Setanta O'Hailpin

[reg_lower91]

I know there have been several threads made on this guy but after reading post after post of doubt over this guy, i felt there was need for another thread to be made.

I, for one, cannot believe the doubt over this guy's future and/or potential. Whilst i know that he is naturally a gaelic player first and football player second, some of the form he showed last year (pre-fev's knee) was quality similar to that of Steve Johnson (minus the show and the "glamour").

He finally showed glimpses of a confident, relaxed and SMART football player. Instead of panicking he steadied himself in many circumstances to either set up a goal or even kick it himself. The game he played against St.Kilda last year was, in my opinion, the best we have seen from Sultanas. But even during that game i couldn't help get the feeling that it wasn't truly his best. That he, like many of our forwards, was living in Fev's shadow.

There is a thread going around at the moment suggesting that Fisher may be the key to us finishing the top 4, but i know that Setanta could be the key. Consider this, he is:
Age: 26 (27 in two months)
Hieght: 199cm
Weight: 100kg

Justin Koschitzke
Age: 27
Height: 197cm
Weight: 98kg

Nick Riewoldt
Age: 27
Height: 193cm
Weight: 96kg

Jonathan Brown
Age: 28
Height: 195cm
Weight: 104kg

Lance Franklin
Age: 23
Height: 196cm
Weight: 101kg

Need i go on. Setanta has the same attributes as some of the best forwards in the league. The only thing missing is SUPPORT. If the boys get around him and give him the support he needs there is absolutely no reason why he can't kick 40/50+ goals this season. In fact, i'm tipping him to kick around the 45 goal mark this season. Hopefully, he'll prove me right and kick off a great season tonight against the swans.

 

[GoBlues!]

I know there have been several threads made on this guy but after reading post after post of doubt over this guy, i felt there was need for another thread to be made.

I, for one, cannot believe the doubt over this guy's future and/or potential. Whilst i know that he is naturally a gaelic player first and football player second, some of the form he showed last year (pre-fev's knee) was quality similar to that of Steve Johnson (minus the show and the "glamour").

He finally showed glimpses of a confident, relaxed and SMART football player. Instead of panicking he steadied himself in many circumstances to either set up a goal or even kick it himself. The game he played against St.Kilda last year was, in my opinion, the best we have seen from Sultanas. But even during that game i couldn't help get the feeling that it wasn't truly his best. That he, like many of our forwards, was living in Fev's shadow.

There is a thread going around at the moment suggesting that Fisher may be the key to us finishing the top 4, but i know that Setanta could be the key. Consider this, he is:
Age: 26 (27 in two months)
Hieght: 199cm
Weight: 100kg

Justin Koschitzke
Age: 27
Height: 197cm
Weight: 98kg

Nick Riewoldt
Age: 27
Height: 193cm
Weight: 96kg

Jonathan Brown
Age: 28
Height: 195cm
Weight: 104kg

Lance Franklin
Age: 23
Height: 196cm
Weight: 101kg

Need i go on. Setanta has the same attributes as some of the best forwards in the league. The only thing missing is SUPPORT. If the boys get around him and give him the support he needs there is absolutely no reason why he can't kick 40/50+ goals this season. In fact, i'm tipping him to kick around the 45 goal mark this season. Hopefully, he'll prove me right and kick off a great season tonight against the swans.

No. Grant it Setanta has a go but he is nowhere near the class of Riewoldt, Brown and Franklin.

 

[Korn]

Setanta has the same height and weight as those guys, but he doesn't move as well as those guys. Those guys you mentioned are very atheletic.

 

[Ytoojae]

Setanta is more athletic than most give him credit for. When he puts his mind to it he can move like a midfielder.

Was surprised with the St Kilda game in particular.

 

[starchamber]

I know there have been several threads made on this guy but after reading post after post of doubt over this guy, i felt there was need for another thread to be made.

I, for one, cannot believe the doubt over this guy's future and/or potential. Whilst i know that he is naturally a gaelic player first and football player second, some of the form he showed last year (pre-fev's knee) was quality similar to that of Steve Johnson (minus the show and the "glamour").

He finally showed glimpses of a confident, relaxed and SMART football player. Instead of panicking he steadied himself in many circumstances to either set up a goal or even kick it himself. The game he played against St.Kilda last year was, in my opinion, the best we have seen from Sultanas. But even during that game i couldn't help get the feeling that it wasn't truly his best. That he, like many of our forwards, was living in Fev's shadow.

