Mitch Hahn back in the side?

[Warner_Bros_FC]

I wonder if Rocket gave Hahn a chance against Essendon in Rd22 would he feel tempted to keep him in since he always seems to play well against them. I love Hahn but I just cant trust him and The Bald One to perform in a tight final for some reason.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I wonder if Rocket gave Hahn a chance against Essendon in Rd22 would he feel tempted to keep him in since he always seems to play well against them. I love Hahn but I just cant trust him and The Bald One to perform in a tight final for some reason.

Recently I've heard Rocket mention Mitch in a favourable way, and on OWAAT Gia stated that Mitch was considered part of the plan - can't remember his exact words now, but I got the impression that he's expected back.

 

[Dazb86]

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

Unaccountable forward line. Too slow. I don't think Ward should be in either.

I wouldn't be against Eade trialling a defensive forward on the half forward line considering the contenders we'll be up against generate so much from the half back.

 

[Warner_Bros_FC]

Recently I've heard Rocket mention Mitch in a favourable way, and on OWAAT Gia stated that Mitch was considered part of the plan - can't remember his exact words now, but I got the impression that he's expected back.

Rocket does have his favourites and I feel Hahn is one of them. That's why it's likely that if he plays a good game against Essendon he'll stay in imo. Rightly or wrongly. Anyway by that stage we should really be finalising a settled squad for finals.

 

[Gift]

Unaccountable forward line. Too slow. I don't think Ward should be in either.

I wouldn't be against Eade trialling a defensive forward on the half forward line considering the contenders we'll be up against generate so much from the half back.

Who else have we got that could come in then? Josh Hill? Liam Jones?

 

[always right]

Here's the side I would like to enter the finals with;


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

I like the idea of playing Callan Ward as a defensive forward. His desperation and willingness to chase would be invaluable. Not playing as a midfielder might also help with his OP. Jones gets in because of his defensive pressure. Easton Wood is an automatic inclusion if fit IMO, not only for his talent but because he gives us options with Murphy and Harbrow.

Unfortunately Mitch misses out. Sad really...he's been a great warrior for our club.

 

[maddog37]

Prior to Barry breaking mitchs head open in the NAB cup he was playing very well from memory.

If he can recapture that form then he would be more than handy. Big if though!

 

[Fossie 32]

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.

Crows wouldn't have been giggling after he was close to BOG last week


oops sorry - see bulldogology replied already

 

[Barkly St End]

Here's the side I would like to enter the finals with;


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

I like the idea of playing Callan Ward as a defensive forward. His desperation and willingness to chase would be invaluable. Not playing as a midfielder might also help with his OP. Jones gets in because of his defensive pressure. Easton Wood is an automatic inclusion if fit IMO, not only for his talent but because he gives us options with Murphy and Harbrow.

Unfortunately Mitch misses out. Sad really...he's been a great warrior for our club.

The big if is Jones in a key position during finals - bit of a question mark there.

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

The big if is Jones in a key position during finals - bit of a question mark there.

Having someone 6" 5' floating about the forward line will be handy against St Kilda and Collingwood. The way the play the zone means contested marks inside the 50 will be like gold. I thought that was the complaint last year- not enough marks up forward?

Kositchke and Brown (for Coll) aren't the most skillful at ground level but every now and then they pull off a big mark. Could be the difference in a close game.

 

[Barkly St End]

Having someone 6" 5' floating about the forward line will be handy against St Kilda and Collingwood. The way the play the zone means contested marks inside the 50 will be like gold. I thought that was the complaint last year- not enough marks up forward?

Kositchke and Brown (for Coll) aren't the most skillful at ground level but every now and then they pull off a big mark. Could be the difference in a close game.

Agree as a general comment.

But has Jones shown that capacity? Don't you think the question mark remains in the pressure cooker atmosphere of big finals games?

 

[maddog37]

This is pie in the sky stuff but Jones really strikes me as the sort of player that the hotter it gets the better he will go.

 

[stefoid]

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

score assists and 1%ers should be in there.

He does his best work at ground level and often clears the way for others to score.

