Opinion Our Most Important Player

[Dinner Plate]

Roughead. Versatile. Strong. Skillful. A scoring threat. And a competitive ruckman around the ground. It's become apparent this year why he was picked ahead of Franklin. And I believe he was the difference between us making a GF and going out last year.

Most important midfielder? Mitchell. But he can't win the ball without the occasional tap in his direction. He's been the core of the team for years now, but I'd still pick Roughead first.

Most important backman? Birchall. Every team knows to try and shut down his distribution from defence. But Hodge can pinch hit in a similar role, but is more versatile. He can inject some toughness into the midfield when fully fit. (Also Gibson is important as third man up, but can't dominate forwards on his own.)

Most important forward? Err, Franklin. But when he's not getting the ball, he looks like Trent Croad at a State of Origin game, running around the field like a headless chook, trying to get touches.

Most underrated player? This year it's Shiels. I hope he's learning from all the players he's shutting down.

 

[11sjw]

I'm on the Roughnut bandwagon as well. I look at the clearances where he competes in the ruck and does ok but once it's on the ground he has been providing an advantage over most ruckmen with his ball skills. A similar effort to West Coast's Cantkickanui but with way more skill.

 

[Rowie6]

No love for Sewell??
I put him on a par with Mitch!!

Yeah i actually think Sewelly does more of the grunt work than Mitch!!!

 

[bugalugs213]

Buddy by a mile.
If the teams behind by 4 goals going into the final quarter and they've been playing like shit and they need a spark to get them going... well they look to Buddy.

 

[Thaihawk]

As soon as I read the thread title, an image of Sam, grabbing a contested ball, and with lightening speed threaded it to another Hawk (you can take your pick here) and we were indide our forward 50.
So it's Mitch for me.

However, we have many players who are so important to our structure. Suckers, Birch, Goo, Stratts, Gibbo and Shoey with their pin point 50 metre passes. The mids, and the forwards, God, we have the complete thing going for us.

As long as we bring our top game we will go all the way.

 

[WWSD]

Jarryd Roughead. Gives us another option up forward and can take contested marks as well as kick a bag.

 

[ACTion Hawks]

I vote for Junior.

He is our one guy at the moment (well until he got injured) that has breakaway clearance speed. Although Mitch and Sewell do the grunt work, I sort of feel they may be covered by say a fit Hodge or Shiels or Lewis, but we don't have anyone that can do a Cyril (except maybe Burgers!)

 

[savagelunchbox]

The more versatile you are, the more important you are.

Based on that it's Roughead simply because he can play forward, back, loose man, and pretty much anywhere and be effective regardless. He's even more important because he rucks and then once the ball hits the floor he has the athleticism to be almost a midfielder.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Gibson and Mitchell.

 

[Great 2008]

I thought it was Buddy until the last 5 weeks. Mitchell followed by Roughy for mine (Sewell huge as well)

 

[marklar]

Rioli, Franklin or Hodge; all 3 can inspire the team to great things and turn the game on it's head in an instant with one touch of the footy or quality tackle.

 

[go hawks!!!]

Rioli, Franklin or Hodge; all 3 can inspire the team to great things and turn the game on it's head in an instant with one touch of the footy or quality tackle.

Agree.....but for structure....ellis is important

 

[Budgey]

Buddy. When we blow games apart it is all the other players people are listing. But more often than not, when the game is on the line there is only one bloke that matters.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Lance Franklin.

Yep.

Our best and most important player. Easily.

 

[Hawker55]

Roughead or Gibson.

Rough plugs so many holes - can play forward and back and on the ball.

Without Gibson I don't think we could beat a top 4 side.

 

[Hodge is God]

Roughead or Gibson.

Rough plugs so many holes - can play forward and back and on the ball.

Without Gibson I don't think we could beat a top 4 side.

Yep, exactly what I think.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Hale or Bailey - if either can hold their own in the finals campaign we will be tough to knock over.

 

[The Swert]

Roughead or Gibson.

If Mitchell has a poor day or gets tagged then Sewell and Lewis invariably step up. So we can cover him. We cannot cover Roughead or Gibson very well.

 

[jive]

Everyone is equally as important as one another. Each player in this team has a specific role to play and we are devastatingly good when that's happening.

