So... Hale or Bailey?

[mrcurly]

Ditto. Hale has improved his consistency this season, though his biggest downfall last season was going absent in the really big games, he can resolve that weakness starting tonight.
Hale is a better option than Bailey in the forward half, and his marking around the ground is also one of his big assets, Bailey is not as confident overhead as Hale and will often go the punch rather than clunking the mark.

A great luxury to have a depth of options on the list - along with McCauley.

 

[grizzlym]

it's been posted elsewhere, but Hale has been magnificent this year. He's certainly played his part in where we are right now.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Hopefully they do both play tonight.

Hale's improvement has come from playing AFL all year and becoming the fittest he has ever been. We have worked him hard and he has benefitted. The Kangas let him bludge in the VFL.

I am pretty clear that Hale and Bailey are playing for the same spot. No room for 2 ruckman in the same side.

 

[christoff91]

Hopefully they do both play tonight.

Hale's improvement has come from playing AFL all year and becoming the fittest he has ever been. We have worked him hard and he has benefitted. The Kangas let him bludge in the VFL.

I am pretty clear that Hale and Bailey are playing for the same spot. No room for 2 ruckman in the same side.

yeah it will be good to see how they compare to one another tonight

 

[Bosk]

Tonight we found our answer - Hale isnt up to it. Comprehensively smashed by a VFL grade hack in Stephenson in the first quarter and as a result won almost every center clearance.

Bring back Bailey. Hale may be better around the ground but we can't afford to let opposition rucks do that to us. Christ knows what Mumford or Nic Nat would've done to us in that first quarter if a spud like Stephenson was able to make Hale look third rate...

 

[grizzlym]

Hale not up to it? Give it a rest.

 

[Bosk]

Hale not up to it? Give it a rest.

Hale was the main reason Geelong won almost every center clearance in the first quarter.

 

[bugalugs213]

Terrible first quarter from Hale it was like he didnt want to get touched or jump.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Oops.

Bailey in place of Hale and we're 4-5 goals closer at quarter time.

 

[Rudi Gilham]

Horrible first quarter by Hale against Stephenson, but I thought he fought back well. 8 more hit outs, 1 more goal and 2 more marks in the end.

 

[Roughie]

Hale started slow and I was calling for his head at half time. But he really lifted in the 4th especially late. I love Bails I think he is better at the tap outs, But the work Hale did late (along with others) kept us in the game and I don't know if Bailey couldve provided that late like Hale did tonight.

 

[KAMSTAR HFC]

Hale is a good second ruck, but I cant remember him standing up in a big game. Flogged in the first quarter, by an old hack. People here who think Hale is way better than Bailey need to think again

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Bailey in next week.

Our centre square work was appalling. Have not seen a worse performance for some time. Outblocked and outbodied. When will clarko learn we need bigger bodies in the middle against the cats? They bully us.

 

[grizzlym]

Tonight we found our answer - Hale isnt up to it.
.

Hale was the main reason Geelong won almost every center clearance in the first quarter.

Yes, Hale was beaten in the first quarter. But he finished the game out well.

But to say he isn't up to it completely denies the great work he's done this year.

 

[ACTion Hawks]

I don't know the into acids of the game well enough, but we seemed to do alright after quarter time, and I assume Hale was part of that. it is a question of the whole midfield unit, not just the ruck I think.

 

[dipper86]

The first time Hale showed any sort of desperation was 10 minutes into the last quarter.....3 quarters too late, This is what i was afraid off with Hale, he picks and chooses, he was beaten by Orren tonight.

 

[Del33640]

It will be Bails against Cats next time methinks.

 

[Handsome.B.Wonderful]

Not sure if you blokes are serious or just listening to the commentators. Stephenson's numbers looked good in the first quarter because of the 2 free kicks he got which weren't there.

Hale mauled Stephenson tonight. Must have had 40 hitouts and 5-6 clearances himself. 17 possessions and a goal as well.

 

[Bosk]

Yes, Hale was beaten in the first quarter. But he finished the game out well.

But to say he isn't up to it completely denies the great work he's done this year.

True. I was being a little hasty, posting directly after a loss often has that effect on me.
Now that I've calmed down I agree that Hale has played some great footy for us this year and its true that he was more competitive as the match wore on.

Regardless I still believe that on that first quarter effort alone Bailey needs to be given another couple of chances to prove himself. We know he's our best tap ruckman and we also know we've often been smashed in the ruck in the games we've lost in recent years.

 

[christoff91]

might be a good idea to give max a run next week?

 

[Klem]

Just dont like the look of Hale under pressure. Good front runner but under pressure i wouldnt like to rely on him.
In the semi last year he looked out of his depth.
If Buddy and Rough are in the team its Bailey for me with Roughie backing him up.

 

[Beandip]

Hale mauled Stephenson tonight. Must have had 40 hitouts and 5-6 clearances himself. 17 possessions and a goal as well.

Did he?

Hale had more disposals, got 2 marks (1 i50, 1 contested), a couple more tackles and 7 points on the scoreboard, Hale also had 9 more hitouts (though I'm not sure of the to advantage figures). Stephenson on the other hand had more contested possessions, 5 more clearances (8 total more than any Hawk other than Mitch) and 6 spoils.

While Hale's figures are pretty decent, and the goal and couple of marks are key contributions for a ruckman... in a game where midfield dominance is king, I would place huge value on those clearances, and the 6 spoils means 6 interrupted marks, on par with taking 2 of your own, Ruckmen being able to influence the contest is a huge bonus, they don't get any shorter.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Yes, Hale was beaten in the first quarter. But he finished the game out well.

But to say he isn't up to it completely denies the great work he's done this year.

good work grizz not great. Great work wins you the big games.

I know it is splitting hairs with your wording as Hale has been very serviceable this year but I saw some fundamental shortfalls last night namely his desire to work hard beyond his capacity.

 

[PottSie2]

Hindsight, but we needed both last night. We were too short going forward and Roughy looked stuffed when he went forward seeing Taylor outrun him on numerous occasions. If Buddy not fit next week, play both. If Buddy is fit, Hale for mine still.

 

[Henry Jr]

Hang on... Roughy rucked part of the first quarter too. If we are pointing fingers at the Rucks, then he must take some of the blame too.

There was alot of players down in the first quarter. Our mids have been used to rucking to the Opp taps for years and as Simon has spoken about, we have switched back to this since Bailey has been out of the side.

So to blame Hale for that first quarter, its not entirely fair IMO.