Cross to Ablett maybe? If he goes forward it has to be Jetta. Realistically I don't think it matters who we play on him.

I would have thought that if Ablett is to sit in the forward line (as many media pundits seem to be saying), then someone like Dunn or Jetta should sit on him (not sure Salem would have the smarts/experience or strength just yet).

Edited March 31, 201510 yr by hardtack

I would have thought that if Ablett is to sit in the forward line (as many media pundits seem to be saying), then someone like Dunn or Jetta should sit on him (not sure Salem would have the smarts/experience or strength just yet).

I had considered that if he did go forward they might rotate Salem on to him as a bit of education, but I personally hope they don't because he'd get pantsed.

Should add that he's apparently done a power of running, saw an interview with Rocket where he said it was impressive. So he could very well still play in the middle.

Edited March 31, 201510 yr by watchtheeyes

head to head with jones in the midfield and covered by jetta up forward for mine

Part of me doesn't want this dreamily optimistic preseason to end and the cold reality to bite. Again.

Knowing by half time of round 1 that you're in the lower half of the lower half... is wearing quite thin.

Part of me doesn't want this dreamily optimistic preseason to end and the cold reality to bite. Again.

Knowing by half time of round 1 that you're in the lower half of the lower half... is wearing quite thin.

couldn't agree more. I am already looking to Saturday arvo with dread, as I know the likely outcome is another poor showing and comfortable defeat

https://youtu.be/dsx2vdn7gpY

Haven't been this excited about a Demon game in years

Come on Saturday, get here already

couldn't agree more. I am already looking to Saturday arvo with dread, as I know the likely outcome is another poor showing and comfortable defeat

yes curry most of us feel this way. it's a bit like going to see a bullfight hoping for the bull to win but knowing that's not going to happen. but hope is eternal.

For all those with really high expectations for Hogan.....Jono Brown had 1 free kick in his first game and even then his team mate grabbed the ball and played on with the advantage rule and kicked a goal.....He didn't kick his first goal until his fifth game.How about we see how he goes and try not to write him off if he doesn't play that well

I find these so called comparisons ridiculous sometimes and Boss im not paying you out here so dont take offence.

But your comparing it to the day and age back then when it was acceptable to sit on the bench for 3 qtrs and play 10 mins of the last qtr.. Brown hardly got a run when he first started. Back then there was no rotations.

Even Michael Newton had a much better start to his career then brown.

Hogan will be our starting full forward and play majority of the game. Lets be honest while Hogan will have a better start to his career then JB i still expect him to kick about 20-25 goals this year. Missed a whole year last year and just looked a bit rusty during the NAB challenge. Not expecting much this year.

I find these so called comparisons ridiculous sometimes and Boss im not paying you out here so dont take offence.

But your comparing it to the day and age back then when it was acceptable to sit on the bench for 3 qtrs and play 10 mins of the last qtr.. Brown hardly got a run when he first started. Back then there was no rotations.

Even Michael Newton had a much better start to his career then brown.

Hogan will be our starting full forward and play majority of the game. Lets be honest while Hogan will have a better start to his career then JB i still expect him to kick about 20-25 goals this year. Missed a whole year last year and just looked a bit rusty during the NAB challenge. Not expecting much this year.

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

Edited March 31, 201510 yr by watchtheeyes

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

not to mention he is in a rubbish side

limited inside50s generally not to his advantage

almost no other big bodies around to help him

I'm not expecting anything at all from him on Saturday

I'm not expecting anything at all from him on Saturday

That's the attitude..

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

Err i am giving him a chance..?

You think 20 to 25 goals first a 20 year old key forward in his first season of AFL isn't acceptable?

Lets also remember he isn't going to get the delivery like the likes of Brown and Hawkins had in their first years.

I just think with the talent i have see over the NAB challenge 1-2 goal a game is not a bad effort.

Err i am giving him a chance..?

You think 20 to 25 goals first a 20 year old key forward in his first season of AFL isn't acceptable?

Lets also remember he isn't going to get the delivery like the likes of Brown and Hawkins had in their first years.

I just think with the talent i have see over the NAB challenge 1-2 goal a game is not a bad effort.

The 'give the kid a chance' wasn't necessarily directed at you. I actually think 20 is achievable primarily because he is one of our few obvious avenues to goal, just would hate to see a perpetual thread put up here this year on how much of a flop Hogan is.

Edited April 1, 201510 yr by watchtheeyes

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

Given he's just completed his third pre-season, and been with the club for two years now, did well at Casey in his first year, is more physically ready, I'd suggest he be seen as a second year player.

He should and will kick 25+ assumming a full 22 games.

With another 25+ coming from players around him knowing if he doesn't mark it, it will hit the ground with Garlett JKH and Kent benefiting.

Which would be a great result.

The 'give the kid a chance' wasn't necessarily directed at you. I actually think 20 is achievable primarily because he is one of our few obvious avenues to goal, just would hate to see a perpetual thread put up here this year on how much of a flop Hogan is.

My mistake.

Carry on.

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

And I am betting that the delivery into them even in their early years was better than I have seen in the pre-season.

Edited April 1, 201510 yr by Samael

Gold Coast has too many emerging talents. I would think they will win by 40points. I would love to be wrong.

On 360 on Monday night they put up a table of prominent or up and coming key forwards, it showed the goals they kick in yr 1, 2, 3 etc.

Across the board (and this incl. Brown, Buddy, Riewoldt, Cloke, Boyd) each player kicked single digits in their first year with the exception of Buddy who kicked 11 or something. Yr 2 wasn't significantly better (10-20), then things got interesting.

Give the kid a chance for gods sake.

It's great that you have your expectations firmly in check, but as another poster has already mentioned, the players you refer to weren't 20 years of age with 3 preseasons under their belt.

I'm not suggesting he'll be Tony Lockett, who kicked 77 goals as an 18 year old, but I do think he'll impact games and quarters far more than some believe.

Edited April 1, 201510 yr by ProDee

With proDee on this one.

I also think he should be measured on goal assists as much as goals. One of his biggest strengths is the ability to bring other forwards into the game and set up goals with smart plays and effective disposal.

I don't care how many goals Hoges kicks, so long as he gets through his FIRST AFL season with zero issues hampering him into preseason next year. He is only 20, FFS he has another 10 years to prove to people how good he is.

I take the point, and certainly his NAB cup performances seem to support your view.

Man can it just be Saturday already!

Well it's a big 'if'.

I know poster's like to bring up the time McKenzie did a good job on Ablett which was in 2013 if I remember correctly.

But last year Ablett was best on ground with 32 disposals and two goals. McKenzie gave away four free kicks also and contributed nothing to our side when we had the ball.

If Jones were to go head to head with Ablett in the centre, we know we'll get some involvement and contribution when we do have the ball. And Ablett would have to be more accountable because of it.

That's just my view. I think opting to go with McKenzie as a hard tag is too risky. Yes he could do a good job, but he could also be ineffective and if that were the case, it'd be as if we were down a player on the field.

We'll find out soon enough.

Correction:

McKenzie did not play on Ablett last year. He held O'meara and Prestia whilst it was Jones, Vince and Howe minding Gary.

My point still stands however. Would rather McKenzie not play.

I don't care how many goals Hoges kicks, so long as he gets through his FIRST AFL season with zero issues hampering him into preseason next year. He is only 20, FFS he has another 10 years to prove to people how good he is.

He'll be given plenty of time.

But it's worth noting, he'll put far more pressure on himself than any of us. He's a rare competitive beast who'll want to make an impression from the outset.

I haven't read all the thread, has anybody mentioned it will also be HL's 200th game, expect a big one from him