David Hale - Does he have a future?

[mrcurly]

Goes to show how injuries can sometimed force a change in the complexion of the side for the better.

There was an incredibly astute comment from somebody in this thread that with Hale forward with the other two big fellas we looked glacially slow. A forward line with Roughie, Hale, and Buddy - and with Renouf in the ruck early in the season was not the right recipe.

Now we have Hale forward mostly on his own, with Buddy running all over the shop, and the rest of the forward line fairly zippy and midsized. With this setup we are far more potent, not to mention including goal kicking mids. Above all we primarily have Bailey in the ruck, exerting major influence on the flow of the play.

Hale may still not be that much quicker than a lamppost, but in the air he has magnetic hands, his kicking is very accurate for a big bloke, and he is very good body on body whether in marking contests or the ruck. Much of the game is about confidence, and he seems to have plenty at the moment. His ruckwork has also improved, he is more than a stopgap backup ruck, his palm work is sometimes sublime.

 

[Goody1971]

David Hale has been tremendous over the past month. He has been effective as a backup ruckman and been good down forward as well. He is better overhead than Franklyn.

Barring an injury, I cannot see Renouf getting back in as he is not strong enough around the ground in general play and is prone to clangers.

Not to mention a more reliable set shot for goal

 

[Henry Jr]

I think the OP needs to apologize for this thread - its a disgrace!

 

[Southern Urchins]

WORSE THREAD EVER!!!

The Halestorm is awesome!

 

[tazhawk]

So, my feeling is:

Hale delisted at the end of this year.

Those are my thoughts.

What are your feelings on Climate Change?

 

[2Sewell4School]

Tough crowd.

Go Hawks wasn't the only one questioning Hale's early performances.

I sure had my doubts.

 

[tazhawk]

Tough crowd.

Go Hawks wasn't the only one questioning Hale's early performances.

I sure had my doubts.

Ok to have doubts, but the guy called for him to be de-listed.

I mean I have my doubts that from 10 set shots at goal Buddy would get 10 goals. (but I do not want him de-listed)

 

[Southern Urchins]

The Halestorm has gone past Susie.

FACT!

 

[tazhawk]

The Halestorm has gone past Susie.

FACT!

Actually that is not a fact, it is an opinion.

 

[Neville Bartos]

WORSE THREAD EVER!!!

The Halestorm is awesome!

Amen. There's been serious Hale damage all over Patersons and Aurora Stadiums in the last 2 weeks.

I think the key difference is that we're actually playing him in the position he's perfectly suited to. He's probably not versatile enough (in terms of speed and collecting below his knees) to be a full-time forward and not fit/strong enough to be a full-time ruckman. It's amazing that the Roos carried him for so long when they knew they had a better version of him in Drew Petrie.

At present I'd rate the league's best FF/2nd Ruckman for 2011 as follows:

1. Petrie (4.6 hitouts, 2.3 goals per game)
2. Hale (12.8 hitouts, 1.2 goals)
3. Naitanui (18.8 hitouts, 0.7 goals, just not enough of a forward yet)
4. Hille (17.5 hitouts, 1.0 goals)
5. Clark (4.5 hitouts, 1.7 goals, missed too many games)
6. Tippett (5.7 hitouts, 1.6 goals)
7. Brown (6.1 hitouts, 1.2 goals, the definition of "making a contest")
8. Ryder (12.2 hitouts, 1.2 goals)
9. Vickery (7.1 hitouts, 1.7 goals)
10. Bradley (3.5 hitouts, 1.6 goals)

 

[Hodgepodge]

I think he's in the side until Grimley can overtake him. Which might not be far away.

 

[Ari Brown n Gold]

Canny trade by the Hawks.

Players have confidence kicking long and high to him as he is a clean mark. Fairly reliable kicking action as well.

Terrible when the ball hits the ground after a marking contest, yet his teammates now know this and get front and square at these contests helping to lock the ball in. Have noticed his second and third efforts after ruck contests have lifted considerably since his return to the side - confidence thing?

Overall, like Cheney and Gibson, he has improved as a footballer since joining the Hawks. Credit to the coaching staff and his teammates for this. One of the reasons why we are third with what seems now to be a deeper list of talent than we would have dreamed of in March this year.

 

[Roughies Boys]

I would have Hale in front of Renouf. Hales skill level and ability to play up forward and kick a goal is way superior than Renouf.

Maybe Renouf is in trouble. Bailey is no 1 now and it was always going to be like this. Renouf was filling in the gap. Bailey/Roughead combo is working a treat, no need for Renouf. Hale, may be a backup or another option down forward

Agree, Renouf & Lowden are a little bit more down in the future..... Grimley, Don't think we need Johnson hasn't showed much/

 

[BlackByrd]

I think he's in the side until Grimley can overtake him. Which might not be far away.

