Welcome to the WBFC - Declan Hamilton

[bulldogtragic]

Discussion on out latest pup, and a warm welcome to our tribe!

[choconmientay]

Declan Hamilton highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-13/declan-hamilton-highlights

[GVGjr]

Good goal kicking midfielder. Should settle in quickly

[Mofra]

If mjp rates him, I'm in (remembering mjp was all over Nat Fyfe pre-draft as well).

[lemmon]

Declan Hamilton highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-13/declan-hamilton-highlights

Moves beautifully, has a nice step, vision around the contest and uses the ball efficiently. Look's a footballers, footballer, very happy

[Go_Dogs]

A relative of the Jarman's - Twodogs will be horrified!

[Bulldog Revolution]

A relative of the Jarman's - Twodogs will be horrified!

Classy footballer, very creative with the ball in hand, good goal sense.

[westdog54]

If mjp rates him, I'm in (remembering mjp was all over Nat Fyfe pre-draft as well).

First thought I had when I heard the name!

[Greystache]

Wow, 3 mins of exclusively kicking short. Has anyone who's seen him play ever seen him kick more than 30 metres?

[Cyberdoggie]

Wow, 3 mins of exclusively kicking short. Has anyone who's seen him play ever seen him kick more than 30 metres?

Hehe, some of those highlights packages are really a waste of time aren't they. I mean what's the point of seeing someone kick set shot after set shot at goal.

[F'scary]

De Clan Hamilton. Welcome.

[stefoid]

Wow, 3 mins of exclusively kicking short. Has anyone who's seen him play ever seen him kick more than 30 metres?

Disposal is a bit gia-like - assesses for a while, then puts it in front of someone.

[EasternWest]

I have an instinctive hate of the name Declan. I hope it doesn't taint my view.

[jeemak]

Wow, 3 mins of exclusively kicking short. Has anyone who's seen him play ever seen him kick more than 30 metres?

Used the ball beautifully for mine, and in the second half there was plenty to be happy about with some scoring nous.

It will be interesting to see if he can kick over longer distances once he's in the system and forced to by defencive set ups.

[Bulldog4life]

I have an instinctive hate of the name Declan. I hope it doesn't taint my view.

Any reason?

[EasternWest]

Any reason?

Long story.

Short story - teaching rounds.

[LostDoggy]

He has one fan already lined up for his jumper number: My son Declan had Shaun Higgins and is now fully onboard for Declan Hamilton.

[Bulldog4life]

He has one fan already lined up for his jumper number: My son Declan had Shaun Higgins and is now fully onboard for Declan Hamilton.

When are the jumper numbers decided on?

[GVGjr]

When are the jumper numbers decided on?

Some of them were done before the draft but I'm not sure they have been announced yet

[soupman]

I'm hoping the cl;ub does something like St.Kilda did with their 16 contracts in 16 days compaign, and try and create a bit of interest around the numbers by releasing them over a period of time instead of one crappy media release.

My suggestion was they do a 12 numbers of Christmas in mid December and release them that way.

[Smads57]

559
Looks pretty happy about becoming a Bulldog

[LostDoggy]

Take that bloody Magpies top off though.

[boydogs]

Gees he looks like Darren Jarman. Those thick eyebrows and wide grin.

[Twodogs]

Gees he looks like Darren Jarman. Those thick eyebrows and wide grin.

Doesn't he just. Hopefully uncle Darren drops by and hands out some kicking tips.

[boydogs]

Doesn't he just. Hopefully uncle Darren drops by and hands out some kicking tips.

Doesn't look like Declan needs any

[Twodogs]

Doesn't look like Declan needs any

I meant for the rest of the players.

[boydogs]

I meant for the rest of the players.

Yeah I know :)

[F'scary]

We have got a Jarman for pick 39. Clever recruiting.

[Remi Moses]

We have got a Jarman for pick 39. Clever recruiting.

Hope he isn't giving diet tips

[mighty_west]

Hope he isn't giving diet tips

He never played heavy, just tore up opposition sides in big finals.

[Twodogs]

He never played heavy, just tore up opposition sides in big finals.


And tore people's hearts out of their chests.

[mighty_west]

And tore people's hearts out of their chests.

