2016 Player Review - # 8 Heritier Lumumba

[Demonland 70,469]

Lumumba had a poor season that was curtailed as a result of repeat concussions which forced a prolonged period out of the game. If he can regain his touch over the coming pre-season, he still has a great deal of experience to offer this young team.

Games MFC 2016 5

Career Total 223 (24 MFC)

Goals MFC 2016 0

Career Total 30 (2 MFC)

Games CSFC 2016

Goals CSFC 2016

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 65 votes

[MadAsHell 4,209]

I expect him to be back in 2017.  However if he struggles with injury & form again, an early retirement wouldn't surprise me come the end of next season.

Fully fit, his run & pace together with that of Melksham could be very beneficial to the team.

[poita 3,877]

We didn't miss him one bit this year, and I firmly believe that he should be quietly retired over the off season. He hasn't committed to the club and his on field performances have been largely woeful. If his concussion issues are as bad as we are told, he should do what is best for his long term health.

If he does come back, I would expect him to spend a substantial amount of time at Casey next season if the senior side is picked on merit, as others have gone flying past him in the past 12 months.

 

[Demon Jack 6,763]

Showed some ok signs early in the year. I remember his influence was a key factor that turned the North Melbourne game. Will probably stick around for 2017 but I can't see him getting a game ahead of Hunt and potentially Hibberd.

[mdemon 266]

I suspect that the views of many posters have been influenced by his admittedly underwhelming contribution in 2016.

However, his 'run & carry' styl, (whilst resembling a 'headless chook'at times), does seem to be relevant to the modern game.

Jason Johanissen may have won the Norm Smith Medal last Saturday but his efficiency wasn't exactly stellar up to 1/2 time.

H possibly still has a bit to offer whether that be off the HBF or the wing.

[Uncle Fester 2,843]

Run, run run, kick it and hope...

Never rated him when he was a pie, and rate him less now. He can stay or retire, but unless we are hit by injuries (god forbid) then Casey should be the best he should hope for

[Ruzz63Ron 58]

I spoke with H at the Casey vs Williamstown game. It was good to see him there supporting the boys. He told me that the concussion issues were all gone and that he will definitely be back in 2017. Jayden Hunt is a younger, better version of H and with Hibberd coming in I don't know where there is a spot for him unless it's in the back pocket. I'd still rather have him than Mitch Clark who we effectively swapped him for.

[beelzebub 23,242]

Harry Who ? 

[praha 11,218]

I think he still has a role to play. Jayden Hunt filled in his role nicely and is smarter and more refined with the ball. Not sure where he fits in, but he is kind of a "downhill skier" player in that his style doesn't really work in a team that has few options and one-way running, as was the case in 2015. I think he's a "cherry on top" kind of guy that is going to standout as either part of the problem or a key component when the team is playing poorly or well, respectively. 

15 hours ago, Uncle Fester said:

Run, run run, kick it and hope...

Never rated him when he was a pie, and rate him less now. He can stay or retire, but unless we are hit by injuries (god forbid) then Casey should be the best he should hope for

As per my above comment, Pies fans loved him until Collingwood started its slide. He was pivotal from 2007-2011 when they were playing Finals and had a strong spine.  Once the wheels started falling off, he was found out. 

If he has support around him, his horse-like running and booming kick is useful when we're going well. We now have a hard-working forward line (at times) that can benefit from those quick entries.

Pretty much every Premiership-winning team of the past decade has had a player of H's style.

[Uncle Fester 2,843]

17 minutes ago, praha said:

I think he still has a role to play. Jayden Hunt filled in his role nicely and is smarter and more refined with the ball. Not sure where he fits in, but he is kind of a "downhill skier" player in that his style doesn't really work in a team that has few options and one-way running, as was the case in 2015. I think he's a "cherry on top" kind of guy that is going to standout as either part of the problem or a key component when the team is playing poorly or well, respectively. 

As per my above comment, Pies fans loved him until Collingwood started its slide. He was pivotal from 2007-2011 when they were playing Finals and had a strong spine.  Once the wheels started falling off, he was found out. 

If he has support around him, his horse-like running and booming kick is useful when we're going well. We now have a hard-working forward line (at times) that can benefit from those quick entries.

Pretty much every Premiership-winning team of the past decade has had a player of H's style.

A close friend of mine is one eyed pies and sees it the same way. When things are going well players are prepared to leave their man/zone and be ready in space for the kick in hope, then the play looks great. When things are down or uncertain, the that moment of worrying about the man or player means the ball lands in space and then comes back as quickly, and leaves us with defenders running the wrong way. I think his best is icing on a well oiled machine (hey, how good is that mixed metaphor?), but we are still hit and miss on that.

I wish him well, but I see him as an ageing square peg in a round hole at the MFC

[steve_f 40]

He had a good first five or six games in 2015.

if fit, he COULD give us plenty of run off HB. But he probably won't.

He just needs to pass the ball until he is free and then get it back for a gallop rather than be pulled down by the opposition.

He can get over the falling over thing.