Except agaisnt Essendon when he suddenyl decids to take overhead marks and kick bags of goals

 

[stefoid]

Agree as a general comment.

But has Jones shown that capacity? Don't you think the question mark remains in the pressure cooker atmosphere of big finals games?

There is an alternate viewpoint that kids with their career ahead of them wont feel the pressure of the final series and will play like they have nothing to loose.

Johno, Hahn and Eagelton are (arguably) staring down the barrel of their last chance at glory. The pressure could be too much for them.

 

[stefoid]

Here's the side I would like to enter the finals with;


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

I like the idea of playing Callan Ward as a defensive forward. His desperation and willingness to chase would be invaluable. Not playing as a midfielder might also help with his OP. Jones gets in because of his defensive pressure. Easton Wood is an automatic inclusion if fit IMO, not only for his talent but because he gives us options with Murphy and Harbrow.

Unfortunately Mitch misses out. Sad really...he's been a great warrior for our club.

Ward playing forward and Hahn would be playing the identical role, with identical strengths and weaknesses. except ward is struggling with injury.

 

[Barkly St End]

There is an alternate viewpoint that kids with their career ahead of them wont feel the pressure of the final series and will play like they have nothing to loose.

Johno, Hahn and Eagelton are (arguably) staring down the barrel of their last chance at glory. The pressure could be too much for them.

Fair enough comment, there are examples to be found going both ways.

 

[always right]

Ward playing forward and Hahn would be playing the identical role, with identical strengths and weaknesses. except ward is struggling with injury.

Apart from the fact they both like to crash bodies, I don't agree they have identical strengths and weaknesses. Ward can also take a turn in the midfield if necessary.....if Mitch is struggling up forward he doesn't have the same flexibility other than perhaps to play a role in defence...not convinced.

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

Agree as a general comment.

But has Jones shown that capacity? Don't you think the question mark remains in the pressure cooker atmosphere of big finals games?

You won't know until you play him. Last 2 games have been as high pressure as H and A gets and he's kicked a good percent of our goals in both.

I also think he will cause some match up issues for our opponents. It allows Grant to play on a smaller opponent and may cause our opponents to pick a bigger slower defence.

 

[soupaman]

Ward playing forward and Hahn would be playing the identical role, with identical strengths and weaknesses. except ward is struggling with injury.

Really? Apart from each player playing with intensity and hardness they are pretty different.

Hahn is a key forward, Ward is a midfielder.
Hahn is a good contested mark one on one, Ward isn't.
Hahn has struggled to have an impact in past finals, Ward is unknown.
Hahn is slow, Ward is not.
Hahn is not capable of keeping up with his opponent going the other way, Ward is.
Hahn clears the way for teammates, Ward doesn't.

I think Ward is a very different player to Hahn, and offers us more based on their respective form this year, even with his injury.

 

[Barkly St End]

Really? Apart from each player playing with intensity and hardness they are pretty different.

Hahn is a key forward, Ward is a midfielder.
Hahn is a good contested mark one on one, Ward isn't.
Hahn has struggled to have an impact in past finals, Ward is unknown.
Hahn is slow, Ward is not.
Hahn is not capable of keeping up with his opponent going the other way, Ward is.
Hahn clears the way for teammates, Ward doesn't.

I think Ward is a very different player to Hahn, and offers us more based on their respective form this year, even with his injury.

Good points, although Ward ain't too bad at clearing a path for team mates!

 

[stefoid]

Apart from the fact they both like to crash bodies, I don't agree they have identical strengths and weaknesses. Ward can also take a turn in the midfield if necessary.....if Mitch is struggling up forward he doesn't have the same flexibility other than perhaps to play a role in defence...not convinced.

Sure, but when playing forward, they are like for like. Ward a bit more agile, Hahn more likely to keep going with tackler attached. Both are good overhead and both are on the slow side.

 

[jeemak]

Here's the side I would like to enter the finals with;


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

I like the idea of playing Callan Ward as a defensive forward. His desperation and willingness to chase would be invaluable. Not playing as a midfielder might also help with his OP. Jones gets in because of his defensive pressure. Easton Wood is an automatic inclusion if fit IMO, not only for his talent but because he gives us options with Murphy and Harbrow.

