Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn : Will McCabe!

[Judd2Sewell]

Wonder what his long-term position is.

It will be hard to break into this backline, even in the long-term. But that seems to be his natural position. Though given his height, speed, motor and skills he has all the tools to be able to play multiple positions.

 

[I got the outside word]

Good game yesterday. Little bit of a forgotten talent on the list (at least from my perspective). Imagine if him and Dear developed into long term forward options together

3/4 goals were from general play which I like. Only one from a set shot.

 

[parsons nose]

I would be wanting to see him string a few good weeks together before announcing his arrival. To his credit he got involved yesterday but is behind both Scaife and Dear. One swallow does not make a summer.

 

[Brant]

Wonder what his long-term position is.

It will be hard to break into this backline, even in the long-term. But that seems to be his natural position. Though given his height, speed, motor and skills he has all the tools to be able to play multiple positions.

Does he have the attributes to succeed as an attacking wingman?

 

[number23]

Does he have the attributes to succeed as an attacking wingman?

He'd be the tallest winger since Nik Cox

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Does he have the attributes to succeed as an attacking wingman?

No.

 

[matey]

Has similar traits to the Lizard maybe …… Will is a bit taller and bigger. Geez he moves well for a 6’6 kid

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Does he have the attributes to succeed as an attacking wingman?

Yes, but he can do it as a forward too.

Idk what he’ll end up as but the main thing will be size and endurance for improvements

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Currently he seems to play best as a hybrid medium forward - a tall but not necessarily marking option. Definitely not a KPP at the moment, despite his height.

Opposition should put an even smaller opponent against him, he can't currently use his height advantage - gets his marks in space (more lack of respect than workrate/nous) and being in position to crumb.

Wouldn't surprise to find out (like Schoenmakers) he was a mid/wing player as a junior, and shot up around 16/17 to become a "KPP".

 

[Good Will Hunting]

He looks to have a low centre of gravity he is good below his knees and in general play linking up etc. However he lacks core strength because of his height to take advantage of that. He apparently is good in the air but hasn't shown that yet, largely due to playing against stronger more physically developed players. He is your typical tall developing player that could come on quickly once he develops his body to compete.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Long way off AFL at present. Needs a seasoned body with a stronger core to be considered. Not sure of his longer term positioning at AFL

Has skill and ability but has a huge preseason coming up.

 

[hawkinoz]

McCabe to my eye also seems to have put on bit of muscle and seems to be getting confident in his body

 

[matey]

McCabe to my eye also seems to have put on bit of muscle and seems to be getting confident in his body

He’s a nice field kick in general play!

 

[MasterSamurai]

Would love Dear and McCabe to be our kpf double team next season onwards. Athleticism, height, ground work and young of age would put us In a fantastic spot in the KP department for more than a decade.

 

[lyger]

McCabe to my eye also seems to have put on bit of muscle and seems to be getting confident in his body

He looks ready. Would be great if he can get a taste in the back half of the season.

 

[mustang]

Can I ask how did Will go this year, for those who watch BH.

Is he being played as a Defender or as a forward?

Is he developing as the club had hoped?

 

[hardway]

Can I ask how did Will go this year, for those who watch BH.

Is he being played as a Defender or as a forward?

Is he developing as the club had hoped?

From what I saw it was a wasted year for Will. Not sure what the club was trying to do with him.

 

[HedgeFund]

From what I saw it was a wasted year for Will. Not sure what the club was trying to do with him.

Teaching him some forward craft.

Kicked 17.10 having played primarily as a defender in 2023 (SANFL) and 2024.

To suggest it was a wasted year is perhaps a tad short sighted

 

[ReturningHawk]

From what I saw it was a wasted year for Will. Not sure what the club was trying to do with him.

Not a wasted year at all. Last year was a bit of a write off with his back injury, so this was resuming normal transmission. He's a player I'm not worried about at all. Close to 200cm, runs fast, can take a mark, and is a beautiful kick. He'll be given plenty of time, and he'll get his opportunities.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

From what I saw it was a wasted year for Will. Not sure what the club was trying to do with him.

Agree. Not a forward or back. Won't get into the current team.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

The talent is there.

Main query is whether he buys in and plants his roots in Melbourne.

Look he’s not quick but has class. I reckon he ends up at half back.

 

[ReturningHawk]

The talent is there.

Main query is whether he buys in and plants his roots in Melbourne.

Look he’s not quick but has class. I reckon he ends up at half back.

He is a gazelle. He might not outrun Josh Weddle but he has enough speed to really burn a taller opponent. His high endurance helps too. If he manages to have continuity over the summer he could be a real wild card for us next year.

 

[Walshawk]

I saw very little forward craft at Box Hill. Reckon he is a running half back / interceptor.

 

[ReturningHawk]

I saw very little forward craft at Box Hill. Reckon he is a running half back / interceptor.

I think that’s fair. Hickmott suggested he was better up forward, but I think everything is up in the air. Weddle might play a lot more Wing/Forward half next year leaving a door slightly ajar for Will down back. Ultimately they’re very different players. Both super mobile talls who can mark but Will is a distributor. His best games are marked by high possession numbers.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

He is a gazelle. He might not outrun Josh Weddle but he has enough speed to really burn a taller opponent. His high endurance helps too. If he manages to have continuity over the summer he could be a real wild card for us next year.

Brad Hill was a gazelle. Luke isn’t.