Hooper

[XXX KINGS]

After watching the Bullants on the weekend I was impressed with Michael Hooper (is that his name?). The guy is an absolute beast. Would it be worth Carlton taking a risk on picking this guy up late in the draft because imo he could add a lot of aggresion which we sorely lack. How old is he? Can he be rookie drafted? Yesterday it seemed like he was blowing smoke from his ears. Looking at our list at the moment we don't really have an abundance of intimidating players. Could Hooper fill that gap?

 

[TheBlueblood]

Yeah hes pretty aggresive but i reckon he may be to slow at afl level, he looks kinda slow at vfl level

 

[XXX KINGS]

Michael Hooper 27/09/1984 191cm 92kg St Bernards/Calder Cannons

he's a big guy and in person looks even bigger. He isn't over 21 yet so would that mean if Carlton wanted to use a pick on him in the rookie draft he would be eligible?

 

[Pivot]

Michael Hooper 27/09/1984 191cm 92kg St Bernards/Calder Cannons

he's a big guy and in person looks even bigger. He isn't over 21 yet so would that mean if Carlton wanted to use a pick on him in the rookie draft he would be eligible?

Ive seen him play a few times on TV. I thought last eyar or maybe it was even the year before when he played mainly in the ruck that he was a good player. He enjoys a physical contest, is a decent mark and kick and is very mobile and versatile. Better than Morrell and Prendergast IMO. He's taller than 191cm and heavier than 92kg - more like 194cm and 98kg I would think. If able to be rookied, hes definitely worth it or even as a very late pick. Imagine having back-up in all key posts and the ruck with Hooper and Justin Crow. Adds depth and big bodies who can actually play. I really like Crow, 197cm and 95kg. These two big fellas are very young and seem to be improving all the time. Remember big fellas can take a bit longer to fully mature.

 

[Kooley]

no thanks

 

[Pivot]

no thanks

Who then???

 

[WTTF]

Ive seen him play a few times on TV. I thought last eyar or maybe it was even the year before when he played mainly in the ruck that he was a good player. He enjoys a physical contest, is a decent mark and kick and is very mobile and versatile. Better than Morrell and Prendergast IMO. He's taller than 191cm and heavier than 92kg - more like 194cm and 98kg I would think. If able to be rookied, hes definitely worth it or even as a very late pick. Imagine having back-up in all key posts and the ruck with Hooper and Justin Crow. Adds depth and big bodies who can actually play. I really like Crow, 197cm and 95kg. These two big fellas are very young and seem to be improving all the time. Remember big fellas can take a bit longer to fully mature.

Paddy, I know you've been pushing Crow's barrow for awhile now, but I just don't think either of these too are cut out for AFL level. Crow is not a bad mover for his size, but he is too slow for KKP and undersized for an AFL ruckman. His skills are average at best as well. Dido for Hooper.

They are both solid VFl players.

 

[Kooley]

Who then???

we picked up a young rookie Batson last year who has had some injury issues this year. We might perserve with him. Hooper is average I'm afraid. DeLuca played well in the ruck on Saturday and still has some improvement in him. Bryan is developing well as to Sentanta and Hartlett.

 

[Pivot]

we picked up a young rookie Batson last year who has had some injury issues this year. We might perserve with him. Hooper is average I'm afraid. DeLuca played well in the ruck on Saturday and still has some improvement in him. Bryan is developing well as to Sentanta and Hartlett.

Bryan, Deluca, Hartlett, the O'hAilpins, Batson are givens. They are already there in front of us. What about this years draft? I take on board what you guys say about Crow and Hooper, I get a bit excited about KPP players playing well, sorry bout that!

Does anyone know other big ruck/KPP players int the VFL, WAFL, SANFL etc? Maybe we just draft big kids in the draft instead. Batson sounds good, how is he going? If Prenda, Morrell, Whitnall (hopefully not) leave we may need some insurance. Thats the only reason I though Crow and Hooper might be ok (crow particularly). You guys have probably seen alot more of these 2 big fellas than me.

 

[mojo31]

Bryan, Deluca, Hartlett, the O'hAilpins, Batson are givens. They are already there in front of us. What about this years draft? I take on board what you guys say about Crow and Hooper, I get a bit excited about KPP players playing well, sorry bout that!

Does anyone know other big ruck/KPP players int the VFL, WAFL, SANFL etc? Maybe we just draft big kids in the draft instead. Batson sounds good, how is he going? If Prenda, Morrell, Whitnall (hopefully not) leave we may need some insurance. Thats the only reason I though Crow and Hooper might be ok (crow particularly). You guys have probably seen alot more of these 2 big fellas than me.

Raso has apparently grown to 192 cms. Weighs low 80s though and needs at least 10 kgs and 2 pre seasons before being ready. The club has picked long term KPP players in Raso, Hartlett, Setanta and Aisake and we have not seen them yet. Better to get another 1 or 2 in the draft this year than go and get someone who is a good VFL player because they are 195cms and strong but there is no development left in them.

