Nick Ries

[macca]

Being a keen observer during the year, i noted that young nick ries, didnt seem to gain as much game time as he did last year. The emergence of sam mitchell as another key onballer for hawthorn really seemed to throw both nick, and peter schwab. I heard during the year from some very good sources, that schwab found it very hard to combine the two in the middle together.

This meant that nick wasnt able to get into games as much, becasue he would be taken on and off the ground, to replace mitchell who needed a rest. This could become a real problem in 2004 for the club. Because here we have to very good onballers, but they cant really be on the ground in the middle at the same time, which means one player will have to develop another aspect to their game. I think nick adjusted to his new roles at times, given a run on the wing, but i think the club may need to see how both players go in the wizard cup, otherwise one player may struggle.

Knowing the way nick goes about his footy, i think it would be a real shame if the club, didnt play him in the middle, because the kid can really play. I know he was offered a contract at stkilda at the end of last year, and then resigned with the club, which ends at the end of next year. He has been touted as a future leader of the club, and im just wondering would he be in trouble at the end of next year, if schwab cant play him in his true position

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I have a lot of time for Nick Ries, I'm sure the Hawks will find a spot for him,

 

[EG1978]

Again, over here - big wrap for Ries. While I'm not sure about the future leader part - he's certainly got potential.

The general consensus was that Schwab couldn't play both Mitchell and Ries at the same time - because as much as we may not like it - both players don't exactly have the greatest leg speed. As a result, having them both on the ball or across the middle could seriously slow things down.

Personally, my preference would be to see Ries bulk up a bit more - and play him across half back as a nice foil to Joel Smith. The kid's got awesome talent - and as for Hawthorn getting rid of him - never. I'm in agreement with previous posts - Hawthorn should always make room for him.

 

[feher]

I agree we need to keep Ries, he looks like he has the goods. Could try him on a half fwd flank/wng, not sure if he has the defensive skills to play half back.

 

[Grendel]

Has all the trait's to become a classic ruck-rover. Good endurance, great hands, terrific work-rate.

Like him a WHOLE lot as a player.

Wont be leaving the HFC anytime soon I'd have thought. But then again, I would have thought that about Rawlings too and look whats happened there.