What were the “off season issues”?

3 hours ago, martin said:

I'll leave you to work it out.

I’m not one to play the man, but what sort of [censored] idiot are you?  I asked a reasonable question because I don’t know of any issues and genuinely would like to know.  Your trite response speaks to the worst type of posters:  you pretend to know something, but want to revel in your superiority rather than answer a simple question.  

I am ‘working it out’ by asking.

 

1 hour ago, Satyriconhome said:

Hunt is out of form, we are fortunate at the moment to have a few of these 'hybrid' players as Rawlings calls them, these include Hunt, Bugg, Garlett, Wagner, Stretch, if they get back in form, they will need to perform consistently strong at Casey to get a sniff

Fair comment.  Looking at the video of the Casey goals was very encouraging. Like watching the Demons. There was flair, intensity and lots of confidence.  

Hunt clearly has deficiencies, disposal being the biggest. And to use an old phrase, he tends to have "a rush of blood" too often. However, he has pace to burn, dash, is a beautiful long kick when necessary and has a boyish enthusiasm and cheek that is infectious and team lifting. He has the X factor. I would hate to see him leave for another club. 

Geez...we are are talking about the same marvel everyone was getting moist over last year ??

Yes ???? ????

Sorry, just looked back at the thread and this has  already been asked and answered.

He is missing Watts post-game antics

Ahhh it's a giggle really.... following footy.

So many run with hares and Hunt with hounds..

Any minute now the wind will change again.

3 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Loved that goal by Hibberd last weekend at a crucial time. It was like he said: this is how its done boys.

Hibberd was dropping those goals regularly with the Essendrug team, and so he is no stranger to the big sticks from a long way out or in close. Great to see him so far down the ground with his terrific mobility and change of direction. He could teach Hunt heaps of things from handball to sidestepping to knitting socks. 

A couple of major issues that Hunt needs to work on IMHO.

 

• Some have said kicking isn't great.  I would argue it's above AFL level @ 72% efficiency this season....BUT...there's a good reason.  He is now playing a cautious / safe style! 

I believe It's his decision making and where he is running / kicking to that's getting himself (and as a result the team & its game style) all muddled  (see below).

• Most of his running to receive is in low percentage areas of the ground, out wide very  close to boundary.  He is making life hard for himself by not going to dangerous parts of the ground often enough for the receive which will leave him nearer the corridor, in a better position to attack / run off or find other targets ahead of him on various angles.  (playing too safe means he then limits himself and the team with his next available options)

By receiving close to boundary most of the time he then either has to take a risky kick inside OR go up the line short or long.  He is mostly going long often to players who are also very near boundary line continuing the slower / less direct route towards goal.  If they do mark by this stage the opp is getting many numbers back to defend or the ball is knocked away over the line for another stoppage and again the opp is able to set up and defend.  The coaches must be hating the frequency of this and the effect on slowing down their desire for the quickest sling shot possible.

 

• Occasionally Hunt tries to go short and is often effective but is usually going laterally to a player out wide (for example even when Hunt is reasonably well positioned further inboard between HBF and true CHB he will go short laterally with the next receiver ending up in a wider / worse position and having gained no yardage ....and defence getting even more numbers back, limiting the next receiver's ability to impact)

 

• As some have said already, Hunt doesn't have a side step or shimmy backwards step (a la Hibberd) to get around opponents in front or avoid tacklers coming from behind then kick around them on the arc.   He is all ahead full and often all ahead full when he should have assessed and disposed well beforehand (knowing his limits....if he can't sidestep etc).  He is then putting himself under pressure and ending up giving off a few too many hospital handballs.

 

• Confidence.  With the above issues Hunt is losing (or has has already lost) much of his confidence and hence his ability / instinct of knowing when to run  / when to go slow.  Maybe also trying to over compensate!??  Often doing things in exactly the wrong way to which he once would have been.  Ie.,  Taking an uncontested well in the clear and stopping to go back over the mark when it would be more damaging to play on and use his biggest weapon (pace) with options in front.  Or playing on when he has multiple defenders around / in front of him instead of getting back quickly and giving off a very quick handball to someone running adjacent (yes others can assist with their run....he doesn't have to do all the run & carry!) or finding a short target etc up the field as quickly as possible.

 

In short, i feel If Hunt uses his greatest weapon to more effect and starts running to more dangerous areas of the ground to receive more often..... then along with a stack of hard work (including learning how to side step / shimmy!) he will slowly find his mojo and be the damaging player we know he can be once more.

So good to watch in full flight!  Fingers crossed.