 

[WTTF]

Bryan, Deluca, Hartlett, the O'hAilpins, Batson are givens. They are already there in front of us. What about this years draft? I take on board what you guys say about Crow and Hooper, I get a bit excited about KPP players playing well, sorry bout that!

Does anyone know other big ruck/KPP players int the VFL, WAFL, SANFL etc? Maybe we just draft big kids in the draft instead. Batson sounds good, how is he going? If Prenda, Morrell, Whitnall (hopefully not) leave we may need some insurance. Thats the only reason I though Crow and Hooper might be ok (crow particularly). You guys have probably seen alot more of these 2 big fellas than me.

Paddy,

This draft doesn't have many highly touted out and out Ruckman:

Mitch Clark - East Frem. 197cm - est. Top 5 pick - more of a FF/CHF than a Ruckman, but could easily pinch hit in the Ruck. His work ethic, or lack there of is a concern.

Pat Ryder - East Frem. 194cm - est. Top 10 pick - dominated the u18 carnival in the Ruck, but at 194cm projects better as a CHF/CHB. Talented big man.

Shane Neaves - Calder - 197cm - est. 15-25 pick - was underdone in u18 carnival as he was on the way back from injury, so jury still out on him.

Rob Warnock - Sandy - 204cm - est. 20-30 pick - too skinny, only about 80kg, so he is years away from having an impact at AFL level.

 

[Pivot]

Paddy,

This draft doesn't have many highly touted out and out Ruckman:

Mitch Clark - East Frem. 197cm - est. Top 5 pick - more of a FF/CHF than a Ruckman, but could easily pinch hit in the Ruck. His work ethic, or lack there of is a concern.

Pat Ryder - East Frem. 194cm - est. Top 10 pick - dominated the u18 carnival in the Ruck, but at 194cm projects better as a CHF/CHB. Talented big man.

Shane Neaves - Calder - 197cm - est. 15-25 pick - was underdone in u18 carnival as he was on the way back from injury, so jury still out on him.

Rob Warnock - Sandy - 204cm - est. 20-30 pick - too skinny, only about 80kg, so he is years away from having an impact at AFL level.

Clark sounds like a bit of a worry, talented but not a very good attitude. Could be a huge risk. Ryder sounds great, ive heard similarities to Adam Goodes with this guy. They are the same heigth and are KPP/part-time ruckmen. Neaves and warnock will take a long time by all reports. Dont know if we want to do this next year or the year after by getting a ruckman. We have the O'hAilpins and Batson to develop atm. Maybe just focus on KPP and in & under midfielders fro this years draft?

BTW, good news on Raso - 192cm and has put a few kilos on already. Ive heard hes very talented and a pure CHF/CHB...accurate?

 

[WTTF]

Clark sounds like a bit of a worry, talented but not a very good attitude. Could be a huge risk. Ryder sounds great, ive heard similarities to Adam Goodes with this guy. They are the same heigth and are KPP/part-time ruckmen. Neaves and warnock will take a long time by all reports. Dont know if we want to do this next year or the year after by getting a ruckman. We have the O'hAilpins and Batson to develop atm. Maybe just focus on KPP and in & under midfielders fro this years draft?

BTW, good news on Raso - 192cm and has put a few kilos on already. Ive heard hes very talented and a pure CHF/CHB...accurate?

A forward line containing Clark & Fevola would be asking for trouble, but having said that, I do think we could use a 197cm mobile forward who can compliment Waite, Fisher and Fev.

I think the comparision of Ryder to Goodes is a little bit of a stretch from what I saw. He is mobile for big guy and projects as a CHF/CHB IMO, but I don't think he covers that ground quite as well as Goodes. Thats not a bad things though, because Goodes is exceptional at covering the ground for a big man.

Barnaby has another couple of years left, so that gives Bryan, DeLuca & Batson some time to really hit the weight room. Bryan is the one IMO, he already can find the ball around the ground as Ruckman, so once he adds some strenght to assist his ruckwork, he'll be solid Ruckman for us for years to come.

DeLuca is in a similar boat to Bryan, moves well enough, but doesn't find as much of the ball around the ground as Bryan and needs to get stronger if he is going to play in the Ruck on a full time basis.

Raso has been playing CHB for Haileybury in the APS comp. He is still skinny, so will probably play as a flanker when his time comes. He is in the Fisher and Waite mould, as in 6'3-6'4, a good mover and needs to hit the weight room.

 

[Pivot]

A forward line containing Clark & Fevola would be asking for trouble, but having said that, I do think we could use a 197cm mobile forward who can compliment Waite, Fisher and Fev.

I think the comparision of Ryder to Goodes is a little bit of a stretch from what I saw. He is mobile for big guy and projects as a CHF/CHB IMO, but I don't think he covers that ground quite as well as Goodes. Thats not a bad things though, because Goodes is exceptional at covering the ground for a big man.

