AFL Player 41: Saad El-Hawli

[VelvetSledge]

 

[ant555]

we're getting smacked but the midfield is closest enough to full strength (missing, Martin? Setterfield?) that says how far back this club needs to come from.

Why are you telling me. Have been saying it for years.
Why is it a shock ?

 

[dank420_]

another glorious early re-signing by our new list manager

You’re repeating yourself

 

[Duckworth]

we're getting smacked but the midfield is closest enough to full strength (missing, Martin? Setterfield?) that says how far back this club needs to come from.

Caldwell.

 

[naraku]

I think he is depth at best.

 

[KeenObserver24]

we're getting smacked but the midfield is closest enough to full strength (missing, Martin? Setterfield?) that says how far back this club needs to come from.

Caldwell? Parish? Our two ruckmen?

 

[Vindicater]

I mean he is not even in the top twelve if who I would ditch.

Giving a rookie with clear pace and athletic ability an extra year does not hurt us.

Jones for two years however...

 

[ghostdog]

Gave away three frees in the first quarter (half?) But got better as the game went on I thought.

Kick to the pocket that went ootf was infuriating. Depth player atm.

 

[Old Campaigner]

another glorious early re-signing by our new list manager

We've already got a bunch on the chopping block with the club signalling 10 list changes, got to re-sign some players

 

[Lore]

We've already got a bunch on the chopping block with the club signalling 10 list changes, got to re-sign some players

That’s pretty much where it’s at now but idk if we were there yet when he signed. All moot now I guess

 

[ant555]

We signed a rookie who shows a bit in an area we need but also has a few issues to clean up.
Shocking stuff.
It was only for one year and this draft is not exactly looking like a rookie bonanza.

 

[Vindicater]

We signed a rookie who shows a bit in an area we need but also has a few issues to clean up.
Shocking stuff.
It was only for one year and this draft is not exactly looking like a rookie bonanza.

Yep. No issue with resigning Saad.

It is the Jones and Edwards signings that have got me scratching my head. The Jones one in particular being two years.

 

[ant555]

Thought he made better choices disposal wise last night and hit a few very nice passes.

 

[andleanback]

Uses the ball well needs to get involved more, but also make it easier for himself by holding his width to be an option. Pushes into the contest too much

 

[Howard Moon]

Nah I've seen enough, he's not a player id pursue

 

[ant555]

Nah I've seen enough, he's not a player id pursue

Because you would not catch him ?

 

[Howard Moon]

Because you would not catch him ?

Oi! I could move in my day... I'm probably in your old Scout notes somewhere! something like rapid but can't kick, do not pursue

 

[Vindicater]

Have we actually re-signed him? He would be cusp for mine. Has good wheels and takes the game on but some serious defensive issues.

Other years with a normal list size I would say keep him on as a rookie due to his strengths but I am unsure when we have so many we need to cut.

 

[ant555]

Have we actually re-signed him? He would be cusp for mine. Has good wheels and takes the game on but some serious defensive issues.

Other years with a normal list size I would say keep him on as a rookie due to his strengths but I am unsure when we have so many we need to cut.

Signed for 2026.

 

[craffles]

The slowest “quick” player I’ve seen. Disappointed we have already signed him

 

[Blind Turn]

Just watched the game. Didnt think he did too much wrong. Building nicely. Another pre-season and he’ll be having a NWM-like breakout season next year… maybe…

 

[ghostdog]

Yep. No issue with resigning Saad.

It is the Jones and Edwards signings that have got me scratching my head. The Jones one in particular being two years.

Edwards v El Hawli is interesting.
We need a player with speed to run and carry off HB, but with Edwards the ceiling already looks very high, kicking multiple goals against the Hawks and Crows before injury. He's a weapon where El Hawli hasn't demonstrated as strongly.

Jones definitely a confusing resigning. Him aside, injuries and good selections in the MSD have us positioned where we are. Just means McMahon, Langford, Edwards, Jones compete and some play VFL. Fine with me. Solid depth og third talls.

Edwards > El Hawli to me.

 

[bombreys]

Edwards v El Hawli is interesting.
We need a player with speed to run and carry off HB, but with Edwards the ceiling already looks very high, kicking multiple goals against the Hawks and Crows before injury. He's a weapon where El Hawli hasn't demonstrated as strongly.

Jones definitely a confusing resigning. Him aside, injuries and good selections in the MSD have us positioned where we are. Just means McMahon, Langford, Edwards, Jones compete and some play VFL. Fine with me. Solid depth og third talls.

Edwards > El Hawli to me.

Some big calls here! I like Edwards - but he was slow before he did the ACL - and will be 26 when he next plays. He’s played one AFL standard game of footy (he did look good) - and one not. Saying his ceiling is ‘very high’ is probably ambitious.

 

[ghostdog]

Some big calls here! I like Edwards - but he was slow before he did the ACL - and will be 26 when he next plays. He’s played one AFL standard game of footy (he did look good) - and one not. Saying his ceiling is ‘very high’ is probably ambitious.

Mmmm... maybe so, and coming back from an ACL. Has still shown more than El Hawli with limited exposure.

Give Edwards a couple of preseasons and we could get an amazing three or four years from him at the top of his game. I'll change that assessment to a high ceiling.

 

[ant555]

Edwards v El Hawli is interesting.
We need a player with speed to run and carry off HB, but with Edwards the ceiling already looks very high, kicking multiple goals against the Hawks and Crows before injury. He's a weapon where El Hawli hasn't demonstrated as strongly.

Jones definitely a confusing resigning. Him aside, injuries and good selections in the MSD have us positioned where we are. Just means McMahon, Langford, Edwards, Jones compete and some play VFL. Fine with me. Solid depth og third talls.

Edwards > El Hawli to me.

If SEW comes up trumps he is the player we need more than Edwards. Anyway we are talking rookie depth where you always have a number of rough chances across a few spots in the hope one in four makes it.
Edwards and SEW are most likely better than any unproven prospect that would be late ND or RD this year so as far as forward planning goes it makes sense to have them for another year.

 

[ghostdog]

If SEW comes up trumps he is the player we need more than Edwards. Anyway we are talking rookie depth where you always have a number of rough chances across a few spots in the hope one in four makes it.
Edwards and SEW are most likely better than any unproven prospect that would be late ND or RD this year so as far as forward planning goes it makes sense to have them for another year.

I agree, but I just don't see it with SEH. His disposal is very ordinary and when he plays he doesn't find enough of it in the right spots to capitalise on his pace, which is his best asset. Happy to keep until we find someone better because I agree, we need run and carry, and you know I've been saying that for a long time. But of the two, if we had to cut one of him or Edwards, I'm cutting him.