Simon Hogan

[Vdubs]

Is he the forgotten mid? Nobody mentions much about him. I'm really thinking if he has a good pre-season, last year with his disc injury, virtually had none, he could really have an impact as a tagger next year. Maybe take over Ling's role. He has some speed and great endurance, and IIRC, kicked some handy last/4 goals vs Hawks late 09.

At least he's not being talked about in a good-bye sense.

 

[Turbocat]

Don't rate. He is a midfield version of Mark Blake. He has been on the list for 4 years and I see nothing that sparks my interest. And , I can see us looking at anther guy who will still be about the same in another 3 years.

If there was decent interest , even half decent interest I deal him. (Waiting for a response from Catempire he rates him more than I)

 

[costanza23]

We'll keep him for one more year and try him out as a tagger. If it doesn't work, then we might trade him next year. People have forgetten that he wasn't too bad in 09 before losing it a bit this year. Hopefully just second year blues. His best work is when he is in tight contests and is able to dish out a quick handpass to a player in a better position and often a better kick. As a tagger, Ling's always had to play like that. This pre-season, get Ling to show him how it's done. His performances in 09 tell me he has something still to offer.

 

[nohairandfair]

Lacks a bit of awareness and poor/average foot skills and decision making.

Looks more like a periphery type that will always battle to be best 22. The Cats should move him on if the opportunity arises.

 

[hamG]

There is something strange about his game where he will get 20 touches but have basically no influence. I've never seen him take on the game (isn't he quick?) and never seen him deliver a long footpass.

I would persevere with him. I mean we'd just draft another kid like him if we got rid of him (athlete who hopefully becomes a footy player).

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

he's a bit like Djerrkura in that he arrived at the club at the same time as Selwood and as a result has been overlooked as a future talent. I thought his 2009 was pretty serviceable, and his '10 not so much - but as mentioned he was injured for the preseason so some leeway should be granted. He had the best repeat sprint time at draft camp in 2006 so he's got some toe and stamina, just needs some development.

 

[Premiers2007]

Thought he progressing well after 2009, very disappointed with 2010. Made poor decisions when he got the ball. 2011 is a make or break year. Would rather go with Duncan.

 

[thejester]

Haven't seen Blake play a 50 touch, 7 clearance game in the twos yet.

Hogan will never be an A-grade mid and indeed may never be anything more than a depth player, but has shown pretty consistent improvement in his time at the club. Will definitely face a battle to get a senior place next year given Hunt/Motlop/Menzel/Duncan/Christensen/Cowan will all have another season under their belts and we're probably going to draft another couple of mids...but it's a nice problem to have.

 

[Turbocat]

Haven't seen Blake play a 50 touch, 7 clearance game in the twos yet.

Hogan will never be an A-grade mid and indeed may never be anything more than a depth player, but has shown pretty consistent improvement in his time at the club. Will definitely face a battle to get a senior place next year given Hunt/Motlop/Menzel/Duncan/Christensen/Cowan will all have another season under their belts and we're probably going to draft another couple of mids...but it's a nice problem to have.

Im not sure what Blakes best ever stats for hit outs are either Jes.
I think you have basically hit the nail on the noggin with the lat para. he will never be A-grade and neither will Blake thus a midfield version of Blake. We can persist , we can hope , we can place enormous resources and effort into him while others are denied their chance and leave.
As always Im quite happy to be proven wrong. Bookmark it and stick it to me if I am but I feel if Hogan is still at the club in 3 years time I can not see him being much more than he is now. A borderline player that can play(no doubt)a 20-30 type guy who will , never , ever be the foundation of a new Premiership group.

 

[dazbroncos]

I kinda see him as Shanka was a few years ago....

Has good toe and stamina but flighty performances. Byrnes pace has proven his worth thus far and Hogan's underneath stuff seems to have dropped off this year.

I would certainly give him another year but with Hunt, Menzel, Brown, Motlop Duncan all pushing for more time... could be an uphill battle but would persist this year if it was my call....which clearly it aint!

 

[catempire]

Injured pre-season 2010 and performances suffered as a result.

Judge on 2011.

 

[Turbocat]

Injured pre-season 2010 and performances suffered as a result.
Judge on 2011.

I don't think preseason effects his kicking does CE , what about his game awareness or creativity. No doubt it will give much better base to enable to run around and get 70 touchs in the 2's rather than 50 but OK lets just wait another year for a hint of the stuff that Menzel or Duncan showed in their first season. In fact didn't Menzel have an interrupted preseason!

