Has Hampson Turned The Corner?

[DirkDiggler]

Great athlete without the football nous. Will develop incrementally. Fortunately for us has a great upside. What I like about him on Saturday was his ability to lead the pack from the front. When he jumps for the mark with his inspector gadget hands(straight and up) his opponents have little chance to spoil the ball. Unfortunately he hasnt got soft hands and drops too many straight forward marks. If he can fix this as well as his goal kicking, the kid can play anywhere.

 

[Mister Carlton]

If he can fix this as well as his goal kicking, the kid can play anywhere.

CHB?

 

[HARKER]

Without doubt his best game for Carlton on Saturday.

For now, at least.

I really didn't set out to bag Hampson, but I'm not expecting miracles from him just yet.
We may still be a couple of years away from Hampson coming into his own, but that may just be worth the wait.
I hope we don't get him torn from our arms in the mean time.

 

[T2B_]

What I like about him on Saturday was his ability to lead the pack from the front. When he jumps for the mark with his inspector gadget hands(straight and up) his opponents have little chance to spoil the ball. Unfortunately he hasnt got soft hands and drops too many straight forward marks. If he can fix this as well as his goal kicking, the kid can play anywhere.

Agreed, and it's scary to think that if he can develop to where we think he can, he can not only be the one contesting for a mark, but also be another to dash through the midfield if we need him to. A bit of play in a Brisbane game a year or two ago running down the wing with Kreuz, sprinting ahead and then smacking one inside 50 springs to mind.

Not that you would really want Hammer to be delivering inside 50 too often but you know what I mean

 

[Jeremias]

Hasn't 'turned the corner', but he's well and truly on his way.

I've been to the last 2 practise matches at Visy Park, and the improvement is clear.

We all know he's a beast, and he's started to play as though he knows it.

His ruckwork has always been sound. He was very impressive as our secondary ruckman in 2009, and even last year was more than serviceable when playing in the ruck.

Where he was struggling was more around the ground and up forward. We all know he struggles to hold his marks, and his kicking for goal has average. He also perhaps was not asserting himself on contested marking situations as much as a man of his size should.

However, it is clear that he has been working a heap on his marking. He's holding on to them more, and when he doesn't, in the forward line, he creates a contest and brings it to ground, where our crumbers are ready to pounce.

That shows me that not only has he improved his marking, but he's thinking that if he can't quite mark it, he has to get it to ground rather than simply let his opponent take it away with ease.

With Jacobs gone and Kreuz on the recovery trail, Hammer will have a big role to play this season.

We've seen the MC experiment with him up forward, and whilst he never really asserted himself on a game, he showed glimpses. 12 shots from 6 or so games playing as a forward indicates that he has what it takes to have a serious impact on the scoreboard once he becomes more comfortable in that role. And with the new sub rule in effect, he'll need to - both he and Warnock will take turns drifting forward throughout the season.

He'll be in Navy Blue come round 1, and IMO he'll play most games in the seniors this season. He'll be under more pressure for his spot when Kreuzer returns, but for now he's fairly safe so he needs to have an impact, which I believe he will.

He'll make it. He's well on the way.

 

[Claypigeon]

I like what I've heard so far. .. given that he appears to be in good early form, I am glad (for his sake) that he gets a few weeks to prove his worth. .. If he and nocka play blinders then we might see all three in the team once Kreuz is fit. ..

Having said that he needs to return the faith that Ratts and co have put in him, so it will be good to see. ..

 

[Mr.X]

No.

Trade bait at the end of the season

 

[The_Wookie]

Ive been watching some of the matches from last year, and I firmly believe that hampsons marking is no worse than hendersons. If he's improved, and he goes forward, he will be more valuable for us down there than henderson.

 

[Sublime]

While Hammer doesn't take as many marks as we would all like him to, i also don't think its quite as bad as some make it out to be. The thing i like about Hammer is that he is rarely out-marked. Prefer the ball in a 50/50 situation rather than the other team marking the ball and pinging it back the other way. When in the forward line we have the quality of small forwards to make us very damaging when this happens.

