Where is Xavier Ellis?

[Taskmaster]

I was talking about his versaitlity and to be honest if you were able to walk up to hodge and ask him what he thought about Ellis you would surprised.

I would be indeed. Cause Hodgey is not going to say he is an under performer is he??

 

[Snibs]

The mere fact that you point out the GF performance is quite telling. You forgot to actually watch his whole year, and I don't just mean stats etc.

Of course I'm assuming that you know what a good player looks like, how quick X was pre injury, how important a football brain and composure is etc.

No doubt he was on his way prior to injury, you even suggesting the above means that a) you weren't watching footy back then, or b) you can watch all the footy you want, you just don't understand it.

I consider myself to be reasonably astute when it comes to making assessments of footballers.

For the record, I saw every game of 2008 and whilst serviceable and improved, I wouldn't go as far to suggest Ellis displayed the traits of a star in the making. Good player maybe.

I think the game has evolved significantly since then in a way that exposes his deficiencies moreso than ever before. Particularly with our style of play.

I don't know Ellis at all, if what I hear is correct then he seems to be a top bloke with a great attitude. My opinion is centered solely on his value to the HFC as a player.

 

[Rioli magic]

Look that's a neat theory, and clearly there was at least one person who believed it - though it's equally obvious that no-one else bought in at the time X was drafted.

Look I'm not saying it's wrong, but I believe that there are plenty of exceptions, particularly if you're talking bean pole ruckmen at 199cm etc.

But perhaps more poignantly from a HFC standpoint, there's this one – and it's taken at the end of his career:

Michael Tuck
Last played for Hawthorn Hawks in 1991
Born: June 24, 1953
Playing Height: 188cm Playing Weight: 76kg

That's great but it's not really the point I'm making. I'm not actually arguing for or against Ellis, I'm arguing against you making blanket statements.

Ellis was going to become a star:
If you disagree it's because you didn't watch football - incorrect
You don't understand football - incorrect
Every astute observer agreed - incorrect
Everyone within the club agreed - incorrect

But perhaps most poignantly from a reality standpoint, there's this - Ellis has not become a star.

That theory is being proved correct and all those you're claiming don't understand football, are not astute observers or simply mustn't have been watching are also being proved correct for whatever reason.



FYI - I've got nothing against Ellis and I hope he forces his way into the team and helps us win a premiership.

 

[Del33640]

That's great but it's not really the point I'm making. I'm not actually arguing for or against Ellis, I'm arguing against you making blanket statements.

Nah, I really don't think I made a blanket statement at all. I'm talking about one player, not a rule of thumb.

Not saying I'm never wrong, but that guy had something Hodge like in his attack on the ball and ability to influence the contests he was in, and he did it with a very underdeveloped frame at a young age. He also had smarts to burn. I wrote as much at that time, as did others.

His smarts and decision making are still there, do you classify them as average even now? Fact is that they're not, it's why he gets picked despite that dodgy body.

It however has long since ceased to be willing, and anyone who has a serious core/hip complaint is never going to be at their best unless it recovers. Hence his constant run of injury.

You don't get the point of what I'm saying either I suspect, see below...

 

[Del33640]

But perhaps most poignantly from a reality standpoint, there's this - Ellis has not become a star.

Hold the phone!

 

[Brown Blood]

Coming back nicely:

80. Xavier Ellis
Stats: 31 disposals, 2 goals, 8 clearances
Effort across the four quarters was impressive with a big improvement on last week. Showed his maturity as a senior player and made smart choices. He was also prepared to do the hard stuff with five effective tackles and six hardball gets.

Give him time and barring further injury & I would expect to get the odd game to see how he goes.

 

[TheFourPillars]

I would be indeed. Cause Hodgey is not going to say he is an under performer is he??

yeah true mate i guess we will just have to wait and see

 

[Hawkas1988]

Hey guys, Just noticed someone mention him on the saints board as a possible Free agency target. If he can get his body right is he clearly in the Hawks best 22? Do any of you think he may look at Free agency options?

Don't get the board started on this again!

You will find that most of us on here are divided with our opinions of him. It's a big IF as we haven't really seen much of him consistently for a longtime. He has talent no doubt but whether he can get back to his best or live up to that word potential is still a question mark. He may play injury free and solid football or he may become a very valuable and good player. It depends on how much his injuries have affected his development as a footballer.

On whether he would look at FA options, I'm not sure, but we have stuck with him for a longtime so you would hope he would repay us if we show faith in him. If it's looking unlikely that he can become a regular in our side, then he may look at moving elsewhere.

Pretty much the next couple of months will tell us a lot about where Ellis is at.

 

[Manimal_Dunstan]

Don't get the board started on this again!

You will find that most of us on here are divided with our opinions of him. It's a big IF as we haven't really seen much of him consistently for a longtime. He has talent no doubt but whether he can get back to his best or live up to that word potential is still a question mark. He may play injury free and solid football or he may become a very valuable and good player. It depends on how much his injuries have affected his development as a footballer.

On whether he would look at FA options, I'm not sure, but we have stuck with him for a longtime so you would hope he would repay us if we show faith in him. If it's looking unlikely that he can become a regular in our side, then he may look at moving elsewhere.

Pretty much the next couple of months will tell us a lot about where Ellis is at.

Cheers mate.