Barnaby has another couple of years left, so that gives Bryan, DeLuca & Batson some time to really hit the weight room. Bryan is the one IMO, he already can find the ball around the ground as Ruckman, so once he adds some strenght to assist his ruckwork, he'll be solid Ruckman for us for years to come.

DeLuca is in a similar boat to Bryan, moves well enough, but doesn't find as much of the ball around the ground as Bryan and needs to get stronger if he is going to play in the Ruck on a full time basis.

Raso has been playing CHB for Haileybury in the APS comp. He is still skinny, so will probably play as a flanker when his time comes. He is in the Fisher and Waite mould, as in 6'3-6'4, a good mover and needs to hit the weight room.

Thanks for that mate - where do you see Hartlett playing? Back or forward or both? Is Batson very good or will he be very good? Having said that what do you forsee our future spine and rucks looking like (our big man department)? Cheers mate.

 

[Kooley]

Thanks for that mate - where do you see Hartlett playing? Back or forward or both? Is Batson very good or will he be very good? Having said that what do you forsee our future spine and rucks looking like (our big man department)? Cheers mate.

It's hard to predict where Hartlett will play but i get the impression he will be blooded for full back. He is big strong lad who moves well and he has thumping kick. He also shows real aggression. There is still alot of development left in him but he is an exciting prospect.

 

[WTTF]

Thanks for that mate - where do you see Hartlett playing? Back or forward or both? Is Batson very good or will he be very good? Having said that what do you forsee our future spine and rucks looking like (our big man department)? Cheers mate.

I reckon Hartlett and S.O'hailpin are the two they are grooming for CHB, hoping that one of them will cement the postion down next year. Personally, I'd like to see Setanta play forward next year and Hartlett be given the opportunity at CHB, with Thornton returning to FB, and Livo taking the 3rd oppostion tall.

I don't think Whitnall is the long term answer at CHB. As well as he reads the ball, he is just too slow of foot to play there week in week out. I don't mind him pinch hitting there on occaisions.

Batson is purely a Ruckman, and is years away from making any impact at all at AFL level. If he does it's a bonus, I wouldn't be counting on it.

Norman will be lucky to still be on the list, to be honest i think he is better suited to a flanker role in any case.

Teague should never be asked to take on some of roles he has this year again. He is just too small. His form has really deterioration this year, I reckon opposing sides have done thweir homework on him.

Morell is not the future, and will more than likely be delisted.

Waite has been superb at CHF since Whitnall was sent down back.

I like the idea of Fevola, O'hailpin & Betts near the goals, with Waite, Fisher and Lappin accross half forward next year. Fevola to get on those strong leads up the ground (hampered by groin at present), O'hailpin to provided some much need height (197cm & moves very well) for those long bombs, Fisher & Waite to get on those long searching leads across half forward, with Lappin & Betts crumbing.

 

[Pivot]

I reckon Hartlett and S.O'hailpin are the two they are grooming for CHB, hoping that one of them will cement the postion down next year. Personally, I'd like to see Setanta play forward next year and Hartlett be given the opportunity at CHB, with Thornton returning to FB, and Livo taking the 3rd oppostion tall.

I don't think Whitnall is the long term answer at CHB. As well as he reads the ball, he is just too slow of foot to play there week in week out. I don't mind him pinch hitting there on occaisions.

Batson is purely a Ruckman, and is years away from making any impact at all at AFL level. If he does it's a bonus, I wouldn't be counting on it.

Norman will be lucky to still be on the list, to be honest i think he is better suited to a flanker role in any case.

Teague should never be asked to take on some of roles he has this year again. He is just too small. His form has really deterioration this year, I reckon opposing sides have done thweir homework on him.

Morell is not the future, and will more than likely be delisted.

Waite has been superb at CHF since Whitnall was sent down back.

I like the idea of Fevola, O'hailpin & Betts near the goals, with Waite, Fisher and Lappin accross half forward next year. Fevola to get on those strong leads up the ground (hampered by groin at present), O'hailpin to provided some much need height (197cm & moves very well) for those long bombs, Fisher & Waite to get on those long searching leads across half forward, with Lappin & Betts crumbing.

I agree with S.O'hAilpin at 198cm and Hartlett at 195cm being groomed for 2006 in the key positions. They both can play at either end of the ground but with Bryan at 197cm they add true height, mobility, strength and aggression. Image a lineup in 2006 of:

B: Camporeale, Livingston, Teague
Hb: Thornton (vc), Hartlett, Walker
C: Simpson, Bentick, Carrazzo
Hf: Fisher, Waite (vc), Lappin
F: Betts, Fevola, S.O'hAilpin
Foll: French, Koutoufides
Rov: Stevens (c)
I/c: (from) Russell, Blackwell, McGrath, Bryan,
Deluca, Raso, Smith, Becker, (amongst others)

 

[Kooley]

Sentanta is our wildcard next year. after some earlier reservations i had on him i have to swallow my pride and say this boy can seriously play. Would just like to see him add some more bulk to his frame over the pre-season and we could have a ready made KPP player at either end next year.