 

[catempire]

I don't preseason effects his kicking does CE , what about his game awareness or creativity. No doubt it will give much better base to enable to run around and get 70 touchs in the 2's rather than 50 but OK lets just wait another year for a hint of the stuff that Menzel or Duncan showed in their first season. In fact didn't Menzel have an interrupted preseason!

It was a back injury so it impacts on a lot of things TC. Endurance, strength, balance, confidence...

His 2009 performances were very good and match anything Menzel or Duncan showed this season. There's a good reason why he didn't show that again in 2010. Let's see if he gets back to 2009 form in 2011.

 

[AM]

It was a back injury so it impacts on a lot of things TC. Endurance, strength, balance, confidence...

His 2009 performances were very good and match anything Menzel or Duncan showed this season. There's a good reason why he didn't show that again in 2010. Let's see if he gets back to 2009 form in 2011.

As you know, along with Turbo, I have my doubts. However, I agree he warrants another year which should tell the tale.

 

[jim boy]

I don't preseason effects his kicking does CE , what about his game awareness or creativity.

Fitness is everything, if you're tired, you shank your kicks and you aren't as alert as you need to be. I thought he was a great kick in 09 and was about our best set shot from outside 50. Awareness also comes along, in Rooke's first couple of season's there was massive criticism was that he wasn't aware enough after he would regularly get caught.

The guy is a hard worker and isn't about to let opportunity slip through his grasp if he has anything to do with it. A big preseason will see a hugely improved Hogan.

 

[Turbocat]

Fitness is everything, if you're tired, you shank your kicks and you aren't as alert as you need to be. I thought he was a great kick in 09 and was about our best set shot from outside 50. Awareness also comes along, in Rooke's first couple of season's there was massive criticism was that he wasn't aware enough after he would regularly get caught.

The guy is a hard worker and isn't about to let opportunity slip through his grasp if he has anything to do with it. A big preseason will see a hugely improved Hogan.

Quite sensible comments by you and CE , hard to argue with. And I do conceed injury in the back /hammys can well and truly effect kicking. Im sure thats half Mooney problem.
My issue with Hogan's kicking is a technique thing , not so much a fitness thing. My bias is shown here even when he has got the ball to where he aimed its gripes me when I look at his ball drop. His hand is just so high on ball release , it just can't be a reliable method for disposal.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

There is something strange about his game where he will get 20 touches but have basically no influence. I've never seen him take on the game (isn't he quick?) and never seen him deliver a long footpass.

I would persevere with him. I mean we'd just draft another kid like him if we got rid of him (athlete who hopefully becomes a footy player).

I think it's just confidence...when you see him play 2's he just uses his speed (which he has), takes the game on, quickly gets it to others...whereas in the 1's he always hesitates, and ends up looking slow when he's quick. My theory is that apart from a lack of confidence, he's one of those kids who has about 6 things going through his head when he's got the ball in hand, and is such a perfectionist about it that half the time he can't make a decision! (watching some of his interviews I get the sense that he is very much like that with himself) I just think they need to tell him to be confident and attack like in the 2s, and try and keep it very simple.

Now DJ is gone, I reckon he's the best option as a defensive midfielder that we have, and we don't have stacks of young mids on the list, so we ought to persevere with him.

Ablett's departure will help him get games this year and hopefully with an injury free pre season he can do something with it.

 

[Vdubs]

I think it's just confidence...when you see him play 2's he just uses his speed (which he has), takes the game on, quickly gets it to others...whereas in the 1's he always hesitates, and ends up looking slow when he's quick. My theory is that apart from a lack of confidence, he's one of those kids who has about 6 things going through his head when he's got the ball in hand, and is such a perfectionist about it that half the time he can't make a decision! (watching some of his interviews I get the sense that he is very much like that with himself) I just think they need to tell him to be confident and attack like in the 2s, and try and keep it very simple.

Now DJ is gone, I reckon he's the best option as a defensive midfielder that we have, and we don't have stacks of young mids on the list, so we ought to persevere with him.

Ablett's departure will help him get games this year and hopefully with an injury free pre season he can do something with it.

Good points. You more than most would be aware of his s & w, and I was hoping that would be your assessment . I still think he has upside and should be our most improved next year.

