Jason Holmes signs for another year.

[santazzi]

I think Hickey will be pursued by Essendon - just a hunch. Would be a shame as he's got talent, but that's the thing about such a specialist position. Hopefully we can extract good value back.

BJ??

[bigred]

I think Hickey will be pursued by Essendon - just a hunch. Would be a shame as he's got talent, but that's the thing about such a specialist position. Hopefully we can extract good value back.

BJ??

Well that would be rather hilarious.

BJ and a second rounder.

[Con Gorozidis]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

[plugger66]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

With who and why that number?

[Rosco]

Pick 22 might be essendons second rounder. Not enough I reckon.

[Con Gorozidis]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

With who and why that number?

I was thinking Bombers 2nd pick?

[Jacks Back]

I cant help thinking that Hickey is going to be trade bait.

This is a good thing with Holmes signing for another year.

Next year if they get rid of the damn sub, then two rucks may again become an option.

Then only thing with Holmes is that while he will kill it in the ruck contests and hit outs, especially when allowed a run at the ball, around the ground he is still lacking.

I think getting rid of the sub and reducing interchanges may allow a second ruckman to play in this day and age. It would be better if any ruckman can go forward or back and make an impact there as well (kick some goals forward or clunk some marks down back).

[whiskers3614]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

With who and why that number?

I was thinking Bombers 2nd pick?

If we were to get less for Hickey than we gave for Lovett my head would explode.
Surely he has not deteriorated in the time we've had him, didn't we give Brisbane a first rounder for him?

[plugger66]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

With who and why that number?

I was thinking Bombers 2nd pick?

If we were to get less for Hickey than we gave for Lovett my head would explode.
Surely he has not deteriorated in the time we've had him, didn't we give Brisbane a first rounder for him?

Well form this year suggests he had deteriorated and that is the problem playing him as a forward. He isn't one. I feel sorry for the guy. I don't think Lovett played 10 games in the reserves the year before we traded for him. And he is now at the end of his fith year so age isn't an excuse anymore.

I would love to get Carlisle for Hickey and our second rounder if at all possible.

[#gosaintas]

Well done to Holmesy.
Makes things very interesting regarding a potential Hickey trade.
Pick 22 straight swap?

With who and why that number?

I was thinking Bombers 2nd pick?

If we were to get less for Hickey than we gave for Lovett my head would explode.
Surely he has not deteriorated in the time we've had him, didn't we give Brisbane a first rounder for him?

Well form this year suggests he had deteriorated and that is the problem playing him as a forward. He isn't one. I feel sorry for the guy. I don't think Lovett played 10 games in the reserves the year before we traded for him. And he is now at the end of his fith year so age isn't an excuse anymore.

I would love to get Carlisle for Hickey and our second rounder if at all possible.

That would be a trade I would take in a heartbeat

[bob__71]

How many rucks do hawthorn play? How many people thought Mcevoy could play ruck? Do you think there is a reason Hawthorn left mcevoy in reserves for long period? Was he practicing playing forward? What has Hickey been practicing in the reserves?

[plugger66]

How many rucks do hawthorn play? How many people thought Mcevoy could play ruck? Do you think there is a reason Hawthorn left mcevoy in reserves for long period? Was he practicing playing forward? What has Hickey been practicing in the reserves?

To play as a forward. I really don't quite get your point though. Just because he is practicing doesn't mean he will make it and secondly I cant see a spot for him forward unless we have better forwards injured or out of form.

[spert]

As far as our rucks go, IMO there's Hickey (good ball skills, good skills below his knees for a tall, good pack mark)- daylight- then Longer (slow as cement drying, average skills, can barley take a grab around the ground) and JH who is a work in progress.

[lewdogs]

As far as our rucks go, IMO there's Hickey (good ball skills, good skills below his knees for a tall, good pack mark)- daylight- then Longer (slow as cement drying, average skills, can barley take a grab around the ground) and JH who is a work in progress.

Interesting insight but the coaches clearly disagree and have Billy no1 by a mile.

[Armoooo]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

[plugger66]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

Have you actually had a look how the opposition ruckman goes against him every game? Just about their best game for the year. All I see is a big fram getting hit outs and not really doing much around the ground. The coaches see more but that is what I see.

