Stephen Hill needs to kick more goals

[Jentleman Geff]

We all know how good this guy is. Anyone who reviewed the game on the weekend could probably credit our being in the game in the last as 90% due to him being everywhere and willing himself at the contest. He was probably best on ground for us, or at least equal with Pav.

Both games this season he has got 20 possessions, yet when he gets the ball, he seems to do so much more with it. As Leigh Matthews said last year in round 22 - his possessions are worth twice most other players.

It's this ability to be so damaging with the ball, and generally use it so well, that makes him top quality for our team.

But there is something missing from his game. He is yet to post a bag.

I'm not talking six goals - although that would be nice - but his highest return so far in a game is two goals. Fair return for a mid, but I believe he could do better.

Last week he kicked 1 goal 2. Another went in the book as a rushed behind. Had he nailed them, he could have had four goals. That would have won us the match.

Four goals for a mid is fathomable. Barlow did it for us last year.

In similar roles to Hill, many other mids have racked up big goal games. Judd, when he had a linebreaking, outside role at West Coast, did it regularly. McLeod did it often. As did Peter Matera. Even Andrew Embley can do it. Des Headland used to do it all the time for Brisbane.

The role in which he currently plays gives him the scope to nail goals when given space. I think he has the ability. If he starts doing that, I think we will improve massively.

 

[stormee]

Perhaps true, but I think he's still one of our most valuable players. Anyone see the 'metres gained' stat at the bottom of the Sunday Times review of the game last sunday? Hilly was so far ahead of the 2nd placed player, it was absurd.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

it would be nice, but i think goals from hilly are a bonus as often he's got a hand in setting up many others. we would improve massively if our actual forwards kicked goals when they should, then we wouldn't be reliant on our wingers and mids so much.

 

[Higs]

He's often passing and setting up our forwards unselfishly, but I think Harves should just give him the license to go for it whenever he's in range, back his own boot.

 

[Clay Davis]

The miss in the last and the rushed behind in the second could have been easy goals for him if he'd attacked the goal with more purpose. He's always looking to do the team thing, which is what you generally want, but I think he has the talent to be a little more selfish. Guys like Balla and Walters wouldn't look to pass off if they thought they were a chance, and that's pretty much how you want players like that to play.

I agree with Higs - Harves should encourage him to back in his own ability.

 

[Wizard]

He's often passing and setting up our forwards unselfishly, but I think Harves should just give him the license to go for it whenever he's in range, back his own boot.

Big Pav needs to do the same if hes playing in the midfield - get the ball within 60 metres of goal you kick the ****in goal!!!

 

[Wizard]

The miss in the last and the rushed behind in the second could have been easy goals for him if he'd attacked the goal with more purpose. He's always looking to do the team thing, which is what you generally want, but I think he has the talent to be a little more selfish. Guys like Balla and Walters wouldn't look to pass off if they thought they were a chance, and that's pretty much how you want players like that to play.

I agree with Higs - Harves should encourage him to back in his own ability.

Haha i don't think Sonny knows the concept of passing, its completely foreign to him at the moment.
And when you can kick the thing like he does, passing is overrated.

 

[SHill Shall]

He's always looking to do the team thing, which is what you generally want, but I think he has the talent to be a little more selfish.

Harves should encourage him to back in his own ability.

Totally agree with this - have often thought exactly the same thing. That shot in the last should have been saved until he had burned around the outside of the last defender and then straightened on goal.

I would actually like Hill to get caught HTB more often - will mean he's taking the opposition on more and he'll be successful 90% of the time.

 

[estibador]

He's often passing and setting up our forwards unselfishly, but I think Harves should just give him the license to go for it whenever he's in range, back his own boot.

Yeah Hilly needs to be a bit more selfish imo.

All those times when he runs to just outside 50 and then passes the ball (to some forward who will just miss the set shot anyway)... imagine how much of a team lifter it would be if he started slotting long shots like that.

Not to mention it would send the adoring crowd into a frenzy.

 

[Sman-21]

Totally agree that he needs to be abit more selfish.

If hes within kicking distance an in abit of space he should take the shot.
It seems he would much rather do the team thing though, which is great that hes such a team player but sometimes your better off taking it upon yourself to kick it.

Its a tough one though coz hes a quite guy, not the type to be a glory hog.
An if he takes the shot when there was an option infront of him an misses they wont be happy an think hes selfish.

