Welcome to Hawthorn Pick 44: Blake Hardwick

[Strapping Young Lad]

Welcome Blake the snake.





Medium forward who is terrific on the move as a lead-up forward. Is a difficult match-up one-on-one and regularly makes something out of nothing around goals with his elite power, regularly bursting from contested situations. Performed well in four games at the NAB AFL U18 Championships and impressed with his goalkicking this season at TAC Cup level, including 12 goals against the Bendigo Pioneers and 10 against the Geelong Falcons.

 

[HR Roughnstuf]

Will be a superstar

 

[aussie80s]

 

[Notsoyabby]

From Eastern Ranges too....Norff must be very upset

 

[Gralin]

Welcome to the Hawks, you'll like it here we kick goals

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Will be a superstar

Kicked bags of 8,10 and 12 this year in the TAC. He finished as the competition’s leading goalkicker, slotting 56 goals from just 16 matches.

"Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall."

I'm sold.

 

[Pessimistic]

Maybe these guys will populate the ends and the current guys move midfield

Im thinking poppy bruest duryea

 

[aussie80s]

Sicily, Burton and Hardwick could all be vying for the same position, and that is just at Box Hill unless Breust, Rioli or Puopolo get injured.

 

[HawkintheTuarts]

From Eastern Ranges too....Norff must be very upset

Because he didn't play for Werribee or North Ballarat?

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Blake HardwickEastern Ranges
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Position: Small forward/inside midfielder
Strengths: Overhead marking, physicality, crumbing, set shot kicking
Weaknesses: Consistency, field kicking, finding the football
Player comparison: Mitch Hahn
First year projection: Immediate impact

Kicking: Above average
Marking: Elite
Endurance: Average
Speed: Average

Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall.

Hardwick plays out of the goal square, where he beats his opponents consistently on the lead. He’s got some nice acceleration off the mark, but his top speed isn’t terrific. He’s a smart small forward, who knows exactly where to lead.

Marking is Hardwick’s strong suit. He’s a sure bet to take a mark on the lead, but he’s also equally adept overhead and in contested situations. He usually takes around five marks per game, and one or two of those will always be contested.

Hardwick is the leading goal kicker in the TAC Cup. He has kicked bags of 12, 10 and eight this year and really picked up the slack since Sam Weideman has missed through injury. He’s a wonderful set shot kicker, kicking 45.14 so far. He doesn’t mind if he’s 50 metres out on a tight angle, as his routine is the same for every kick. It’s technically sound and he stays cool under pressure.

He’s not as great in terms of field kicking. He’s started developing an inside midfield role, and he’s struggled as a distributor by foot when he has drifted into the centre. That’s more of an issue with time, space and getting used to a new role.

Hardwick isn’t just a shorter guy posing as a key forward. He’s excellent when the ball hits the deck, as his speed and strength allows him to break free from packs and he cannot be taken down in a tackle. He relies more on his smarts and strength when it comes to crumbing, rather than natural freakish ability. He’s a good snap for goal, but not the type to kick miraculous goals.

He’s a bruiser in every sense of the word. He hits the pack courageously and often takes others down with him. He’s got great core strength and he could easily play from round one next year.

The issue with Hardwick is whether or not he can end up like a Mark LeCras, or if he will be a Matthew Little type – that is, one who dominates weaker opponents but can’t have much of an impact at AFL.

He’s got the physical tools to become a decent inside midfielder but he hasn’t really got the tank as of yet. He looks like he’s going to be one of the steals of the draft. We’ve seen with Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs that unconventional forward lines can work quite well.

The rest of the league still has an issue with height bias which should see Hardwick slip, but he’s got plenty to offer.

His best option is to just break down the door for selection based on pure weight of goals. He’s probably not going to be a star at AFL level, but he’s got the opportunity to become a valuable role player.

 

[hardway]

Hardwick seems like insurance if Burtan Doesn't recover from the broken leg.

 

[madhawkboy]

Good to have a Blake on the list.

 

[threesixpio]

Good to have a Blake on the list.

B Lake?

 

[Cyril_Grip]

Kicked bags of 8,10 and 12 this year. Finishing with 56 for the season.

"Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall."

I'm sold.

Well I have my new favourite player then!

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Welcome to the Hawks.

 

[Notsoyabby]

Because he didn't play for Werribee or North Ballarat?

Old time Box Hill watcher .....North seemed to use their recruiting budget (a train ticket) to go to City Oval to see either Box Hill or Eastern Ranges play ....example Max Warren just back to Box Hill (in other words sour grapes).. just watch the clips. Hope he gets a few games. We need one of this years crop to step up and play multiple games this season.

 

[Notsoyabby]

Old time Box Hill watcher .....North seemed to use their recruiting budget (a train ticket) to go to City Oval to see either Box Hill or Eastern Ranges play ....example Max Warren just back to Box Hill (in other words sour grapes).. just watch the clips. Hope he gets a few games. We need one of this years crop to step up and play multiple games this season.

Just saw Fremantle take Sam Collins..got to update a bit more..sorry for living in the past

 

[Pessimistic]

45.15 ?

gotta get this guy back to afl standard as quickly as possible

 

[bradburygold]

So after we swapped a few picks, Sucklings compo pick basically turned into Blake. (At least how thats how i am going to consider it). May they both have bright futures ahead!

 

[Max Powers]

Welcome to HFC Blake.

 

[Davo-27]

not a fan, hope he proves me wrong.....

 

[savagelunchbox]

Nontraditional recruiting by Wright and co.

A small/mid sized forward with the potential to push up and play a semi-midfield/wing role, but with good accelaration off the mark and the ability to take a contested mark and kick goals.

Has a lot of AFL qualities in his game meaning his window for improvement could be huge.

Sleek selection (along with Lovell) by the club.

 

[Wittman10]

Kicked bags of 8,10 and 12 this year. Finishing with 56 for the season.

"Blake Hardwick would have teams salivating over him if he was a key forward. He’s got the mullet, he’s a physical beast and he plays like Jason Dunstall."

I'm sold.

His highlights package didn't show him getting outside the 50, so in that way he emulates the great man.

 

[Dewnior]

Blake HardwickEastern Ranges
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Position: Small forward/inside midfielder
Strengths: Overhead marking, physicality, crumbing, set shot kicking
Weaknesses: Consistency, field kicking, finding the football
Player comparison: Mitch Hahn
First year projection: Immediate impact

I'm backing Rath to fix this quickly. Welcome to the Hawks Blake!

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Don't know much about him but welcome to Blake and all the best