[Saint wagga]

To be honest, i think Longer not gettong injured and missing hasn't allowed the coaches the chance to get senior games into both he and hickey this season. But with a view to the long term, post Rooey (it will happen eventually, he can't play for ever), if our forward line looks like Bruce and McCartin, then there will be room for a third tall option if he can develop into a better marking target. I dont think Membrey is big enough to be considered a tall forwward and see him having to develop his game so he can go thu the middle more and play like a Luke Parker. Again, this will still allow Hickey to play as a forward/ruck.

Of course, this will require patience from all parties, but there can be a successful end point, and i'm sure they are looking at Hawthorn right now with the competitiions for spots between 3 solid but not sensation rucks who can go forward.

Keep in mind, I thought big Boy couldn't push forward and was always a better defensive marking ruck with us, but in a good team, so much is different and he has looked a very dangerous larking target in a gun team.
FWIW IMO.

[FQF]

To be honest, i think Longer not gettong injured and missing hasn't allowed the coaches the chance to get senior games into both he and hickey this season. But with a view to the long term, post Rooey (it will happen eventually, he can't play for ever), if our forward line looks like Bruce and McCartin, then there will be room for a third tall option if he can develop into a better marking target. I dont think Membrey is big enough to be considered a tall forwward and see him having to develop his game so he can go thu the middle more and play like a Luke Parker. Again, this will still allow Hickey to play as a forward/ruck.

Of course, this will require patience from all parties, but there can be a successful end point, and i'm sure they are looking at Hawthorn right now with the competitiions for spots between 3 solid but not sensation rucks who can go forward.

Keep in mind, I thought big Boy couldn't push forward and was always a better defensive marking ruck with us, but in a good team, so much is different and he has looked a very dangerous larking target in a gun team.
FWIW IMO.

Where does that leave the subject of this thread? I don't think we are keeping him on the list for fun, the club obviously sees him as a genuine talent.

[plugger66]

To be honest, i think Longer not gettong injured and missing hasn't allowed the coaches the chance to get senior games into both he and hickey this season. But with a view to the long term, post Rooey (it will happen eventually, he can't play for ever), if our forward line looks like Bruce and McCartin, then there will be room for a third tall option if he can develop into a better marking target. I dont think Membrey is big enough to be considered a tall forwward and see him having to develop his game so he can go thu the middle more and play like a Luke Parker. Again, this will still allow Hickey to play as a forward/ruck.

Of course, this will require patience from all parties, but there can be a successful end point, and i'm sure they are looking at Hawthorn right now with the competitiions for spots between 3 solid but not sensation rucks who can go forward.

Keep in mind, I thought big Boy couldn't push forward and was always a better defensive marking ruck with us, but in a good team, so much is different and he has looked a very dangerous larking target in a gun team.
FWIW IMO.

I just cant see how a forward line of McCartin, Bruce and Hickey works and its at least a year and half away anyway. Hickey isn't going to hang around just to see if he makes it. There would be bugger defensive pressure anyway. Im of the opposite view about membery. If he is good enough he is the perfect mid tall player. You don't need 3 guys over 6.3 anyway. 2 is plenty unless one is rooy because he plays all around the ground. And comparing any side to the Hawks isn't fair anyway. They are that good they could probably play 5 ruckmen.

[#gosaintas]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

Have you actually had a look how the opposition ruckman goes against him every game? Just about their best game for the year. All I see is a big fram getting hit outs and not really doing much around the ground. The coaches see more but that is what I see.

Well the coaches have chosen Longer over Hickey for most of the year so that clearly shows how little you know about football. They see him at training and live at the game and clearly disagree with you. I'd back the coaches over you any day. You really don't understand football do you? You have bagged Longer all year and you've been wrong all year.

No idea.

[plugger66]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

Have you actually had a look how the opposition ruckman goes against him every game? Just about their best game for the year. All I see is a big fram getting hit outs and not really doing much around the ground. The coaches see more but that is what I see.

Well the coaches have chosen Longer over Hickey for most of the year so that clearly shows how little you know about football. They see him at training and live at the game and clearly disagree with you. I'd back the coaches over you any day. You really don't understand football do you? You have bagged Longer all year and you've been wrong all year.

