy96]

I see a lot of Charlie Lazzaro

 

[berniemccarthy]

you're going to have to explain this one

Irakunda

 

[desie]

Not going to lie, I was rather surprised when I saw he was a 180cm white boy.

He sounds like he should be opening the bowling for the Zimmers.

 

[Passmore]

I see a lot of Charlie Lazzaro

Does he live near you?

 

[The Dingrel]

I see a lot of Charlie Lazzaro

You know what that was kind of my initial reaction, particularly being a Geelong boy, but then I watch his highlights a bit closer, and his kicking action reminds me of Horne Francis. 7 score involvements from 15 touches on debut for Werribee is pretty impressive. A trait that stands out to me is he seems to be a very quick decision maker, wastes no time moving the ball on and finding the right target. Hopefully his injury woes are behind him, seems to be a smart player, who has impacted games despite several interuptions,,,,,I think there's some real upside in this kid.

 

[marklovesbeer]

He can do anything. He's Hugo Mikunda.

 

[r00boy96]

I hope he goes well and plays 200 games. It just seems fitting that he plays 20 or less and the name Hugo Mikunda lives on forever in NMFC Bigfooty lore.

 

[marklovesbeer]

Hugo Mikunda don’t want none unless you got buns, hon…

 

[Shinboner1]

Both of these are full cut up highlights of those games:

Reminds me a little of moore and mccreary?
I think the jist against him is more one of where does he fit in the team than anything else..

 

[shintemaster]

I’m fine with this pick, the type of player I like.

If we didn’t have Fish, River and Cooper on our list I’d be fine with it. Hansen too really even tho I’m higher on him than most.

Hopefully Hugo can become an important type for us!

To be fair, all 3 of them are up against it to be here in a year or two.

 

[Onihr]

Name sounds just as made up as Hermann Penorkel (no offence intended Hermy).

 

[Bring back robbie nahas]

Who actually cares

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

Can he play half back?

This was my thought too. Sounds like the profile of a clever, quick half back or wing.

 

[Onihr]

Makes no sense looking at our list profile. And i thought we would be a monty for KPF at this pick.

But im on board, looks to have a profile that can continue to improve and impact in the big league.

He seems to find space and is a good link player (in addition to being fast and strong overhead). I think he might be suited to a wing, particularly since I reckon we have about 0.8 wingers at the moment (discussion for another day).

For those in the know…. In finding so much space and being the link player going forward, does he find himself out of position on the defensive transition? Id like to think we haven’t picked someone who won’t help our defensive structure through the middle.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

I like Mikunda

 

[Pravda Roo]

Not to racially profile but surely with a name like that you should be black

LMAO Zumba. I once dated a lady named Donna Chang who wasn't even Chinese. As a non-binary mail I was open to it.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

LMAO Zumba. I once dated a lady named Donna Chang who wasn't even Chinese. As a non-binary mail I was open to it.