Indeed, has it not have been our team he dismantled, I'm sure it would have been a pleasure to watch, however.......

let's just hope this kid shares a similar skill set, but from all of the highlights reels his probably looks the least impressive, not that it means too much at this stage.

[LostDoggy]

Jarman is the perfect example of how size and speed are no match for footy smarts and just an inert awareness of the game. I feel we are starting to recruit with this in mind, and I am chuffed about it.

[stefoid]

Im not normally a grammar nazi, but an "inert awareness of the game" is not only funny- describes some of our previous dud recruits perfectly!

[Twodogs]

A bit of a sleeper. :D

[LostDoggy]

Im not normally a grammar nazi, but an "inert awareness of the game" is not only funny- describes some of our previous dud recruits perfectly!

Haha, yep fair play, innate was the desired word!

[Torpedo]

So at the end of the 2015 season, where is Declan at with his footy career? Haven't seen or heard much about his first year at the kennel. Can he make an impact in 2016? I noticed he was only 68kgs when drafted - has he built up any? From his draft highlights he looks like has the right body frame to turn himself into a solid bodytype.

[GVGjr]

I think it's just some physical development area's he needs to improve on because at times he played some good footy at Footscray.
He reads the play well and is typically a solid user of the ball. Given we drafted a few other similar types he is behind the likes of McLean and opportunities could still be limited next season but long term he can be a very good player.

[bornadog]

He needs to build his body up for senior football. Of all the draftees of 2015, he was the one that was going to be last to debut. He played some good games and can kick a goal, so I expect him to debut some time in the middle of 2016.

[ledge]

He hasn't reached puberty yet if you have ever heard him yell out at games from the boundary, very young, very slight, I would expect him to need another year in the VFL.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I think it's just some physical development area's he needs to improve on because at times he played some good footy at Footscray.
He reads the play well and is typically a solid user of the ball. Given we drafted a few other similar types he is behind the likes of McLean and opportunities could still be limited next season but long term he can be a very good player.

Any danger that he actually falls behind due to the fact that he's so raw? There's a lot of competition for spots in our squad, which will intensify with the new batch of draftees, progress can be made quickly but Declan (to me) seems more like a 17 year old in terms of development. Easy to 'get lost' in the traffic of your own club IMO. In a way, I guess that's a sign we're becoming a good club but hopefully he can really improve too.

[GVGjr]

Any danger that he actually falls behind due to the fact that he's so raw? There's a lot of competition for spots in our squad, which will intensify with the new batch of draftees, progress can be made quickly but Declan (to me) seems more like a 17 year old in terms of development. Easy to 'get lost' in the traffic of your own club IMO. In a way, I guess that's a sign we're becoming a good club but hopefully he can really improve too.

He pretty much played senior footy in SA in the year we drafted him and he didn't look out of place at Footscray so I don't believe he is that raw. The problem for him is that we drafted so many similar players last year on top of having players like Honeychurch and Hrovat etc already at the club.

There is a chance he will get got lost for a while but good form won't be ignored.

[Torpedo]

Has he put on any extra height since drafted? He is listed as 182/183cm. What position would he play in seniors? From the highlights package he doesn't seem to be a long kick either.

[bornadog]

Has he put on any extra height since drafted? He is listed as 182/183cm. What position would he play in seniors? From the highlights package he doesn't seem to be a long kick either.

I would like to see him try and specialise as a small forward, but I guess Bevo prefers players that can play multi roles.

[GVGjr]

Has he put on any extra height since drafted? He is listed as 182/183cm. What position would he play in seniors? From the highlights package he doesn't seem to be a long kick either.

High half forward as rotating in the midfield with McLean and Dahlhaus.

[Mofra]

High half forward as rotating in the midfield with McLean and Dahlhaus.
... and Honey and Hrovat and Stevens and Bonti and Stringer and Dickson, most of our mids it seems.
That's assuming Macrae/Suckling/Hunter/Libba play pure mid roles which is only a maybe.

Is there a place for him, even in a year or two? Watching the Melbourne game we had about a 45 second rotation going through our forwardline with even Wallis & Picken spending decent amounts of time forward. Tough competition for midfield/forward spots

[GVGjr]

... and Honey and Hrovat and Stevens and Bonti and Stringer and Dickson, most of our mids it seems.
That's assuming Macrae/Suckling/Hunter/Libba play pure mid roles which is only a maybe.

