Player Watch Will Hayes

[Bianconeri]

Save him from being traded and therefore not in Mitchell’s long term plans.

Save him from being contracted at AFL level for another three seasons.

 

[sr36]

I think Ryan is clearly more rounded presently as a player compared to TJ.

Well rounded doesn't get you a career though. Strengths that stack up at AFL get you a career.

I wouldn't buy shares in either of them tbh.

 

[Mollythedolly]

You’ve been duped by the occasional run and carry that makes TJ look great - but that’s not enough to make him a well rounded player, compared to Ryan.

I fear TJ may ended up like his brother- who Mitchell clearly thought was not up to the mark or worth persisting with despite similar run and carry highlights.

And you’ve been duped into thinking that Ryan has a mythical left foot, footage of which must be harder to find than Bigfoot as you’re still not able to point us toward it. I’m happy with my opinion. I’ll leave it there.

 

[No SPIN]

Well rounded doesn't get you a career though. Strengths that stack up at AFL get you a career.

I wouldn't buy shares in either of them tbh.

Patience grasshopper patience - egregious deficiencies are the death knell at Ryan and TJ’s career stage.

I’m not seeing either burdened with same.

 

[sr36]

Patience grasshopper patience - egregious deficiencies are the death knell at Ryan and TJ’s career stage.

I think your philosophy is back to front.

If they've got genuine strengths they survive and get played in a role where their strengths can do damage and their weaknesses are less exposed. Markov got a decade in the industry and is a premiership player. Coxy too. Long is a senior player. Lippa is having a good career. Big strengths and big weaknesses. If they're well rounded without any genuine strengths in AFL terms they play VFL and then get cut.

 

[lethalburns]

I have a ton of faith in this kid and I think his size is the only thing holding him back right now.

Had some freakish moments in the VFL and in the North game it was noticeable that despite his current size he is not afraid of the contest. He also showed the ability to work from contest to contest.

With some size I can see him becoming something really special for us.

 

[Horaceg]

I have a ton of faith in this kid and I think his size is the only thing holding him back right now.

Had some freakish moments in the VFL and in the North game it was noticeable that despite his current size he is not afraid of the contest. He also showed the ability to work from contest to contest.

With some size I can see him becoming something really special for us.

There’s a way to go, could see some similar traits in Josh Daicos early when he was struggling. It was a North game Josh spun out of trouble straightened up and laced someone up in the middle on his left, could have gone with the right. I like Hayes there was a bit of chatter about him going a bit earlier in the draft, time will be the arbiter but I think we have a 200 + gamer.

Will be good to watch him through preseason, looking forward to how Harrison goes too after the knee.

 

[granniewolf]

I have a ton of faith in this kid and I think his size is the only thing holding him back right now.

Had some freakish moments in the VFL and in the North game it was noticeable that despite his current size he is not afraid of the contest. He also showed the ability to work from contest to contest.

With some size I can see him becoming something really special for us.

Agree 100%, there is no doubt in my mind that Will is something special.

 

[No SPIN]

I think your philosophy is back to front.

If they've got genuine strengths they survive and get played in a role where their strengths can do damage and their weaknesses are less exposed. Markov got a decade in the industry and is a premiership player. Coxy too. Long is a senior player. Lippa is having a good career. Big strengths and big weaknesses. If they're well rounded without any genuine strengths in AFL terms they play VFL and then get cut.

So you don't think an serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?
I think you need to reconsider your view.

Further, why are young players without clear strengths given extensions only to eventually be cut?
Clearly its to give them time to develop and build their game, - but importantly "PATIENCE" ( via a contract extension) is needed to assess the true potential of a kid. That's why Ryan and TJ need time.

 

[sr36]

So you don't think an serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?
I think you need to reconsider your view.

No I don't. I think a lack of strengths that translate to AFL level ends careers.

It's why the development guys all talk about kids honing and focussing on their strengths first and foremost.

Your focus on weaknesses is why you're shocked when solid footballers like Macrae, Ruscoe and Bianco get cut. You're looking for the wrong thing - they haven't got AFL strengths so there is no role for them.

 

[Bianconeri]

So you don't think a serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?

No.

Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.

Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.

 

[No SPIN]

No I don't. I think a lack of strengths that translate to AFL level ends careers.