 

[Mighty P]

It has got to be Mitchell; his on field work-rate is superb as is his off-field dedication, and his leadership is too many times not taken into account. Not to mention his professionalism. I believe it was this leadership that was lacking when we lost to Geelong in the last 2 minutes when Mitchell went off, I believe we would have won if he was allowed to stay on the field.

Honourable mention to Sewell.

 

[TAITA]

No love for Sewell??
I put him on a par with Mitch!!

Sewell is just the sort of footballer that I have have all the time in the world for - serious man love the way he goes about it and stands tall when others don't - nothing else needs to be said, however have a look at our win loss record with and without him........

Serious CHB, serious Ruckman, serious Sam Mitchell, serious superstar CHF & FF - tick, tick, tick, tick tick,......

Cyril Rioli - PRICELESS

I have no words.

 

[Bardo State]

For mine, it's hard to split any of Mitchel, Hodge, buddy, Gibson, Rioli or Roughead

Mitchel is just amazing. He makes opposition ruckmen wear brown and gold and has great skills, a great decision maker and all the rest of it. I don't need to tell you. I can only imagine the player Mitch would have been if he had speed...

Hodge IMO is to Mitchel as Roughy is to buddy. He is an amazing centre square player although not quite as good as Mitch, he can go back and dominate as a flanker or even a tall. This is invaluable in finals. He can also go forward too and he can still make a game his own

What can I say about buddy? He is the best forward in the game. Bar none. End of discussion. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't just have a different opinion, they are wrong. Plays for big games and loves the limelight and big games. He will snag the goals and take the glory but will also tackle, assist, and do everything imaginable (other than be incredibly accurate) He can turn a game but you have to get the ball to him first.

Gibbo holds up our defence and without him we would not be a top four side IMO. I understand why some are saying Schoenmakers but if Gibbo plays well, he usually makes Schoey play well. His ability to zone off while keeping accountable for his own man is sublime and the ball is always safe in his hands. So glad we traded for him.

Rioli just adds something extra. With the form he was in, he is our only genuine clearance mid with daring speed and agility. Some people may call it beat up when people say his touches are worth 2 of any other player but this is usually true. He not only gets the ball at a bottom of a pack but finds his way out of it, breaks from the pack and the delivers it deep to the right option. He will be one of the better players in the game one day. He can take a game by the balls and tear it apart with some newfound consistency.

Roughy is Mr Fixit. As a forward he would be the number one target at most clubs. We know he can kick goals. But what makes him so valuable si that when the ball hits the deck he is one of the most lethal KPPs out there. His second and third efforts in the centre and up forward make him the player he is. There is also the whole Rough to defence thing as well but I'm still a bit of a sceptic.

I am basing my decision on if X player was in top form in the lead up to a grand final and then got injured, who would cause the most displeasure. In that instance it is the Hodginator followed by buddy. Maybe some have forgotten how good he is in full flight but I certainly haven't

 

[WillowSF]

Some surprising responses…Here are my thoughts.

Stratton: In my opinion he is our best defender. Reads the game beautifully, knows when to attack and when to hang back. Rarely gets beaten overhead. A future captain.

Birchall: Running and disposal is elite. In our best six.

Roughead: He is versatile but rarely does he play on the monster forwards. Would like him rotated through the backline more frequently. However it has been a great return this season after a serious injury.

Shoenmakers: If he can break even with Hawkins and Cloke come finals time we win the flag. He is really important but is still developing.

Gibson: Defensively he is excellent but can struggle against key forwards. (See his game on Podsiadly a few weeks ago.)

Hodge: Starting to show his age. I doubt he will regain his 2008 form. Still will be handy come finals.

Franklin: Best player in the competition. Not only does he have amazing talent but his consistency is remarkable. If he kicks 3 goals in a game that’s considered poor for him given the high standards he has set throughout his playing career. Could end up being the best ever…

Rioli: What can you say? Awesome skills and tackling pressure is phenomenal. His biggest negative is that he tends to float out of games for exteneded periods.

Gunston: He may come as a surprise selection but I think as the season has worn on Gunston has started to show everyone how good he is. I’m expecting a big final series from him.

Mitchell: Our most important player. Great in the stoppages. Elite disposal. Keeps getting the footy. Leadership is superb. Will win the best and fairest. A true champion.

 

[Rushed_Behind]

Maybe its the 19th man. He/she might be important 1st week of finals.