 

[vinum coupe]

I think it's just confidence...when you see him play 2's he just uses his speed (which he has), takes the game on, quickly gets it to others...whereas in the 1's he always hesitates, and ends up looking slow when he's quick. My theory is that apart from a lack of confidence, he's one of those kids who has about 6 things going through his head when he's got the ball in hand, and is such a perfectionist about it that half the time he can't make a decision! (watching some of his interviews I get the sense that he is very much like that with himself) I just think they need to tell him to be confident and attack like in the 2s, and try and keep it very simple.

Now DJ is gone, I reckon he's the best option as a defensive midfielder that we have, and we don't have stacks of young mids on the list, so we ought to persevere with him.

Ablett's departure will help him get games this year and hopefully with an injury free pre season he can do something with it.

Fair call. FWIW I think Gazza over thinks. But he is so evasive he can create time.
Hogan can't.

I rate Hogan. I'm not sure how high. Maybe as high as Moloney. Definitely ahead of Prismall.

I'm not sure he's going to get the chance with us though.

It comes down to Corey, Ling, Rooke retiring. If 2 of them stay I think he may be cooked as he won't get the opportunity.

In line with your 'he lacks confidence' I think he has to be given a full time role in order to cement his place. I don't reckon he will ever succeed as a spot filler.

It's not his bag. I said ages ago that I reckon he can be the tagger in place of Ling.

Has speed - has endurance (even in a bad preseason) - can damage the other way with his foot.
And he is no light weight.

He provides something we had with Ling but are losing quickly.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I would agree with all of that, and particularly that opportunity is important, so hopefully for his sake there's a retirement or two.

The comparison between Ablett and Hogan is a good one (albeit that it's very unfair to ever compare anyone to Ablett)...Hogan has speed, which is one reason why we should persevere with him as we are a bit slow, but he has speed at only one gear...high crusing speed, but he can't go any higher.

Gazza (which is why he was so unique and brilliant for us) has high crusing speed, but then when he is tackled, the strength of a bigger man to get out of the tackle, and a higher gear to then shift up to and get away again. Because Hogan doesn't, he can't afford to hold onto the footy, so hopefully he gets a bit more confidence and just goes first option all the time. If he does that, and it's a big if, he'll look at home at afl level like he did last year and should make it.

While he's no lightweight, I think he needs a preseason where he can do a lot of strength work, both to be able to stand up in the tackles, but use his endurance. It will be a make or break year for him.

 

[DanA]

I would agree with all of that, and particularly that opportunity is important, so hopefully for his sake there's a retirement or two.

The comparison between Ablett and Hogan is a good one (albeit that it's very unfair to ever compare anyone to Ablett)...Hogan has speed, which is one reason why we should persevere with him as we are a bit slow, but he has speed at only one gear...high crusing speed, but he can't go any higher.

Gazza (which is why he was so unique and brilliant for us) has high crusing speed, but then when he is tackled, the strength of a bigger man to get out of the tackle, and a higher gear to then shift up to and get away again. Because Hogan doesn't, he can't afford to hold onto the footy, so hopefully he gets a bit more confidence and just goes first option all the time. If he does that, and it's a big if, he'll look at home at afl level like he did last year and should make it.

While he's no lightweight, I think he needs a preseason where he can do a lot of strength work, both to be able to stand up in the tackles, but use his endurance. It will be a make or break year for him.

As you say Ablett is an unrealistic comparison. I think rather than Ablett the best guy for Hogan to mirror his game on is Joel Corey. A rangy player who is excellent inside (Hogan has some work to do), gut runs as hard as anyone and a solid tackler.

 

[Turbocat]

Hogan to Ablett? Hogan to Joel Corey? Im not seeing that at all. Hogan would not have played games at IMO without his pace.
To me it probably Hogan to Shannon Byrnes. If we get anything from the guys it will be like is Byrnes now , a player who still was mentioned as one we could have dropped fro the finals.

 

[catman2006]

Simon just needs confidence to play at the highest level just seems unsettled by being in and out all the time, may be the case to run him for extended time in the midfield or ear mark him for monica's position.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

As you say Ablett is an unrealistic comparison. I think rather than Ablett the best guy for Hogan to mirror his game on is Joel Corey. A rangy player who is excellent inside (Hogan has some work to do), gut runs as hard as anyone and a solid tackler.

Fair call.

 

[DanA]

Hogan to Ablett? Hogan to Joel Corey? Im not seeing that at all. Hogan would not have played games at IMO without his pace.
To me it probably Hogan to Shannon Byrnes. If we get anything from the guys it will be like is Byrnes now , a player who still was mentioned as one we could have dropped fro the finals.

Never said he was as good as or will be as good as. I just said Corey's who he should mirror his game on.