Matt Little?

[spoke4923]

Does anyone have any info about the hawk youngster, Matt Little? I know he's been on the list 2 (?) years now and was wondering how he had been progressing. Is he a KP prospect or more a flanker? Cheers

 

[LukeHodge15]

Really a HFF/FP type footballer, great hands and brilliant kick. Think Wiseby summed it up best "He is really a one trick pony, but geez that trick is good".

Shown signs last year and was dissapointed he wasnt given a chance. Really will be pressing for Mark Williams and Ben Dixons spot in the 22. Dicko had a great year last year, but i get the feeling that if he slips up, Matty will be given his chance.

 

[Fastback]

Be good to see him get a crack in the NAB cup.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

Half foward flanker/foward pocket, not disimilar to a ben dixon type

 

[thebadger]

Is he going to make it? I heard he's on a one year deal. With all the talls recruited by the hawks over the last few years, is this season a make or break year? IIRC, he was a pretty high pick, along the lines of 25-30?

 

[DannyJ]

Is he going to make it? I heard he's on a one year deal. With all the talls recruited by the hawks over the last few years, is this season a make or break year? IIRC, he was a pretty high pick, along the lines of 25-30?

For me Little is one of those players that will do similar in the VFL and AFL. He gets usually 13 possies 6 marks and kicks 3.1 in the VFL ( a standard game) .
I think he will do the same at AFL level. His natural ability in the forward line should able him to do this. Make or break year for Matt.

 

[JezzHawk]

Make or break year for Matt.

I would disagree. While Williams and Dixon are serviceable at the moment he is the next in line for a forward flank position. I recall Clarkson mentioning this sometime this year.

We needed to retain Williams and Dixon because we needed the experience on-field.

Little has not put a step wrong only held back by opportunity. He consistently kicks goals in the VFL even when the team loses.

In summary, he knows how to kick goals.

 

[DynamoUltra]

He's insurance for Dixon. He will get a go eventually, but I don't think he'll be rushed into the team. Will step up, but will be when a spot opens for him... Maybe the coaches want him to push extra hard?

 

[lethalselbow]

While Williams is serviceable ???????

He's far more than that, chief.

SHeeesh!

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Got a feeling that franklin will be pushed up onto the wing next season, meaning the mids will be fighting for their spot and whoever loses theirs will give it up to little

 

[Lord_Espos]

I would disagree. While Williams and Dixon are serviceable at the moment he is the next in line for a forward flank position. I recall Clarkson mentioning this sometime this year.

We needed to retain Williams and Dixon because we needed the experience on-field.

Little has not put a step wrong only held back by opportunity. He consistently kicks goals in the VFL even when the team loses.

In summary, he knows how to kick goals.

Servicable? Williams? What are you on???

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

Little does everything he was recruited to do. What has thrown a spanner has been the form of Dicko.

Little reads the flight of the ball better than most and has the ability to find space. He probably is in a make or break year which is harsh as he has delivered on what we bought.

 

[soupofficial]

Will play in 2007.
Has needed to work on his bodysize and defensive efforts, and has made some progress. It's correct that Dixon's unexpected renaissance has been a bit of a roadblock for Little - our forward line is becoming very crowded with marking players. Little was never a chance to be delisted 3 months ago - the coaching staff knew they wanted him on the list in 2007, and didn't need to give him a "sink or swim" opportunity in the seniors in the last month of the season.

 

[Bennycoff]

Dixon is a gun though.

 

[Number 24]

I understood Matt Little came to Hawthorn as a full forward, where he played all his junior football, but does not have the physical attributes for that position at senior level, hence the club has been re programming him to play further up the ground as HFF type. Dixon is his main stumbling block to a tryout in the side as posters have noted but he could come in IF Dowler/Thorpe come good and Williams is used more as a midfielder, which I believe there is some keenness for. The lack of a key FF is holding that experiment back at the moment.

Williams might surprise as an outside mid with pace and footy nouse if the forward structure comes good

 

[Hawk Dork]

Dixon is a gun though.

I have never seen him dropped to BHH

 

[WeneedyoungJarmans]

as others have said, Little has done nothing wrong at BHH. He consistently kicks 2-4 goals per game. However being a 3rd tall leading FF / HFF, he is the sort of player that will need to spend 2/3 yrs in the VFL developing an all round game. When he enters the senior side, he should make more of an immediate impact as a result of the development time given.

I'm very happy we drafted him and believe he'll take over from Dixon inevitably. Little can lead to the right spot, mark well and has a beautiful accurate kick on him. Now its up to him to extend his game beyond the traditional lead/mark role.

 

[oooze]

Im sorry, but I just couldnt help it. No way would you drop Mark Williams..he is your best forward by a country mile Its like saying Melbourne would get rid of Neitz for an unknown.

Secondly, no way would little be able to kick 3 goals every game. thats a 66 goal season..dreaming!...try 20 goals tops.

 

[cs61]

Needs game time soon. Might be a player that suits the space that AFL could provide him with. Although unfortunately for Little Dowler is more of a prority in terms of developing, add Franklin, Williams Dixon Roughead and even Murphy needs more development and its gonna be tough for list management to ease him in.

Still see him as a replacement for Dixon, but Dixon may have another season in him after this still.