Is there a place for him, even in a year or two? Watching the Melbourne game we had about a 45 second rotation going through our forwardline with even Wallis & Picken spending decent amounts of time forward. Tough competition for midfield/forward spots

Mentioned on draft night last year that we had drafted many similar players and it could pose a problem. Hamilton needs to jump ahead of a few of them as competition for the spots he plays will tough.

[ratsmac]

From the few times I saw him play this year I thought he was quite good. I like the fact that he is always thinking about it rather than just throwing the ball on his foot (hence why he got caught from time to time). He definitely has to hit the gym before he can compete with the bigger bodies but I can see a player there. He just needs to keep the learning curve heading north and he'll get games eventually.

[Bulldog4life]

From the few times I saw him play this year I thought he was quite good. I like the fact that he is always thinking about it rather than just throwing the ball on his foot (hence why he got caught from time to time). He definitely has to hit the gym before he can compete with the bigger bodies but I can see a player there. He just needs to keep the learning curve heading north and he'll get games eventually.

Thinking the same Only saw him a few times but he seems to be a clever player.

[F'scary]

He has the Jarman bottom. Give him a time, could take a couple of seasons.

[boydogs]

He's a classy genuine mid, just physically underdeveloped. No rush

[ledge]

I would say Boyd and Morris will be gone and maybe Murphy by the time he comes good in two years. Might take one of those places.
Oh and Picken.

[GVGjr]

I would say Boyd and Morris will be gone and maybe Murphy by the time he comes good in two years. Might take one of those places.
Oh and Picken.

I suspect Picken will still be around for a few years but I think Hamilton just needs to lift himself above the likes of Honeychurch and Hrovat etc and command his own spot. If he performs well he will get his chances

[bornadog]

I suspect Picken will still be around for a few years but I think Hamilton just needs to lift himself above the likes of Honeychurch and Hrovat etc and command his own spot. If he performs well he will get his chances

I think it is great we have all these players competing for a few spots. In years gone by we were forced to play the older players because we just didn't have the younger players coming through, or the coaches had their favourites they wouldn't drop. Bevo has shown us that he is prepared to give a player a go if they show the form and he is not afraid to drop name players.

[Ozza]

Unfortunately for Declan, the lightning fast development of some of our draftees in recent years, have moved the goal posts of expectations. If not for the likes of McLean, Daniel, Dale and Bonti & Honeychurch previously - I don't think we'd even really be discussing any concerns about whether he'll make it, or where he'll fit in longer term.

I'm sure an uninterrupted pre-season, and hopefully some good VFL performances, will see him get a senior opportunity this season at some point.

[Smads57]

I thought his VFL form was fine. What annoyed me on a few occasions was his penchant to give the ball off/share it around in the forward 50 when he could have just had a shot at goal himself. A neat player.

[bornadog]

Has signed a one year extension.

[Smads57]

I am one of his harder critics having watched many of his VFL games and am a little surprised by this action. He seemed an 'easy' candidate to delist at year end. Maybe we are intending to trade out some of the players ahead of him ie Jong, Stevens, HC and want to make sure we have back up.

Don't get me wrong, he is a neat player....just seems to take too long sometimes to hand the ball off.

In the game against Willy on the weekend I was a little surprised to see him going into a few contested marking situations.

He needs to put on some upper body strength - I wouldn't be surprised to read if his stats show he has made the least tackles in the VFL team.

[Rocco Jones]

I think he has a point of difference and I am very much up for keeping this list together/two way loyalty but not sure who will be our third delisting now. Pretty sure we will trade a player or two out, especially if Hurley comes.

[Ozza]

I think he has a point of difference and I am very much up for keeping this list together/two way loyalty but not sure who will be our third delisting now. Pretty sure we will trade a player or two out, especially if Hurley comes.

Our 'third delisting'? Who are the first two?

[bulldogtragic]

Great news for him. A lot of great news going around.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Very surprising and a little odd.

[Ozza]

Very surprising and a little odd.

And why now? Is there any reason they couldn't have waited until we are in the thick of trade talk to make a call on him (like they responsibly did with J Grant last year?). I wouldn't have thought clubs are ringing the phone off the hook for Declan's services at this point.

