What are the question marks over your team in 2022?

[Dewyyyyy]

We discussed, Oliver and I agreed that few, including Powell are that type of contested beast.

Then you said

“That was what i was arguing, he may build a body to get the contested game, but i haven't seen the natural ability that i saw from Neale/Titch.”

Then I said that in his first season Powell was better at winning contested possession than Mitchell in his second season.

As a bonus, Powell also beat Neale in contested possessions in their respective first season. Clearances were 1.7 vs 0.6 Powell’s way.

So from all that, again, we get this

“That was what i was arguing, he may build a body to get the contested game, but i haven't seen the natural ability that i saw from Neale/Titch.”

I said that he may build his body into the mould of Neale/Mitchell to get their levels of clearance and contested ability or he might not.

Natural ability doesn't always mean what they were doing early in their careers, Mitchell wasn't able to do it because he wasn't able to get into the strong Sydney midfield and played as a forward, unsure on Neale.

Powell has played as a mid so far so i'd expect him to have better statistics.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

The ones I have for Adelaide coming into 2022:

1) Does Thilthorpe continue on development wise? Seems to have a superstar level talent seeing what he showed this year, but of course, talent is only part of the story when it comes to development.

2) How does Adelaide's defence develop in 2022? One of the things that Adelaide really lucked out on was potentially finding the key back pairing for the next decade+ in 2021 with the emergence of Jordan Butts, and Nick Murray, and the club seemingly made the right move in not retaining Talia to let this pair flourish. Are both capable of repaying that faith? Other questions involved in the Adelaide defensive conundrum are does Jones go on and lock down a dashing small defender role? Does Doedee stay as a third tall, or does he get shifted to a medium defender to accommodate Worrell (or Frampton)? Do Hamill, or McPherson finally make good on the potential he's showed in the last couple of years? Does Parnell find his way into the best 22? Ultimately, I feel like one of the goals of 2022 is that we should be rather settled on what our long term defence looks like by the end of the year.

3) The direction we take Brayden Cook in as a footballer. Showed a bit in the backend, is talked about as one of the most talented players in our system and is the closest I've ever seen to a blank slate as a footballer, in that he likely has the tools to be successful in any non KP positions that we could play him in. Do we opt for a 1-2 punch in the forward with Gollant behind Thilthorpe/Walker, or do we look towards Cook becoming an inside, or outside midfielder?

4) How does the addition of Dawson change the outlook of the team? Does it impact Seedsman who could be a one-season wonder? Does it impact Sholl, or is he able to bounce back after a poor end to the year?

5) Schoenberg looked on the verge of a breakout come the end of 2021 with some very promising performances. Berry looks a promising inside midfielder as well and had a solid 2021 in a half forward role. Do both of them find a role in our inside group moving forwards? Alternatively, does Hately bounce back from a poor 2021?

6) How does Josh Rachele impact Adelaides fortunes in 2022? The weakest sector the club has at the moment is in it's small to mid forward stocks and really, if he's as talented as the pick 6 the club spent on him indicates, he'll find himself in the squad rather quickly. Alternatively, can McAdam/Rowe find something extra to their game and cement themselves as a best 22 option.

7) The mystery that is Fischer McAsey. This kind of links into the 2nd set of question, but our pick 6 in 2019 has certainly struggled in defence in 2021 after what what was a difficult preseason. Can he force his way into our defensive set up going forward in 2022, or in our forward line as foil for Thilthorpe? Will it be time for both parties to part way at the end of the year?

8) Can Matt Crouch and Wayne Milera stay healthy? Do they have a role moving forwards or have a missed year put them in the cold? On a similar note, can Luke Pedlar get a clear run at it in 2022 and begin to push himself towards selection seeing he's a talented lad.

9) How does Darren Burgess impact Adelaides fortunes. Are we noticeably fitter and stronger, or will it take two years to really get a grips on the impact of this hire?

10) Adelaide's third tall spot in the forward line, seeing once Tex is back, Tex and Thilthorpe will be our 1-2 punch. Do we opt for Fogarty, or Gollant?

11) Finally, can Adelaide improve on its 7-15 record in 2022 and push towards the 10 wins mark? Can the club take out a couple of top 4-8 teams again? It's going to be a transitional year, and there will certainly be opportunities for any of the current bottom four to string a good month or two and really stake a claim that they're a team to watch in the future.

