Hickey

[SydneySainter]

Wasn't able to watch the game yesterday, but was wondering how Hickey went?

Media reports suggest that Nic Nat lowered his colours, but was he still able to hold his own or at least contribute against the odds?

Thoughts?

[Bluthy]

Probably the most damning thing about Hicks yesterday was I barely noticed him. Nic Nat just jumped all over him, and I didn't notice him much around the ground at all. Looked flat and tired and lacking energy (like all the team)

[Linton Lodger]

Hickey got a pasting from Natinui. All West Coast's momentum, particularly in the 1st quarter, came from Natinui.

Hickey appeared to have issues with his jumping, which was superb against Gawn & Goldstein. Then again Natanui jumps a bit higher than those two. Hickey will learn from that game, I'll bet Natanui will never touch him up like that again.

[saintsRrising]

Probably the most damning thing about Hicks yesterday was I barely noticed him. Nic Nat just jumped all over him, and I didn't notice him much around the ground at all. Looked flat and tired and lacking energy (like all the team)

Bit rough on Hickey.

He laid 7 tackles which is huge for a ruckman, his season high and well above the 2/3 that he normally lands per game. He also had 11 disposals and 26 hit outs.

So while yes not as good as most games he has played this year he still had some presecence on the ground and was putting in.

He limped off last week and this may have affected him.

However all in all I thought he toiled manfully for most of the day. No denying that Nic Nat was brilliant in the first quarter though.

[degruch]

Maybe not 100%, given his corky last week. Bear in mind he's had a consecutive run of Mumford, Gawn and Goldstein, showing each of them the goods (maybe even with Goldy)...he may be a bit stuffed. I know we toyed with Peirce at the selection table, but was always doubtful he'd be given a debut against Nic Nat and Lycett. Can we afford to bring in an extra ruck this week, or will we be too tall against the Dons?

[bigcarl]

Hickey was shaded in the first quarter but fought back well and probably broke even thereafter. Meanwhile he got no support from the rest of the midfield. Zero. None.

Well Seb Ross tried his best, but no one else put his hand up

[borderbarry]

In retrospect maybe Holmes should have been played. He went well against Nic Nat in his first ever game last year. He can leap as high as Nic Nat.

[magnifisaint]

I didn't think Natanui played a great game. Hickey did OK. Natanui got a few taps but Hickey matched him with possessions ground the ground.

[magnifisaint]

In retrospect maybe Holmes should have been played. He went well against Nic Nat in his first ever game last year. He can leap as high as Nic Nat.

Holmes is not going to cut it. Not his fault that he can't pick up the game.

[Con Gorozidis]

Hickey has been massive all year and looks like he needs a rest. Most other sides use two rucks. Nicnat gets a rest and Lycett rucks while Hickey has to take on two blokes week in week out. Time to play Pierce?

[bigballs]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if they rest Hickey next week.

[Junction Oval]

Has been playing great football to date, but he got monstered in the ruck duels yesterday, which is the key to his game. I wonder what the lessons from the tapes will be ??

Agree that he can't ruck all day against the top ruckmen.

We were clearly too short yesterday down back, so why Pierce was not played, surprised me. He could have plugged a few holes when resting.

[perfectionist]

In retrospect maybe Holmes should have been played. He went well against Nic Nat in his first ever game last year. He can leap as high as Nic Nat.

Assuming he is fit, this was the game he should have played. One ruckman against two high leapers was a recipe for disaster.

[kosifantutti]

Hickey was beaten in the first quarter and after that nothing really mattered.

He did take one excellent contested mark against Natanui right at the end of the first quarter. Dished off to Ross who passed to Roo.

A goal there might have made some difference.

[whiskers3614]

Hickey has been massive all year and looks like he needs a rest. Most other sides use two rucks. Nicnat gets a rest and Lycett rucks while Hickey has to take on two blokes week in week out. Time to play Pierce?

Has Longer been delisted?

[desertsaint]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if they rest Hickey next week.

