Hird

[Darealrath]

Still think he does his best work outside 50, despite all the media calls for him to be a permanent forward pocket next season.

Reads the play so well, great at stoppages, uses it so creatively and knows when to push forward to still get on the scoreboard (as he'll usually be matched up on someone who gets a bit lost when he's on a lead - as opposed to an experienced defender if he started in a pocket).

Just too good to leave in a pocket, and especially with Lloyd back we won't need him there to kick a score.

Managing his body would be the only reason to leave him there, but that could be done just as well through using the bench and resting him once a month or so.

 

[Crave]

One thing Ive noticed with Hirdy is when he receives the ball in a bit of space, he often sells the dummy...inadvertantly albeit. Even if his opponent take one step in the wrong direction, its more than enough time for James to allow more time for himself and teammate to assess the best option going forward....cant be taught that

 

[blitzer]

I don't think hird will ever play permanently in one spot although i think it is likely he will spend more time up forward but i don't think anything will stop him from having the occasional run on-ball.

 

[Slattery_20]

One thing Ive noticed with Hirdy is when he receives the ball in a bit of space, he often sells the dummy...inadvertantly albeit. Even if his opponent take one step in the wrong direction, its more than enough time for James to allow more time for himself and teammate to assess the best option going forward....cant be taught that

how can you possibly suggest that the Great One does anything inadvertantly?

Face facts people: Hird will be Hird, and will be omnipresent as he always has been.

 

[foj1]

Still think he does his best work outside 50, despite all the media calls for him to be a permanent forward pocket next season.

Reads the play so well, great at stoppages, uses it so creatively and knows when to push forward to still get on the scoreboard (as he'll usually be matched up on someone who gets a bit lost when he's on a lead - as opposed to an experienced defender if he started in a pocket).

Just too good to leave in a pocket, and especially with Lloyd back we won't need him there to kick a score.

Managing his body would be the only reason to leave him there, but that could be done just as well through using the bench and resting him once a month or so.

Its like shooting Bambi but I have a few problems with playing Hird in the middle. He is not accountable to an opponent and doesnt chase. He adds no speed to a midfield that is already bereft of speed. He is taking the opportunity of a kid to play in the midfield. Hird is still in our best 3 players but he will not play in our next premiership side and surely that is where our focus should be at. We need to win without him going to the middle and lastly I dont think he should be able to choose when he goes into the middle. Surely Sheedy needs to rotate Stanton, Lovett, Winderlich, Monfries, Dyson, Dempsey through the middle with JJ, Slattery, McVeigh and MJ and some new pick ups going through there as well. Hird needs to be a dangerous forward who can kick 3 goals a game and provide an additional target in the forward line.

 

[DaSawx]

Hird helps us win games when in the middle, the more this young group wins games, the better they will be. We would not have beaten Collingwood if Hirdy didn't go into the middle, who knows what confidence that would give the young players going into next year knowing they could beat top 8 teams like Collingwood. That doesn't mean we need Hirdy in the middle every time we play a top 8 team, it means if the young players have the confidence to take it up to them, they will give it a real go and will eventually be able to beat these teams with or without him

 

[Longy413]

I've got no problem with Hird going into the middle for 5-8 times during a match, but I would like to see him push to half-forward after the bounce. If we've got two of Watson, Stanton, Winderlich, Dyson, Monfries etc in the middle at any given time, who better to get in their and tell them where to stand than Hird.

If it was Hird, JJ and MJ in the midfield, I'd be concerned. But if it's Hird and a couple of kids, it can only be a good thing.

Plus, unless Sheed's drags him for going in there, I can't see anyone stopping him.

 

[foj1]

I dont want to sound like I am knocking James Hird because he is probably the best player I have seen in a Bomber jumper. I am of the opinion that retirement would have been the best way to go for all concerned and if he is to play on then it should be as a floating forward.

