Has Hampson Turned The Corner?

[Deep Blue]

One game and only a practice game, but has Hampson turned the corner? Anyone see enough to go out on a limb?

Don't have Hampson in my best side for this year but starting to think that he might be a very good bet "floating" around at FF with Henderson at CHF. Was great to see him finally holding on to his marks - could this be the breakout year for him?

There are certainly options for talls at CFC - not many though, apart from Jamison and perhaps Warnock truly cementing their spots:

Jamison - FB looks like it's his

Austin ("The Invisible Man") - looked promising as a CHB and even potentially swapping with Waite up forward: forget that now

Waite - there will always be a place for him (barring suspension), but where - will he ever settle down in one spot? Think we should leave him up forward on a flank with a roving commission - looks like that's the intention

Henderson - looks like he'll be our CHF for the next several years at least

Warnock - looks like our first ruck; get the feeling he might be injury prone though (just a feeling)

Kreuzer - let's see how he goes first, bit worried he might come back too early - float around FF (compete with Hampson for this role) and/or "Kouta-like" ruck-rover

O'hAilpin - looks like with young KPPs coming on board his time could almost be up; possible option as versatile substitute his only likely option if things go really well

Casboult - promising 2012 onwards

Mitchell - a giant and could do a Henderson in a year or two

Watson - mature body and footy-smart: looks like he'll at least play several games this year already particularly with Jamison out early

McCarthy - looks the goods but needs to build up his body over the next two years

Thornton - if injury hits would not be adverse to playing him up forward, looks like his last year though at CFC

White/Bower - not quite the build for KPP roles but certainly Bower is in our best 22 at this stage

Hampson - could be the wildcard we've been looking for floating around up forward and giving Warnock a break from rucking duties and a stint up forward; this could potentially be a very potent double-act. With Garlett, Walker, Betts, Henderson, Waite and one off Hampson/Warnock up forward, our forward line could really make a mark this year. Three mobile and athletic talls in Hampson, Waite and Henderson; one average-sized aggressive forward in Walker and two live-wire crumbers in Garlett and Betts!

 

[Close to 17]

No to the question.......not yet

 

[blue gunslinger]

One game and only a practice game
answer in the 1st 2 words. We shall see

 

[thylacine60]

He can see traffic lights, a Maccas and a 7/11 ahead so he is definitely in view of an approaching intersection.

 

[le dominateur]

Good summary of our KP stock. We are due for a change of luck regarding injuries to our big fellas.

 

[Magnificence]

Nothing I saw yesterday suggested he turned the corner, flew for and dropped numerous marks as per usual.

 

[thylacine60]

Thought his mobility, speed, tap work and second efforts were all on display yesterday. Sure, he still drops marks we would like him to hold but he is giving the team so much more than that atm. I give Shaun Hampson a 7.5/10 for his game yesterday.

 

[Sam The Doc]

Seems to turn the corner every preseason...

 

[Deep Blue]

Seems to turn the corner every preseason...

Give him a bit of time - guy really has serious potential; would hate to see him at Gold Coast as their version of Kurt Tippett. Maybe you're right and he's just going around in circles - will always only be a tease?

 

[Silvagnis]

Nothing I saw yesterday suggested he turned the corner, flew for and dropped numerous marks as per usual.

Seems to turn the corner every preseason...

And supporters jump on their whipping boy every pre-season because they can't see the forest for the trees in their development.

See Russell, Robinson and Yarran.

I prefer the judgement of those who have a clue and said Hampson is on track.

Warnock and Hampson more than held their own against the highly rated Hille and Ryder last year.

Some have no idea.

 

[juddyblu]

Nothing I saw yesterday suggested he turned the corner, flew for and dropped numerous marks as per usual.

What game did you watch? If thats what you honestly think then you need to get you eyes checked.

He dominated yesterday. And by that I mean man handling ottens in ruck conests and winning every hitout, spoiling ottens on the lead and in one on ones in defensive 50, filling the hole in defensive 50 and taking some grabs there, 3-4 pack marks, second efforts and winning the ball at ground level to dish of to midfielders.

For mine he was a top 3 player on the ground and best on until at least half time.

Yes he has turned a corner and could be anything.

 

[blues4flag]

He was very good today -and unlike in the past, that's not in comparison to his past performances but by any measure. Marking was a highlight. Doesn't grab them all but he crashes packs and gets hands to the ball 9 times out 10, even when out of position. Don't think he was outmarked once yesterday.