[stuie 7,374]

Demonland: "I hate Lumumba's run and play on style"

Also Demonland: "I love our team's new run and play on style"

 

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

40 minutes ago, stuie said:

Demonland: "I hate Lumumba's run and play on style"

Also Demonland: "I love our team's new run and play on style"

 

Cant get over this. I love Hunt becasue he is young exciting and brave but what he does is exactly what H does... He runs hard and uses his speed to disrupt the opponent zone. Even if his disposal is dodgy it is the run and carry that they are after. If H draws 1 or 2 defenders out of the zone then he has done his job and its then up to the forwards to win the ball wherever he kicks it. Look at JJ in the grand final, his disposal was atrocious and he still won the Norm Smith because of his disruptive run.

[stuie 7,374]

Just now, ArtificialWisdom said:

Cant get over this. I love Hunt becasue he is young exciting and brave but what he does is exactly what H does... He runs hard and uses his speed to disrupt the opponent zone. Even if his disposal is dodgy it is the run and carry that they are after. If H draws 1 or 2 defenders out of the zone then he has done his job and its then up to the forwards to win the ball wherever he kicks it. Look at JJ in the grand final, his disposal was atrocious and he still won the Norm Smith because of his disruptive run.

H has been integral in forcing our new game style. He basically sacrificed his game for it, that's great leadership IMO. He played on at all costs and was selected every week, so clearly given that and the fact that was our game plan this year, he was following coaching instructions despite the fact he had very little backup when doing it. I see him as a big part of why we've actually gradually built the courage to take the game on so much. Remember F.E.A.R?

 

[sisso 2,570]

He played really well in our first win over Collingwood, I remember being at the game and thinking he was a catalyst for our 1st quarter onslaught with his run and carry.

Only just turning 30, I think he could still be a valuable contributor in 2017. Might play on the wing a bit more.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

lol comparing Hunt and Lumumba. One is in his first season and keeps getting better, kicks goal and is hard as [censored]. 

The other is nearing the end, getting worse and not so hard as [censored]. 

[monoccular 17,345]

13 hours ago, stuie said:

Demonland: "I hate Lumumba's run and play on style"

Also Demonland: "I love our team's new run and play on style"

 

Yes.  Our new run and play on style has purpose and an aim, not frenetic running like a headless chook then bombing it blindly nowhere.

12 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Cant get over this. I love Hunt becasue he is young exciting and brave but what he does is exactly what H does... He runs hard and uses his speed to disrupt the opponent zone. Even if his disposal is dodgy it is the run and carry that they are after. If H draws 1 or 2 defenders out of the zone then he has done his job and its then up to the forwards to win the ball wherever he kicks it. Look at JJ in the grand final, his disposal was atrocious and he still won the Norm Smith because of his disruptive run.

See above.  Hunt runs with purpose; H aimless and hopes for the best.

[stuie 7,374]

1 minute ago, monoccular said:

Yes.  Our new run and play on style has purpose and an aim, not frenetic running like a headless chook then bombing it blindly nowhere.

See above.  Hunt runs with purpose; H aimless and hopes for the best.

F.E.A.R

Lumumba was the first player to do this without hesitation. Roos picked him every week because of that.

Lumumba did it first and with no backup, Hunt is doing it now with players who have bought into it. No one is saying Lumumba is currently a better player than Hunt, but you need to recognize his place in our progression, especially without the cliche footy forum insults.

 

[Ted Lasso 18,910]

H provides great run and can be genuinely line-breaking but i have three issues with his game that lead me to be concerned about his spot in the side. 

1. Hibbered coming in means there will be strong competition for half back spots. 

2. He so consistently bombs it long, which is playing into the oppositions hands more often than not. 

3. He's not a good defender, he can run, carry take the game on ect, but Hunt and HIbberd can do those things and win one on one contests. Lumumba panics and gives away Free kicks a lot one on one

[Stinga2 194]

Although I felt he was getting back some form early in the year I think the side evolved without him once he got injured.

if I am looking for positives, if Harry and Hibberd both come in and play on the flanks it could push Salem and Hunt onto the wings. They would be some good weapons on the MGC wings.

[leucopogon 1,518]

3 hours ago, Stinga2 said:

Although I felt he was getting back some form early in the year I think the side evolved without him once he got injured.

if I am looking for positives, if Harry and Hibberd both come in and play on the flanks it could push Salem and Hunt onto the wings. They would be some good weapons on the MGC wings.

This. Hunt coming off half back is scintillating but Hunt coming off the wing and kicking goals is even better. I hope H gets back, he showed in the North game this year he's capable of more than just run and bomb.

[whatwhat say what 22,309]

had a good start to his career in red and blue in 2015, but his second half of that year and entirety of 2016 was very, very poor.

 

i think he'll be a depth / vfl level player at best in 2017.

[old55 22,996]

Lumumba's run is an attribute but he needs to work on his contested football if he's going to find a spot in our team.  As DA pointed out above that's the biggest difference between HL and Hunt, Hunt is hard at the contest.  I think as others have observed that HL can be an asset in a good team which we are becoming but he needs to go when it's his turn. I see him playing further up the ground on the wing if he makes it, the backline is looking pretty set.  We are really crying out for someone like him to stand up - play like Isaac Smith does.

Edited October 21, 2016 by Fifty-5

[junk 342]

Hopefully he can come back to be a world beater,however me think he has a problem that is not concussion related.

[Whispering_Jack 29,333]

Lumumba ready to return for Melbourne in 2017 after concussion ruined 2016

welcome back your highness