Mitch Hahn back in the side?

[cosmicr]

Apparently he had a good game on the weekend. Is he worth a look in?

 

[Brad83]

He is the type of player we want come final's time, he is a big body and puts good physical pressure on the opposition and is a great tackler.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

And Rocket loves him.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

He has been a great servant for our club but IMO unfortunately the game has gone past him.

I cannot see him improving our side. He wouldn't be in our best 22, but if we have injuries, maybe he will play a part. It is important to have players in the VFL who can come into the senior side if we have injuries.

 

[TempleKelvington]

I didn't see the Willi game this week. I don't think he set the world on fire.

But for me, I don't think we should go back down the Mitch path unless we get some injuries. He has looked too slow for mine for a while. His spot in the side is probably held at this point by Jones, Everitt and maybe Grant.

Having said that, I think Eade really likes what Mitch brings to the table and he over looks his short comings. So I suspect that Mitch will be back in the team as early as this week, probably at the expense of Jones or Everitt.

If Mitch can get back to his best, he will be a real asset. But I just don't think he's got it any more. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[maddog37]

Will be a great in at the SCG where leg speed is not such an issue and the Swans play a contested pack style game.

In a final at the G though chasing Mackie or Harry O down the ground?

 

[fronkalicious]

no! I love Mitch but we need to go forward, not backward with our selections. No Eagle, no Mitch. Jones was actually one of our best on the weekend. His leads are still ignored, but he chased and competed and looked dangerous as well.

Eagle too just has to be moed on. The other top teams must giggle when they see him in the lineup.

 

[Butane]

The coaching staff will want to have another look at him before September so he'll come in.
I'd give him the next two games so we can have a really good hard look.

We sort of need a 'clunker' along the half forward line anyway. Jones is to young to be that man this year.

 

[Barkly St End]

Couldn't do any harm at this point.

 

[Pigdog]

I guess it depends who's spot he takes.

Higgins goes out, so a spot opens up, but Grant should take that.

I would hate for him to take Jones's spot... Hate it!!

 

[Butane]

I would hate for him to take Jones's spot... Hate it!!

Jones has been impressive enough in his games this year and looks to have a lot of attributes that will take him forward. But I can't see Jones being the difference in September. Mitch Hahn is more likely to have an impact in those traditionally harder slog type finals games.

I'm not exactly happy that we have to drop Jones/recall Hahn either but picking a team is all about improving your chances and I think Hahn represents a better chance in the finals.

 

[Pigdog]

Jones has been impressive enough in his games this year and looks to have a lot of attributes that will take him forward. But I can't see Jones being the difference in September. Mitch Hahn is more likely to have an impact in those traditionally harder slog type finals games.

I'm not exactly happy that we have to drop Jones/recall Hahn either but picking a team is all about improving your chances and I think Hahn represents a better chance in the finals.

Playing a forwardline including Hall, Hahn & Johnson would be a recipe for disaster in a final at the MCG.

 

[Testekill]

Dude, it's Frankston that they played. You know, only won one game and lost to North Ballarat the week before by 120 points.

 

[nate drake]

Love him, but he would be a massive liability in a final (on this year's form). Everitt's got his spot and we'll be better for it.

 

[The Boy From Brasil]

Some posters are arguing that Hahn is the sort of player who would be suited to finals rather than the young guys. If you look at his stats and remember the last two years finals games, he is a player that is ineffective against the best teams in the big games. The exception to this is last years prelim final against St Kilda where he played well.

Just having a look at his finals record against the good teams.


2008

Hawthorn 7 disposals, 0 goals, 1 tackle

Geelong 7 disposals, 0 goals, 3 tackles

2009

Geelong 12 disposals, 0 goals, 3 tackles

St Kilda 16 disposals, 2 goals, 7 tackles

 

[Werewolf]

^ Correct BFB. Hahn won't play finals this year but we may have to wheel him out this week (and maybe r22) depending on the availability of other players. We just need to get over this blasted flu!

 

[Pigdog]

^ Correct BFB. Hahn won't play finals this year but we may have to wheel him out this week (and maybe r22) depending on the availability of other players. We just need to get over this blasted flu!

1. Don't be so sure.

2. We are over it.

 

[Werewolf]

^ You sure the illness is gone? Everyone able to train? Lets hope so!

 

[dogwatch]

Much as I've admired Hahn I think we have to move on. Maybe this week he comes in if we are short on personnel (and it's also a chance for WB supporters to say farewell).

However if Hahn and Jones are considered line-ball for the finals based on their likely impact, then it's an absolute no-brainer that we pick Jones. I am not confident we will get to the GF anyway so it should be all about exposing him to finals this year so he is ready, experienced and a real danger next year, when I hope we can mount a better challenge.

I think also that many people underestimate how valuable a young classy player can be in the finals even without experience. Look at the "baby bombers" of '93. Some may even remember Collingwood picked a first gamer ruckman called Len Thompson in a final and he went on to become a Brownlow medallist and a club great. Didn't disgrace himself in the finals either. Some even called him recruit of the year!

As others have already said, picking Hahn for the finals is not "moving forward".

 

[Vdubs]

Excuse my ignorance, but where is Harbrow? Injured?

 

[Werewolf]

^ Was sick/injured but apparently will be back this week.

 

[Gift]

What are peoples thoughts on the best 22 to play finals? Hahn will only be a benefit to the team if he provides another decent tall option besides Hall, because his opponent will run off him easily. Another pro for him is we dont have another tall target which is required in finals because its hard to pinpoint smalls.

B: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Robert Murphy, Tom Williams, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Liam Picken
HF: Jarrod Grant, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Shaun Higgins, Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Jordan Roughead, Ryan Hargrave, Callan Ward, Andrejs Everitt/Easton Wood

 

[bulldogsman]

I'd give him another crack this weekend, Sydney and the SCG suits him. If he can't play well against them then he should not be playing for the rest of the year.

 

[bulldogology]

no! I love Mitch but we need to go forward, not backward with our selections. No Eagle, no Mitch. Jones was actually one of our best on the weekend. His leads are still ignored, but he chased and competed and looked dangerous as well.

Eagle too just has to be moed on. The other top teams must giggle when they see him in the lineup.

Didn't Eagle just put in a BOG performance against Adelaide for us? He was poor against Collingwood but he had about 18 mates. Eagle needs to be in the team just for the fact that he has leg speed and it is obvious that other than Griff,Coon and Harbrow we are in fact pretty pedestrian.
I believe at the end of the season that Eagle maybe asked to retire but to drop him after a performance where most were pitiful is not fair.
On the Hahn issue I agree that his days are behind him, he could possibly be asked to come off the bench and do some sacrificial pack-bursting intimidatory work but it would be very unlikely that he would be a player that other teams would worry about too much, I think his only chance is as a direct replacement if Johnno doesn't play. His vision and 70s style skills make him a liability also. It is a very tough call but I would prefer to get games into Jones and Grant.

 

[Barkly St End]

What are peoples thoughts on the best 22 to play finals? Hahn will only be a benefit to the team if he provides another decent tall option besides Hall, because his opponent will run off him easily. Another pro for him is we dont have another tall target which is required in finals because its hard to pinpoint smalls.

B: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Robert Murphy, Tom Williams, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Liam Picken
HF: Jarrod Grant, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Shaun Higgins, Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Jordan Roughead, Ryan Hargrave, Callan Ward, Andrejs Everitt/Easton Wood

Murphy has been doing so well off half-back, and you'd probably prefer Hargrave in the 18 ahead of Hahn - which is fine because the modern structure is basically one leading tall playing a combined FF/CHF role.