Hird BOG 2 weeks in a row - should we be worried??

[Windy_Hill]

I thought this was his swansong - seems like he is carrying the team.

Not good for the future or am I over thinking things?[/b]

[BenDoolan]

He wasn't BOG in my book. That should have been Hille IMO.

[robbie67]

Thought McPhee and Hille were better. You have to remember, Jimmy is a freak. As soon as the pace is out of the game, he comes into his own. He could play to 40, and still be in our best 5.

[jimmyc1985]

St Kilda have the same problem with Harvey. He's still carrying their midfield and he's supposed to be retiring at the end of this year.

I personally think it's a problem. We still look to him to win games more than any other bloke and he's not going to be around to do that anymore. I guess it's a question of degree as to how much we should be worried by the fact he's still more or less our best player. Any team is going to be better off with Hird in it than without him.

But who can we look to to pull something out of their arse when the match is on the line once Hird's gone? He must've won two dozen matches off his own boot in the last decade and the fact we're losing that ability is going to hurt. That, to me, is the crux of the issue - next year we'll be three goals down and playing like shit with 5 minutes left as we were against Richmond, and there's no Hird to jump in the phone booth, don the Superman suit and single-handedly win the match.

[robrulz5]

Not too worried as we have some young players that are having a good year and that will be ready to step up again next year.

['51 Bewick]

But who can we look to to pull something out of their arse when the match is on the line once Hird's gone? He must've won two dozen matches off his own boot in the last decade and the fact we're losing that ability is going to hurt. That, to me, is the crux of the issue - next year we'll be three goals down and playing like shit with 5 minutes left as we were against Richmond, and there's no Hird to jump in the phone booth, don the Superman suit and single-handedly win the match.

Perhaps a little early in his career, but the name Patrick Ryder comes to mind.

[andrewb]

As soon as the pace is out of the game, he comes into his own.

Like against Brisbane when he had 8 marks in the 1st quarter?

He's an animal... I think he's playing better this year than last year and it looks like they're managing his body better. Don't retire now Jimmy - premiership 2008!

[ZRS]

what I think often happens is that good young players are alittle overshadowed by great legends of the game when on the field together.

as a result the team instinctivly looks for hird, and he delivers.

when that sad day comes and he does retire, as long as we have some young quality players there (and we do) then a couple of them will really step up to fill that void.

i would be looking at players of the ilk of monfries, perhaps stanton, and longer term paddy

[BenDoolan]

what I think often happens is that good young players are alittle overshadowed by great legends of the game when on the field together.

as a result the team instinctivly looks for hird, and he delivers.

when that sad day comes and he does retire, as long as we have some young quality players there (and we do) then a couple of them will really step up to fill that void.

i would be looking at players of the ilk of monfries, perhaps stanton, and longer term paddy

I think he needs to extract the digit and get more involved. I recognise his ability, but he's been too quiet this year. Needs to break the tag and be more constructive.

[Leigh]

Watson was also instrumental with the centre clearances in the last five minutes as well.

[Windy_Hill]

what I think often happens is that good young players are alittle overshadowed by great legends of the game when on the field together.

as a result the team instinctivly looks for hird, and he delivers.

when that sad day comes and he does retire, as long as we have some young quality players there (and we do) then a couple of them will really step up to fill that void.

i would be looking at players of the ilk of monfries, perhaps stanton, and longer term paddy

I think he needs to extract the digit and get more involved. I recognise his ability, but he's been too quiet this year. Needs to break the tag and be more constructive.

Agree, Monfries is having a difficult time following up on his early success. I wonder if he is carrying some sort of injury??

It could never be a question of committment or dedication.

[Windy_Hill]

what I think often happens is that good young players are alittle overshadowed by great legends of the game when on the field together.

as a result the team instinctivly looks for hird, and he delivers.

when that sad day comes and he does retire, as long as we have some young quality players there (and we do) then a couple of them will really step up to fill that void.

i would be looking at players of the ilk of monfries, perhaps stanton, and longer term paddy

I think he needs to extract the digit and get more involved. I recognise his ability, but he's been too quiet this year. Needs to break the tag and be more constructive.

Agree, Monfries is having a difficult time following up on his early success. I wonder if he is carrying some sort of injury??

It could never be a question of committment or dedication.

[BenDoolan]

what I think often happens is that good young players are alittle overshadowed by great legends of the game when on the field together.

as a result the team instinctivly looks for hird, and he delivers.

when that sad day comes and he does retire, as long as we have some young quality players there (and we do) then a couple of them will really step up to fill that void.

i would be looking at players of the ilk of monfries, perhaps stanton, and longer term paddy

I think he needs to extract the digit and get more involved. I recognise his ability, but he's been too quiet this year. Needs to break the tag and be more constructive.

Agree, Monfries is having a difficult time following up on his early success. I wonder if he is carrying some sort of injury??

It could never be a question of committment or dedication.

He's been receiving far more attention this year - and copping a bit physically. Obviously other teams recognise his potential and they try to unsettle him. Apart from the pre-season game (where he cut loose), he has been very subdued. He's holding a place on the forward flank and only kicked 7 goals in 9 games, and not really getting much of it. Perhaps he needs a good run on the ball, or another position, just so he breaks the shackles I think. And yeah, no-one can question his passion, dedication, or courage. Was OK against Brizzy, and I thought he was about to cut loose again...

[gringo]

I'd say we have major concern to be worries. Fletcher, Lloyd, Lucas, Michael and Hird are all rapidly approaching retirement, and as far as I can tell, we don't have any players in the 22-26 year age group ready to take over or even come close to the levels the five players I just named played to. I stated last year that we'll improve over the short term (1-2 years) but as far as the next five years go, we are stuffed. Kepler, Watson, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Laycock, Johns etc all look like they can be reasonable players, but there isn't anyone in that lot who is going to lead us to a flag. I reckon we look at sacking as many young to middle aged players at the end of the year who look aren't going to lead us to a flag and focus on kids.

[gringo]

I'd say we have major concern to be worried. Fletcher, Lloyd, Lucas, Michael and Hird are all rapidly approaching retirement, and as far as I can tell, we don't have any players in the 22-26 year age group ready to take over or even come close to the levels the five players I just named played to. I stated last year that we'll improve over the short term (1-2 years) but as far as the next five years go, we are stuffed. Kepler, Watson, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Laycock, Johns etc all look like they can be reasonable players, but there isn't anyone in that lot who is going to lead us to a flag. I reckon we look at sacking as many young to middle aged players at the end of the year who aren't going to lead us to a flag and focus on kids.

[billyduckworth]

Whatever. It's great to see Hirdy playing so well.

[2QIK4U]

Surprise, surprise another positive post from Gringo. Well done mate, love your work.

[Megan]

Thought McPhee and Hille were better. You have to remember, Jimmy is a freak. As soon as the pace is out of the game, he comes into his own. He could play to 40, and still be in our best 5.

Brilliant idea, lets do it!

[Rossoneri]

Thought McPhee and Hille were better. You have to remember, Jimmy is a freak. As soon as the pace is out of the game, he comes into his own. He could play to 40, and still be in our best 5.

Watson also.

Im worried about Monfries. Either get him in the middle or give him a spell in the twos, his potential is not being fully utilised as a HFF.

[Boyler_Room]

I'd prefer him to stay as a permanent forward. He doesn't look a midfield type to me but he's damagin in the forward line.