 

[DaSawx]

So there's no point in the best Bomber player of our generation teaching our young midfielders the tricks of the trade and where to stand at centre bounces etc? ok, no worries

 

[foj1]

So there's no point in the best Bomber player of our generation teaching our young midfielders the tricks of the trade and where to stand at centre bounces etc? ok, no worries

He hasnt been doing that already? he doesnt talk to the teammates at training? Players dont revue their dvds? Probably the true answer is Hird cant teach what he does. Its inherant and you are born with it. Dont have a sook because I dont agree with you. ok, no worries

 

[Longy413]

He hasnt been doing that already? he doesnt talk to the teammates at training? Players dont revue their dvds? Probably the true answer is Hird cant teach what he does. Its inherant and you are born with it. Dont have a sook because I dont agree with you. ok, no worries

You're right, but Hird does bring other players into the game and in the case of young players that can and will increase their confidence and self-belief.

The only negative I can see in Hird player is that he takes the spot of a young player. But hopefully the spot he takes is Mark Bolton's or Damien Peverill's.

There are far too many positives. Hird had an ordinary game against Collingwood, but he took Clement, which left Presti on Lucas and Cloke on Johns early in the game. As a result Johns kicks three and we win the game. What does that do for the confidence of Johns? What does winning do for the young players that have hardly seen a victory in their time at the club?

And if we sell a few more memberships on the back of Hird playing on and it inspires a few young supporters, then everyone benifits.

 

[DaSawx]

He hasnt been doing that already? he doesnt talk to the teammates at training? Players dont revue their dvds? Probably the true answer is Hird cant teach what he does. Its inherant and you are born with it. Dont have a sook because I dont agree with you. ok, no worries

He can talk to them at training, but there's no better leadership than the heat of the moment of an AFL match. He doesn't have to and won't be there the whole game, but Hirdy playing on is much better than not being there at all.

 

[Jex]

The only negative I can see in Hird player is that he takes the spot of a young player. But hopefully the spot he takes is Mark Bolton's or Damien Peverill's.

What's with the Peverill vendetta?

 

[Squeaky]

I can recall that he played a role in the forward line early in the 2000 finals series (vs Roos & Carlton) Just seem to remember him on the lead and I thought then that this may have been his new role. Little did I know we'd rely on him moreso after 2000.
I think that's the way to go in the future but he can certainly push up to the middle in short bursts if required. Let's hope he's not required in there, cos if he is we're screwed again.

 

[whirl]

What's with the Peverill vendetta?

If we're a team going forward, he and Heffernan should be players #23 and #24 on the list. Midfield depth to cover injuries with handy contributions but ideally not part of our developing best 22. With his early season form he would have been in danger of being delisted, but he would have saved his spot in the second half of the I'd imagine.

 

[Longy413]

I can recall that he played a role in the forward line early in the 2000 finals series (vs Roos & Carlton) Just seem to remember him on the lead and I thought then that this may have been his new role. Little did I know we'd rely on him moreso after 2000.
I think that's the way to go in the future but he can certainly push up to the middle in short bursts if required. Let's hope he's not required in there, cos if he is we're screwed again.

We???

 

[Longy413]

What's with the Peverill vendetta?

It's not a vendetta, (I like and respect Pev) it's an opinion.

I don't think he's a very good footballer and I think we can do better. Four good games isn't enough for me to think his future is safe.

He's an average footballer with shortcomings and we need to do better going forward.

 

[Squeaky]

We???

Go easy Longy, just haven't filled out my profile correctly.
Proud, Passionate & Paid Up!

 

[Longy413]

Go easy Longy, just haven't filled out my profile correctly.
Proud, Passionate & Paid Up!

I was going easy

Just wanting to ease the confusion.

Cheers.

 

[Crave]

Im still of the belief that in his twilight, he can pretty much play anywhere he wishes. As much value he is up forward, he's a great reciever of the ball as well as an in an under player as he showed against the Tigers on the weekend. He creates so much time for himself that any position he plays, he'll either have those extra seconds to feed it to the right option or allow a teammate to run into space for those few extra precious seconds.
Watching the 93 GF last night, even back then..onl a few games back from injury...he casually buys himself more time by selling the dummy.
What did occur to me was Wanganeen played similarly to Hirdy except he was in fast forward with his actions.