 

[Sam The Doc]

And supporters jump on their whipping boy every pre-season because they can't see the forest for the trees in their development.

There is nothing more i want to see than this tree develop in the forest.....

Just tired of hearing potential for the last 4-5 years straight.

 

[HARKER]

You'd like to think so, but not yet.

The signs yesterday were very good and to have taken 3 (?) strong pack marks suggested he is getting better than worse.
3 quality AFL games in a row will tell us he's on the right path, but sadly not yet for mine.

 

[thylacine60]

What if he develops and no-one is watching?

 

[Sam The Doc]

What if he develops and no-one is watching?

In the forest or the footy field?

 

[HARKER]

I prefer the judgement of those who have a clue and said Hampson is on track.

Warnock and Hampson more than held their own against the highly rated Hille and Ryder last year.

Some have no idea.

Maybe so TG but Hampson doesn't look "killer" enough just yet.
In a funny way he reminds me of Grigg and I'm not suggesting he has the attitude that Grigg had whilst with us, but it largely seems to be a gentle affair for him on the park.
When he starts to crash packs with authority then I'll put my hand up for the birth of "The Hammer"

 

[blue gunslinger]

Maybe so TG but Hampson doesn't look "killer" enough just yet.
In a funny way he reminds me of Grigg and I'm not suggesting he has the attitude that Grigg had whilst with us, but it largely seems to be a gentle affair for him on the park.
When he starts to crash packs with authority then I'll put my hand up for the birth of "The Hammer"

he may end up killing somebody

 

[HARKER]

he may end up killing somebody

They can't all be Jonathan Browns, but he has the closing speed to get into a good position and just to smack a few packs open would do wonders for him and conversely put the opposition on notice.

 

[T2B_]

Dunno, we can only truly see once the season starts and he hopefully gets a good run of games.

But, by the sounds of his game against AFL opponents, even in a practice game, is extremely encouraging and at least shows what the man is capable of.
When he's really on, it seems like Kreuzer, he can really double as that extra midfielder or float as a KPP.

 

[The Real Deal]

There were a couple of instances yesterday where 5 or 6 flew for a mark and he seemed to hold his ground and pluck it. I don't recall him taking too many strong pack marks in the past so this stood out for me- I think he could improve quite a bit this year.

 

[Mister Carlton]

There were a couple of instances yesterday where 5 or 6 flew for a mark and he seemed to hold his ground and pluck it. I don't recall him taking too many strong pack marks in the past so this stood out for me- I think he could improve quite a bit this year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acphotography18/5519353884/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acphotography18/5518689301/

It was great to see him physically exhausted at the end of the game. Really pushed himself on Saturday took some great marks, rucked and kicked well.

It's Hammer time!

 

[OldBlueFan]

They can't all be Jonathan Browns, but he has the closing speed to get into a good position and just to smack a few packs open would do wonders for him and conversely put the opposition on notice.

I was sitting on the exact opposite side of the pack in which he took that goal square mark against Adelaide. We couldn't even see him until he split the pack like ten pins, clunked the mark with one grab and left an Adelaide defender writhing on the ground in pain.

I wasn't at the game yesterday, but from the sounds of things, 2 games in a row would have to mean he's heading in the right direction on the "splitting packs open" front!

 

[parrot]

Reckon he has. He's playing with much more intensity now. I saw the same change in Warnock half way through last season. Warnock got a bit of a wake up call, and from that point on he started throwing himself into contests, busting a few packs, and showing a bit of attitude. It was a huge transformation from his almost timid start to season 2010. Hampson's showing similar changes. We all know he's extremely talented, now it's an attitude thing. Early days, but great signs against quality opposition.

 

[OnceWeWereKings]

Maybe so TG but Hampson doesn't look "killer" enough just yet.
In a funny way he reminds me of Grigg and I'm not suggesting he has the attitude that Grigg had whilst with us, but it largely seems to be a gentle affair for him on the park.
When he starts to crash packs with authority then I'll put my hand up for the birth of "The Hammer"

Harks,

He did this on Saturday, dominated a big body in Ottens ( Who may be getting past it ) was good against Adelaide too.

Think he is starting to realise he is a massive unit that can cause damage.
If he can continue to improve could be anything in the next year or two.

If he can get to, and commit to the marking contest as he has in the past two games you dont need him to mark everything. What you do need is our smalls to be front and centre.

In terms of body developement he is still just a pup, when he gets his "man body" it could be frightening.

He's massive and moves real well, looks like the skills and the killer is starting to come. I think we will be seeing Hammer Time