That is a pretty solid and fair analysis. I think the Crows will surprise many this year. Nicks is a sound coach. He will receive massive offers to return to Sydney but will also get plenty from other Clubs like the Eagles, Carlton, St K etc.

 

[the big lebowski]

I said that he may build his body into the mould of Neale/Mitchell to get their levels of clearance and contested ability or he might not.

Natural ability doesn't always mean what they were doing early in their careers, Mitchell wasn't able to do it because he wasn't able to get into the strong Sydney midfield and played as a forward, unsure on Neale.

Powell has played as a mid so far so i'd expect him to have better statistics.

1: Powell would be top 3 for contested possessions per game out of the first year players

2: Powell played mid, forward, wing and hb

3: he was 74kgs

4: this is his dad



Just seems really strange to talk down his contested ball winning ability.

But I’ll move on

 

[Dewyyyyy]

1: Powell would be top 3 for contested possessions per game out of the first year players

2: Powell played mid, forward, wing and hb

3: he was 74kgs

4: this is his dad

View attachment 1306827

Just seems really strange to talk down his contested ball winning ability.

But I’ll move on

If he builds his body in the mould of those two, or his dad he'll be able to be a very similar player to those two.

Because he showed his ability to find the footy in underrage footy, he's got good handskills and is pretty smart.

Not really talking down his contested game, it's more i don't know if he will get to that high level yet, depends how he develops.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

1: Powell would be top 3 for contested possessions per game out of the first year players

2: Powell played mid, forward, wing and hb

3: he was 74kgs

4: this is his dad

View attachment 1306827

Just seems really strange to talk down his contested ball winning ability.

But I’ll move on

Powell from what i saw spent alot of time as a mid-wing. Obviously he's 74kg and i'm not sure about his contested possies in comparison to last years first year players. To be fair, it wouldn't be hard considering last year's top prospects were mostly talls. DGB, Thilthorpe, JUH, Nik Cox, Zach Reid just to name a few.

 

[Ambrosia]

I like Powell looks like he’ll be a very good midfielder but agree with the sentiment that the Oliver comparisons are unfounded and that he is very much in the Neale/Mitchell/Parish mould.

Am hoping Hobbs can have a similar level debut year if he can manage to force his way into the side

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I like Powell looks like he’ll be a very good midfielder but agree with the sentiment that the Oliver comparisons are unfounded and that he is very much in the Neale/Mitchell/Parish mould.

Am hoping Hobbs can have a similar level debut year if he can manage to force his way into the side

Hobbs looks good cause he's so well built already, not sure about his ball winning ability, if he's got the same ability as the others that have been mentioned but he's that small, tough and contested mid.

 

[Ambrosia]

Hobbs looks good cause he's so well built already, not sure about his ball winning ability, if he's got the same ability as the others that have been mentioned but he's that small, tough and contested mid.

Averaged 30 at NAB league so is very much a ball magnet. Just going to be tough for him to crack a game as a mid are with all of Merrett, Parish, Shiel, McGrath and Caldwell ahead of him in the pecking order.

Hobbs biggest knock is probably lack of pace which makes it hard for him to play outside of pure mid.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Averaged 30 at NAB league so is very much a ball magnet. Just going to be tough for him to crack a game as a mid are with all of Merrett, Parish, Shiel, McGrath and Caldwell ahead of him in the pecking order.

Hobbs biggest knock is probably lack of pace which makes it hard for him to play outside of pure mid.

Hobbs is a very good talent he can find it but i don't think he finds it in the same way as lets say Mitchell, hard to be compared to the greatest ball magnet ever but Hobbs doesn't have the same endurance where he runs his oppo into the ground and helping defensively.

Hobbs is very midfield, but he may branch out and develop his running game to turn into that type of player to go with his already good contested game.

 

[stillahawk]

Pretty confident with how our backline is stacking up. Hawks midfield will find a sweet spot and I believe will find a good balance that would make Hawthorn more competitive.

With two of the most prominent midfielders in the their day- in Mitchell and Harvey I'm sure some of their knowledge will filter through to our current and next gen centermen.

