Hille needs backup not bagging

[AnarchicBomber]

I don't know if I'm overstating things but it seems like there's alot of anti-Hille posts floating around at the moment. I thought his improvement this year was enormous and his impact on some games was terriffic. I will admit he struggled a bit in the finals but the guy is 22 being asked to virtually go it alone in the ruck. He needs another quality tall in our top 22 to give him a rest in the forward line. I think his ability to score goals (as distinct from his accuracy if that makes sense) is actually a strength of his along with his marking (remember the mark he took against the Lions). He misses some easy shots but no doubt that will improve. I think any criticisms of him stem from our last three matches. If you assess the season in its entirety he was terrific. Come on there must be some Bomber fans who'll back me up!

 

[Pornstar]

From rounds 11 to 22 he averaged 22 hitouts and a goal per game. Not too many ruckmen can do that. Star in the making.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Originally posted by AnarchicBomber
I don't know if I'm overstating things but it seems like there's alot of anti-Hille posts floating around at the moment. I thought his improvement this year was enormous and his impact on some games was terriffic. I will admit he struggled a bit in the finals but the guy is 22 being asked to virtually go it alone in the ruck. He needs another quality tall in our top 22 to give him a rest in the forward line. I think his ability to score goals (as distinct from his accuracy if that makes sense) is actually a strength of his along with his marking (remember the mark he took against the Lions). He misses some easy shots but no doubt that will improve. I think any criticisms of him stem from our last three matches. If you assess the season in its entirety he was terrific. Come on there must be some Bomber fans who'll back me up!

If this is in response to my thread then you have misunderstood my point - it was not to bag him but to say he needs more support - although his ruck work is terrible - see last match for proof. He has improved heaps and will continue to do so - but I think he is more suited to a forward role long term.

 

[AnarchicBomber]

I realise what you're saying Pevers but I maintain he did enought this year to show that he will be our number 1 ruckman for the future. In relation to your comment that I need only look at the last game for proof of his poor ruck skills I'll repeat the point tht people are only looking at his last two or three weeks when they should look at the whole season. As 'pornstar' points out his ruckwork in the second half of the home and away season was very good for a 22 year old!

 

[Pornstar]

Re: Re: Hille needs backup not bagging

Originally posted by Pevers-Legend
- although his ruck work is terrible - see last match for proof

What does James Hird's last match say about his ability as a midfielder?

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Re: Re: Re: Hille needs backup not bagging

Originally posted by Pornstar
What does James Hird's last match say about his ability as a midfielder?

I think you are getting a tad to defensive. Hille doesn;t seem very natural at getting his hand on the ball. I have a ton of time for him as he has heaps of talent - look - a year ago I saw him as the next big thing at Windy Hill - but I just think he is better suited to a forward role. How good would it be if we could play him as a forward - that way he could take boundary throw ins up forward and give the ruckman a chance to drop back and take the defensive ones. I think he will be our no 1 ruck for the next 2 years - but I could see him becoming a better froward than permanent ruckman.

I think he has improved but still gets smashed in the ruck sometimes and our midfield pays - we need someone else so when this is happening we can try to do something to stop it.

 

[essnickess]

surely hille should be a better tap ruckman. wasn't he a representative volleyballer, he should be dominating the hitouts

 

[Pornstar]

Originally posted by essnickess
surely hille should be a better tap ruckman. wasn't he a representative volleyballer, he should be dominating the hitouts

You do realise that in volleyball you don't have a 200cm, 100kg bloke jumping into you?

This is unbelievable stuff here. The guy is 22 and has played about 15 games as #1 ruck and done a pretty good job overall considering he has been up against guys with tons more experience than him. Give him a decent chance before you write off his ruck skills.

 

[WABomber]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Hille needs backup not bagging

As good as Hille was in certain games im sure when he comes across opponents like Gardiner or Primus or any other dominant ruck he will get 0wnd.. In the future he may develop but I dont think EFC has the time to wait especially if he gets an injury or sumthin.. relying on him so strongly is just asking for him to get exposed by more experienced ruckmen which is why he prolly gets alotta criticism.. Backup would be good (besides Henneman).. but I think sheeds is looking more long term rather than a quick fix :/ Regardless... I'll stick by Hille no matter what sheeds does... after watching him play sandilands like a chump and lose in tapouts but still outplay him..

 

[bacon buster]

he was 6th in hitouts this year, before finals. i was suprised at that

obviously he got didn't do too well in the finals, but sandilands is a freak, and he just had a bad game against port.

collingwood have proven that you don't need a dominant ruckman to do well in clearances, although it helps.

 

[Hosko]

I think you are getting a tad to defensive. Hille doesn;t seem very natural at getting his hand on the ball.

agree with this. it seems like his 1st priority is to cannon into his opponent and knock them off balance.
Hille has been fabulous for us this year and will be great for us in the future. However we simply can not go into 2004 with only 1 player who is capable of playing in the ruck (henneman = not capable). We should trade for someone cheap (Allan or Street or whoever we can get that can get effective hitouts) and use them to help out Hille untill Layco(K is ready.

 

[TD]

I have been a big rap for Hille since i saw him taking strong grabs across half back in the VFL.

I think he has improved a huge amount and is definately the future for the EFC in terms of number 1 ruckman.

However my biggest criticism of the boy is his goal kicking. He is a fantastic kick for goal if he is outside 50, or we are 10 goals up, but my mum is a better kick for goal from 30 metres directly in front when we need the goal to put us in front.

He simply cannot kick goals when they matter. (see Kangaroos game, Collingwood game and Port game). I am convinced that is all in his head and will hopefully be sorted out with experience.

 

[Darealrath]

I like Hille a lot - but you can't expect him to ruck a whole season by himself next year. Hopefully O'Keefe will be the goods, but i'd be happy for us to keep Ces on for another year. Our ruck seemed to work well when both he and Hille played.

 

[Hosko]

However my biggest criticism of the boy is his goal kicking. He is a fantastic kick for goal if he is outside 50, or we are 10 goals up, but my mum is a better kick for goal from 30 metres directly in front when we need the goal to put us in front.

It is absolutely excruciating! please view the Collingwood and Kangaroos games for examples.

 

[Cupestar]

To be fair, the collingwood game was a shot from a tough angle in terribly windy conditions. Hille seems to like the Dome I've noticed.

But yes, I was behind the goals at the North game...very disappointing, but I have faith in him.

 

[windyhill]

Hille is magic, i`ve been on since day one. He is not going to blitz ever game, people need some perspective.

 

[topdon]

I sill don't think he is a ruckman. He is a forward!

 

[Stealth bomber]

Will rehash what I said in the other thread - he needs someone to spell him and/or compliment him.

The better sides don't just have one good ruckman, they have a good ruck division.

Port - Primus, Brogan, Lade
Brisbane - McDonald, Keating, Charman
Sydney - Goodes, Ball (injuries aside)
WCE - Gardiner, Cox
Freo - Sandilands, Simmonds