Michael Hibberd & Jake Melksham set to sign 1 year contract extensions

[Whispering_Jack 29,174]

[Diamond_Jim 12,351]

Yawn....

I suppose it makes sense but disappointing that the younger brigade haven't pushed them out.

Reminds me a little of Jordan Lewis in year 3.

Better than all the Rest

[old dee 23,486]

34 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Yawn....

I suppose it makes sense but disappointing that the younger brigade haven't pushed them out.

Reminds me a little of Jordan Lewis in year 3.

Better than all the Rest

That sounds like a good line for a song DJ!

Edited October 4, 2022 by old dee

[Winners at last 5,150]

27 minutes ago, old dee said:

That sounds like a good line for a song DJ!

I don't think they are simply the best ...

[bing181 8,908]

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I suppose it makes sense but disappointing that the younger brigade haven't pushed them out.

Perhaps, but always good to have a few older/experienced players around the place, and both of them have shown this season that they can still offer something. Next year could be different of course, but don't mind it.

[DubDee 24,324]

Hibberd certainly deserves it. Great experience down back and can lock down a fwd really well. 

Melksham is tough. Such a tease. That game against the blues and then some average game. I’d personally let him go. Just doesn’t have the consistency 

[Ollie fan 3,054]

I don’t understand keeping Melksham. 

[sisso 2,555]

Would have thought it’s time for Melky to hang up the boots

[rpfc 28,046]

27 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

I don’t understand keeping Melksham. 

I can 

[Rednblueriseing 789]

9 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Yawn....

I suppose it makes sense but disappointing that the younger brigade haven't pushed them out.

Reminds me a little of Jordan Lewis in year 3.

Better than all the Rest

Agree these two shouldn't be best 22 by rd 10 next year the young guys got to push them out, however I'm happy they are staying, good experience and depth.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

9 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Yawn....

I suppose it makes sense but disappointing that the younger brigade haven't pushed them out.

Reminds me a little of Jordan Lewis in year 3.

Better than all the Rest

I agree, it is pretty boring and dosen't generate any excitement.

But listening to Lamb yesterday, it sounds like its more about security and looking after the young players. Its a long season and they need to be ready.

I trust the coaches on this.

[layzie 32,775]

I think we need them now, a few departures already happening these guys will help with the stop gap in the meantime. It does feel a little Jordan Lewisish though. 

[Turner 1,489]

1 hour ago, sisso said:

Would have thought it’s time for Melky to hang up the boots

probably might've if we'd been able to tie bedford down. i realise probably might've is as close to an oxymoron as you can get but i think it was a chance

[sisso 2,555]

1 hour ago, Turner said:

probably might've if we'd been able to tie bedford down. i realise probably might've is as close to an oxymoron as you can get but i think it was a chance

Different types of players, one is a small crumbing forward the other a medium half forward who can pinch hit as a lead up type or have a run in the midfield (even though he doesnt get much of the ball)

[hemingway 7,615]

9 hours ago, DubDee said:

Hibberd certainly deserves it. Great experience down back and can lock down a fwd really well. 

Melksham is tough. Such a tease. That game against the blues and then some average game. I’d personally let him go. Just doesn’t have the consistency 

The story of Jake’s career. 

[JAG007 163]

Look at the Cats, we need to back up the nursing home bus and take on a load of old blokes

[roy11 3,660]

I assume they'll be cheapish depth for this year. Not the worst case scenario, hopefully the young brigade can push on and these lads can help at Casey and in the Seniors when/if called upon

 

[Accepting Mediocrity 1,418]

47 minutes ago, hemingway said:

The story of Jake’s career. 

Harsh. You don't play 200 AFL games without being a consistent performer. His 2018 season, in particular, was exceptional. It's a game of fine margins. If he nails those 2 set shots in the qualifying final (as he usually would), suddenly he's had a pretty good finals series. 

He'll be a handy depth player next year. 

[Red and Blue realist 2,026]

With the soft cap reductions, although they have been eased somewhat, I wonder if most clubs will be hanging onto an older player or 2, who really only plays if required as compared to demanding a spot. Then they become nearly like assistant coaches around the club and in the VFL. I know Hibberd was a near consistent best 22, but could be pushed out this year while Melk might that hybrid player/coach, along with Tomo, as the rest of our elder players (those over 28) were all best 22. 

[Sir Why You Little 36,602]

4 hours ago, Cheap Seats said:

I agree, it is pretty boring and dosen't generate any excitement.

But listening to Lamb yesterday, it sounds like its more about security and looking after the young players. Its a long season and they need to be ready.

I trust the coaches on this.

Yep. It’s a long Season. Exactly what we saw this year. The kids coming through will get tired

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yep. It’s a long Season. Exactly what we saw this year. The kids coming through will get tired

Plus it is about loyalty and buy in.

Lots of posters on here sink the boots in the Hawks and their handling of players welfare and then in another thread posters are happy to bag out player or the club for rewarding loyalty and perfomance.

Sorry for ranting SWYL, your point on protecting the kids is spot on.

[hemingway 7,615]

3 hours ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

Harsh. You don't play 200 AFL games without being a consistent performer. His 2018 season, in particular, was exceptional. It's a game of fine margins. If he nails those 2 set shots in the qualifying final (as he usually would), suddenly he's had a pretty good finals series. 

He'll be a handy depth player next year. 

When he does something he looks good. Polished. But for mine, he does not do enough. There is no further improvement  likely. If Melky gets a regular game we have problems.  Much rather see his spot go to a young player that can  develop and have more years left in the system. However, I agree he is a handy depth player to cover injury. . 

[WalkingCivilWar 39,256]

3 hours ago, Cheap Seats said:

Lots of posters on here sink the boots in the Hawks and their handling of players welfare and then in another thread posters are happy to bag out player or the club for rewarding loyalty and perfomance.

I promised myself I’d refrain from posting in any thread concerning Melks since it never ends well.

But what you say is SO true. 🙏

[Jaded No More 67,626]

Who cares? They are better value than pick 78 in the draft.

It's one year at low cost and Hibberd absolutely has done enough to show he can contribute next year.

Melksham is decent insurance. 

[Redleg 40,040]

12 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Who cares? They are better value than pick 78 in the draft.

It's one year at low cost and Hibberd absolutely has done enough to show he can contribute next year.

Melksham is decent insurance. 

While I was against it at first, hearing Lamb say we will only use 2 draft picks this year, plus the fact a few are leaving, indicates a salary easing and a short term need for experienced cover for one year.

IMO we are planning for something, probably next year.