Move Over Luke Hodge

[keviewiggle]

Is Wirrapanda poised to become King of the Zone.
A few years ago Wirra was an All Australian defender, backing his skills and running off opponents.
He had such a bearing on games that opposition teams had to put in place tactics to counter him. They made his man the go to man up forward to make him more accountable and it worked.
Now however in a defensive zone Wirra is able to return to his creative best as the "one on one" has got the boot and the whole zone is defended.
His contribution in both our win & our first half against Brisbane have been significient , with the majority of his 20 plus possessions in both games as a result of turnovers.
His one touch skills and delivery to advantage that have been the hallmark of his career are set to become more important in the new game.
We need to keep Wirra fit and on the park as his special set of skills cannot be matched by any other. If so a second AA might be on the cards.

 

[triplegee]

Yes, Wirra has been sensational but he does need to work on his "delivery to advantage". He turned it over coming out of defence about 4-5 times in the 1st half last and was VERY fortunate the doggies didn't capitalise. Could have put us in trouble early.

Having said that, he was clearly one of our best players in the game and his run into the forward line in the last quarter was great to watch. There was a couple of times in the space of 2 minutes where he was on the end of 2 Masten balls and was able to get shots on goal, 1 of which hit the post but it was classic Wirra.

Our backline is quickly developing into one of the best in the league and Wirra is a key part of that.

 

[bodazoka]

Isnt there a stat about how many blokes over 30 have won AA's? would like to know. He is pivitol to our success, its just a shame that he is coming into the end of his career rather than the start. He has all of the Hodge characteristics though, amazing ability to read the play, experience and leadership, good skills ect..

 

[KamakazeSalami]

I can't hide my man love for Wirra. However, my only concern is while his skills and execution will be a strength over the next couple of years (if Wirra continues next season, which on current form you'd wonder why he wouldn't) who do we have as that back half general when he finally retires? When Wirra was up forward last year, or not playing through injury, there just wasn't anyone who, IMO, came close to being able to run the game from that back half the way he did. Granted, we weren't playing this midfield zone either which would generally free up your most creative player.

So while this'll be great for the next couple of years, what happens when we are hopefully ready to give a premiership another shake in three to four years? Who do we have that can read the play, execute those beautiful sweeps, and deliver/create (the majority of times) the play from the back half?

 

[bali-dog]

Wirra is an absolute champion..people go on about the obvious handful of ex+current midfielders..but Wirra is in everyway as good if not better..a joy to watch him in motion..like a purring goldplated vacuumcleaner as he sweeps around the field..the cleaner?
he's always been playing the rolling zone...wirras zone
and it is a real pity he's coming to the end..although like Richo he reckons he's never felt better?
would be wonderful if he could just squeeze in another prem.medal to finish his career.??(1-2 years?)
a great example off field as well..

 

[lewigie]

The Janitor.

Seriously, this guy is my most favourite player ever.

I have more manlove for him than I do for Spangher.

 

[bali-dog]

haha..well, i admit to manlove for wirra...but am still a clueless pagan when it comes to the 'sacred spangher salutation society'?

 

[Prem87]

I remember someone posted that he wanted to go on for 2-3 years more at least..it was said during preseason..IIRC

 

[lewigie]

I remember someone posted that he wanted to go on for 2-3 years more at least..it was said during preseason..IIRC

I remember him saying his body is in the best condition it ever has been in the preseason, I think?

 

[Mephisto]

My favourite Eagle too.

He wants to enter politics, from what I've heard, and he'd certainly get my vote just out of thanks for his service to the team!

 

[Adam Selwood]

Love watching him play, arguably the most poised player in the competition

 

[bodazoka]

Well before the season started when people were talking giving him one more year he was saying he could go around for 2-3. And also heard that he said his body is in the best condition it has been through his career.

We shall see on the weekend who is the better player as Hodge and Wirra go head to head. I hope that we put a hard tag on Hodge, I didnt watch the Port game but apparently they tagged Hodge out of the game and it greatly improved their chances. Stinga would be the man one would think.. lets hope he can do the job.

 

[bali-dog]

poise and time..always seems to have time to dispose properly,or with ease..gets caught out ocassionally..also never really see him in much argy-bargie..hate seeing him get cleaned up..when he cleans someone up,almost goes back and checks on them 'you ok mate?"
hodge of course is pretty smart,efficient+tough,which is why he's good.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

+1 on the love for Wirra. Along with Q, my favourite player. Seems like a top bloke, too.

There's no doubt that our game is suiting him pretty well, too.

 

[Juddy88]

Mover over sanity.

 

[shoe]

The great thing about Wirra (or one of many great things ) is that he actually hasn't really had to adjust his game to suit zoning tactics.

He's always done it really. The biggest plus of the rise in zoning tactics is this will very likely extend Wirra's career. He is in his element doing this, it's breathed new life into his game!

 

[Roobs321]

Wirrpanda may get to 250 games now. think he's just crossed 210 or something, and with his usual 20 games a season, should get there. 2011 would just be a bonus at this point.

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

Wirrpanda may get to 250 games now. think he's just crossed 210 or something, and with his usual 20 games a season, should get there. 2011 would just be a bonus at this point.

It might be even more prudent at this stage of his career to give him regular breaks though, possibly even mothball him around the round 15-17 mark, especially if we can't make finals. That way you'd be able to avoid the extra strain placed on his body from playing a full season. I guess we'll see how it works out anyway.

 

[Silk_44]

Like Hodge, when he is made accountable he is found out, to a degree.

 

[Mop]

Like Hodge, when he is made accountable he is found out, to a degree.

Disagree.

 

[purple hater]

Thank God we have him in our team!

Watching him play, you would have to think we would be in all kinds of shit if he wasn't there to rebound out of our back half consistantly, and with considerable skill.

Long live Wirra. It will be a sad, sad day when he retires.

 

[no1bankteller]

Thank God we have him in our team!

Watching him play, you would have to think we would be in all kinds of shit if he wasn't there to rebound out of our back half consistantly, and with considerable skill.

Long live Wirra. It will be a sad, sad day when he retires.

Very true.

The way Hurn has been playing of late though we may have a ready made replacement in the long term.

 

[smiths]

Wirrpanda may get to 250 games now. think he's just crossed 210 or something, and with his usual 20 games a season, should get there. 2011 would just be a bonus at this point.

Hopefully he plays for as long as possible he is a imporatant part of our club, 300 would be excellent!!!

 

[ndot]

absolute champ. our most skillful player by a mile.

 

[lewigie]

He can start off the bench when he gets to about 50, but until then he's starting 18.