Richard Hadley

[carlton09]

What's the go with Hadley? Is he in our best 22 or will he be a depth player? He has played well in both NAB matches so far, and you'd think it's a make or break year for him. He was in really good form at the start of last year... Is he good enough to cement a spot in our 22 in 2010?

 

[Sam The Doc]

Without Judd for the first 3 rds I think we should play him.

 

[BlueTongue]

What's the go with Hadley? Is he in our best 22 or will he be a depth player? He has played well in both NAB matches so far, and you'd think it's a make or break year for him. He was in really good form at the start of last year... Is he good enough to cement a spot in our 22 in 2010?

I think he'll struggle to stay in the 22, but having said that, he'll definitely play while Judd is out. I'd like to see him in a HF role, changing to an on-baller to give our midfielders a break. Maybe he can share this type of role with Mitch.
Who knows. I don't think he'd have much opportunity to go to any other club except maybe Gold Coast or GWS as he's getting on a bit but for what it's worth I'd love to see him make the regular 22, but at the expense of who exactly I'm not sure...

Depth is bitch

 

[HARKER]

I would have said that Hadley was well and truly on the outer with the advent of McLean, but with Judd and probably Murphy not available come rounds 1 - 3, who knows?

He has not got his body into the shape that he could really demand a regular spot with us, nor Brisbane beforehand.
Hit a rich vein of form and who knows..

He may not be the player he could have been, but that should not stop Sir Richard giving his all for us and after that....

 

[Knackers26]

In a perfect (non injured) world, Richard is not in our best 22. But given injuries are a part of every season, then I can see him playing a few games this year. I think he is best suited across HB but is the type that could cover quite a few different positions. IMO, if injury strikes I would love to see a few youngins get blooded.
I believe Brock has Richards regular spot in the team.

 

[parrot]

I'm not convinced we can play Brock and Hadley in the same side. Thought Hadley was fantastic late last year before breaking his arm. His work inside is excellent, and at 190-191cm he exerts a real physical presence in the middle. At this stage I'd select Hadley over Mclean.

 

[HBF]

I don't see why both can't play in the same team. They would compliment each other pretty well, and with the number of rotations we have though the midfield now, why would we want to lose that in and under presence when one of them goes off for a break. I'd have them both in my best 22.

 

[TOPBLUE_25]

I don't see why both can't play in the same team. They would compliment each other pretty well, and with the number of rotations we have though the midfield now, why would we want to lose that in and under presence when one of them goes off for a break. I'd have them both in my best 22.

This

 

[Deep Blue]

This

Fully agree - we need two hard-bodied "excavators"; as long as they're always surrounded by speedy types and not exposed for their lack of pace they'll complement one another well - rotating off the bench; Hadley's height is an added bonus.

 

[OldBlueFan]

This is a bit of a left field one, but a few times lately (especially after I watched that 2001 win over the Pies recently) I've thought of how we've never really replaced that Andrew McKay role on the HBF. You know, tough at it, good in close and reasonable skill coming out of defence.

With Scotland able to chip in for a few goals up forward, does anyone else see Richard as being a good option to rotate between HBF and the middle? With Scotland rotating between HB and HF?

 

[The Bighouse]

Fully agree - we need two hard-bodied "excavators"; as long as they're always surrounded by speedy types and not exposed for their lack of pace they'll complement one another well - rotating off the bench; Hadley's height is an added bonus.

I think this is exactly what is being planned for this year - rotate off the bench to have some inside players in the guts throughout a match.

 

[Big Red is back]

Pick 2 and 1 will miss out, we would be to slow with these 3 plus Gibbs rotating through the middle.

Mclean
Carrotts
Hadley

 

[zeeCFC]

Would rather Hadley over Carrots

 

[Stig O'Hara]

I don't see why both can't play in the same team. They would compliment each other pretty well, and with the number of rotations we have though the midfield now, why would we want to lose that in and under presence when one of them goes off for a break. I'd have them both in my best 22.

On the money there HBF.

He (Hadley) has terrific defensive/blocking skills, think he laid 10 tackles Round 1 last year, and is a very good user of the pill.