 

[pistol17]

Everyone gets so excited and up out of their seats when Hilly approaches anywhere near the 50m.... And then its like we don't see it coming and he passes it to a team mate - gets me everytime anyway.

Would bring the house down at Subi... sorry Patersons... if he did it more often.

Just while we are on Hilly, I know he is involved in rotations through the midfield but I would love to see him "rest" at full forward for part of a quarter just to see what impact he could have. Can take a grab, big leap, quick off the mark - I reckon he would burn any defender on a lead, good on the ground as well and can kick 50m+.

 

[Clay Davis]

I also think, from his perspective, if he started to have the occasional multi goal game, he'd go from being top five in our team to being regarded as one of the best in the league.

Someone like Rioli gets massive wraps, but stats wise he isn't ahead of Hill, aside from producing a 3+ goal game from time to time, which gives him a better goal average.

I reckon Hill can do the same.

 

[Belnakor]

Yeah Hilly needs to be a bit more selfish imo.

All those times when he runs to just outside 50 and then passes the ball (to some forward who will just miss the set shot anyway)... imagine how much of a team lifter it would be if he started slotting long shots like that.

Not to mention it would send the adoring crowd into a frenzy.

forwards love leading towards Hill because they know 9/10 he'll hit them on the chest without having to break stride.

The problem is guys like mayne and de boer especially love it, and they miss 50% of shots even from directly infront.

 

[electricfeel]

Agree with everyone! Stephen Hill is just too unselfish and too much of a team player. Everytime he kicks a goal from just outside the 50 the crowd goes off and it really lifts the players and the crowd. He just needs to be more confident in himself and back his ability. I think he will be that type of player one day, he just needs more experience and self belief.

 

[longsuffreosupp]

I thought his 2 misses were very laconic shots - almost in 2 minds in looking/passing, then just thinking "ah f*** it" and blazing away.

 

[Bad Brain]

Every time Hill touches the ball it generally results in a goal or a shot at goal. It's probably because Hill is smarter than you and has better decision making skills, so I'd stop whinging and just let him keep being awesome.

 

[leungtl]

Joey Montagna said tonight on 7's post-game picked two young players he'd love to play with right now - Hurley and Hill.

He's obviously highly rated by the rest of the comp; comments like that just confirm he's coming along nicely

 

[sabre_ac]

Yeah Hilly needs to be a bit more selfish imo.

All those times when he runs to just outside 50 and then passes the ball (to some forward who will just miss the set shot anyway)... imagine how much of a team lifter it would be if he started slotting long shots like that.

Not to mention it would send the adoring crowd into a frenzy.

Not sure I agree with this.

The guy ultimately is a midfielder and if he can put it in the hands of the guys paid to kick the goals in a decent position I'd prefer her did that.

I realise his run carry and goal look great and enhance his image, but team wise a chest mark from Mayne or Pavlich 30 meters out is preferable.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

no win situation for hilly, if he starts kicking from 50 when forwards are in better positions and misses then everyone will scream at him for not doing the team thing etc etc etc

he should just keep doing what he is doing, use his awesome decision making and judgement to determine when he has a crack.

i think we have a lot bigger problems than hilly kicking goals i.e accuracy, midfield depth, clearance work etc etc

 

[theGav56]

The more goals our midfield can kick generally the more dangerous we are as a side. If Hill, Ballantyne*, Barlow and Morabitto can all consistently threaten the scoreboard from midfield, we become a top 2 side.

* maybe Ballantyne/Walters rotating.

 

[Lach72]

Take the sealer

 

[Clay Davis]

Great game today - had he nailed a couple more he'd be guaranteed the three Brownlow votes.

 

[Notorious_29]

He is far too selfish at times, he is such a good kick on his left from the 50m arc yet he passes it 50% of the time. I have no doubt he will kick a few 4-5+ goal bags in his career.

 

[estibador]

Did you guys see him take that shot from outside 50 today and miss?

Selfish bastard, Harves should give him a run in the magoos till he realises it's a team game.

 

[Nickos66]

I agree with the OP, however you know that he's never going to pass it on to an unwinnable contest or just bomb it in. His fwd 50 entries are so well waited and fall straight into our laps a lot of the time. He still takes his shots but when he sees a blatant gap where a player is sitting he exploits it. He'll be getting his bags sonn enough though i'm sure.