[josie]

I am truly astounded. He is the least defensive recruit I have observed in RWB, and I have watched a fair few VFL home and some away games this and last year. IMO he turns the ball over a lot and I have seen no improvement in tackling, hunger for the contest or disposal accuracy.

Our Club are the experts so in them we trust.

Despite my harsh observations, I wish Declan well in 2017 and hope he proves me wrong.

[bornadog]

I am truly astounded. He is the least defensive recruit I have observed in RWB, and I have watched a fair few VFL home and some away games this and last year. IMO he turns the ball over a lot and I have seen no improvement in tackling, hunger for the contest or disposal accuracy.

Our Club are the experts so in them we trust.

Despite my harsh observations, I wish Declan well in 2017 and hope he proves me wrong.

Had a better game last Sunday and is still developing. Perhaps, because he is so skinny the club thought he needs more time. Next year will be his make or break year.

[kruder]

Very surprising and a little odd.

Agree bizarre indeed. I've never seen one AFL trait with him, you just cant be small, slow and just an average kick and be able to play outside in the AFL. I'm just hoping it doesn't cost Lynch a spot on the list I'd hate to loose him.

[FrediKanoute]

Reckon, Hamilton and Prud's will end up on the rookie list next year.

[bulldogtragic]

Reckon, Hamilton and Prud's will end up on the rookie list next year.

Hamilton can't. He's got a senior contract extension.

[Cyberdoggie]

Interesting call, however I'm guessing they made it this early for a reason. The kid hasn't played a game in two years, doesn't look like playing one this year, they see potential in him so have made the call early to try and give him some confidence going in to next year.

I haven't seem that much of him to judge but perhaps a lot of his negatives are a result of his lack of confidence and size. Both he and Bailey Dale have not developed enough physically as yet and have struggled in their second years.

[Remi Moses]

Bit surprised to be honest . But I trust the coaching and development of our list .

[Smads57]

I've been thinking more about this decision and the role Hamilton has played in the VFL.

He is clearly an outside player and does have the ability to run up and down the ground for most of the game - maybe our need for outside mids is the reason for giving him this extension given our abundance of inside players. He is fairly quick and does look good with ball in hand, just needs to make better decisions when he has it.

I will be watching him with far more interest given he has this extra year as I had essentially 'given up' on him some weeks ago thinking he was a highly likely delisting at the end of this year.

[bornadog]

I've been thinking more about this decision and the role Hamilton has played in the VFL.

He is clearly an outside player and does have the ability to run up and down the ground for most of the game - maybe our need for outside mids is the reason for giving him this extension given our abundance of inside players. He is fairly quick and does look good with ball in hand, just needs to make better decisions when he has it.

I will be watching him with far more interest given he has this extra year as I had essentially 'given up' on him some weeks ago thinking he was a highly likely delisting at the end of this year.

I haven't been to a match this year. Does he have any pace at all?

[comrade]

An endurance athlete that lacks any noticeable acceleration. Good news for him is the game is trending towards that particular skill set.

Has a tendency to try and create play by avoiding the tackler, but gets caught too often. Needs to get stronger so he can release the ball better. Clearly has a high footy IQ and can accumulate possession.

Half way through the year I thought he had earned another year, the past month I had my doubts. His slight body is struggling for the season finish line.

If he can have a big pre-season, get his strength to something close to AFL standard, then he may be a surprise packet next year.

[Smads57]

I haven't been to a match this year. Does he have any pace at all?

No real pace, more able to run from contest to contest.

[Twodogs]

He played some good footy in the forward line for Footscray last year is the only thing that stands out in my memory. Seemed to have some footy smarts.

[BulldogBelle]

Surprised.

Someone l know described him as a good soccer player!

[Bullies]

By the inside mail they are more than happy with his progress and was always going to be a long term project. His Uncles (Jarman's) also took a little while to become elite. Need to trust the people in charge here.

[hujsh]

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2016-08-17/in-focus-worst-dressed-players

He looks really slight in this video. Especially juxtaposed with Cordy

[Dancin' Douggy]

Now that Cooney has retired. I'm desperate for Hamilton to become a star. Adding to essendons pain.

[Webby]

Now that Cooney has retired. I'm desperate for Hamilton to become a star. Adding to essendons pain.

