Has some unproven potential. 1 year is as much as should be expected. Neeld would've given him 3.

I would have thought delist and rookie spot like what happened with Nev would have been the go with JayKay

Confidence, confidence, confidence. How much confidence will this bring him for the remainder of the season to just let it all hang out and go for broke at senior level. They are telling him You've got another season just let it rip JK. Bold football has got us here , if you play the same we believe you'll succeed. 

Fair chance he'll play this weekend?

Needs to take VFL form into AFL. He can seriously play but must take the game on.

He's not slow. He had a lack of awareness that led to him being tackled at times. That has improved with experience.

This is a reward for doing what has been asked of him by the coaching staff. They can see further development and his vfl form suggests he is capable of good footy.

 

I've always said that I can understand that the footy dept. sees something in the kid that I can't. But, that said, the cynic me also wonders if we're gaming the system a small fraction. A new role in the 2's, in which he can achieve some serious numbers, a contract extension, and then suddenly we have some trade value where before there was none. Or do we genuinely think that JKH can break into the current and near-future Melbourne team as an inside mid? 

3 hours ago, Skuit said:

I've always said that I can understand that the footy dept. sees something in the kid that I can't. But, that said, the cynic me also wonders if we're gaming the system a small fraction. A new role in the 2's, in which he can achieve some serious numbers, a contract extension, and then suddenly we have some trade value where before there was none. Or do we genuinely think that JKH can break into the current and near-future Melbourne team as an inside mid? 

Occam's Razor says they re-signed him because they think he can play.  I think you're over-complicating something that is simple.  

They wouldn't risk getting stuck with a player they didn't want just so they can salvage something from a trade. Either he's good enough to keep around or he's not, and his trade value is zero regardless of his contract status.

And to look at it from the other  end, he chose to accept a one year contract  extension from MFC rather  than look elsewhere for a longer gig.  A sign of confidence in the upward trajectory of the club, something he wants to be part  of?

Edited June 27, 20178 yr by Demonised
clarification

I'm not sure why so many Dees fans treat JKH as their whipping boy. He's in a similar situation to ANB last year where he is having ripping games in the guts at VFL level and then being expected to kick a bag and rack up touches from the forward pocket in the AFL.

If Goodwin plays him as an inside mid, there's no reason he can't build his game in a similar mould to Lachie Neale.  

Happy for the lad and trust the FD

Still not convinced. Could become a fringer/contributor like Bugg though. 

I'd say this re-signing spells a bit of danger for Mitch White and Col Garland. Both defenders I know, but a few in line before them.

JKH has ability and is worth persevering with IMO. While he is small, he has reasonable pace, a good tank and is a decent kick. He started in the AFL as a composed, hardworking forward pocket but who was too slight and did not find enough of the ball. He has since put on size and strength and is now picking up 40 touches a game at VFL level. In the AFL this year, he has fumbled too much and has lacked his usual composure, but it has only been three games. He will be a good AFL player if he puts it all together.

He's struggled at AFL level this year but I still rate him.

I don't see the point to mid season contract renewals for anyone who is not best 22.

Keep him hungry to get back into the senior team so he can earn a new contract, don't just gift him one because he has had a couple of good VFL games.

I would much prefer to hold off on these decisions until trade week - see what is on the market and how many list positions we need to make available. 

 

In the coming couple of years we'll potentially lose Vince, Lewis and Jones from our midfield rosta, so will need to bring in match hardened and specifically developed mids to replace them while we're in our window. Having a deep enough pool of mids in development means we no longer have to throw teenager recruits immediately into a heavy contested game style and potentially finals.

Now down to Jay to keep improving.

Edited June 28, 20178 yr by PaulRB

Am surprised ( leave it there )

The right decision IMO. At 22 he's still developing and has shown enough to warrant a spot on the list

The entire squad is pretty strong at the moment but putting the sentimental aspects aside you'd think he's in front of the likes of Trengove and a few others in terms of long term planning