Player Watch F/S Cooper Hodge

[Mercy Seat]

Reading between the lines, I'd say he's leaning towards Brisbane as well.

Hodge has made a point of how Cooper wouldn't have developed nearly as well if it wasn't for the Lions academy. He mentioned the really cold day in Waverly in jest yesterday, but I also remember how much he and his wife said they enjoyed the weather when they moved to Brisbane, so I think this lifestyle factor would play bigger part than you'd think. Their family is up there, Cooper's mates are there. Of course it makes sense for him to play for Brisbane now.

It is just the AFL shouldn't have allowed this situation to happen. Brisbane have gotten 2 number 1 picks as father son, have multiple academy players to come in the next few seasons, probably get Oscar Allen as a free agent, all just after winning a premiership. They talk about equalisation, yet on top of that they might get 3 time Hawthorn premiership legend's son as an academy player, and the only reason he wouldn't get there is if they are too spoilt for choice for academy players and he gets squeezed out. It is ridiculous the talent they are going to have in the coming years. Yet the media narrative was big bad Sam talking to Allen during the year (after the Lions had already done so).

I wonder how Melbourne clubs are expected to compete against Lions, Suns, Swans etc if we aren't ultra aggressive given the above?

Hodge has mentioned that his wife will never let them move from Brisbane now that they're up there.

Honestly, I wouldn't begrudge Cooper for choosing Brisbane. With Ashcrofts and other academy picks, they are going to be playing at the pointy end for some time. All his mates are there or at least living in Brisbane, and I know how I felt at his age. I had very motivation to "follow in dad's footsteps" or anything sentimental like that. It would all come down to what I wanted to do, what my friends are doing and forging my own path.

Fingers crossed he's a pick 20-30 prospect and that other academy players are more of a priority for Brisbane.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Reckon the AFL will be playing their cards behind closed doors to ensure cooper ends up at Hawthorn. They know the backlash which will occur if it doesn't happen, and they won't be wanting to change the academies any further

 

[JZedd]

Reckon the AFL will be playing their cards behind closed doors to ensure cooper ends up at Hawthorn. They know the backlash which will occur if it doesn't happen, and they won't be wanting to change the academies any further

Hmm interesting take. Quite possible.

 

[MazHawk]

I've heard that Luke will be quite upset if Cooper doesn't choose us.
He wants father/son @ Hawthorn.

 

[Yardie]

Reckon the AFL will be playing their cards behind closed doors to ensure cooper ends up at Hawthorn. They know the backlash which will occur if it doesn't happen, and they won't be wanting to change the academies any further

It was mentioned on Mid Week Tackle last night that he was training with Hawthorn. Was interesting that the panel all agreed that he should only be available to Hawthorn and I'm sure the panel don't go for us.

I think that the media will make noise about this one to instigate change for other clubs down the track. Expect the rule change to occur after we get screwed and he ends up at Brisbane.

 

[Sixpence]

Have we given him a tour of Dingers?

 

[Harper_Hawk]

I've heard that Luke will be quite upset if Cooper doesn't choose us.
He wants father/son @ Hawthorn.

I can only imagine the feeling for the young man to walk into a club week in week out to train…that your father won 3 premierships AS captain and two Norm Smith medals. How proud would he feel to walk past those four premiership cups. It would be overwhelming and empowering for him to give ALL to the Hawks.

 

[cyrilicious]

I can only imagine the feeling for the young man to walk into a club week in week out to train…that your father won 3 premierships AS captain and two Norm Smith medals. How proud would he feel to walk past those four premiership cups. It would be overwhelming and empowering for him to give ALL to the Hawks.

could also be that demon in your head, thinking 'will I ever be good enough'

 

[badgrill]

could also be that demon in your head, thinking 'will I ever be good enough'

could go to the Saints then

 

[HawksILove]

My feeling , he will be a Hawk

 

[Jane Doe]

could also be that demon in your head, thinking 'will I ever be good enough'

Exactly what happend to Shane & Travis Tuck

 

[Bugs1977]

The question needs to be asked. Why would Cooper Hodge come down to Melbourne. Get picked up at the airport by Roughead. Stay at his place for two days and train with the Hawks. Whats the motive here? Is it to appease Hawks supporters if he goes to Brisbane or is it still open to discussion that he may choose the Hawks? Seems a strange carrot to dangle by the Hodges?

IMO he'd be crazy not to do his due diligence at both clubs whilst he has eligibility. If the Lions don't or can't draft him then there's a chance that we might.

It would make sense for the AFL to fix the F/S vs Academy priority access but you'd think in 9 times out of 10 the kid would choose the club that has F/S rights but unfortunately for us there's other deciding factors that could very we'll sway his decision the other way and you can bet your bottom dollar the AFL will ONLY close this loophole after we get bent over first.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

That simply ain't going to be happening.

I know - but a boy can dream.

 

[Flukey!]

Does ladder psoition come into at all? If we finished higher, could we call his name?

 

[TONYC3163]

Does ladder psoition come into at all? If we finished higher, could we call his name?

Not if he nominates Lions (well, we could, they would match)

 

[SSSSSS]

Que sera.

 

[Kuuz]

My feelings are pretty balanced on the matter. It’s up to Coop to choose the club that presents the best opportunities to him as a player and if he chooses Brisbane, I wish him all the best and that the Lions Academy burns to the ground

 

[HedgeFund]

The real factor is why can’t all clubs have an academy, it’s beyond a joke, every club should tell the AFL to get ****ed and start one, it’s good for the game and increases the talent pool

Yeah because the Coates League doesn’t really provide any decent talent for the draft does it?

How do you say the Victorian clubs running their own academies would….increase the talent pool?

FWIW - when the u18s replaced the VFL u19s the clubs rejoiced because they didn’t have to worry about devoting resources to 40 local kids, the majority of whom would never play reserves, let alone seniors at the club

 

[big footy cyril]

He mentioned how cold it was 4 times.

He’s not wrong. I used to defend that Melbourne ‘wasn’t that cold’ for decades, until moving away and getting some perspective

 

[ViperV10]

It's a situation no club with a 4x Premiership player (3x Captain) should be in, but 'should' is meaningless here. Ultimately it comes down to Cooper himself...none of our bemoaning will change anything (at least in this case).

On the matter of moving away from friends, plenty have done it (I did it post school) and you ultimately find friends wherever you go. Some of my best friends now are from work...and that's what I'd, selfishly, hope Cooper is hearing - that he'll make amazing mates at whichever club, but can absolutely do it away from home. And some will be like family. Hopefully (again I say selfishly) he'll realise that that can be at the Hawks, despite his current mates being in Brissy.

Only Cooper will know his motivations and I'll still hope he comes to us, because how bloody awesome would it be to have him at the home of his legendary Dad, adored by all of us supporters. We'll welcome him with open arms, and support him raucously.

 

[Dewnior]

If he does choose the Lions, then I'd be lobbying our club to bid on Lions academy players at every opportunity.

 

[tl92]

If he wants to play with his brothers (in the event they get drafted) F/S would be the safer bet. The academies, especially as they are, feel like a decent chance to be ditched every year.

 

[Bedi]

Exactly what happend to Shane & Travis Tuck

Daicos brothers and GAJ weren't fazed

 

[marklar]

Not if he nominates Lions (well, we could, they would match)

They could match, doesn't mean they will.

 

[Hungdaddy]

Even if he doesn't begin his career as a hawk, maybe he ends up with us after one or two contracts?