Changes vs Richmond
Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 9:00 pm
We have to fix a miss firing structure and quickly or else we could be looking at more losses over the next 3-4 weeks. Coming up we have mid table and thereabouts Richmond, reigning Premier in Sydney, then arch rival Carlton at the G. The final game before the mid year break is Gold Coast who are showing some real signs that they are on the way up – by no means a gimme (especially when you consider how we struggled to lowly GWS three weeks ago)
I genuinely believe Michael Hurley, a no doubt talented footballer is at the root of our problems
Hurley’s “crash bang” style sees him as a regular medical case. This year alone he has had three incidents that have surely raised eyebrows in the coaching box as to his durability. A wrist injury against Freo (aggravating the same problem he had last year which had required surgery). An ankle injury against the Saints keeping him out for a couple of weeks and now, although this is more a case of bad luck than physical vulnerability, a concussion against Brisbane. This is on the back of numerous problems in the past. Let’s be honest, the guy is an insurers nightmare. He reminds me in many ways of Mark Harvey when he first started out. Harvey was a dynamic half forward flanker but his bravery and willingness to be the first to any contest resulted in him suffering constant injuries. Harvey however was a natural forward which in Hurley’s case is debatable. After about 6 years of relentless stress to his body, Harvey was shifted to the backline where he admirably held down the CHB position for several years thereafter - in fact he won an All Australian jumper in this position in 1993, a Premiership year and played with distinction as a defender until the end of his career. Importantly, he remained injury free in the less explosive defensive role
Hurley was primarily a defender in his junior football years. He was drafted as a key defender and played his first game as a key defender taking on and beating the powerful Port Adelaide CHF, Warren Treadrea – it was a remarkable debut. However, as the team has continued to struggle over the last 5 years in settling on a balanced and stable forward line, Hurley has found himself being swung from one end of the field to another. The failure of Scott Gumbleton to overcome his injuries was partially the reason. The sudden retirements of Lloyd and Lucas probably a factor as well. I recall Hurley playing a game against Hawthorn about 4 years ago where he came off the bench in the second half and provided some real spark up forward including bombing a left foot goal from 55M – its seems from this point everyone has wanted to turn the guy into a Wayne Carey like CHF. He is not and never will be a Wayne Carey power forward. In reality, he is more similar to Stuart Crameri in style – a ball winner rather than a pack marker. Crameri however does have a good set of hands and leads to the ball far more naturally than Hurley. Hurley is uncomfortable marking the ball in his hands preferring to chest mark – not a good trait for a power forward.
Like Harvey before him, I believe that for Hurley to truly realize his potential and as such justify his 500K per annum salary, he has to go back to defence. If that means pushing a solid but unspectacular Cale Hooker to the reserves then so be it. Anyway, with Fletcher surely retiring at the end of this season (next year at the latest), then Hooker, if his form warrants it, has a place in the team, even with Hurley in the key CHB post. Carlisle of course can take the other tall forward giving us an incredibly solid defence.
Which brings me to Gumby. I firmly believe he will continue to improve as he adjusts to the game after so many years of injury. The guy has still only played 35 games and wont reach the a level of confidence and experience to be naturally comfortable on the field until he has played 50-75 games. However, he has shown me enough this year to say he will be a huge asset up forward. If he had been a 19 year old playing his 35th game we would be calling him the next big thing. We have to give this guy every chance to play football this year so when his contract expires, we can confidently offer him a 2 year renewal. Sure, Joe Daniher is in the wings but at this stage Joe, despite his promise, has shown us nothing at senior level. Who knows, maybe the twin towers of Daniher and Gumbleton could work together with Crameri providing the ground level grunt. It is also quite possible that Daniher evolves into a ruckman which would again leave us reliant on Gumbleton as the key marking forward.
Against Brisbane we were shown to be very naïve in team selection and balance – a reliance on Hurley again failed to deliver and this time (unlike the St Kilda game where Gumbleton flourished in Hurley’s departure from the ground) we had no back up. As such the forward line was a mess with Watson being dropped into a deep full forward role – what a waste of his talents.