There is a thread going around at the moment suggesting that Fisher may be the key to us finishing the top 4, but i know that Setanta could be the key. Consider this, he is:
Age: 26 (27 in two months)
Hieght: 199cm
Weight: 100kg

Justin Koschitzke
Age: 27
Height: 197cm
Weight: 98kg

Nick Riewoldt
Age: 27
Height: 193cm
Weight: 96kg

Jonathan Brown
Age: 28
Height: 195cm
Weight: 104kg

Lance Franklin
Age: 23
Height: 196cm
Weight: 101kg

Need i go on. Setanta has the same attributes as some of the best forwards in the league. The only thing missing is SUPPORT. If the boys get around him and give him the support he needs there is absolutely no reason why he can't kick 40/50+ goals this season. In fact, i'm tipping him to kick around the 45 goal mark this season. Hopefully, he'll prove me right and kick off a great season tonight against the swans.

HA Ha that's funny comparing him to 3 great players. The other player Koschitzke would have been great if he wasn't injured as much also. Setanta is similiar to Ian Prendergast but Prendegast had better skills.

 

[Ytoojae]

starchamber - I know Valentine's Day has come and gone.... but... I really must say this now.... I've had a crush on you for just the longest time... Will you have my babies?

 

[Azzurri Blues]

He is from a hurling back ground not gaelic. I wouldn't be pinning your hopes on carlos doing anymore than he has done for us in the past.

How do players become better once other players are not there. Has fev passed on his talent before he left. Just because carlos / fisher will get more supply doesn't necessarily mean that they will play better.

Maybe this could show just how poor they are, thus, there's no fev to hide behind or take the best 2 defenders.

 

[HARKER]

forwards in the league. The only thing missing is SUPPORT.

I don't see this missing from our group towards Setanta at all.

Let's face it, this is really his make or break year and for him to do that he would need to knuckle down a position.
Setanta won't be used as a fill in ruckman, he won't be used as a backman, so we only have one true regular position for him and that is CHF.

The problem with someone at his age now is that he has to perform week in, week out and there is where I see The Irishman's downfall.
He has just not been consistent enough and at 27 years of age can no longer be seen as a project player.

 

[Beloved]

Adrian Deluca was also a pretty tall, solid guy. Look how that turned out.

Comparing height and weight means shit all if you can't compare skill. Truth is that Riewoldt, Brown, Franklin and Koschitzke are miles ahead of Setanta.

 

[Sin City]

The difference is that three of those guys are in the top bunch of players in the league. O'hAilpin isn't in the best 22 at Carlton. We flogged the Richmond supporters for comparing Tambling to McLeod, this is just as silly.

 

[Thurlo]

One thing you cannot take away from him is his heart. I hope this season a few things fall into plan for him and he takes up it a few levels!

 

[The Toad]

I don't see this missing from our group towards Setanta at all.

Let's face it, this is really his make or break year and for him to do that he would need to knuckle down a position.
Setanta won't be used as a fill in ruckman, he won't be used as a backman, so we only have one true regular position for him and that is CHF.

The problem with someone at his age now is that he has to perform week in, week out and there is where I see The Irishman's downfall.
He has just not been consistent enough and at 27 years of age can no longer be seen as a project player.

Agree 100% with this Harks. This is the year he needs to really step up. He is never going to a gun CHF but he needs to be accountable and he needs to kick 30-40 goals this seson to be considered a servicable CHF.

I hope he does it, because I really like his attitude and the way he (IMO)truly loves the club.

I also think he needs to start showing a bit more mongrel. He is big enough and he should be playing a more Earl Spalding type role. Crash a couple of packs, a couple of big (legal) hits to get the oppostion thinking about him when the are going for the ball.

 

[HARKER]

I also think he needs to start showing a bit more mongrel. He is big enough and he should be playing a more Earl Spalding type role. Crash a couple of packs, a couple of big (legal) hits to get the oppostion thinking about him when the are going for the ball.

100% on the mark.

That has largely been the reason I have been somewhat disappointed with Setanta.

We call him The Mad Irishman, yet at times he plays like The Shy Irishman.
I hope Ratten just gives him the license to go hell for leather, and what comes along with that, comes.
At times it just seemed to me that we were tempering him and not allowing him to do what we know he can do best, by being the wild beast he is.

 

[ptrsks]

Personally i think we are wasting our time with O'hailpin. I genuinely dont think he is good enough to compete well on a weekly basis. Instead we should be using time developing hendo and kruz, who have far more potential, and will be at the blues in our premiership window.

 

[Sublime]

Adrian Deluca was also a pretty tall, solid guy. Look how that turned out.

Comparing height and weight means shit all if you can't compare skill. Truth is that Riewoldt, Brown, Franklin and Koschitzke are miles ahead of Setanta.

Deluca was solid? I missed have missed that part.

He was an excellent footballer, every time he went for a mark the ball almost hit him in the face... chest marks included.