Edited May 16, 20186 yr by Rusty Nails

It's sad how quickly our players who are out of form get treated poorly. And people already mentioning trading him for a draft pick next season! That's not being a supporter, that's more like being opposition.

His desire, tackling, speed, are strong parts of his game.

Poise is definitely something Hunt needs to continue working on. I've also noticed recently that his left side handballing is quite weak.

But many of our players kicking into 50 aren't having much success. The problem is also forwards not always leading well; too many going for the mark and general lack of forward coordination. Perhaps too many being in the 50 zone at the one time, then not enough in the 50 zone at other times as well.

24 minutes ago, red&blue1982 said:

It's sad how quickly our players who are out of form get treated poorly. And people already mentioning trading him for a draft pick next season! That's not being a supporter, that's more like being opposition.

His desire, tackling, speed, are strong parts of his game.

Poise is definitely something Hunt needs to continue working on. I've also noticed recently that his left side handballing is quite weak.

But many of our players kicking into 50 aren't having much success. The problem is also forwards not always leading well; too many going for the mark and general lack of forward coordination. Perhaps too many being in the 50 zone at the one time, then not enough in the 50 zone at other times as well.

I don’t think we will want to trade him, just that if he doesn’t get game time then other clubs will swoop and he may jump at the chance. At the end of the day, it’s only a guess. I like Hunt

There's a chasm of difference between calling something...and prefering it.

Dont shoot the messenger...eh what ?

5 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Interesting Saty

the real question is whether Hunt's form even when he had it fits the game plan.

Stretch is often amongst our best at VFL level but just cannot turn it on at AFL level.

Wagner... depth

Bugg... if only he could kick straight he would be best 18 (not just 22)

Garlett... he'll get another chance soon... he needs to make use of it.

Stretch has not really had a collection of games strung together, to show any real form.

'Land archives are overflowing with posts on TMac's disposal - now a deadeye Richard.

Hunt & Bugg - at least one of the two will straighten up

Plenty of overreaction happening on this thread.

A 22 year old player who hasn't yet played 50 games is having some issues with form? Impossible.

Jayden will be back. 

maybe he we should get hunt to play some oz-tag or something to get to work on learning some side steps/tricky footwork? as some posters have said, he seems unable to change his running path once he gains speed. some cross-training might help this?

6 hours ago, Rocky said:

maybe he we should get hunt to play some oz-tag or something to get to work on learning some side steps/tricky footwork? as some posters have said, he seems unable to change his running path once he gains speed. some cross-training might help this?

.... or just ask/watch Hibberd.  As for training it, isn't that part of Misson's high performance role?

I think he’ll be fine.  I’m sure he is working on things in the 2’s and will be back in the side by years end. 

Just because a player gets dropped doesn’t mean he will leave or be traded.  

The kid just needs to build his confidence back up. 

Think he’s just got to hit targets and really hurt the opposition with improved disposal. Not much good watching it simply come back over your head. All he has to do is make sure it gets to someone in a better position.

Watched him play against the Swans in a big up there a couple of years back when he was a baby. Really cracked in . The big tough Swans back line gave it to him but he just kept presenting. Many other senior players didn’t. Other attributes are strong so  he just has to finish.

In his own hands. He can do it.

 

 

 

I have watched him a few times at Casey this year. Against coburg he was terrible but against box hill was very good. He is trying to improve his short kicks and to get back into form. Those who have played know that sometimes you lose a bit of form. I am not worried and think he will work his way into it. Just like Gus and hannan did. 

On 16 May 2018 at 8:24 AM, martin said:

Off season issues clearly having an effect.

 

Careful.

His disposal wasn't great last year, but he was still a very important player. This year he just hasn't been getting enough ball, and not breaking enough lines when has, for whatever reason.

22 hours ago, Monocology said:

'Land archives are overflowing with posts on TMac's disposal - now a deadeye Richard.

Hunt & Bugg - at least one of the two will straighten up

To be fair, he’s only a deadeye Richard in front of goal. He is still capable of a woeful miskick in general play. We’re just more inclined to forgive it when he kicks 5 goals in a 10 goal win. 

8 minutes ago, Nasher said:

To be fair, he’s only a deadeye Richard in front of goal. He is still capable of a woeful miskick in general play. We’re just more inclined to forgive it when he kicks 5 goals in a 10 goal win. 

Kicking for goal Tom only has to get it long and straight; he doesn't have to hit a moving target or worry about the correct distance, like he does when aiming for a teammate.

Getting him out of backline fulltime is one of the best things we've done in the last couple of years. Opposition sides were setting up to force us to get the ball in his hands.

Edited May 17, 20186 yr by Mach5