His marking when out in front has become more reliable than it was say a couple of years ago, so he is definitely progressing well i feel. Stick a few more of his pack marks and we'll all be salivating.

 

[Claypigeon]

Ive been watching some of the matches from last year, and I firmly believe that hampsons marking is no worse than hendersons. If he's improved, and he goes forward, he will be more valuable for us down there than henderson.

Henderson has a footy brain though and moves to the right spots, so its not simply decided by comparing their marking. .. Besides, while Lachie had some off games last year his marking is not as bad as you suggest. ..

 

[brazilblue]

I went to the last practice match to see Yaz, Hammer, Laidler and Duigan play.

Came out impressed with all of them. Was disappointed with Hammer last season and had my doubts as to whether knocking back pick 9 from Port a couple of years back as the right decision (at the time I agreed with the decision).

After his average 2010 season (I know there were injuries) I will be the first to put up my hand and say I was a believer then I lost faith brigade but now I feel even worst because I belong to the on again off again on again brigade.

Please Hammer start realising your potential because unlike Yaz where I have stayed true and have such pride in the fact that I could spot a talented mother f**ker I feel terrible for doubting you.

Saying that should you disappoint I will be very upset!

 

[inyourcool]

brazil, my faith started waivering too
I thought 2010 would be the year he made solid progress
Maybe we were off the year it would happen. Could be 2011 by all reports!

 

[blues4flag]

brazil, my faith started waivering too
I thought 2010 would be the year he made solid progress
Maybe we were off the year it would happen. Could be 2011 by all reports!

He did have injury concerns last year. Looking great thus far this preaseason...I'm excited.

 

[The_Wookie]

Henderson has a footy brain though and moves to the right spots, so its not simply decided by comparing their marking. .. Besides, while Lachie had some off games last year his marking is not as bad as you suggest. ..

Im not saying he was bad - although I remain unsold on him - Im saying Hammer wasnt as bad as people are making out.

 

[Claypigeon]

Im not saying he was bad - although I remain unsold on him - Im saying Hammer wasnt as bad as people are making out.

No probs. .. and for what its worth I agree on the marking side of things. .. For mine, Hammers problem was usually his decision making and lack of competitiveness in the Ruck. .. I'm hoping what I've heard about him in the pre-season, leads to good things in the real games. ..

 

[Mr.X]

After last night, it's pretty clear what the answer is...

 

[lionel_luthor]

thought Hampson was important in the final stanza, ruckmen do not need to rack up big stats to be effective

 

[pumped]

Not sure he has turned the corner but is steadily improving. Wasn't at the ground but on tv looked like the delivery to him when he was forward was often terrible. In general Carlton players are not great at delivering the ball at the right time and also to the advantage side of our forwards. If they start to put the ball to Hampsons advantage he will at least bring the ball to the ground for us.

 

[Silvagnis]

After last night, it's pretty clear what the answer is...

The answer is we shouldn't listen to you or the rest of the usual suspects who vent after a loss.

 

[Faz 2000]

When he gets a straight run at the ball he is just too damn big for many defenders out there. It's great in theory, but the kicks have to go to him and he has to know where to be. There were several occasions where he was caught running the wrong way when the kick actually came.

There's no reason a 200cm athlete with a decent leap shouldn't be bringing Betts, Garlett and Walker into the game regularly - except if we don't kick it to him.

I'll be happy if I never see another long kick to Eddie Betts in a contest. Ever. Hammer had more contested marks last night than Betts does in his career. Deliver it to the right person in the right spots, and everyone will benefit.

 

[Azul]

There's no reason a 200cm athlete with a decent leap shouldn't be bringing Betts, Garlett and Walker into the game regularly - except if we don't kick it to him.

"Hammer's Little Helper" Eddie Betts nails another goal.