@aboods
Hooker when forward this year:
Our score: 153
Opponent’s score: 59
Time played forward: 4.5 quarters
Last quarter v GWS - 37 to 21 1 quarter
Last quarter v Sydney 29 to 14 1 quarter
Stayed in defence v North
Mid second term once we were down by 30 point (51 point turn around) 75 to 24
Last 2 mins yesterday 12 to 0
R U OK?
I’m looking for Bomberblitz but seem to have stumbled into Bomber-A.
The consistent thing in all of those is that either McKernan or Brown was moved away from the forwardline when Hooker went forward.
Which one of them are you dropping?
For large parts yes.
But I would play all 3 which is my point about if they wanted to go in without Lav and put Hartley down back. Brown doesn’t play like a traditional tall anymore as he gets up the ground so much.
He’s like Tom Lynch at the crows. Whilst they aren’t going well at the moment, Tex, Jenkins and Lynch has worked for a long time for them.
I still do want to give Laverde a proper go at it though. No doubting we can’t play Hooker forward permanently if Laverde is down there
If Stewart, Daniher and Hooker worked well in 2017, then I don’t see how Brown, McKernan and Hooker can’t also work. Especially as it would allow Stringer to play more time in the middle and give him a tasty mismatch when forward.
WCE won a flag with Kennedy, Darling & 2nd ruck up forward. Whether it works depends on how effective they are as goal kicking forwards - if Hooker reduces Smack’s contested marking opportunities then it’s a waste of time - and whether the support pressure from the smalls and stringer is elite. Rioloi, Cripps and Ryan were 3 very good small forwards for Eagles.
Love Hooker forward and back. Absolute champ. Still believe he is way more effective if he swings forward while playing back rather than playing forward all game.
Hooker’s clutch goals:
Vs Hawthorn snapped goal to win (few years ago).
Vs Carlton mark late and kicked it to put us in front in 2017 (before Tippa sealed it).
Vs GWS Mark and goal to win it.
Vs Gold Coast late mark and goal to put us in front (before Stringer sealed it).
Did I miss any other? Unbelievable warrior…
Adelaide game last year?
Wasn’t there one against North in 2017 as well?
Most of his goals are clutch. Must be in the top few of all time in that regard
Hooker is clearly a weapon when swung forward. My take is that, at least while he isn’t at full fitness, he should be played forward, which would require an adjustment - Hartley or BZT in probably. I think it could weaken our defence a little, but increase our ability to hold up our long bombs into the forward line long enough for our players to set up a forward press and get the repeat entries. This does 2 things, firstly increases our ability to score, but secondly, stops the rebounding ball, which is the one that our opponents most frequently score against us with.
Playing Hooker in defence, while not at full fitness, has also cost us a few goals in the last few weeks when he hasn’t been able to chase his opponent.
Minor nitpick for the numbers - I’m pretty sure Hooker was in defence again for Stringer’s final goal on Sunday.
I remember seeing him running for the backline after he kicked the goal. Makes perfect sense to throw him back to help out in the last few seconds.
I don’t think he was actually switched to the forward line. Looked like he made the decision to run up the ground and provide a target as his opponent Day had followed him there. After he kicked it, he went back in defence.
I recall him saying he does this every now and then off his own back if he feels he can add something… which he obviously does very well.
Correct, said the plan was that in the last 1/4 he should move forward if it seems like it is required when he sees it.
The moves earlier than that are from the coach, those late moves are usually his as agreed to by the coach.
But if it means Smack is getting 1 on 1’s around the 40m => 65m zone from goal, where he can mark and then use his mobility to kick long into the F50, then it may well be a big win.
Seems to have found his accuracy this year. Struggled a bit in his season forward (still kicked 40+), but I can’t remember him missing too many this year. I generally feel pretty confident when he is lining up now.
one day hookers not gonna celebrate a goal like a peanut and our club will be doomed for it.