The biggest question mark is the next rung of fowards. Gunston and evergreen Breust have only probably 2-3 seasons left. Kozzi, Lewis and Jeka seem hungry but a long way from stamping their claim as premier forwards of the comp.

I believe they'll get there though and surprise the whole league.

 

[Ambrosia]

Hobbs is a very good talent he can find it but i don't think he finds it in the same way as lets say Mitchell, hard to be compared to the greatest ball magnet ever but Hobbs doesn't have the same endurance where he runs his oppo into the ground and helping defensively.

Hobbs is very midfield, but he may branch out and develop his running game to turn into that type of player to go with his already good contested game.

I’m not saying he’ll be a Mitchell clone just think he fits that archetype of player. I mean no one would say Neale, Parish and Mitchell have identical play styles despite them all being nuggety inside mids who rack up touches.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I’m not saying he’ll be a Mitchell clone just think he fits that archetype of player. I mean no one would say Neale, Parish and Mitchell have identical play styles despite them all being nuggety inside mids who rack up touches.

Yeah everyone's a little different, Hobbs has obviously got a good start but needs to develop sides to his game that will suit his current style, i.e Endurance, Defensive running and just getting back to help release pressure while also being able to go forward to benefit upon his already good contested and clearance game.

 

[Nutjob]

Yeah Jared Polec is a gun

If Lazarro and Powell are classed as mids, Will Day is one

We went with KPD in DGB which is surprising that you didn't

We have picked up mids with our second rounders the last few years, in the hope a few click (Finn, Downie, Mitchell, Butler, Mcdonald) as wtell as Newcombe in the mid season draft

But they all wont make it

No-one is saying we will be top 4, but to dismiss our youth without them really having the opportunity is very short sighted thing to do

Example, based on that thinking, LDU was washed 18 months ago, players take time

Polec was a poor decision, like every club makes from time to time. In saying that the pick we traded to Port would have been burnt with a Thomas bid. What you gave up for both O’meara and Wingard in a desperate hope to get back into premiership contention was far worse and fanciful.

Fair enough on Lazarro, but not sure what you’re on about with Powell. He spent plenty of time rotating through the midfield. His ability to work through traffic and accumulate the ball for a first year player was exceptional.

You went with DGB because he was best available and you had finally come to the conclusion that you needed to invest in the draft. There were so many holes in your list that best available was the best route forward.

Every club has players picked in the second round or later who might make it. As I said previously, you need to invest with top end talent with a midfield and Hawthorn clearly haven’t.

LDU was far from washed up 18 months ago, that is just ridiculous. He has gone through multiple injuries from a shoulder reconstruction to OP, plus other injuries. Then he had to deal with the tragic loss of his father. Even with all of this he has improved statistically year by year.


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[Dewyyyyy]

Polec was a poor decision, like every club makes from time to time. In saying that the pick we traded to Port would have been burnt with a Thomas bid. What you gave up for both O’meara and Wingard in a desperate hope to get back into premiership contention was far worse and fanciful.

Fair enough on Lazarro, but not sure what you’re on about with Powell. He spent plenty of time rotating through the midfield. His ability to work through traffic and accumulate the ball for a first year player was exceptional.

You went with DGB because he was best available and you had finally come to the conclusion that you needed to invest in the draft. There were so many holes in your list that best available was the best route forward.

Every club has players picked in the second round or later who might make it. As I said previously, you need to invest with top end talent with a midfield and Hawthorn clearly haven’t.

LDU was far from washed up 18 months ago, that is just ridiculous. He has gone through multiple injuries from a shoulder reconstruction to OP, plus other injuries. Then he had to deal with the tragic loss of his father. Even with all of this he has improved statistically year by year.


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Nope DGB was a need, we needed key defenders.

 

[Nutjob]

Nope DGB was a need, we needed key defenders.

Exactly. That’s what I was referring to when I said ‘you had so many holes in your list.’ You went best available because you had to.


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[Strapping Young Lad]

Exactly. That’s what I was referring to when I said ‘you had so many holes in your list.’ You went best available because you had to.


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Every club takes best available in the top 5 picks. It's a given.

Not sure what North were thinking taking Phillips.

