Opinion Hooker: Back or Forward?

[bombadeer]

In much loved Bombers tradition, we're looking for answers to our forward line woes. The perennial solution is to take an AA quality KPD and play him forward.

It started with Hurley, but it broke him physically.
It continued with Carlisle, but it broke him mentally.
Now, it looks like Hooker will take the chalice......




....Or will he?

 

[ManWithNoName]

Daniher, Bellchambers, McKernan, Leuenberger

Definitely need another tall forward

 

[Beerfish]

Since it's the off season I'll let this thread live for shits and giggles but will more than likely merge with his player thread once everyone's done.

For mine it's not a back or forward answer. It's what is best for the team on the day. Genuine swing men are worth their weight in gold and he's already proven he's got what it takes.

Having said that though, he should stay back as a default.

 

[harry_caul]

Clone Hooker.

 

[DonsRule]

Since it's the off season I'll let this thread live for shits and giggles but will more than likely merge with his player thread once everyone's done.

For mine it's not a back or forward answer. It's what is best for the team on the day. Genuine swing men are worth their weight in gold and he's already proven he's got whatever it takes.

EFA

Needs more Essendon proper gander


or slogans or something.

 

[_Irk]

Hooker kicked 20 goals in 9 games with an average of 2.2 goals per game with zero training as a forward. Going off this average it's a 50 goal season, we haven't had a forward who could kick over 40 goals since Lloyd. Also imagine how he'll go with a preseason trained as a forward?

IMO we need a 50+ goal forward more then an elite KPD especially since we've already got Hurley whose a beast in his own right as a KPD.

 

[daffo]

Has to go back to defence.

 

[Howard Moon]

Hooker cant kick over a jam tim, need to put him in the goal square with a chain around his neck that only lets him reach a 30m arch like the dog in foghorn leghorn.... or Warwick Capper.

Demands the ball, draws the ball and marks the ball and contests better than anyone else we have however.. but no point if you dont finish the job.

 

[Balony_pony16]

With Francis in your team surely they will just put 2 of Hooker, Hibberd and Goddard around him and put the other forward (Hooker or Goddard). Hooker kicked 20 goals in about half a season forward in 2015 didn't he?

 

[eth-dog]

Defence. Yes he took contested marks, but he kicked 20.21 in those games, and around 8.19 from set shots.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Back.

 

[JDavey]

Back. Develop AA Defender -> Put him forward is not smart.

 

[Nifft]

Since it's the off season I'll let this thread live for shits and giggles but will more than likely merge with his player thread once everyone's done.

For mine it's not a back or forward answer. It's what is best for the team on the day. Genuine swing men are worth their weight in gold and he's already proven he's got what it takes.

Having said that though, he should stay back as a default.

So you recommend a swinging Hooker?

 

[Rack Watts]

Anyone who has picked forward, would have a beard/moustache, a pair of thick rimmed glasses, a vinyl collection and a pug.

 

[Beerfish]

So you recommend a swinging Hooker?

Always.

Anyone who has picked forward, would have a beard/moustache, a pair of thick rimmed glasses, a vinyl collection and a pug.

Can't be me. I picked back and I don't wear glasses.

 

[Jobe Watson]

I know that Hooker wants to play forward and now sees himself as a forward, but his best position is down back. Hooker + Hurley is very arguably the best KPD combo in the league.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Back

 

[DonsRule]

Our defence looked far more solid with him down back with Hurls.



So forward.

 

[Blind Turn]

In much loved Bombers tradition, we're looking for answers to our forward line woes. The perennial solution is to take an AA quality KPD and play him forward.

It started with Hurley, but it broke him physically.
It continued with Carlisle, but it broke him mentally.
Now, it looks like Hooker will take the chalice......




....Or will he?

Going by that sequence, staying forward is bound to break him spiritually.

I think he is critical to us in defense. Daniher just needs a foil up forward who can be dangerous enough to take a key defender. This is where I really hope the TBC can regain form and play to his forward potential. You would need a hulk to man him up which means that that hulk can't be buffeting Joe. Then you have the calming presence of Hooksy down back. We need that more than ever with Fletch gone.

 

[Jesse Custer]

In his best position therefore defence. Occasionally pinch hit forward

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I'll be interested to see the vote changing after he kicks 60+ goals next year and Brown/Hartley perform well.

 

[Stopher]

Back. Develop AA Defender -> Put him forward is not smart.

Sums it up

 

[Blowfly]

Defence. Yes he took contested marks, but he kicked 20.21 in those games, and around 8.19 from set shots.

No. He kicked 20.19 as a forward (16.11 in the final seven, suggesting he's already improved) and those set shot stats are pulled from your rear. All three of his behinds against Melbourne were snaps for starters.

 

[eth-dog]

No. He kicked 20.19 as a forward (16.11 in the final seven, suggesting he's already improved) and those set shot stats are pulled from your rear. All three of his behinds against Melbourne were snaps for starters.

That's why I said "around". I wasn't saying that all of his misses were from set shots, but the vast majority were, and the vast majority of his goals were from general play.

 

[Blowfly]

That's why I said "around". I wasn't saying that all of his misses were from set shots, but the vast majority were, and the vast majority of his goals were from general play.

I contend that you are incorrect and Hooker kicked very few goals (and behinds) from general play and his set set shot stats would be closer to 17.14 (or something like that)