 

[pumped]

Whilst I think it unlikely he will become a superstar I do think he still has potential to become a very good player. I also agree that prior to Fev's knee he was looking as good as he ever has. Think he has heaps more going for him than Fisher and that he should be a start up in our 18 for round 1. Skills are not as bad as many are making out and his pace and mobility is excellent for his size.

 

[ESKIE]

100% on the mark.

That has largely been the reason I have been somewhat disappointed with Setanta.

We call him The Mad Irishman, yet at times he plays like The Shy Irishman.
I hope Ratten just gives him the license to go hell for leather, and what comes along with that, comes.
At times it just seemed to me that we were tempering him and not allowing him to do what we know he can do best, by being the wild beast he is.

He used to get into it a bit, I remember one year against Essendon, he spent most of the game antagonising Lloyd .. it was great Lloyd was going off, couldn;t handle it, he killed him that day, but that was in defense, yeh unleash the beast I reckon.

He had such a purple patch last year until injured, his pack marking was great, his kicking for goal was good, and I used to love the way he went off when he;s kick a goal, sort of doesn;t do that now, love to see him have a good year, I;m a fan go irish !!!

 

[ESKIE]

Whilst I think it unlikely he will become a superstar I do think he still has potential to become a very good player. I also agree that prior to Fev's knee he was looking as good as he ever has. Think he has heaps more going for him than Fisher and that he should be a start up in our 18 for round 1. Skills are not as bad as many are making out and his pace and mobility is excellent for his size.

This is true, I suspect this is why they have kept him on the list

 

[dumb]

the 4 goal game, contested marks up the ground (was that against essendon)?

has it in him to be a decent player as in games last year, time will tell, etc etc

 

[thylacine60]

Whilst I think it unlikely he will become a superstar I do think he still has potential to become a very good player. I also agree that prior to Fev's knee he was looking as good as he ever has. Think he has heaps more going for him than Fisher and that he should be a start up in our 18 for round 1. Skills are not as bad as many are making out and his pace and mobility is excellent for his size.

Whilst I love the bloke I find the word potential grates a little after 7 years in - yes I know he's come from a long way back. Come on Irish, the fookin' hittin' has well and truly started.

 

[HARKER]

He had such a purple patch last year until injured, his pack marking was great, his kicking for goal was good, and I used to love the way he went off when he;s kick a goal, sort of doesn;t do that now, love to see him have a good year, I;m a fan go irish !!!

Get the boy some angry pills, I say.
I also love the Mad Irishman, but that lonely puppy dog look just doesn't suit.

The day The Irish gets onto the field breathing fire and spitting blood, will be the day I know we're back in business.

 

[setantypants]

Maybe he hasn't been given enough of a solid spot in the side ever to really reach his potential? I think 2010 will be the make or break year for Setanta, we will probably need him floating around CHF or CHB.

Look forwards to seeing whether he sinks or swims. At least then we will know where he's at.

 

[Blues_Man]

Setanta has the same height and weight as those guys, but he doesn't move as well as those guys. Those guys you mentioned are very atheletic.

lol Setanta's athleticism is one of his biggest assests..He would make Kosi look like the QE11. pretty dumb statement in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to watching the big Irishman this year, and hoping he can retain the form he was showing before Fev drove his knee into him .

 

[Dramoth]

starchamber - I know Valentine's Day has come and gone.... but... I really must say this now.... I've had a crush on you for just the longest time... Will you have my babies?

I was thankful that I didnt have a mouthful of wine right there... or else I would have been buying at least 1 more monitor...

BUT... Setanta is going to be a very solid CHF for us for the next couple of years while Levi develops...

In a couple of years, Setanta will be the third forward, swinging back when Waite moves into the forward line.

It is going to cause a shitload of problems for the opposition...

God it is good to be a Blue....

 

[reg_lower91]

I think a few of you are misinterpreting what i said. By comparing him to the likes of Riewoldt, Brown and Franklin i was simply trying to point out that he has the right type of build to mold a great CHF. I never mentioned skill or athleticism. And whilst on the point, i think he has got great athleticism for a bloke his size, even better than a few of those stars on the list. He moves confidently, quickly and with mobility. Whilst his acceleration may need some work, once he gets going his pace is quite hard to keep up with.

Once again, i can't see why so many of you fail to see the potential in Setanta. While i understand that he has probably showed too little to reflect his time spent at the club, he is definitely at a stage now where he could do some damage to opposition teams. I am not sahying that he will ever reach the heights of Riewoldt and co. but he definitely has the potential to become a solid contributor whilst the likes Henderson, Austin, etc. develop.

I agree with the "mongrel" comment made earlier. When he first arrived to the club he was a real hot-head and filled with fire in his belly. But he's quietened down a bit now, but probably a bit too much. I think this is a result of the Cloke incident but i'd love to see him get back some of that excitement he used to have and celebrate goals like he used to.

We just gotta be confident in the big man.