Secret Conclave of The Honey Church

[bulldogtragic]

My player focus of the year, in the line of Hrovat and Jones before him, is young Mitch. Those interested in the underage stuff would have heard about him last year, I didn't see him in the flesh, but I follow scribes who did, there are many reports but I've picked scpaige.com.au (as an example) bio from last year as evidence of his worthiness for a dedicated discussion thread before round 1.


Draftees in Focus: Mitch Honeychurch
by Paige Cardona · July 23, 2013

MITCH HONEYCHURCH

Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Player Comparision: Dayne Zorko
Draft Range: 25-35

Player Profile

He may be small in stature, but this pint-sized beauty is as tough, hard and physical as they come. “Honey” is a born competitor, thrives for the contested football, loves the bash and crash, and doesn’t mind a bit of yapping and push and shove, either. Honeychurch has been a prolific ball-winning midfielder throughout the National Championships where he averaged 25 disposals across his 4 games at the champs, whilst also fittingly taking home Metro’s MVP award, underlining his importance to the team, and the high esteem in which his teammates hold him in. Super talented, and balanced on both sides of his body, Honeychurch has got some serious toe when he takes off, and is calm under pressure, almost always hitting up a target by hand or foot. Perhaps the hallmark of Honeychurch’s game was discovered this year in the Metro system, where he displayed the ability to be incredibly versatile, playing in stints up forward, through the midfield, on a wing and across half back – all of which he excelled at. This however came as no surprise to draft enthusiasts, who are aware of the exceptional vision and awareness Honeychurch possesses, akin to that Dayne Zorko who can sum up situations across the field with ease. Just like Zorko, Honeychurch is a brilliant kick for goal, either on the run or from a set shot (kicking at least 1 goal per game), and is also a brilliant kick when on the attack, whether that be around the ground, or going inside 50. Honeychurch is considered the next best prospect from the Ranges behind Tom Boyd and will add plenty to the club he is drafted to.

Quote

“He is a fantastic young man and one of the hardest working players I have seen come through. I have never seen anyone throw themselves into their rehab more than he did. He is a running machine. He got himself super fit and super strong and its enabled him to play at a level where AFL clubs have to consider him.”

- Eastern Ranges Regional Manager, Anthony Parkin.

Strengths

Work ethic, thrives for a contest, big tackler, running machine, goal kicker, big accumulator of the football, very well balanced on both sides of his body, safe hands, dangerous at ground level, can play in a variety of roles, adds bite and excitement, courageous and physical, wears his heart on his sleeve, passionate, elite kick, huge endurance base, very disciplined during his rehab, lives and breathes football, wins his own ball and an all-round very good clubman.

Weaknesses

Broke his left wrist in the Eastern Ranges Preseason, then returned after a lay off and broke his right lower arm in his first game back. Although they were both clean breaks, there may be some worry about his proneness to injury. Also, at only 65kgs he will need to add some weight to his light frame.

National Championships Stats

Round 1 – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50’s and 1 goal
Round 3 – 33 possessions, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50’s and 2 goals.
Round 4 – 18 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles and 1 goal
Round 5 – 23 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 inside-50′s and 1 goal
Averaged 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 5 tackles and 1 goal per game over the National
Carnival

Honours

Vic Metro MVP 2013
All Australian 2013

[ledge]

Wow second behind Tom Boyd and what selection did we take him at ?

[whythelongface]

Wow second behind Tom Boyd and what selection did we take him at ?

Somewhere in the sixties IIRC. What a steal he will end up being. Liked what I saw on Wednesday night.

[1eyedog]

I can't believe he lasted so long and draft watchers said it thinned out badly after 30. Clearly a combination of injuries and stature put him at the back end but his willingness and numbers had him much higher, draft specialists had him going in the high 20s at one stage IIRC. We did so well in the draft nabbing Crameri and bringing in Darley and Honeychurch with the jury still out on Bont.

[comrade]

I call him the Badger, as in Honey Badger, as in the most badass animal on the planet.

[mighty_west]

Just reading that write up makes him sound like Joel Selwood MK2 with the ability to kick goals, aside from his height, it makes him sound like the complete footballer, you can't help but think he'll be a fan favourite in years to come, really looking forward to seeing this kid develop, sounds like a ripper.

Does anyone know what his tank is like? could he develop into a midfielder rather than just a small forward?

[Happy Days]

I call him the Badger, as in Honey Badger, as in the most badass animal on the planet.

