Fair enough

[RustyHawk]

From Sunday's Herald Sun

"Fitness crunch for winged Hawk
20 November 2005 Sunday Herald Sun

PROMISING Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell has been given the same ultimatum as veteran John Barker -- he must prove his fitness before the final list is lodged in early December.

Like 30-year-old Barker, Campbell is on a modified program after tearing his knee cartilage in Round 1 this year -- and will be cut from the list should he fail to prove his fitness.

Campbell had played 40 matches as a willing backup to Peter Everitt entering last season, but despite early predictions he would miss only eight matches he failed to play another game.

Clubs have had two opportunities to delist players with their final chance on December 2, in time for the pre-season and rookie drafts on December 13.

Campbell, 23, with Simon Taylor one of only two back-ups for Everitt, has been training well, but must perform for the next two weeks to ensure he continues his career at Hawthorn.

The Hawks believe Collingwood will take young Gippsland onballer Xavier Ellis at No.2 in the draft and say talk of a weak talent pool is short-sighted.

Hawthorn list manager Chris Pelchen says the club's ability to snare five of the first 22 draft picks before the priority pick system is watered down should set it on the path to long-term success.

"We don't see this draft as poor," he said. "We see this draft as equal to other drafts. It may not be as strong as 2001, it may not be as strong as 2006, but history will be the judge of that.

"People who have referred to next year's draft as stronger, that is just subjective at this stage. And already, with the likely scenario of rule changes next year in terms of the concessional selections, the likelihood of any side picking up five selections inside the first 22 is very small."

After presenting a 40-page dossier outlining its rebuilding strategy to the board, Hawthorn believes that in the next few drafts it must recruit another five or six A-grade players to give it the dozen it believes it needs to win a premiership. "

I must admit I am a big Robbie fan, but if the kid cant play with the weight that he carries..... so long. Footy is a ruthless business, but if were going to be a powerhouse so be it. I much prefer the 80's when we were kings to the 90's when we were just mediocre.

 

[Binxy]

Just..........too.............slow.........

 

[Scribe]

Agreed.

Best to cut him now and open up another spot for a younger, fitter, faster, better player.

 

[GoHawks!!]

Come on guys,

Robbie Campbell was going to be AC's choice in 2005 as back up ruckman to Peter Everitt, only to blow out his knee in Round 1.

AC had all summer last year to see if he was up to the job and obviously thought he was.

As a big man, Robbie Campbell should only now be coming into his best years - let's at least give him 2006 to see if he is up to it at the top level.

 

[half time lollies]

The club would be better off getting rid of him i think. He is a great competitor but that's about the only thing he has got going for him.

 

[Scribe]

Come on guys,

Robbie Campbell was going to be AC's choice in 2005 as back up ruckman to Peter Everitt, only to blow out his knee in Round 1.

AC had all summer last year to see if he was up to the job and obviously thought he was.

As a big man, Robbie Campbell should only now be coming into his best years - let's at least give him 2006 to see if he is up to it at the top level.

If you are right, and AC formed his view over last summer, then why the ultimatum? This clearly doesn't support your theory.

I suggest AC "obviously" thinks he's borderline now, given Simon Taylor's reasonable efforts in the second half of the season.

 

[mattyc2422]

He's been at the club since 2001, but he deserves 1 more chance. If we get rid of him, we'd probably end up using both picks 63 and the PSD pick, or 2 PSD picks. Is it worth it? Perhaps...

I hope he comes through for another go, as we already lack ruckmen.

 

[cs61]

As matty said, we already lack ruckmen, we can't just afford to cut players off, you have to look at structure. I think at full fitness he is still a better option than simon taylor. Taylor is actually older than Cambell if i recall.

 

[Hawkk]

As matty said, we already lack ruckmen, we can't just afford to cut players off, you have to look at structure. I think at full fitness he is still a better option than simon taylor. Taylor is actually older than Cambell if i recall.

Campbell has size and weight, as well as being much more skilled as a player then Taylor...Having said that, it just shows how weak the depth is in our ruck division.

I find it funny that we have arguably the best ruckman in the league, yet our ruck department is one of the weakest in the league and needs serious attention.

Sought of saids alot for our string ruckman's skills and potential to improve.

That is why we need to take Ryder with #3

 

[Roughie]

Do you think hawthorn could even consider picking Mitch Clark with pick 6 or even hoping for him to drop at 14? I think he could be a better option at ruck then ryder and we could pick ryder with 3. This could leave us developing ryder at CHF or even FF with mitch clark in ruck?

Mitchell Clark
State: WA
Height: 198.1cm
Weight: 91.3kg
Club: East Fremantle
DOB: 19-Oct-87
Position: Tall Fwd

Tall forward/ruckman who is strong overhead, agile and a good kick. Talented volleyballer, joint winner of the Sheehan medal at NAB AFL U16 Championships in 2003 with Brett Deledio. Member of the AIS/AFL Academy in 2002/2003. Mixed his football this year between Colts, Reserves and Senior Football - Noted goalkicker and shows presence up forward. Volleyballer who was offered scholarship at AIS. From Riverton FC.

 

[GoHawks!!]

Good point Scribe,

Maybe AC wants to give Robbie a rocket now to make sure he is making every post a winner and to make sure that Robbie is confident that his knee is going to stand up.

From the outside, and thinking back to when Robbie was playing two years ago he looked talented and big enough, but perhaps not physical enough (of course, he is still only a kid in ruck terms).

Let's face it, I do not think too many of us really thought Peter Everitt would be as dominant a ruckman for us as he has turned out to be - and at the ancient age (in footy years) of 30 - 31!

Give the kid another go folks, at least until Simon Taylor learns to pick the ball up below his knees and/or one of our KPP picks this year turns into the next star Hawthorn ruckman

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

i hope Robbie can do it he is awsome and i know for a fact he would make a good CHF i think it was that my friend said he would make

 

[vanders]

That information is false. He signed a 1 year contract last week.

 

[HAWKS HEROES]

That information is false. He signed a 1 year contract last week.

great news