Opinion Winging It

[FreoRicci]

Fast approaching Round 1, and there’s many predictions and changes to the wing spot. Anyone can play there and each player has pros and cons. It’s two spots open for grabs.
Who’s the ideal wing pair to have? Who will be trialled there this season, due to form and injury ?

NOD takes the one spot, naturally and by all reports and form, Henry has the other. It seems Aish, who would be a great candidate next to NOD, is training inside mid. He may well be rotating through there with Henry on the bench throughout games.

Hughes has been okay, not great, in training, and playing for Peel on the wing. If the coaches decide to go down the harden, experienced route to protect the opposition’s wing then he can be perfect for that.

Worner is the natural reserve wing having played for Peel in the spot as well in 2022. However he played as a half back taking kicking duties in pre season match v Adelaide. Read in that what you can.

Clark would be a perfect option, given his speed, fitness and hardness. Can give Wilson a chance across half back.

Barring injuries, it will be NOD and Henry. Can change very quickly if Liam, particularly, doesn’t perform quickly.

Will be an interesting position to select and watch who does or doesn’t perform.

 

[Quazar]

not really sure. There's no guarantees with anyone; NOD and Hughes might get the 'nod', with Aish rotating through...depends on what J-Lo and crew think is best needed for a Saints match up. Is Hill now one of their wingers?

 

[Tbonefreo]

Clark to the wing is a good idea. He loves a goal. Might end up being that Mark Nikoski type I always wanted.

 

[Joao]

JL said how well Hughes played against the Crows (albeit mostly in defense). Reckon you can lock him in.

 

[Taylor]

Hughes was good on the half back line.

 

[freoextra]

JL said how well Hughes played against the Crows (albeit mostly in defense). Reckon you can lock him in.

Yep plenty of indications from Freo staff that Hughes is going well and I take that as likely having a wing role or half back if Ryan does not get back. NOD is not playing round 1 unless he plays a lot of footy over the next two weeks

 

[MakeshiftMartyr]

I liked Hughes game as well, tbh.

I want Driz freed up to attack, so it works having Hughes on the other wing defending. Aish rotating through.

Henry next cab off the rank.

 

[Tony_Clifton]

I think the real purpose of this thread was to suggest Jordan Clark

6

Jordan Clark

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

MG

172.0

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.5

2star

MG

172.0

3star

D

12.2

3star

K

10.4

4star

HB

1.8

2star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

take the role. You can put the worm tablet inside the meat but the dogs gonna spot it out. Terrible analogy. Anyway Clark has all the attributes but it seems the coaching staff are keen to keep him in the back half.

 

[WAnchor]

See I reckon Hughes would be an unreal sub with the versatility he brings.

 

[FreoRicci]

I think the real purpose of this thread was to suggest Jordan Clark take the role. You can put the worm tablet inside the meat but the dogs gonna spot it out. Terrible analogy. Anyway Clark has all the attributes but it seems the coaching staff are keen to keep him in the back half.

In all honesty, Why? Think Clark will explode on the wing. More attacking.
Allows Walker, Wilson or Chapman to free up offensively as well.

Hughes is a safe bet. But is he capable of what Acres provided with averaging 20 disposals a game and about a goal. He needs to take that next step and really put a stamp on games.

 

[arsesmart]

In all honesty, Why? Think Clark will explode on the wing. More attacking.
Allows Walker, Wilson or Chapman to free up offensively as well.

Hughes is a safe bet. But is he capable of what Acres provided with averaging 20 disposals a game and about a goal. He needs to take that next step and really put a stamp on games.

Well, Clark's own preference is to play off halfback. You'd have to say it's worked pretty well so far. You can't blame the coaches for not wanting to upset that apple cart. There's also alot to be said for getting that core group in the backline nailed down and in total sync.

If they can come up with some good options for the wing elsewhere that's good for the team as a whole. Having extra roles for Hughes and Aish is great too (for differing reasons).

 

[Paracleet]

Does Clark have all the traits to play wing? All I see is fast and good carry. Yet to see a tank or ability to hold width or highly disciplined defensive running.
Frankly to me he looks like player best with the ball in front of him so he can react (e.g. Wilson)

 

[GingerDocker]

Does Clark have all the traits to play wing? All I see is fast and good carry. Yet to see a tank or ability to hold width or highly disciplined defensive running.
Frankly to me he looks like player best with the ball in front of him so he can react (e.g. Wilson)

 

[Tony_Clifton]

I can understand why Clark wouldn't want to shift from half back. Last year was the first year he want in and out of the first 22.

He's a pretty smart kid. Funny too.

 

[King Huskii]

Fast approaching Round 1, and there’s many predictions and changes to the wing spot. Anyone can play there and each player has pros and cons. It’s two spots open for grabs.
Who’s the ideal wing pair to have? Who will be trialled there this season, due to form and injury ?

NOD takes the one spot, naturally and by all reports and form, Henry has the other. It seems Aish, who would be a great candidate next to NOD, is training inside mid. He may well be rotating through there with Henry on the bench throughout games.

Hughes has been okay, not great, in training, and playing for Peel on the wing. If the coaches decide to go down the harden, experienced route to protect the opposition’s wing then he can be perfect for that.

Worner is the natural reserve wing having played for Peel in the spot as well in 2022. However he played as a half back taking kicking duties in pre season match v Adelaide. Read in that what you can.

Clark would be a perfect option, given his speed, fitness and hardness. Can give Wilson a chance across half back.

Barring injuries, it will be NOD and Henry. Can change very quickly if Liam, particularly, doesn’t perform quickly.