Same.

Honey badger don't give a *!*!*!*!

[bornadog]

Liked what I saw on Wednesday night.

Me too, really hit the packs hard, I think he will be a big bargain when we look back in the next few years.

[bulldogtragic]

Just reading that write up makes him sound like Joel Selwood MK2 with the ability to kick goals, aside from his height, it makes him sound like the complete footballer, you can't help but think he'll be a fan favourite in years to come, really looking forward to seeing this kid develop, sounds like a ripper.

Does anyone know what his tank is like? could he develop into a midfielder rather than just a small forward?

In time he could possibly get in there, the problem or issue is Macca is building this massive bodied midfield ala Freo, so Hrovat, Dahl, possibly Hunter and Mitch are all in the small forward/mid roles. I'm not sure how they all play in one team if Macca wants a massive midfield, unless one goes to the HBF. But it's a good problem to have.

[bulldogtragic]

Me too, really hit the packs hard, I think he will be a big bargain when we look back in the next few years.

Not all that many Vic Metro MVPs fall that far down the order. He just needed a Macrae type growth spurt last year, hopefully it happens this year!

[GVGjr]

I call him the Badger, as in Honey Badger, as in the most badass animal on the planet.

Same here. The Honey Badgers are great

[boydogs]

Somewhere in the sixties IIRC. What a steal he will end up being. Liked what I saw on Wednesday night.

60 on the nose

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_AFL_Draft

[Go_Dogs]

As with Dahl as a rookie selection, Honey is the kind of selection I really rate. A proven elite performer at junior level who has a few shortcomings, (mainly height) but has the tenacity and attack on the ball/man which give him a better chance of becoming a player at senior AFL than a lot of others.

I think we'll be pretty happy with this selection in years to come and think he has enough tricks in his bag to become a long term player for us. Was very happy with his effort on Wednesday.

Well done to the recruiting staff for having the conviction to select him.

[Throughandthrough]

Nothing seven meals a day for five years won't fix. :)

[josie]

Another blog noted we are possibly short in backline, especially one with leg speed to stop small forwards. Interested to know, do you could Honeychurch fit the bill? perhaps too short? Harbrow was not tall & he did alright.

I'm not sure of his speed however his pre-season cameo confirms he has tenacity & seeming ability to tackle well.

[GVGjr]

Another blog noted we are possibly short in backline, especially one with leg speed to stop small forwards. Interested to know, do you could Honeychurch fit the bill? perhaps too short? Harbrow was not tall & he did alright.

I'm not sure of his speed however his pre-season cameo confirms he has tenacity & seeming ability to tackle well.

He might just lack a bit of genuine dash for the back line and as you pointed out he might also be a bit short.
I'm sure we could find specific match-ups against some teams if we wanted to give it a try.

I still think his best value will be as a forward who applies pressure to opposition defenders and the occasional run in the midfield.
He's a smart player.

[boydogs]

Harbrow was not tall & he did alright.

Harbrow was a great rebounder but his weakness was 1 on 1 contests against quality small forwards

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I was underwhelmed when we selected him, mainly because I didn't see where he fits into the long term picture with a number of smaller like players in Dahl, Hrovat, Hunter and even Smith/Libba (in the midfield).

Nice problem to have if he becomes a good player though, especially at our last pick in an average draft. He definitely made a good start on Wednesday night.

[Hot_Doggies]

I was underwhelmed when we selected him, mainly because I didn't see where he fits into the long term picture with a number of smaller like players in Dahl, Hrovat, Hunter and even Smith/Libba (in the midfield).

Nice problem to have if he becomes a good player though, especially at our last pick in an average draft. He definitely made a good start on Wednesday night.

Hunter is taller than both Smith and Libba.

[westdog54]

Just reading that write up makes him sound like Joel Selwood MK2 with the ability to kick goals, aside from his height, it makes him sound like the complete footballer, you can't help but think he'll be a fan favourite in years to come, really looking forward to seeing this kid develop, sounds like a ripper.

Does anyone know what his tank is like? could he develop into a midfielder rather than just a small forward?

At the moment its rubbish. Saw him when the boys ran timetrials at training and was left behind by his group a fair distance. With time it'll improve but diefinitely see him as a small forward.

[bornadog]

Just turned 19 years old.

[bulldogtragic]

I think we all knew he'd goal with his first kick :)

[LostDoggy]

His first kick was really great wasn't it?
I also liked the way he applied lots of defensive pressure.

