Analysis Who is our most important player in 2018

[catempire]

To continue the discussion from elsewhere, who is our most important player right now?

Not best, not most talented, no ifs, maybes or buts.

Which player can we least afford to lose in 2018?

 

[Hamingja]

We've named Sav Rat at CHF.

Hawkins then daylight.

 

[Willo_]

Has to be Hawk.
Structurally and physically enormous in the area our depth is the weakest

 

[Vdubs]

1. Danger
2. Taylor/Hawkins
4. GAJ/JSelwood

 

[Vdubs]

Has to be Hawk.
Structurally and physically enormous in the area our depth is the weakest

Good persuasive point.
But because I see the monster KF having a lesser impact these days, and Hawk slightly below his best, and our defence missing some stalwarts, I'll place Hawk=Harry just below Danger who is irreplaceable. 30+ possessions week after week, with metres gained, and 40 odd goals himself, setting up our forwards is going to be sorely missed tomorrow. And hopefully ONLY TOMORROW

 

[Warhorse]

Danger. Probably miss the 8 without him

 

[lionbear]

Mitch Duncan, with Selwood, Ablett and Danger having si much focus, Duncan needs to slip under the rador and make things happen.

 

[Willo_]

Good persuasive point.
But because I see the monster KF having a lesser impact these days, and Hawk slightly below his best, and our defence missing some stalwarts, I'll place Hawk=Harry just below Danger who is irreplaceable. 30+ possessions week after week, with metres gained, and 40 odd goals himself, setting up our forwards is going to be sorely missed tomorrow. And hopefully ONLY TOMORROW

As I posted that I did have the thought that we actually have a good record without Hawk of late.. But it's easier to cover him for a one off compared to an extended period of time

 

[you pick one]

You listen to Scott it has to be Blicavs.You listen to me it's Dangerfield.

 

[Catdog]

Hawk easy

 

[Hamingja]

You listen to Scott it has to be Blicavs.You listen to me it's Dangerfield.

It may be the Geelong boards worst nightmare but we could do with 3 Blicavs' at the moment. Key back, key forward/ruck and tagger until Henderson and Scooter are fit.

 

[dazbroncos]

Hawkins.

the structure builds from him out.

GO Catters

 

[Seeds]

It may be the Geelong boards worst nightmare but we could do with 3 Blicavs' at the moment. Key back, key forward/ruck and tagger until Henderson and Scooter are fit.

no just no

 

[cats_09]

Zac Smith - averaged 32.1 hitouts, 14.7 disposals & 3.1 tackles per game last year and become a very important player to our midfield.

Stanley can play as the #1 ruck which has clearly been his preferred position since being at the club, but he isn't at the same level as Smith. In his time with us he has averaged 15.5, 13.5 & 16.1 across the last 3 seasons and he has a career high 29 hitouts against the Hawks in 2016; even in 2015 when he was rucking with support from Blicavs he only broke the 20 hitout barrier twice in his 8 matches (and 3 times in 2016 & 4 times last year).

Please don't get me wrong - I'd hate to lose Hawk from the forward line also.

 

[Cursed Cat]

I've gone with Hawkins the past two years on this 2016/17 thread from the erstwhile Bobby ...

But Vdubs observation that the 'monster' forward isn't necessarily the structural orthodoxy it once was is a fair one; you could mount an argument that he's not even the best option for full-forward in this team anymore ...
Still, having a genuine strong-bodied marking target forces opposition coaches to commit to specific structural match-ups that they may not want to employ - Hawkins form has its ups and downs, but its a bold coach who matches him up with an undersized opponent.

Harry Taylor has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders this year too; with Henderson injured and Lonergan retired he'll need to take the opposition's best tall forward every single week for the foreseeable future.

We'll need another big year from Mitch Duncan, too, if we want to go places in 2018. I rate him as our best player in transitioning the ball in open play; we're reasonably well stocked for inside, clearance-focused mids, but Duncan is the one who can run the ball and hit targets upfield with consistency. Motlop was ok at this but he's gone; Guthrie is capable in this area too but isn't doing enough.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

1. Danger
2. Taylor/Hawkins
4. GAJ/JSelwood

You've changed your tune quick.

 

[Vdubs]

You've changed your tune quick.

Exactly as I was discussing last night.
No change at all.
I said it was arguable that Hawkins is way out there as #1.
I still say that.
Equal 2 maybe.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Exactly as I was discussing last night.
No change at all.
I said it was arguable that Hawkins is way out there as #1.
I still say that.
Equal 2 maybe.

I'm pretty sure you made a list in order and had Hawkins 6th.

Edit: Sorry, It was someone else.

 

[Vdubs]

One reason I think we are in trouble this year is because, imho I stress, one of our top 5 MVP's is SSelwood. And of course, he misses > he plays.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

One reason I think we are in trouble this year is because, imho I stress, one of our top 5 MVP's is SSelwood. And of course, he misses > he plays.

We've made the last two prelim finals with Scooter missing more than he's played.

 

[Landgraft]

One reason I think we are in trouble this year is because, imho I stress, one of our top 5 MVP's is SSelwood. And of course, he misses > he plays.

Missing so much is mostly down to 2016. He played the last 14 games last year and looks to have rehabbed well this year being already in VFL.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Hawkins because of structure and our lack of other good KPFs. We have good depth in midfield and defence to cover injuries.

 

[Vdubs]

We've made the last two prelim finals with Scooter missing more than he's played.

As long as we get him back ASAP intact and potent..

 

[foxdog50]

Gee this is why I voted Harry... Gee I'm a bit concerned with our 2 Key Defenders in Harry and Henderson..

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Zac Smith. Ruckman. End of story. He fires this year, we got a show.