Adam Hunter

[Goldenblue]

I am disappointed in this guy. At the match today, I noted he likes to hang around and get the easy kick. Once he did not do the one percenters and put his body on the line for Kerr which put Kerr under pressure and the ball was turned over. His kicking seems offline and he easily turns the ball over. I think if he wants to be part of the WCE, he needs to add a bit more to his game and do the little things that count. Too many times I see him waiting for the easy kick, and IMHO I think this is unacceptable in the AFL.

He was the only one of the new guys that disappointed me today......

 

[mentalgrind]

I wasn't at the game so you would probably have a better idea than me but I though he had quite a good game down in defence.

 

[Goldenblue]

Originally posted by mentalgrind
I wasn't at the game so you would probably have a better idea than me but I though he had quite a good game down in defence.

Agreeded, he did do some good things, but he really lacks in helping out team mates or applying himself a little more with his body and protecting the player with the ball.....

 

[iceman]

I was at the game today and out of the two youngsters, Gasper impressed me no end

Hunter did some good things but what worries me about him is that he seems to play well at WAFL level but when he steps into the Eagles side, he tends to either make silly mistakes or doesnt do the percentage plays that help the team out

Im not sure if he's done enough to keep his place in the team for next week....

 

[pauljam]

Guys,

I was at the game too (city end) and thought Hunter did a good job considering he is usually a forward in the WAFL. He has only played 10 odd games, took some good marks in defence and made a contest most times. Sure he made a few mistakes but was definitely no orphan there today!! Our skills were shocking for a 10-15min period in the 3rd quarter!!

I must admit I didnt see the incident where he didnt support Kerr, but generally I came away from the game thinking he did ok.

Of the 3 that came into the team Gaspar was excellent - some good grabs, two great goals and always gave a contest, Hunter was good, made some blues but will learn, Haynesy didnt stand out but he didnt get much game time.

I think all of the young guys need a bit of match time to develop and I would play Hunter again next week, depending on who's fit of course - if Milli is fit he's an automatic selection.

Great win by the boys and we are 4th on the ladder! I dont expect this to last though, because we have some tough games ahead in the next 4-5.

 

[Visro]

Bit harsh on Hunter I think. For a guy that isn't a certainty, comes in from time to time, he didn't play bad at all. He certainly needs to man up a bit more and go a bit harder but overall I thought he played quite well. His skills are quite good and I think he could be quite a good utility player for us. I do think he needs a couple more games (in a row) before we can judge him properly.

 

[Voice of Reason]

He is a potentially useful player for us because he can play front and back (he has played in various positions for Swans) and is good overhead.

I find him incredibly annoying with the Eagles though because he makes such silly mistakes.

But, one thing about Woosha is that he's realised that players, especially young players, are going to make mistakes. The important thing is that they learn from them - let's hope Hunter does.

 

[Thrawn666]

Well for one thing he shouldnt be used in defence. He was about as hard as cotton wool in marking contests, and he bodied up like a little bitch. Maybe he should actually use some of the aggression he found rubbing chests with Chris Grant and threatening to elbow the man on the mark in his actual play and he might be better. From what ive seen of his WAFL play he could be a decent forward but that is yet to be proven at AFL level

 

[jod23]

Well i actually thought he played quite well. Not as impressive as Gaspar but depending on McIntosh's fitness i think he did enough to keep his place. Haynes will probably be the one omitted which is a pity because im a Haynes fan and his 4 touches and weak goal wont be enough to keep him in the side.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

He was quite impressive if his stats are anything to go by. 18 touches yesterday, his skill may not be up there with the best, but he knows how to find the footy. Give him a little more time to develop his skills and he could be quite useful.

You can teach skills, but you can't teach footy smarts.

 

[TheRealBuzz]

Originally posted by Thrawn666
Maybe he should actually use some of the aggression he found rubbing chests with Chris Grant and threatening to elbow the man on the mark in his actual play and he might be better.

Absolutely agree with that. We don't need a Leigh Brown in our side.

Earn respect by playing good hard footy, not try-hard chest puffing tactics.

 

[mentalgrind]

All this bloke needs is more game time, there is no doubting that he has the potential ability. I may be biased because he comes from Bunbury, but all through his junior playing days he only played ffwd and never anywhere else.

Yesterday he looked as tho he was playing more a floating backman used to fill the holes, if this was his job he did it well (he played the full game and if Woosha had any problems with the way he was playing I'm sure he would have been taken off). More often than not when the ball came down to the Bullies forward line Hunter was somewhere around the contest, which says to me that he was reading the ball well as it was coming down the ground. He did look a little intimidated by the Bullies bigger forwards tho. His disposals weren't the worst but sometimes took the wrong option when placed under pressure (can only improve with more game time).

I'd like to see him play in the forward line for a change, he has a huge leap and mark on him and is a good kick on goal. I can't remember who it was we were playing but last year in one game he was thown up forward for the last part of the final quater, took two big marks kicked a goal, only just missed the second from outside 50 and almost won us the match.

 

[Frodo]

It's a big step up from WAFL to AFL and these guys are going to make a few mistakes during the transition. But if we are going to be a real force we have to give them the run and experience. I thought Hunter was nervous early on but had a great second half and showed a lot of promise. The fact is that he has always been a forward with marking his best skill. Playing in defence can't be an easy transition. I also think Woosha is smart playing open football. We are going to get punished with turnovers by the better teams but the style allows the younger players to develop their skills. I was rapt with Chanbers performance and Gaspar was super. Haynes had too little game time to show a lot. Brauny gets better every week too and Judd is awesome. Anyone else notice that bubble of excitement getting back into Wirra's game? And what about the crowd atmosphere.......those two years of Judge never had atmosphere like that.

ps What a learning experience for Glassy...Chris Grant....and didn't he do well.

 

[WA]

Originally posted by TheRealBuzz
Absolutely agree with that. We don't need a Leigh Brown in our side.

Earn respect by playing good hard footy, not try-hard chest puffing tactics.

Bugger, was gonna say pretty much the same thing - minus the Leigh Brown comment

In saying that though, I don't mind seeing the odd bit of 'biffo' (is that even a word?) on the field.

 

[ONE EYE]

I am surprised to here negative comments about Hunter. I too was sitting at the City end. I thought Hunter was one of the best until half time. Winning the ball and clearances from defence were very good. His match stats were very good. 12 kicks, 6 handballs, and 3 marks. I must have been watching the wrong game

I sometimes get the impression that some people get Hunter and Haynes mixed up. They look very similar

Haynes is Overweight and a non- contributer, He played at CHF during the second half. He did not run to contests or provide assistance to team mates. I certainly see him being replaced by McIntosh, Merenda or Humm for the next game.

GO EAGLES!

 

[TheRealBuzz]

I didn't think his game was that bad.
I just felt a bit embarrassed for him when he was mouthing off at a champ like Grant.

He'll probably stay in the side next week, as he is a good match-up for a Russell Robertson, Cameron Bruce or Brad Green.

 

[Goldenblue]

Mayhaps I was a little harsh, but I was not happy with the way he stepped away from the contest, and where he did not help Kerr when he was under pressure.

His stats may be good for his game, but I have to be critical of the little things he never seems to do. From where I was, twice he looked for the easy kick and that passage of play with Kerr was way beyond AFL standards.

Yes, he is young, he is making the transition, but I think he has played a dozen games now and this year is the one for him to make it or break it.....