New too. Not to mention that we also got Biggs with the pick trade of 37 for 39. Could be a master stroke.

[BulldogBelle]

I am like many of you commenting here, wondering why Declan has been given a year's extension when I would have thought that he would be at the very top of everyone's delist list.

He apparently has a big tank, but that doesn't mean he can play football. I see no elite skills in him at all. Nothing to recommend him. He is not fast, not agile, not a good mark, not a long kick, doesn't make good decisions, is not a ball magnet, can't jump high, often fumbles the ball often misdirect the ball and he is small.

I don't buy this idea that he will be a late developer like his uncle. Tall guys are late developers not midgets. Maybe they offered him a 3 year deal when they were first going to sign him up? Maybe we are afraid of Adelaide getting him and him doing a number on us?

Every number on our list is precious. I hope that the powers just haven't squandered one.

Re-signing him means that we miss out on the opportunity to recruit another Chris Grant or Dale Morris or someone who is going to help us win a premiership. Opportunity cost of re-signing Hamilton could be a premiership.

[Twodogs]

I am like many of you commenting here, wondering why Declan has been given a year's extension when I would have thought that he would be at the very top of everyone's delist list.

He apparently has a big tank, but that doesn't mean he can play football. I see no elite skills in him at all. Nothing to recommend him. He is not fast, not agile, not a good mark, not a long kick, doesn't make good decisions, is not a ball magnet, can't jump high, often fumbles the ball often misdirect the ball and he is small.

I don't buy this idea that he will be a late developer like his uncle. Tall guys are late developers not midgets. Maybe they offered him a 3 year deal when they were first going to sign him up? Maybe we are afraid of Adelaide getting him and him doing a number on us?

Every number on our list is precious. I hope that the powers just haven't squandered one.

Re-signing him means that we miss out on the opportunity to recruit another Chris Grant or Dale Morris or someone who is going to help us win a premiership. Opportunity cost of re-signing Hamilton could be a premiership.

Tony Liberatore developed pretty late. That's one small guy developing late I can think of in 30 years.

[Twodogs]

I am like many of you commenting here, wondering why Declan has been given a year's extension when I would have thought that he would be at the very top of everyone's delist list.

He apparently has a big tank, but that doesn't mean he can play football. I see no elite skills in him at all. Nothing to recommend him. He is not fast, not agile, not a good mark, not a long kick, doesn't make good decisions, is not a ball magnet, can't jump high, often fumbles the ball often misdirect the ball and he is small.

I don't buy this idea that he will be a late developer like his uncle. Tall guys are late developers not midgets. Maybe they offered him a 3 year deal when they were first going to sign him up? Maybe we are afraid of Adelaide getting him and him doing a number on us?

Every number on our list is precious. I hope that the powers just haven't squandered one.

Re-signing him means that we miss out on the opportunity to recruit another Chris Grant or Dale Morris or someone who is going to help us win a premiership. Opportunity cost of re-signing Hamilton could be a premiership.

Tony Liberatore developed pretty late. That's one small guy developing late I can think of in 30 years.

[Mofra]

Crossy was a late developer too - had a big tank.
Gilbee, or was that just Rhode not giving him enough of a chance?

[bornadog]

Tony Liberatore developed pretty late. That's one small guy developing late I can think of in 30 years.

Liam Picken

[KT31]

Matty Boyd another, and only getting better with age.

[hujsh]

Boyd, maybe Dane Swan?


Matty Boyd another, and only getting better with age.
Ninja'd

[Twodogs]

Crossy was a late developer too - had a big tank.
Gilbee, or was that just Rhode not giving him enough of a chance?


Crossy is a good comparison. The kid could run but had no discernible football traits. Hell of a player though.

[Mofra]

Crossy is a good comparison. The kid could run but had no discernible football traits. Hell of a player though.
Crossy was as brave as they come and was excellent overhead too.
VFL watchers have confused me though - some say Dec often thinks two steps ahead of everyone else around him, others aren't sure he'll make it.
I guess we get at least another 12 months to find out.

[comrade]

Really felt he was making strides mid year, but has regressed towards the back end of the year. So far from being the fully developed product, so I'm reasonably pleased we've backed in our development guys to get the best out of him. He does have some tricks - endurance and agility most notably - and can accumulate possession so there is something to work with, plus he has some quality footballing pedigree.