Grimley won't be AFL ready until 2013. He may get a game here or there but i wouldn't expect him to be a regular part of our side until 2013.

 

[2Sewell4School]

Ok to have doubts, but the guy called for him to be de-listed.

I mean I have my doubts that from 10 set shots at goal Buddy would not get 10 goals. (but I do not want him de-listed)

He definitely went early on the de-listing call.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Grimley won't be AFL ready until 2013. He may get a game here or there but i wouldn't expect him to be a regular part of our side until 2013.

Agreed.

Showing good signs at Box Hill, but the step up required to knock Hale out of the team is immense.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Agreed.

Showing good signs at Box Hill, but the step up required to knock Hale out of the team is immense.

We said the same thing about any number of senior players.

Grimley competes well enough in the ruck imo, the only thing he has to prove is that he can play up forward at AFL level.

P.S. Lowden too.

Still, happy with Hale at the moment. Real happy.

 

[Jedstar]

Like a few others I definitely had my reservations, but gee, the egg's on my face now. He's had a very impressive showing the last few weeks. It's almost gotten to the point where I'd rather have him in the goal square going for a mark than Buddy. Scratch that, I'm already there. Not saying much though, seeing as Buddy couldn't pull one down even if he went up with more than one hand in the air.

But I digress. He's a very important player to us now. Will be an integral cog come September.

 

[Daz]

Really stoked he's had some success at Hawthorn. Looks like being one of those nice trades that work out well for both teams.

 

[LuvMyHawks]

I couldn't believe that so many of you knocked the decision for Hale to play for us this year,when he was traded to us. You were so harsh in what you all said. Monkey has helped him improve, who has been with us for a few years now. Just give some of those traded to us show,that he/they can prove he/they were worth the faith from our club when traded.
(We certainly had a few that needed to be traded elsewhere, or let go).But FGS give our new players a chance with us..BEFORE you criticise how he plays.He has been worth having Hale placed on our list..We need him.!

 

[Hawka19]

David Hale has the same sort of smell that Stewey Dew had. I think he may play a vital role in the finals series for us.

I can't see Renouf getting back in anytime soon. I think Hale and Bailey have easily overtaken him. They're both way more versatile than Renouf.

 

[Speak No Evil]

Hale stays. That's my opinion anyway.

He has been fantastic as 2nd Ruckman. Has been a great help to Bailey. Does well in the ruck contests and has improved ( as the season has gone on) around the grounds. His a good mark, who will also give 2nd and 3rd efforts when ball hits the ground.

Hale has also given great service as the 2nd main tall in the forward line. Not only by helping Buddy but by also kicking goals regularly.

When our talls went down, especially Roughead, I was in shock. Thoughts of another wasted year was running through my head. (fearing that I will be hearing the "FLUKE" word for a much longer time). Hale (although not the only reason), has been a big part to Hawthorn improving this season and a bigger part in my beliefs that we are still in the premiership race.

I still believe.

Go Hawks.

 

[jd1991]

One thing about Hale - for the last few years at North - he was treated as just a full fwd and been the main focal point (thus attracting the best defender). Now at the Hawks he has freedom, in that he knows he will spend 30% to 40% of game time on the ball as a ruckmen, thus it frees his mind up, as if he is not doing well fwd he will have a chance in the ruck - at North with McIntosh and Goldy he didnt have this luxury.

Since he came back into the side, he knows he is not looking over his shoulder every week and I believe he now feels he belongs in the team (amazing what confidence does). Also when fwd, the opposition treat him as an after thought as Buddy is the main focus.

Another poster mentioned we are aware of his short comings fwd - in that his mobility at ground level isnt as good, and with only 2 talls fwd (sometimes with Buddy wandering up the ground only one), we have a very mobile fwd line/short fwd line. Earlier in the year when we had Hale/Roughead/Buddy we just seemed to slow, now with just two we seem a lot more mobile. Plus players such as Whitecross/Ryioli are very good hands on the lead for smaller players as well.

 

[dermott]

My God!!! With all this love for Hale appearing out of nowhere the next thing we will see is a back flip on Cameron Bruce.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

We said the same thing about any number of senior players.

Grimley competes well enough in the ruck imo, the only thing he has to prove is that he can play up forward at AFL level.

P.S. Lowden too.

Still, happy with Hale at the moment. Real happy.

I'm not sure how many games you've seen Grimley play, but he's a long way off overtaking Hale in the pecking order.