[bornadog]

He has got to play next week, one week is ridiculous for a new player. The pace must have been so foreign to him, its a big step up.

[bulldogtragic]

My player focus of the year, in the line of Hrovat and Jones before him, is young Mitch. Those interested in the underage stuff would have heard about him last year, I didn't see him in the flesh, but I follow scribes who did, there are many reports but I've picked scpaige.com.au (as an example) bio from last year as evidence of his worthiness for a dedicated discussion thread before round 1.


Draftees in Focus: Mitch Honeychurch
by Paige Cardona · July 23, 2013

MITCH HONEYCHURCH

Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Player Comparision: Dayne Zorko
Draft Range: 25-35

Player Profile

He may be small in stature, but this pint-sized beauty is as tough, hard and physical as they come. “Honey” is a born competitor, thrives for the contested football, loves the bash and crash, and doesn’t mind a bit of yapping and push and shove, either. Honeychurch has been a prolific ball-winning midfielder throughout the National Championships where he averaged 25 disposals across his 4 games at the champs, whilst also fittingly taking home Metro’s MVP award, underlining his importance to the team, and the high esteem in which his teammates hold him in. Super talented, and balanced on both sides of his body, Honeychurch has got some serious toe when he takes off, and is calm under pressure, almost always hitting up a target by hand or foot. Perhaps the hallmark of Honeychurch’s game was discovered this year in the Metro system, where he displayed the ability to be incredibly versatile, playing in stints up forward, through the midfield, on a wing and across half back – all of which he excelled at. This however came as no surprise to draft enthusiasts, who are aware of the exceptional vision and awareness Honeychurch possesses, akin to that Dayne Zorko who can sum up situations across the field with ease. Just like Zorko, Honeychurch is a brilliant kick for goal, either on the run or from a set shot (kicking at least 1 goal per game), and is also a brilliant kick when on the attack, whether that be around the ground, or going inside 50. Honeychurch is considered the next best prospect from the Ranges behind Tom Boyd and will add plenty to the club he is drafted to.

Quote

“He is a fantastic young man and one of the hardest working players I have seen come through. I have never seen anyone throw themselves into their rehab more than he did. He is a running machine. He got himself super fit and super strong and its enabled him to play at a level where AFL clubs have to consider him.”

- Eastern Ranges Regional Manager, Anthony Parkin.

Strengths

Work ethic, thrives for a contest, big tackler, running machine, goal kicker, big accumulator of the football, very well balanced on both sides of his body, safe hands, dangerous at ground level, can play in a variety of roles, adds bite and excitement, courageous and physical, wears his heart on his sleeve, passionate, elite kick, huge endurance base, very disciplined during his rehab, lives and breathes football, wins his own ball and an all-round very good clubman.

Weaknesses

Broke his left wrist in the Eastern Ranges Preseason, then returned after a lay off and broke his right lower arm in his first game back. Although they were both clean breaks, there may be some worry about his proneness to injury. Also, at only 65kgs he will need to add some weight to his light frame.

National Championships Stats

Round 1 – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50’s and 1 goal
Round 3 – 33 possessions, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50’s and 2 goals.
Round 4 – 18 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles and 1 goal
Round 5 – 23 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 inside-50′s and 1 goal
Averaged 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 5 tackles and 1 goal per game over the National
Carnival

Honours

Vic Metro MVP 2013
All Australian 2013

I take full credit.

[BulldogBelle]

Well done 'Sweet Jesus' on recieving this weeks Rising Star nomination.

[Mantis]

Nice recognition with the RS nomination.. Improving player, whose work rate is makes us a better team.

[LostDoggy]

Congrats to Mitch on RS nomination. Has started the season really well.

[Ghost Dog]

Can't wait to see Mitch, Clay and Caleb hunting the packs together with leather fever.

[ratsmac]

I can't believe he lasted so long and draft watchers said it thinned out badly after 30. Clearly a combination of injuries and stature put him at the back end but his willingness and numbers had him much higher, draft specialists had him going in the high 20s at one stage IIRC. We did so well in the draft nabbing Crameri and bringing in Darley and Honeychurch with the jury still out on Bont.

The jury is in, 'The Bont' will be a star! In fact he will be what ever he damn well wants to be!

[LostDoggy]

Congrats to Mtch on the RS nomination.
Great start to the season Churchie! ;)