 

[Alice]

I'd be interested to know what those promoting McLean over Hadley base their opinions on - it can't be last years form or anything to date this year. I know who I'd rather have as a tough-nut mid and given his body appears to be injury free, I think he'll surprise a few this year.

 

[HBF]

Pick 2 and 1 will miss out, we would be to slow with these 3 plus Gibbs rotating through the middle.

Mclean
Carrotts
Hadley

Not Carrazzo please. He just doesn't hurt the opposition enough with his disposal, and is why other clubs don't bother putting a close tag on him.

 

[Azul]

This is a bit of a left field one, but a few times lately (especially after I watched that 2001 win over the Pies recently) I've thought of how we've never really replaced that Andrew McKay role on the HBF. You know, tough at it, good in close and reasonable skill coming out of defence.

With Scotland able to chip in for a few goals up forward, does anyone else see Richard as being a good option to rotate between HBF and the middle? With Scotland rotating between HB and HF?

Scotland and Hadley will be put out to pasture at season's end. Too old, too slow. Scotland gets plenty but chips it around to the detriment of fast ball movement. This kills us as the opposition flood back in numbers. Hadley is more of a clearance specialist. I can't see him having the speed or nous to run off quicker opponents. Rioli, Chapman or Johnson would kill Hadley if he played HBF.

Assuming the Guy McKenna rumours aren't true, Shaun Grigg is your man.

 

[OldBlueFan]

Scotland and Hadley will be put out to pasture at season's end. Too old, too slow. Scotland gets plenty but chips it around to the detriment of fast ball movement. This kills us as the opposition flood back in numbers. Hadley is more of a clearance specialist. I can't see him having the speed or nous to run off quicker opponents. Rioli, Chapman or Johnson would kill Hadley if he played HBF.

Assuming the Guy McKenna rumours aren't true, Shaun Grigg is your man.

Yeah, you could be right about Grigg, but he still has a lot to prove.

Hadley too old ... at 27? That's a bit rough don't ya think?

 

[invinciBlues]

I know who I'd rather have as a tough-nut mid and given his body appears to be injury free, I think he'll surprise a few this year.

Why not play both and reduce injury risks for them and keeping both in form?

They both need to get as many matches as possible so they can both be intuitive extractors. Looking around for players can cost precious seconds that you don't have when you're playing in close.

 

[Azul]

Hadley too old ... at 27? That's a bit rough don't ya think?

Sorry for being ageist, I just check his DOB, he's still 26 for another month! So maybe. Given his unfortunate history of injuries, he has the body of a 30 year old - averaging less than 7 games a year over 9 seasons.

We used pick 11 on McLean to play a similar role because he's less injury prone and yet only 3 years younger. As Grigg and Robinson step up, Sir Richard will need a mammoth year to remain relevant.

 

[Alice]

Why not play both and reduce injury risks for them and keeping both in form?

They both need to get as many matches as possible so they can both be intuitive extractors. Looking around for players can cost precious seconds that you don't have when you're playing in close.

I don't disagree - just hope Mclean can live up to the expectations many on here have put on him!!

 

[Kramer1]

Assuming the Guy McKenna rumours aren't true, Shaun Grigg is your man.

Some of his in-close work early againt the Swans was great though he did fade a bit after that. If he could play at that sort of level consistently it would be a no-brainer.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Hadley was fantastic as a blocker for Judd before he broke his arm last year.

FWIW I think we can find a way to fit both Mclean and Hadley in the same side.

 

[Kramer1]

Hadley was fantastic as a blocker for Judd before he broke his arm last year.

FWIW I think we can find a way to fit both Mclean and Hadley in the same side.

We do have some interesting scenarios developing...we could potentially load up on small forwards, rucks, or inside mids as required.

 

[The Toad]

Scotland and Hadley will be put out to pasture at season's end. Too old, too slow. Scotland gets plenty but chips it around to the detriment of fast ball movement. This kills us as the opposition flood back in numbers. Hadley is more of a clearance specialist. I can't see him having the speed or nous to run off quicker opponents. Rioli, Chapman or Johnson would kill Hadley if he played HBF.

Assuming the Guy McKenna rumours aren't true, Shaun Grigg is your man.

Sorry champ, have to disagree with you on this one. I think Scotland is one of the most penetrating kicks in the comp.