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Will history judge Luke Hodge as the worst Norm Smith Medalist ever? Let's keep in mind there is a strong school of thought that he wasn't BOG anyway.
We all know he was very average in his first 3 years of his AFL career. his supporters claim OP, however is this a convenient excuse to hide his shortcomings.
He is slow, hopelessly one sided and has only looked comfortable in the easy role of unaccountable half back basically playing without an opponent.
If he cannot master having an opponent, after already having failed in the midfield; will he revert to a half forward flanker whose main role is to prevent truly creative players from setting up the play?
I think its a little too early to call, but the writing is on the wall.
He has been soundly beaten by Logan, Carrazzo and Monfries in the last 3 games. Hardly household names.
EDIT
Apologies for the confusion. My bad.
I didn't mean that he played badly on grand final day. He absolutely revelled in the role of roaming across the half back line without an opponent.
He set a benchmark. He is the first Norm Smith medalist not to have an opponent. All unaccountable players who are used to set up play for the truly creative play makers will be measured against Hodge.
What I was saying was; Will we look back and say Hodge was the worst Norm Smith medalist over his career.
I acknowledge Embley is a rival. Embley, however played in a star studded midfield and at the time was rated very highly. The last few years may judge Embley harshly but we are yet to see Hodge play in a side bereft of quality midfielders as Embley now does. In fact quality midfielders is the reson Hodge can't get a game there. Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Tuck, Bateman, Ellis, McGlynn, Moss, Rioli, Osborne, Ladson and potentially Muston all are keeping Hodge out of the "Kitchen". Hodge is next in line
We all know he was very average in his first 3 years of his AFL career. his supporters claim OP, however is this a convenient excuse to hide his shortcomings.
He is slow, hopelessly one sided and has only looked comfortable in the easy role of unaccountable half back basically playing without an opponent.
If he cannot master having an opponent, after already having failed in the midfield; will he revert to a half forward flanker whose main role is to prevent truly creative players from setting up the play?
I think its a little too early to call, but the writing is on the wall.
He has been soundly beaten by Logan, Carrazzo and Monfries in the last 3 games. Hardly household names.
EDIT
Apologies for the confusion. My bad.
I didn't mean that he played badly on grand final day. He absolutely revelled in the role of roaming across the half back line without an opponent.
He set a benchmark. He is the first Norm Smith medalist not to have an opponent. All unaccountable players who are used to set up play for the truly creative play makers will be measured against Hodge.
What I was saying was; Will we look back and say Hodge was the worst Norm Smith medalist over his career.
I acknowledge Embley is a rival. Embley, however played in a star studded midfield and at the time was rated very highly. The last few years may judge Embley harshly but we are yet to see Hodge play in a side bereft of quality midfielders as Embley now does. In fact quality midfielders is the reson Hodge can't get a game there. Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Tuck, Bateman, Ellis, McGlynn, Moss, Rioli, Osborne, Ladson and potentially Muston all are keeping Hodge out of the "Kitchen". Hodge is next in line
What he said.