Will be interested to see how he progress over the pre-season. Critical that he has a big one.

[BulldogBelle]

Declan Hamilton
Date of Birth 18 March 1996 (age 20)
No senior games and doesn't look likely despite numerous injuries.

Lindsay Gilbee
Date of birth 8 July 1981
At age of 20 he had 9 senior games and looked like a footballer with Collingwood chasing him.
He was not a late developer

Tony Liberatore
Date of birth 11 February 1966
2× Gardiner Medal: 1986, 1988 age 20 and 22
Morrish Medal: 1984 age 18
He was not a late developer.

Matthew Boyd
Date of birth 27 August 1982
In his 20's he played 8 games already coming straight from Dandenong and playing little in the seconds.
He was not a late developer.

Liam Picken
Was Best and fairest for Williamstown in 2008 and picked up by us and
played his first game in 2009.
He was not a late developer.

Daniel Cross
Date of birth 30 March 1983
Debut Round 10, 2002, Aged 19
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2004 Aged 21
He as not a late developer

Looks to me like you guys are trying your best to find an excuse for the bad decision. Its a lot more comforting to try to find comparisons and make excuses and then leave things in trust to those who should know than it is to find that some incompetent is burning our club and try to do something about it.

Look at the huge amount of players whom we have had on our list for years too long when a blind fool could see that they were duds. we must have had a dozen duds on our list not long ago. I don't trust the 'brains trust'. Not a bit. There goes our premiership down the drain.

This time next year when you see the spot that Declan Hamilton occupies on our list you are not going to see a possible new Chris Grant, Dale Morris or Matty Boyd. All you are going to see is a dud Declan Hamilton. Then you are going to wonder why we aren't winning premierships.

[comrade]

I can't tell if this is a piss take or not? We're not winning a flag because we re-signed Declan Hamilton for an extra year?

[bornadog]

Picken debut age 23
Boyd Debut age 21
Cross Debut age 20, 4 games, age 21 6 games, then he started to play a bit more regularly, so late developer.
Tony Libba - debut age 20 4 games, Played 18 games in 4 years, late developer.


PS: Please don't come on this board and use language like duds.

[bulldogtragic]

I can't tell if this is a piss take or not? We're not winning a flag because we re-signed Declan Hamilton for an extra year?

Yep. I think it cost us Hurley as well for your info.

[comrade]

Picken debut age 23
Boyd Debut age 21
Cross Debut age 20, 4 games, age 21 6 games, then he started to play a bit more regularly, so late developer.
Libba - debut age 20 4 games, Played 18 games in 4 years, late developer.


PS: Please don't come on this board and use language like duds.

Facts would also be handy. One of the worst posts I've ever read on WOOF.

[bulldogtragic]

Declan Hamilton
Date of Birth 18 March 1996 (age 20)
No senior games and doesn't look likely despite numerous injuries.

Lindsay Gilbee
Date of birth 8 July 1981
At age of 20 he had 9 senior games and looked like a footballer with Collingwood chasing him.
He was not a late developer

Tony Liberatore
Date of birth 11 February 1966
2× Gardiner Medal: 1986, 1988 age 20 and 22
Morrish Medal: 1984 age 18
He was not a late developer.

Matthew Boyd
Date of birth 27 August 1982
In his 20's he played 8 games already coming straight from Dandenong and playing little in the seconds.
He was not a late developer.

Liam Picken
Was Best and fairest for Williamstown in 2008 and picked up by us and
played his first game in 2009.
He was not a late developer.

Daniel Cross
Date of birth 30 March 1983
Debut Round 10, 2002, Aged 19
AFL Rising Star nominee: 2004 Aged 21
He as not a late developer

Looks to me like you guys are trying your best to find an excuse for the bad decision. Its a lot more comforting to try to find comparisons and make excuses and then leave things in trust to those who should know than it is to find that some incompetent is burning our club and try to do something about it.

Look at the huge amount of players whom we have had on our list for years too long when a blind fool could see that they were duds. we must have had a dozen duds on our list not long ago. I don't trust the 'brains trust'. Not a bit. There goes our premiership down the drain.

