Shannon Hurn

[Spartan]

Apologies if this has been discussed previously.

Why isn't Hurn being given the odd run in the midfield?

A few commentators have mentioned it recently but i've been thinking that for awhile now.

I'm guessing maybe he doesn't have the tank, but using him in bursts through the midfield is surely an idea?

He's tough and wins the hard ball and has pace to burn for a relatively big guy. Excellent disposal too.

Thoughts?

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

He... is starting at the centre bounce on occasion. Maybe you aren't looking.

 

[scooter22]

He is doing a good job of controlling the play from the HB line. They may be worried that his disposal will become rushed if he is moved into the midfield. Other than those queries, cant see a reason not to.

 

[Spartan]

He... is starting at the centre bounce on occasion. Maybe you aren't looking.

Very rarely.. and when he does he usually drifts back to the half back line.

I think hes doing an excellent job back there and is playing at an AA level as a rebounding half back flanker.. but another big body in the midfield and that booming kick into the forward 50 on a regular basis would be tasty.

 

[hogman]

given where we are on the ladder it's worth trying something different.

 

[bunsen burner]

same reason Guy McKenna wasn't played on the ball. We are building a team for the long term rather than short term.

 

[lewigie]

Well, if we're down by 10-20 in the last quarter, go for broke and throw him in the midfield.

He's got good evasion skills, a great kick, he's a god.

I've been saying it since round 1! Throw him in the middle!

 

[Spartan]

same reason Guy McKenna wasn't played on the ball. We are building a team for the long term rather than short term.

I didn't say turn him into a midfielder.

We're rebuilding.

No harm in trying different things.

He might prove to be a better midfielder than a defender.

Who knows?

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

I didn't say turn him into a midfielder.

We're rebuilding.

No harm in trying different things.

He might prove to be a better midfielder than a defender.

Who knows?

How about we put Dean Cox in the back pocket then? He might turn out to be a better defender than ruckman. Or throw Darren Glass up forward - we know he can take a good mark, maybe he can finish his career as a FF. Then we can try out Josh Kennedy as FB and put Eric Mackenzie on a wing.

 

[bunsen burner]

I didn't say turn him into a midfielder.

We're rebuilding.

No harm in trying different things.

He might prove to be a better midfielder than a defender.

Who knows?

I'm not totally against it, but I don't see a point playing him in the midfield if he's not going to be developed into a midfielder. You seem to have this "well, we're shit now so put him in because he'll be better that what we already have" view. There's no point in doing that. We are building for the long term. Personally I think his long term future is setting up from the HBF. If that is the case then the long term gain is to play him on the HBF. If long term he is seen as a ball player then he needs to be played on the ball. I suspect he's not playing on the ball for the same reason they never played Lindsay Gilbee on the ball.

 

[Alvey]

How about we put Dean Cox in the back pocket then? He might turn out to be a better defender than ruckman. Or throw Darren Glass up forward - we know he can take a good mark, maybe he can finish his career as a FF. Then we can try out Josh Kennedy as FB and put Eric Mackenzie on a wing.

Bit of an over reaction there Mr Casson

 

[lewigie]

I wouldn't mind seeing Glass finish his career at FF, actually.

 

[Makka]

I'm quite happy seeing Hurn develop down back. He is very much in the mold of Guy McKenna and the last few weeks he has really stood up.

On a side note, I went to Eagles training today and got really close up to Hurn. How big is the lower half of this guys body?? No wonder he can boot a ball so damn far!

 

[thesmallprint]

He's playing really well down back, both defensively and as a rebounding defender. Also takes the kick outs and can do spear passes to people on the wing. Wouldn't want to see him move.

 

[Spartan]

I'm not totally against it, but I don't see a point playing him in the midfield if he's not going to be developed into a midfielder. You seem to have this "well, we're shit now so put him in because he'll be better that what we already have" view. There's no point in doing that. We are building for the long term. Personally I think his long term future is setting up from the HBF. If that is the case then the long term gain is to play him on the HBF. If long term he is seen as a ball player then he needs to be played on the ball. I suspect he's not playing on the ball for the same reason they never played Lindsay Gilbee on the ball.

Not at all.

Its just experimenting.

It would just be another bow to his arrow. I think he has the ability.

If and when we need a change Hurn can be thrown into the middle.

As for Cox playing in the back pocket.. thats just being silly. Fullback would be a much more suitable option.

 

[bunsen burner]

Its just experimenting.

Shannon Hurn at old age facility circa 2060:

Hurn: When I was young, I experimented. But I realised I was going down the wrong path. Fortunately I moved away from that crowd and kept on the straight and narrow.

Old Geezer: Yeah, I tried heroin once as young pup. Fortunalely just the once.

Hurn: huh? I was talking about playing midfield.

Old Geezer: huh?

 

[ziad]

He has good evasion skills but doesnt break lines well. After evading he generally doesnt have the acceleration to get clear for a quality disposal.
He is more valuable off HB - delivering quality to HF.