Unfortunately Mitch misses out. Sad really...he's been a great warrior for our club.

A lot of what you've written makes sense, but I'd be inclined to start with Gilbee on the wing, Ward on the bench and Picken taking the defensive forward role as given the opportunity he's had the ability to pinch a cheeky goal or two (seems to know where they are). That would rely on one of Boyd or Cross taking a midfield stopping role though, and I think Boyd would be the likely candidate for that first up.

I'm not convinced that Roughead will give us more than Minson, it will be interesting to see how the match committee go with that one.

The other spots up for grabs would be fought out between Wood, Hahn, Eagleton, Jones and Everitt.

I'd keep Wood in, just in case we need another defensive stopper and I'd take Eagleton in for his run and carry and elite kicking.

The last spot would go to Jones. It's a shame to leave Everitt out again considering he's improved this year, but I don't trust him to be intense for a full game and I don't think he's as likely to kick two or three goals as Jones is. We might lose a bit of versatility, especially if we lose a defensive tall but I'd be willing to take that risk to include another midfielder (and although it is potentially a bit petty of me, he showed an enormous lack of awareness and accountability during the first quarter against the Cats when he gave away that 50m penalty after clearly taking the Geelong player high and that type of thing puts players a long way back in my estimation).

Unfortunately Hahn has to miss. His skill level is ordinary and he can be a bit too selfish at times when given the opportunity to dish of quick hands to a player in a better position. I could over look these defficiencies in the past, when the game wasn't as quick as it is now. I do hope he gets an opportunity over the last two rounds to prove me wrong though. If nothing else but to add selection pressure into the mix.

B: Ryan Hargrave, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Robert Murphy, Tom Williams, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Lindsay Gilbee
HF: Jarrod Grant, Liam Jones, Liam Picken
F: Brad Johnson, Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Callan Ward, Will Minson, Nathan Eagleton, Easton Wood

 

[yebiga]

I like Everitt in the team and I suspect Eade is starting to as well. Offers so many switch options during a game. He has been very improved and in our best 12 each of his recent games.

Also, makes it easy to switch Lake forward with a direct swap with Everitt for periods of the game.

Forgetting the Geelong game for obvious reasons, Everitt has been very high in goal assists and hardball gets.

HF: Everitt, Grant, Johnson

A mobile structure providing options in transition.

FF: Gia, Hall, ??
Who plays in the other pocket - noone has claimed this their own. The candidates, Higgins, Hahn and Hill have all been very ordinary. As for Jones, his body, form is not ready for a finals series IMO - will own a possie next year thou. Due to injuries and form, out of these, I would persist with Hill for this year.

Alternatively, Rose has been kicking a bag consistently at Willi and has earned a shot at the big time.

 

[fronkalicious]

There is 1 MASSIVE problem with Mitch....he just doesnt have the wheels to get to enough contests any more to perform his 1%ers! If he gets to a contest, he's great. He just doesnt have the speed or the running capacity to get there enough to be effective any more. Would much rather go with Jones who has great speed and stamina, can take a grab and kick a goal.

 

[always right]

I like Everitt in the team and I suspect Eade is starting to as well. Offers so many switch options during a game. He has been very improved and in our best 12 each of his recent games.

Also, makes it easy to switch Lake forward with a direct swap with Everitt for periods of the game.

Forgetting the Geelong game for obvious reasons, Everitt has been very high in goal assists and hardball gets.

HF: Everitt, Grant, Johnson

A mobile structure providing options in transition.

FF: Gia, Hall, ??
Who plays in the other pocket - noone has claimed this their own. The candidates, Higgins, Hahn and Hill have all been very ordinary. As for Jones, his body, form is not ready for a finals series IMO - will own a possie next year thou. Due to injuries and form, out of these, I would persist with Hill for this year.

Alternatively, Rose has been kicking a bag consistently at Willi and has earned a shot at the big time.

So Jones doesn't have the body (looks strong enough to me) yet Rose, who has not shown anything to justify it at VFL level should be included.