So here is the team we should pick for this weekends important game against Richmond (assuming Hurley and Davey are fit)
FB - Hibberd Carlisle Fletcher
HB - Dempsey Hurley Hooker
C - Myers Watson Heppell
HF - Zaharakis Gumbleton Winderlich
FF - Crameri Ryder Davey
Ruck – Bellchambers, Stanton Goddard
I/C - Howlett, Hocking, Melksham,
Substitute – Kommer
In - Gumbleton, Dempsey, Davey
Out – Merrett, Kavanagh, Baguely
I genuinely believe Michael Hurley, a no doubt talented footballer is at the root of our problems
Hurley’s “crash bang” style sees him as a regular medical case. This year alone he has had three incidents that have surely raised eyebrows in the coaching box as to his durability. A wrist injury against Freo (aggravating the same problem he had last year which had required surgery). An ankle injury against the Saints keeping him out for a couple of weeks and now, although this is more a case of bad luck than physical vulnerability, a concussion against Brisbane. This is on the back of numerous problems in the past. Let’s be honest, the guy is an insurers nightmare. He reminds me in many ways of Mark Harvey when he first started out. Harvey was a dynamic half forward flanker but his bravery and willingness to be the first to any contest resulted in him suffering constant injuries. Harvey however was a natural forward which in Hurley’s case is debatable. After about 6 years of relentless stress to his body, Harvey was shifted to the backline where he admirably held down the CHB position for several years thereafter - in fact he won an All Australian jumper in this position in 1993, a Premiership year and played with distinction as a defender until the end of his career. Importantly, he remained injury free in the less explosive defensive role
Hurley was primarily a defender in his junior football years. He was drafted as a key defender and played his first game as a key defender taking on and beating the powerful Port Adelaide CHF, Warren Treadrea – it was a remarkable debut. However, as the team has continued to struggle over the last 5 years in settling on a balanced and stable forward line, Hurley has found himself being swung from one end of the field to another. The failure of Scott Gumbleton to overcome his injuries was partially the reason. The sudden retirements of Lloyd and Lucas probably a factor as well. I recall Hurley playing a game against Hawthorn about 4 years ago where he came off the bench in the second half and provided some real spark up forward including bombing a left foot goal from 55M – its seems from this point everyone has wanted to turn the guy into a Wayne Carey like CHF. He is not and never will be a Wayne Carey power forward. In reality, he is more similar to Stuart Crameri in style – a ball winner rather than a pack marker. Crameri however does have a good set of hands and leads to the ball far more naturally than Hurley. Hurley is uncomfortable marking the ball in his hands preferring to chest mark – not a good trait for a power forward.
Like Harvey before him, I believe that for Hurley to truly realize his potential and as such justify his 500K per annum salary, he has to go back to defence. If that means pushing a solid but unspectacular Cale Hooker to the reserves then so be it. Anyway, with Fletcher surely retiring at the end of this season (next year at the latest), then Hooker, if his form warrants it, has a place in the team, even with Hurley in the key CHB post. Carlisle of course can take the other tall forward giving us an incredibly solid defence.
Which brings me to Gumby. I firmly believe he will continue to improve as he adjusts to the game after so many years of injury. The guy has still only played 35 games and wont reach the a level of confidence and experience to be naturally comfortable on the field until he has played 50-75 games. However, he has shown me enough this year to say he will be a huge asset up forward. If he had been a 19 year old playing his 35th game we would be calling him the next big thing. We have to give this guy every chance to play football this year so when his contract expires, we can confidently offer him a 2 year renewal. Sure, Joe Daniher is in the wings but at this stage Joe, despite his promise, has shown us nothing at senior level. Who knows, maybe the twin towers of Daniher and Gumbleton could work together with Crameri providing the ground level grunt. It is also quite possible that Daniher evolves into a ruckman which would again leave us reliant on Gumbleton as the key marking forward.
Against Brisbane we were shown to be very naïve in team selection and balance – a reliance on Hurley again failed to deliver and this time (unlike the St Kilda game where Gumbleton flourished in Hurley’s departure from the ground) we had no back up. As such the forward line was a mess with Watson being dropped into a deep full forward role – what a waste of his talents.
So here is the team we should pick for this weekends important game against Richmond (assuming Hurley and Davey are fit)
FB - Hibberd Carlisle Fletcher
HB - Dempsey Hurley Hooker
C - Myers Watson Heppell
HF - Zaharakis Gumbleton Winderlich
FF - Crameri Ryder Davey
Ruck – Bellchambers, Stanton Goddard
I/C - Howlett, Hocking, Melksham,
Substitute – Kommer
In - Gumbleton, Dempsey, Davey
Out – Merrett, Kavanagh, Baguely