It's why the development guys all talk about kids honing and focussing on their strengths first and foremost.

Your focus on weaknesses is why you're shocked when solid footballers like Macrae, Ruscoe and Bianco get cut. You're looking for the wrong thing - they haven't got AFL strengths so there is no role for them.

You're saying lack of strengths which effectively means a weakness.

Macrae has strengths but ultimately his lack of pace was a major weakness that cost him. Does he get cut if he had Beaus pace? I doubt it - so his strengths couldn't save him.

 

[No SPIN]

No.

Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.

Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.

true - the above were corrected with development - and if they'd not improved then Maynard would have been cut.

So we go back to my earlier point that patience is required with kids.

If Bruzz had a fundamental weakness such as a very poor kicking technique that was not improving, then he would not have received an extensions despite other perceived strengths when recruited.

 

[Bianconeri]

true - but its the exception to the rule.

No, he isn’t.

 

[No SPIN]

No, he isn’t.

Go back - I clarified my thoughts.

 

[Bianconeri]

Go back - I clarified my thoughts.

I agree, the difference between Maynard and Ryan/TJ is that Mayanrd had obvious strengths to build his game upon. He was always going to be a weapon if he could iron out those weaknesses.

I can’t say the same for Ryan. TJ has a couple more strings but they’re not as obvious as Maynard’s so I’m not sold on him yet either.

Bringing this thread back to Hayes though I think he’s close to the clear strengths and weaknesses category that gives you a chance of making it than Ryan’s rounded but no strengths that leaves you not making it.

 

[granniewolf]

No.

Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.

Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.

I always find it funny seeing Bruzzy described as a small/medium. He always seems so big on the field.

 

[Kappa]

No.

Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.

Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.

He'd probably wanna be making top 10 in the BnF to claim to be one of the best defenders in the comp

 

[Bianconeri]

He'd probably wanna be making top 10 in the BnF to claim to be one of the best defenders in the comp

Good thing he has then

 

[Kappa]

Good thing he has then

Came 9th last year and not in the top 10 this year.

I think he and Moore have a lot more to give in 2026. Both are a long way from best defenders in the league convo right now…

 

[Bianconeri]

Came 9th last year and not in the top 10 this year.

I think he and Moore have a lot more to give in 2026. Both are a long way from best defenders in the league convo right now…

 

[Gone Critical]

true - the above were corrected with development - and if they'd not improved then Maynard would have been cut.

So we go back to my earlier point that patience is required with kids.

If Bruzz had a fundamental weakness such as a very poor kicking technique that was not improving, then he would not have received an extensions despite other perceived strengths when recruited.

Basic difference between Maynard and the players like Ryan is Bruzzy was AFL level from season 1. He earned a spot in the 23 early and was a lock quickly. His career is on a completely different trajectory from season 1 when he was recognised as a much higher level talent.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Basic difference between Maynard and the players like Ryan is Bruzzy was AFL level from season 1. He earned a spot in the 23 early and was a lock quickly. His career is on a completely different trajectory from season 1 when he was recognised as a much higher level talent.

From memory he was gifted his early opportunity (2015) and carried for an extended period. Even his 2nd season in 2016 he was far from a lock with his strengths and weakness’s equally on display. Sometimes the timing of your opportunity favors you, sometimes it doesn’t. He was one of the lucky ones who got that extended exposure as he worked to remedy the weakness. As you say, the difference between Maynard and Ryan is that Maynard had obvious afl level strengths to build on, but that doesn’t change Maynard’s evolution.

I think Hayes is another that’s shown he has afl relevant traits. Now let’s see him work on his equally obvious deficiencies. Ditto TJ.

 

[Sea fog]

He'd probably wanna be making top 10 in the BnF to claim to be one of the best defenders in the comp

True but some of the blokes that finished in top 10 this year not among best in their area. Perryman #5 for instance? Pendles and Sidebottom would not really be top echelon mids would they? They btw finish top 10 every year anyway so it is hard for the likes of Maynard to push them out. Josh finished sixth but would not be one of the top defenders either because he cannot stay on a man which seems to frustrate the other defenders yet does not play a lot of midfield either.

 

[Rorzza]

If young Will rocks up to preseason training buffed this year, I'm backing him in to have a good year!