No idea.

So lets get this straight. I know little because they have chosen him? Maybe they just know more. I have noticed who you want dropped every single game. you seem to get it wrong every single week. I wont say you know little. I will say they know more. And you back the coaches over me. really? Who would have guessed.

Eveen funnier is this has come from a person who has bagged Schneider all year. Arent you smart enough to at least pick your targets. I will answer that. NO.

[Saint wagga]

To be honest, i think Longer not gettong injured and missing hasn't allowed the coaches the chance to get senior games into both he and hickey this season. But with a view to the long term, post Rooey (it will happen eventually, he can't play for ever), if our forward line looks like Bruce and McCartin, then there will be room for a third tall option if he can develop into a better marking target. I dont think Membrey is big enough to be considered a tall forwward and see him having to develop his game so he can go thu the middle more and play like a Luke Parker. Again, this will still allow Hickey to play as a forward/ruck.

Of course, this will require patience from all parties, but there can be a successful end point, and i'm sure they are looking at Hawthorn right now with the competitiions for spots between 3 solid but not sensation rucks who can go forward.

Keep in mind, I thought big Boy couldn't push forward and was always a better defensive marking ruck with us, but in a good team, so much is different and he has looked a very dangerous larking target in a gun team.
FWIW IMO.

I just cant see how a forward line of McCartin, Bruce and Hickey works and its at least a year and half away anyway. Hickey isn't going to hang around just to see if he makes it. There would be bugger defensive pressure anyway. Im of the opposite view about membery. If he is good enough he is the perfect mid tall player. You don't need 3 guys over 6.3 anyway. 2 is plenty unless one is rooy because he plays all around the ground. And comparing any side to the Hawks isn't fair anyway. They are that good they could probably play 5 ruckmen.

At this stage, both bruce and Hickey are pretty agile for their height, so they can both coever plenty of ground to help link as Richo talks about once Rooey is done. McCartin looks the least athletic, but hopefully best mark and shot for goal of the three, so can see how that works for the % of game time Hickey isn't rucking, and i'm hoping the same for billy.

I wasn't comparing us to the hawks right now, i was suggesting we may be looking at their model, having 3 (thats where Holmes comes in) good ruck/forward options competing for two spots creates healthy compettion/cover for injuries...and we should look at them and aspire to be as good if not better than them if as Peter summer says, lets plan on winning the whole blooody thing

Hickey looks happy enough, he looks well liked around the club. He may want to be part of the big climb and back himself to get to no 1. I hope so anyway because he certainly has the tools.

As for Membrey, happy to disagree on his role, but i think we are both in agreeance he shows plenty and could become a very good player for us.

[Armoooo]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

Have you actually had a look how the opposition ruckman goes against him every game? Just about their best game for the year. All I see is a big fram getting hit outs and not really doing much around the ground. The coaches see more but that is what I see.

Well the coaches have chosen Longer over Hickey for most of the year so that clearly shows how little you know about football. They see him at training and live at the game and clearly disagree with you. I'd back the coaches over you any day. You really don't understand football do you? You have bagged Longer all year and you've been wrong all year.

No idea.

You lot need to quit quoting P66, it really defeats the purpose of the ignore function.

[saintbrat]

delayed reaction - or hang on we can get media out of this too-- Pies that is
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/u ... 7465326159

the race to be first american..

[plugger66]

Crazy stuff, I really don't see how people consider Hickey a better option than Longer, in the short or long term. I think Longer is close to our most underrated player, I think he's on a similar level to Grundy from the pies and they're all losing their minds over him.

Have you actually had a look how the opposition ruckman goes against him every game? Just about their best game for the year. All I see is a big fram getting hit outs and not really doing much around the ground. The coaches see more but that is what I see.

Well the coaches have chosen Longer over Hickey for most of the year so that clearly shows how little you know about football. They see him at training and live at the game and clearly disagree with you. I'd back the coaches over you any day. You really don't understand football do you? You have bagged Longer all year and you've been wrong all year.

No idea.

You lot need to quit quoting P66, it really defeats the purpose of the ignore function.

Soft as butter Armoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.