Toast George Horlin-Smith

[iameviljez]

At the start of the year when interviewing Bartel, they asked him to name a younger player who people might not know much about who was ready to step into the best 22 aka Duncan, Menzel and Christensen from the year before. His answer was GHS, so he is obviously highly rated internally. I was a bit disappointed he didn't get more of a chance in the 1's this year and I'm not entirely sure why he didn't but look forward to seeing more of him next year.

Yeh, I was also wondering whether he may have had intimate relations with someone quite special to the Selection Committee.

 

[BallerO]

Looks like a midfielder, quacks like a midfielder. Is probably a midfielder.

PS: Waddles a bit like a duck, though.

So, could he be a suitable replacement for Corey?

 

[bulletproof]

I think some of you are missing the point on his pace, it is not his pace that is as much of a problem it is general poor athleticism.

Ling was slow but had freakish endurance and strength. Kennedy is a bit the same. Mitchell is also a bull. They are actually power athletes.

Horlin Smith did not look like an AFL prepared player earlier in the season, in a physical sense. I'd say that is why he did not get a game because the coaches agreed because on football ability he is a better player than many who did. I understand he had a unusual pathway to the game which might explain it, partially.

He needs a massive pre-season with both weights and running, if his body handles it, he might be a very useful player.

 

[witsend]

I have always thought this kid will be a star. I worked with the father of one of his mates who went to school with him and he had nothing but praise for him. He's a very well educated boy, very smart, went to a good private school and could have either been a gun Cricketer or Footballer. He has all the characteristics which the GFC look in young lads before drafting them, and from all reports he is of exceptional character. I am really looking forward to hyphen having a big 2013.

Thats what I was getting at with the OP...I saw a couple of interviews and was very impressed with his calm, authoritative demeanour. Looks to have genuine natural leadership charisma to me!

 

[iameviljez]

So, could he be a suitable replacement for Corey?

And think - between them, they'd have two last names!

 

[Partridge]

At the start of the year when interviewing Bartel, they asked him to name a younger player who people might not know much about who was ready to step into the best 22 aka Duncan, Menzel and Christensen from the year before. His answer was GHS, so he is obviously highly rated internally. I was a bit disappointed he didn't get more of a chance in the 1's this year and I'm not entirely sure why he didn't but look forward to seeing more of him next year.

As was I. My guess would be he's being groomed to be Corey's successor, so perhaps the view was give him as many VFL games as possible playing that role, and hopefully he'll be ready to step up in 2013. Especially with Corey already being in the seniors. Looks pretty positive so far. It was striking to me how similar a role he played to Corey on Sunday.

 

[Partridge]

So, could he be a suitable replacement for Corey?

Yes.

 

[Claude Balls]

If we pick up Caddy we will have Hyphen, Selwood & bundy as inside mids, with varcoe, caddy, Duncan as outsides and hunt as a tagger.
And then throw Johnson, Bartel & Kelly in rotating multiple positions, all of a sudden our midfield looks very very strong.

IMO your post just highlights our dearth of inside mid prospects. Bundy is too small to do it full time (will keep getting impact injuries if he plays that role all the time), and Hyphen is a prospect.

When we were at our peak we had lots of big strong bodies who could play the inside role. Corey, Ling, Bartel, Kelly and Ablett. Then throw in Chappy and Max Rooke as cameos. I feel like I'm forgetting someone. Anyway, my point is that our midfield will not be "very, very strong", for a few years yet, and it is contigent, IMO, on picking up someone from elsewhere, and Hyphen AND another player stepping up.

 

[Claude Balls]

From what I've seen - and I'll immediately bow to others who have far greater knowledge - Guthrie is a natural defender and I'm quietly (actually very) confident he'll be a mainstay of our defense for the next 10 years. Horlin-Smith to me looks more like a midfielder. We do need to find another small to mid-sized defender though, no doubt at all. I'm not sure Murdoch needs to be a defender, he could be devastating on a wing once he gets more experience.

My dad spoke to Matty Knights a while back, who said that the club saw Guthrie as a midfielder in the long term. I personally think he could be a great midfielder, as he makes good decisions in close, is deceptively quick, and has good hands and is a good kick.

 

[Wargreymon90]

Saw him player when he was younger. Very skillful and very athletic. The type of player who will do whatever it takes to be the best.

Very jealous that you guys have him

 

[Strangled Cat]

Saw him player when he was younger. Very skillful and very athletic. The type of player who will do whatever it takes to be the best.