Will be an interesting position to select and watch who does or doesn’t perform.

I think you summarise it perfectly

NOD Aish and Henry to rotate

Hughes needs more experience and is better across half back IMO

Clarke could provide run and carry especially if we have allowed backline uninjured and playing well.

 

[Nodgey]

I'm clearly no expert, but I just don't see Hughes as a wingman. If he was ever going to leave the backline in search of more opportunity, I'd have envisaged him more of a mid-sized defensive forward, not as a midfielder. But goods luck to him.

Another option I reckon is Colyer. Fast, disciplined, has the tank. Only question marks are his kicking and decision-making. Which is the same description I'd have for Ed Langdon

15

Ed Langdon

Age

29

Ht

182cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.0

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

9.0

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.3

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

20.3

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

7.5

4star

M

4.5

4star

T

0.8

1star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

6.4

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.6

3star

. And everyone has him as a benchmark.

 

[SHill Shall]

I'm clearly no expert, but I just don't see Hughes as a wingman. If he was ever going to leave the backline in search of more opportunity, I'd have envisaged him more of a mid-sized defensive forward, not as a midfielder. But goods luck to him.

Another option I reckon is Colyer. Fast, disciplined, has the tank. Only question marks are his kicking and decision-making. Which is the same description I'd have for Ed Langdon. And everyone has him as a benchmark.

I think we should concede that fact that Langdon is playing miles better now than when he last donned the purple!

 

[Wobbly Punt]

I'm clearly no expert, but I just don't see Hughes as a wingman. If he was ever going to leave the backline in search of more opportunity, I'd have envisaged him more of a mid-sized defensive forward, not as a midfielder. But goods luck to him.

Another option I reckon is Colyer. Fast, disciplined, has the tank. Only question marks are his kicking and decision-making. Which is the same description I'd have for Ed Langdon. And everyone has him as a benchmark.

I wouldn't have thought Hughes would be an option there either, then I saw it over a few match sims and he's not bad at all now. I don't have him in the B22 but he wouldn't be a horrible call to have there Rd 1.

I agree on the defensive forward idea. I'd like to see him tried there too. I think he'd be very handy there but that'd take a heap of injuries now so he's probably missed that chance.

Colyer has had some good periods in the sims throughout PS. The one I saw at Freo Oval he had 10mins in Q1 where he was outstanding and probably BOG. He was excellent. Then he faded badly. In the others I have seen he has been outplayed by everyone on him. Aish, Noddy, Hughes and Henry are all well ahead of him I'd say. In an injury crisis he could handle the role for a game or 2 I think. We know who he is though and it's not that great.

 

[wakojako]

I think the real purpose of this thread was to suggest Jordan Clark take the role. You can put the worm tablet inside the meat but the dogs gonna spot it out. Terrible analogy. Anyway Clark has all the attributes but it seems the coaching staff are keen to keep him in the back half.

I suggested last season moving Clark to a wing which would allow Willo to get his spot back. Would make our team even faster and more attacking which would be really fun to watch. If Clark want's to stay in the backline though not much we can do.

 

[Spirit Level]

Why is Hughes even an option?

We've seen all he can bring to the table, he is a depth player

 

[TheMcManusNose]

I have to echo the wtfs on Hughes. I know it's a longstanding theory on here and the coaching staff appear to be dabbling but man.

Hughes is a lots of tools not a whole lot of toolbox player who's disposal can at best be described as decent. Wing is the least likely position for a player like him, the only thing he really has is size and speed. Acres to some extent had those as his major weapons but he also spent the last 5 or so years playing wing on and off.

NOD, Aish, Henry (this year), Johnson, Freddy all better options now and going forward on our list IMO.

 

[wakojako]

I have to echo the wtfs on Hughes. I know it's a longstanding theory on here and the coaching staff appear to be dabbling but man.

Hughes is a lots of tools not a whole lot of toolbox player who's disposal can at best be described as decent. Wing is the least likely position for a player like him, the only thing he really has is size and speed. Acres to some extent had those as his major weapons but he also spent the last 5 or so years playing wing on and off.

NOD, Aish, Henry (this year), Johnson, Freddy all better options now and going forward on our list IMO.

Nod already has one wing. Aish and Freddy all have b22 spots and will rotate through the wing when necessary.

The final wing spot will be taken by one of Henry/Johnson. When Johnson is ready he will take that position. As of now he is not ready. Besides, he has mainly be playing inside in the matchsims.

I would like to see Henry chosen over Huges for that position but really the difference between their output isn't huge so I can understand why JLO would choose the more experienced player. Henry potentially has more upside though.

 

[Joao]

Nod already has one wing. Aish and Freddy all have b22 spots and will rotate through the wing when necessary.

The final wing spot will be taken by one of Henry/Johnson. When Johnson is ready he will take that position. As of now he is not ready. Besides, he has mainly be playing inside in the matchsims.

I would like to see Henry chosen over Huges for that position but really the difference between their output isn't huge so I can understand why JLO would choose the more experienced player. Henry potentially has more upside though.

Not sure they are grooming Johnson as a winger long term. I think it is just part of his versatility training/second position.

 

[Dockernut]

Clark to the wing is a good idea. He loves a goal. Might end up being that Mark Nikoski type I always wanted.

Yuck. Nicoski was a crab of epic proportions.

 

[Tbonefreo]

Yuck. Nicoski was a crab of epic proportions.

One year before he destroyed his hammy he kicked nearly 45goals of the half forward flank. It was bloody impressive