 

[Sphynx]

Every club takes best available in the top 5 picks. It's a given.

Not sure what North were thinking taking Phillips.

Oh god, another one.

The Phillips humble pie will be glorious.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Oh god, another one.

The Phillips humble pie will be glorious.

Wasn’t he saying Phillips wasn’t best available?

 

[Nutjob]

Every club takes best available in the top 5 picks. It's a given.

Not sure what North were thinking taking Phillips.

Lol what a poor comment after 1 season when he showed some very promising signs. We picked him because we thought he was best available.

A shame I can’t critique any of your previous top picks after ignoring the draft for so long.


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[BIGHAWK23]

Lol what a poor comment after 1 season when he showed some very promising signs. We picked him because we thought he was best available.

A shame I can’t critique any of your previous top picks after ignoring the draft for so long.


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Its a shame we ignored the draft because we were trying to continue a sustained period of success

Whats Norths excuse for being mediocre with all your "top draft picks"

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Lol what a poor comment after 1 season when he showed some very promising signs. We picked him because we thought he was best available.

A shame I can’t critique any of your previous top picks after ignoring the draft for so long.


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He may have shown some promising signs, but North really needed a tall forward and a tall defender, and just about every scout in the country had Logan and Denver top 3 in the draft.

North’s selection of Phillips was plain odd.

 

[Nutjob]

Its a shame we ignored the draft because we were trying to continue a sustained period of success

Whats Norths excuse for being mediocre with all your "top draft picks"

Your period of success ended long ago. Your trading and lack of drafting has been like watching a car crash. Everyone could see it coming except Hawthorn.

Our top draft picks are developing and progressing very well. They have all improved year to year. It’s good to have some on our list as well, so there is at least some hope of success.


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[Trav 20]

He may have shown some promising signs, but North really needed a tall forward and a tall defender, and just about every scout in the country had Logan and Denver top 3 in the draft.

North’s selection of Phillips was plain odd.

Clubs and their head recruiter don't make drafting decisions by general consensus, or what ''every scout'' in the country would have done.

Eyebrows were raised when Melbourne took Jackson at pick 3 and Pickett at 12. Why would we take a young ruck with such an early pick when we had Gawn and the general consensus is that you don't waste valuable early picks on a ruck/forward ? And Pickett was considered a ''reach'' at 12. Pickett kicked 40 goals in his second season. Cyril Rioli only kicked 40 goals twice in his career (42 & 47) and it took him 8 years to reach it. Tom Papley made AA this year with 43 goals, the first time he's kicked 40 - in his 6th season.

What about Oliver ? People like to rewrite history, but plenty couldn't believe Taylor took him so early. During the year he wasn't on the radar to be drafted at all. He didn't get selected for Vic Country and his skinfolds were 96 instead of 50.

One ''talent spotter'' said Oliver would get nosebleeds if he went as high as the first round. Yet Melbourne took him at 4.

It's a bit early to be second guessing the decisions of clubs one year into a player's career.

 

[BIGHAWK23]

Your period of success ended long ago. Your trading and lack of drafting has been like watching a car crash. Everyone could see it coming except Hawthorn.

Our top draft picks are developing and progressing very well. They have all improved year to year. It’s good to have some on our list as well, so there is at least some hope of success.


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At least we crashed a Ferrari

Only thing you crashed was a bike down some stairs

We haven't drafted much up until 3 years ago i agree, but we havent played many of them yet either, havent been gifted games

 

[Nutjob]

He may have shown some promising signs, but North really needed a tall forward and a tall defender, and just about every scout in the country had Logan and Denver top 3 in the draft.

North’s selection of Phillips was plain odd.

You said only a few posts back that you pick best available with a top 5 pick and now you’re saying we should have picked for needs. Which is it? We clearly thought Phillips was best available and the club has stated this themselves.

I can’t remember many at all who had DGB top 2(we had the second live pick). Many on draft night thought we were taking Hollands and he didn’t go until pick 7.

We are fully stocked for tall forwards.

Larkey
Edwards
Comben
CCJ

That’s 4 developing tall forwards. How many do we need?

We do need another tall back no doubt, but using a top pick for needs wasn’t an option. Tall backs are also easier to find later in the draft or via trade/FA.


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