Under Pressure - Billie Smedts

[Vdubs]

Is that a reflection on those players, or is our player development shit?

When they put Hawkins in the ruck. WTF?!! Playing Smedts in defence. Huh?! GHS never being given a run at consecutive games to help him develop. But Murda got a free pass.

Menegola was a "VFL player" at the previous clubs he was in, but we took a chance with him and let him blossom. I wonder how he would have lasted if we put him in the ruck, or the half back flank? And if you are thinking you can point to GHS as just not being good enough, I can think of a Brownlow medalist/premiership captain, currently playing for the Eagles and who was no better to start off with. But was given a chance. And as for not having anything between the ears like they say Smedts was like, say hello to Dustin Martin. Player management.

I qualify the above comments with the acknowledgement that there are only so many spaces available, and that it isn't supposed to be fair

Dustin Martin is a lot smarter than appearances suggest.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Dustin Martin is a lot smarter than appearances suggest.

OK. So is Billie Smedts, then.

 

[JohnZ]

OK. So is Billie Smedts, then.

You either high or ******ed. No way you can say that sober.

 

[JohnZ]

You either high or ******ed. No way you can say that sober.

Wow the filter is pretty good. Wow.

 

[Wojcinski]

Is that a reflection on those players, or is our player development shit?

When they put Hawkins in the ruck. WTF?!! Playing Smedts in defence. Huh?! GHS never being given a run at consecutive games to help him develop. But Murda got a free pass.

Menegola was a "VFL player" at the previous clubs he was in, but we took a chance with him and let him blossom. I wonder how he would have lasted if we put him in the ruck, or the half back flank? And if you are thinking you can point to GHS as just not being good enough, I can think of a Brownlow medalist/premiership captain, currently playing for the Eagles and who was no better to start off with. But was given a chance. And as for not having anything between the ears like they say Smedts was like, say hello to Dustin Martin. Player management.

I qualify the above comments with the acknowledgement that there are only so many spaces available, and that it isn't supposed to be fair

When Hawkins was put into the ruck, it was partly due to the fact that he was having no influence as a forward and partially due to helping him build aerobic fitness. Hawkins played quite well as a ruck throughout 2011 and then went close to Norm Smith on grand final day. He followed that effort six straight seasons of 46+ goals (including 68 and 62) prior to which his best return was 34.

Smedts was played in defence as he was recruited as a winger/flanker. We had wingers and flankers that were miles ahead of him so when he was given playing time it was in spots of need, back and forward. He failed to capitalise on any of the opportunities given to him and is considered a bust for a first round pick.

In 2014 GHS was given a full season in the middle where he averaged just 16 possessions per game, he was then given a 3 year contract. 2015 and 2016 were spent mostly in the VFL (which I sometimes questioned why) but as Seeds mentioned above he was given every opportunity this year to perform but injuries as well as poor performances have meant he is not influencing games like a 24 year old midfielder should. Other than the St Kilda game he hasn't done much.


Sorry I don't mean to sit here and cut you down but your statement is pretty off the wall

 

[Partridge]

When Hawkins was put into the ruck, it was partly due to the fact that he was having no influence as a forward and partially due to helping him build aerobic fitness. Hawkins played quite well as a ruck throughout 2011 and then went close to Norm Smith on grand final day. He followed that effort six straight seasons of 46+ goals (including 68 and 62) prior to which his best return was 34.

Wrong season. Hawkins played as a ruck in 2010. In 2011 he came back in the side late in the year as a key forward against Brisbane at the Gabba and stayed there. He was nowhere near the ruck throughout the entire 2011 finals series - Ottens and West were doing that job.

 

[Wojcinski]

Wrong season. Hawkins played as a ruck in 2010. In 2011 he came back in the side late in the year as a key forward against Brisbane at the Gabba and stayed there. He was nowhere near the ruck throughout the entire 2011 finals series - Ottens and West were doing that job.

I should have clarified, Hawk played as a ruck throughout half of 2011 until Otto came back and played as a forward in the finals series.

 

[goyoucatters]

Dustin Martin is a lot smarter than appearances suggest.

On what basis do you make that statement?

Genuinely interested to know.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

When Hawkins was put into the ruck, it was partly due to the fact that he was having no influence as a forward and partially due to helping him build aerobic fitness. Hawkins played quite well as a ruck throughout 2011 and then went close to Norm Smith on grand final day. He followed that effort six straight seasons of 46+ goals (including 68 and 62) prior to which his best return was 34.

Smedts was played in defence as he was recruited as a winger/flanker. We had wingers and flankers that were miles ahead of him so when he was given playing time it was in spots of need, back and forward. He failed to capitalise on any of the opportunities given to him and is considered a bust for a first round pick.

In 2014 GHS was given a full season in the middle where he averaged just 16 possessions per game, he was then given a 3 year contract. 2015 and 2016 were spent mostly in the VFL (which I sometimes questioned why) but as Seeds mentioned above he was given every opportunity this year to perform but injuries as well as poor performances have meant he is not influencing games like a 24 year old midfielder should. Other than the St Kilda game he hasn't done much.


Sorry I don't mean to sit here and cut you down but your statement is pretty off the wall

1/ Just look at Hawkin's build. A ruckman is one part draghthorse, which Hawkins most certainly isn't. Hawkins in the ruck has got "injury" written all over it. And it was said att the time he mave had had career ending injuries from his stint in the ruck. Been proppy ever since.

2/ Then Smedts was a bad acquisition, and he was never going to make it in the backline. The point is he was a first round pick and we never developed him, and we paid the price on the trade. Should have traded him out early if you are right.

3/ GHS was never given a major amount of time on the ground in his games as I remember. 16 for a first full year is not that bad, and he played some great games that year. He hasn't made it, to be sure. But banging on about him never being more than a VFL player is bs in my opinion. I can think of 4 players who were given plenty more chances.

Bartel's skills carried him further, much further than otherwise. Jimmy was a very good footballer, but his skill set stood out and made him the champ he wanted to be. It was all over our team right down to our bottom 6. Not today, though.

 

[Dawn to Dark]

Billie Smedts isn't under pressure
He's incapable on handling it