I thought stringer was our best but that’s not saying much.
He worked his ar$e off all day not only to create scoring opportunities but also defensively he was good. He must have been burnt about half a dozen times by my count.
Zerrett tried as well but lacked his usual class. Happens when your teammates are nowhere to be seen.
He was in hospital week with an elbow infection that’s why.
I like him down back too.
That being said, if the club are going to play him forward, you can’t expect perfect results week one.
Maybe it takes a few weeks for the backline and forward line to adjust? Maybe that means we are more likely to win a final?
Or maybe it was just cover for Smack.
Yep, Tim just said he was still on a drip in hospital Friday arvo.
Probably shouldn’t have played
I agree with the idea of resting hooker, but I would guess that similar to hepp, fanta & zaka, a week or 2 off won’t fix the underlying problem. He was ok down back but he can’t get off the ground so a jumping forward like naughton or monster like cox might get hold of him. He plays finals so I guess that means Harts will miss who is spoiling like HAndrews and it’s valuable against the better tall forwards.
takes a few weeks to adjust? Yet they seem to adjust in game regularly just fine when he moves forward. I think the weekend’s problems were more to do with the midfield being smashed
I agree with that to a certain extent but I’m a fan of maintaining structures and it was always going to be a big risk robbing Peter to pay Paul.
They tried and failed but this weeks decision is going to be huge.
Whether Hooker plays forward or back next week I doubt that Port game sits to well for him so I’m expecting a huge game from him. Likely to kick 5 goals from the backline 
I think him adjusting in game is a little different.
He is usually drifting forward from the backline and being followed by a forward who would have no idea how to defend a player like Hooker.
If he plays at all
Is there word he wont?
We will be screwed without him.
I certainly don’t have word. But he’s obviously been struggling for a while for various reasons. But who knows if a week off is enough to actually help him or not.
If we didn’t have so many other talls out injured, you’d think he would have got a rest at some point
I posted above that he has had an infected arm and was on a drip in hospital as late as Friday.
Little wonder he played like he did on the weekend. Really should have had a spell
They will probably try to get him through to the bye weekend at the end of the h&a season.
I’m usually against playing injured players but in Hookers case he’s better than a fully fit alternative.
No obvious match up at the Bulldogs - Naughton is lean and mobile (Ambrose the ideal match up for him).
This is the game to give Hooker’s aching body a rest.
I worry more about the total lack of leadership back there when he’s not around.
Fitness Staff:
What is more important the player’s health and wellbeing or the club?
What a silly question, of course its the club.
Fans > Club > player