Very jealous that you guys have him

Yes he is a gun kid in the making, it's good to see oppo supporters rating him. No ine on your board thought much of him when spoken about in a possible trade deal with Boak. It's all history now, but to think that we will likely keep hyphen and land Josh Caddy, I certainly think that both GFC and PAFC won, well in your case you didn't at least lose which is great for you.

 

[Wargreymon90]

Yes he is a gun kid in the making, it's good to see oppo supporters rating him. No ine on your board thought much of him when spoken about in a possible trade deal with Boak. It's all history now, but to think that we will likely keep hyphen and land Josh Caddy, I certainly think that both GFC and PAFC won, well in your case you didn't at least lose which is great for you.

Fwiw I was keen for ghs to be involved in a potential trade for Boak. We would have wanted a bit more of course.

I'm sure you guys are more than happy keeping him though

 

[supahoops]

From what I've seen - and I'll immediately bow to others who have far greater knowledge - Guthrie is a natural defender and I'm quietly (actually very) confident he'll be a mainstay of our defense for the next 10 years. Horlin-Smith to me looks more like a midfielder. We do need to find another small to mid-sized defender though, no doubt at all. I'm not sure Murdoch needs to be a defender, he could be devastating on a wing once he gets more experience.

Small - Eardley

Mid-Size - Bews

18 months - Sorted

 

[Moggy]

I am just loving George at the moment.
The kid really has his head screwed on the right way.

Go George and go catters!

 

[ekel92]

nice avatar

he played a great game on sunday, should have a lot of opportunities next year. cannot wait.

Yes, I've noticed you around the traps. Hopefully Denz plays a few more next year so we have more of a selection

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think some of you are missing the point on his pace, it is not his pace that is as much of a problem it is general poor athleticism.

Ling was slow but had freakish endurance and strength. Kennedy is a bit the same. Mitchell is also a bull. They are actually power athletes.

Horlin Smith did not look like an AFL prepared player earlier in the season, in a physical sense. I'd say that is why he did not get a game because the coaches agreed because on football ability he is a better player than many who did. I understand he had a unusual pathway to the game which might explain it, partially.

He needs a massive pre-season with both weights and running, if his body handles it, he might be a very useful player.

Keep in mind he had never done a pre season pre draft (because of cricket commitments with aust)

Given that, he's tracking just fine.

Pretty confident that after a big pre season he will be a regular next year.

 

[Turbocat]

Keep in mind he had never done a pre season pre draft (because of cricket commitments with aust)

Given that, he's tracking just fine.

Pretty confident that after a big pre season he will be a regular next year.

Is there a little bit of Jobe Watson about him. Got fit , got tough, got real good.

 

[Copernicus]

From what I've seen - and I'll immediately bow to others who have far greater knowledge - Guthrie is a natural defender and I'm quietly (actually very) confident he'll be a mainstay of our defense for the next 10 years. Horlin-Smith to me looks more like a midfielder. We do need to find another small to mid-sized defender though, no doubt at all. I'm not sure Murdoch needs to be a defender, he could be devastating on a wing once he gets more experience.

I agree. I don't see Rupert as a defender in the Wojo mould (and let's be honest, he was never a top notch defender, his impact came from his rebounding) but I think he could be really useful on the wing. It's an ideal position to utilise his pace and long kicking.

GHS is a natural in and under midfielder from what I have seen. Guthrie will be our next version of Boris in five years.

 

[meto]

I agree. I don't see Rupert as a defender in the Wojo mould (and let's be honest, he was never a top notch defender, his impact came from his rebounding) but I think he could be really useful on the wing. It's an ideal position to utilise his pace and long kicking.

GHS is a natural in and under midfielder from what I have seen. Guthrie will be our next version of Boris in five years.

Whether it's his football, or his auritory abilities, he's sure enamored himself to Cats fans since the VFL granny.

His next pre-season is crutial in his development as a future star and leader with this footy club, I hope the coaching staff see his potential and really push this young guy who seems to have something special.

I don't think I'm overly exaggerating, and I'm sure we've all noticed the possibilities with GHS.

Thankyou South Australia!

 

[BIGANT]

After watching his delivery in the GF kicking 50m on the run.... i'd say yes...
Not elite yet but very very good.... If he can get some more engine and a little more size he will be a beauty.... and im very impressed with what he carries between the ears too... smart, well versed and a great talker...

GO Catters

he's an elite college boy from adelaide's eastern suburbs daz