Should've been rested this week. So should a few others. Can't afford not to have our best on the park next week.

[saintsRrising]

Hickey has been massive all year and looks like he needs a rest. Most other sides use two rucks. Nicnat gets a rest and Lycett rucks while Hickey has to take on two blokes week in week out. Time to play Pierce?

Has Longer been delisted?

No, but has had poor form at Sandy this season.

[cwrcyn]

He's had a massive load this year. Very little relief for him during games. Losing to the beast Natanui is unsurprising. He monters a lot of opponents. Hickey has been excellent this year, but must be feeling a bit weary. Remember, he bruised his hip/buttock a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's affecting his ability to jump, and he's been running with a bit of limp since. A rest would do him good, but would the coach be prepared to throw Lewis Pierce into the cauldron. We have nothing to lose, really. Not like we're playing for finals.

[Con Gorozidis]

Maybe Hickey a week off and play Longer and Pierce together?

v Bombers is a good week to do it.

[bigcarl]

. We have nothing to lose, really. Not like we're playing for finals.

Surely we are playing for self respect after a showing like that. Unless he's injured he should play. But by all means bring in someone to give him a hand. Other teams play more than one ruck

[BigMart]

Hickey was running like he was injured, but he's always got a gait like a baby giraffe

Nic Nat spanked him
First Quarter he was responsible for the demolition ... More than kennedy

[Con Gorozidis]

Its a bloody long season to be solo rucking every single week.

[LTN16]

Should've played a second ruckman..

[Bluthy]

Maybe Hickey a week off and play Longer and Pierce together?

v Bombers is a good week to do it.

What? So you want to use more players and test them out? What the hell are you thinking Con. We've got our 27 players that we want to use this year - its straight from the Ross Lyon playbook (and hasn;t that worked a treat for him and his youth development ability). Crazy talk. We need to keep testing out Gilbert and Geary and Dempster and Fish and Joey. Another 6 or 7 years and we might have a handle on where they are at. The rest of our squad can just rot in the VFL. Its not like they would get much benefit from getting a taste of AFL level such as boosting their confidence, feel a proper part of the club and not just a Sandy player, create competition for spots, energise players, increase their knowledge from being exposed to elite players etc.

No lets not be to bold or experimental or development orientated at selection. Lets just put the old jocks on, the one with the slack elastic that you have to keep pulling up through the day and has holes near the scrotum that rub against your pants in a weirdly enjoyable way, but you just can;t bring yourself to throw out. You should be able to get another 1 or 2 years out of those old fellas. Why spring for those brand new flashy boxers that probably won't hold your tackle properly anyway and you have to wash first. Old is always better, I get that now.

[Jacks Back]

Maybe Hickey a week off and play Longer and Pierce together?

v Bombers is a good week to do it.

What? So you want to use more players and test them out? What the hell are you thinking Con. We've got our 27 players that we want to use this year - its straight from the Ross Lyon playbook (and hasn;t that worked a treat for him and his youth development ability). Crazy talk. We need to keep testing out Gilbert and Geary and Dempster and Fish and Joey. Another 6 or 7 years and we might have a handle on where they are at. The rest of our squad can just rot in the VFL. Its not like they would get much benefit from getting a taste of AFL level such as boosting their confidence, feel a proper part of the club and not just a Sandy player, create competition for spots, energise players, increase their knowledge from being exposed to elite players etc.

No lets not be to bold or experimental or development orientated at selection. Lets just put the old jocks on, the one with the slack elastic that you have to keep pulling up through the day and has holes near the scrotum that rub against your pants in a weirdly enjoyable way, but you just can;t bring yourself to throw out. You should be able to get another 1 or 2 years out of those old fellas. Why spring for those brand new flashy boxers that probably won't hold your tackle properly anyway and you have to wash first. Old is always better, I get that now.

I think you'll find that Richo doesn't actually have any old players left to bring in from the VFL as he is already playing them all. Fisher will come back in next week rounding out the old timers brigade.