This time next year when you see the spot that Declan Hamilton occupies on our list you are not going to see a possible new Chris Grant, Dale Morris or Matty Boyd. All you are going to see is a dud Declan Hamilton. Then you are going to wonder why we aren't winning premierships.

Chris Grant would be taken as a rookie in modern days owing the very, very low pick he was. Morris & Boyd were selected as rookies. I can't agree with your logic that asserts a raw kid kept on the primary list denies the next "possible" rookie, a rookie spot, on a rookie list. We already have at least one rookie vacancy to find the next possible rookie.

[jeemak]

I can't tell if this is a piss take or not? We're not winning a flag because we re-signed Declan Hamilton for an extra year?


Yep. I think it cost us Hurley as well for your info.

If my mail is correct we had Hurley stitched up until we re-signed Hamilton. My source tells me that the talent in the third to fifth round of the draft this year was James Hird and Chris Grant special, and that Hurley was livid that we wouldn't let him be second banana to an equivalent to these guys sourced in those rounds.

[bulldogtragic]

If my mail is correct we had Hurley stitched up until we re-signed Hamilton. My source tells me that the talent in the third to fifth round of the draft this year was James Hird and Chris Grant special, and that Hurley was livid that we wouldn't let him be second banana to an equivalent to these guys sourced in those rounds.

Well that's it, someone start a change.org petition to get an extraordinary general meeting and get these clowns out.

[hujsh]

https://frinkiac.com/meme/S05E17/505187.jpg?b64lines=TE9PS1MgTElLRSBUSE9TRSBDTE9XTlMgQVQgClRI RSBXRVNURVJOIEJVTExET0dTCiBESUQgSVQgQUdBSU4uIFdIQVQgQQogQlVO Q0ggT0YgQ0xPV05TLiA=

[Twodogs]

Ringers main point is correct. Typically these guys we give extensions to hoping they will come good don't usually come od.

But we've gotten development pretty right lately so I'm willing to back the coaches in if they think they see something in Hamilton.

[jeemak]

I thought his main point was we've thrown away a premiership.

[soupman]

Ringer is on a hiding to nothing. I think the examples were a mistake, although I think there are elements of his argument that check out.

I do think sometimes we hold onto players for far too long waiting to give them an opportunity to prove their worth for their spot on the list. I've previously posted about this issue with respect to picking up 18 year old ruckmen. In that case you are typically waiting atleast 4 seasons for their bodies to develop enough to make a fair judgement on whether or not they are indeed good enough. Ayce Cordy is the prime example. 7 seasons on the list, and only the last two were able to indicate to us fairly whether he was or wasn't good enough. In that time we could have turned over 3 ruckmen on 2 year contracts and be onto our 4th, or onto our 3rd if we gave each 3 years, either way greatly increasing our chances of snagging a better end product than Cordy.

I have enjoyed Beveridge's willingness to play the kids in his 2 seasons thus far. What it means is that with every player (aside from Hamilton and Fuller) getting a game in either their first or second season we get to see if they show any signs at the next level which makes our decision on their future a bit better informed. Every player still has to perform well enough at VFL level to earn a callup, hence Fuller never getting a chance, so it surprises me that Hamilton has not been given a go and I thought he was a chance this weekend or next. I expected him to be delisted in part because it seemed the mc hadn't played him at AFL level yet which indicated to me that there were doubts on his ability.

So in general I agree with Ringer's assessment that I have doubts that the opportunity cost of retaining Hamilton outweigh the potential benefits of giving him another year. I don't like the idea of giving a player multiple years for no results, the exception being longer term project players like JJ on the rookie list who show a continual rate of improvement. Hamilton may well fit in the project player category with his slight frame but I'd be hoping that if there aren't any signs of progress next year as in this year then we continue to turn the list over.

[bornadog]

Ayce Cordy is the prime example. 7 seasons on the list, and only the last two were able to indicate to us fairly whether he was or wasn't good enough. In that time we could have turned over 3 ruckmen on 2 year contracts and be onto our 4th, or onto our 3rd if we gave each 3 years, either way greatly increasing our chances of snagging a better end product than Cordy.

Maybe we did hold on to Ayce a bit too long, however, we know that tall lanky guys take a lot longer to develop. He also had lots of injury issues.