Luke Hodge quick?
Jobe Watson quick?
Scott Pendlebury quick?
Why does Heppell get a mention about not being quick?
Pendles ain't slow.
Nor is Hodge. Quite athletic they are. Heppell isn't quick but it really doesn't matter for a player that is so smart. Would be a bonus if he was yes but you could say that to a lot of players....imagine Watson with Dangerfield like speed :o
How lucky are we to see a such a quality young players career unfold before our eyes, playing for our club?! Some on here get a bit critical of him because of the high standards he sets, but his performances since his debut has been nothing short of extraordinary. The fact that he improves considerably every season just shows the character and enormous ability he possesses.
In his 4th season he is in the top 5 disposal winners in the AFL and he is far from reaching his peak. I'll note that it is only this season that he actually been able to hold his own in the physical battles such as tackling and standing up in tackles, etc. He will go up another level once he reaches that physical peak when he's around 26. I'll also note that players with similar linear careers (j.selwood and pendlebury) only in the last few season started hitting the scoreboard and they are several seasons ahead of Dyson. Sky is the limit! Can't wait to see this kid play for us for the next decade.
How odd in a thread about Heppell there's a debate about Dempsey and Gleesons spots.
On Heppell he seems to get away with alot on these boards, tracking nicely yes and still could become a very very very good player, but some of his decision making is still questionable.
On the other issue, as long as Gleeson is playing well, I can't see him being dropped whether dempsey is fit and in form or not, they will play both no doubt.
Quite simply though Dempsey has baggage now, it's not the first time he hasn't lived up to the responsibilities of being a professional footballer in todays age. If he can EARN his spot back that's great, but he should not be given it back simply cos he is fast or can be a decent player. He has now lost that right IMO and I hope in the coaches. We as a club can go forward with or without him, so now it's time for him to prove why we should be taking him along with us, not the other way around.
Dempsey will do his time, make amends and he'll be straight back into the side as he should be.
As for the club moving forward without him, he is one of the best 10 players on our list so the club better be doing absolutely farking everything possible to get him back on track and playing in the seniors.
This year and next year. That is our window and he's got a massive part to play.
Well said Rhino.
Yep.
You don't give a guy a severe punishment and go "and even then you're still in the bad books". He'll do his time and be welcomed back with open arms.
I think Gleeson has shown enough to be more than just a stand in for Dempsey, and so I'm sure they'll see if they can keep him if it works out team balance wise. I still think he's a bit of a weak link but I'm happy to have a couple of green players get developed.
As for this being a Heppel thread, I think we got onto that because Heppel used to spend a fair bit of his apprenticeship on a HBF whereas now he's in the middle a lot more (as 35 posessions would suggest). So if Dempsey comes back and Hibberd & Gleeson are also selected then Dyson will prolly have to get up forward more.
How odd in a thread about Heppell there's a debate about Dempsey and Gleesons spots.
On Heppell he seems to get away with alot on these boards, tracking nicely yes and still could become a very very very good player, but some of his decision making is still questionable.
On the other issue, as long as Gleeson is playing well, I can't see him being dropped whether dempsey is fit and in form or not, they will play both no doubt.
Quite simply though Dempsey has baggage now, it's not the first time he hasn't lived up to the responsibilities of being a professional footballer in todays age. If he can EARN his spot back that's great, but he should not be given it back simply cos he is fast or can be a decent player. He has now lost that right IMO and I hope in the coaches. We as a club can go forward with or without him, so now it's time for him to prove why we should be taking him along with us, not the other way around.
odd enough for you to perpetuate the discussion! :lol:
Heppell tracking nicely, as yet to be seen how he handles a tag. How he handles that will decide if he is our new captain (if Zaka overlooked) along with few more 'leadership' acts on field
Starting to stick few crunch tackles, will need 5-6more kg to really hold someone
Can't see him forward, not quick or strong enough IMO, tho he can ghost forward to provide target.
Think he will stay in midfield or half back where he can drop off alone, cannot do that forward.
Still evolving as midfielder, possibly a Hird type player tho he is not a big, I think.
Heppell tracking nicely, as yet to be seen how he handles a tag. How he handles that will decide if he is our new captain (if Zaka overlooked) along with few more 'leadership' acts on field
Starting to stick few crunch tackles, will need 5-6more kg to really hold someone
Can't see him forward, not quick or strong enough IMO, tho he can ghost forward to provide target.
Think he will stay in midfield or half back where he can drop off alone, cannot do that forward.
Still evolving as midfielder, possibly a Hird type player tho he is not a big, I think.
Was tagged on at least two occasions in 2013. He worked through the tag OK.
Heppell tracking nicely, as yet to be seen how he handles a tag. How he handles that will decide if he is our new captain (if Zaka overlooked) along with few more 'leadership' acts on field
Starting to stick few crunch tackles, will need 5-6more kg to really hold someone
Can't see him forward, not quick or strong enough IMO, tho he can ghost forward to provide target.
Think he will stay in midfield or half back where he can drop off alone, cannot do that forward.
Still evolving as midfielder, possibly a Hird type player tho he is not a big, I think.
Another 5-6kg? He'll be far too heavy. He isn't as hard and strong as some others but can't bulk him up too much, won't be able to run - which is his main game.
Needs to work in his kicking big time, easily the biggest gap in his game. Clubs happy to drop off him a bit as they don't see him as a threat to goal. Add that and it'll really improve the midfield mix, let alone his game.
I don't see this huge weakness in his tackling that you do - don't confuse getting too buggered to hammer blokes with not being strong enough in the first place.
I feel like I should drop in on this thread from time to time just to poke fun at the people who went off the deep end when we drafted Hep because 'o noes another half back flanker, we need a MIDFIELDER omgwtfbbq!!!!1!one!'
I feel like I should drop in on this tread from time to time just to poke fun at the people who went off the deep end when we drafted Hep because 'o noes another half back flanker, we need a MIDFIELDER omgwtfbbq!!!!1!one!'
Forgive the ignorance but wasn't he a midfielder in juniors, we just played him off the HBF to ease him in.
Funny thing with Hep is that he has slotted in so nicely and is so great that when he makes a mistake we go "ah jesus Hep, grrrrrrrr" and forget he has only been around for 3 years. Feels like (and plays like) he has been around for 6 or so years.
Heppell played most of his TAC off the HBF I believe, but went into the midfield a few times towards the end of the year/finals and showed he could be a game changer.
I feel like I should drop in on this thread from time to time just to poke fun at the people who went off the deep end when we drafted Hep because 'o noes another half back flanker, we need a MIDFIELDER omgwtfbbq!!!!1!one!'
You just won't let the whole "midfieldiest midfielder who ever midfielded"* thing go will you
I feel like I should drop in on this thread from time to time just to poke fun at the people who went off the deep end when we drafted Hep because 'o noes another half back flanker, we need a MIDFIELDER omgwtfbbq!!!!1!one!'
You just won't let the whole "midfieldiest midfielder who ever midfielded"* thing go will you