Hugh Mitchell was a favourite of mine too.
My mate says that in 1955 Hughie kicked nine goals at full forward v South Melbourne in about three quarters. The full back was Fred Goldsmith who won the Brownlow that year. I’m told Goldsmith was awarded three votes in that game and beat Hutchy by one, 21 to 20 votes.
We were getting done over by the chumps/VFL back then!!
6 Likes
Erm, these things are related. If you asked a 1960s footballer with 1960s levels of running effort when executing their skills to participate in a modern day game, then I don’t think you’d see very much skill. Most of them would be barely able to get out of a jog after half time and would be run off or chased down mercilessly. Their handballs would be rushed and they wouldn’t make the fall of the ball let alone get up to take speccies at the rate they used to.
And, honestly, if you look at tapes from the 1960s, there’s a ridiculous number of total mis kicks that would be frustrating to coaches at even local footy clubs today, even allowing for the lack of end-to-end running fatigue. This doesn’t diminish what their standing was in their day, and of course the most talented players with modern day training would get to the required fitness/conditioning. But on the whole, they didn’t. Which is why the comparisons are pointless.
2 Likes
That is true.
I was not there but I heard that story at an Essendonians function years ago, and a former Essendon players who was actually playing told the story. I forget his name, but I recall he said the umpire was called Tom or John Frood and he hated everything Essendon.
I had forgotten that Hugh Mitchell started playing in 1953.
Thats fair enough, but did Hobbs or Caldwell do enough to make Parish obsolete? Did the opposition put a negating player on them due to their influence?
the answer to both questions is no they didn’t
See my post above, Hobbs being better without Parish didn’t happen.
Im really excited to watch Hobbs this year.
I think he’s our next captain and there isnt a player on our list who can move through traffic like he can.
He is Pendlebury like inside the contest.
I really hope we give him big minutes in the middle this season.
Averaged 20 touches 4 tackles and 3.5 clearances as a 19 year old.
Very impressive, all while only playing 69% of game time because of rotations.
Most importantly he is a super competitive person, something I think our list lacks in.
21 Likes
Off the top of my head my thought was his best game was clearly the second port one where he went head to head for periods with horne Francis and looked very good going so. Nice to see that isn’t too far off the mark.
To my eye he looks stronger in the clinches while also having a bit more artistry to make time for himself. Caldwell is more of a see ball get ball burst player I think. I prefer Hobbs
6 Likes
Agree, Caldwell is the guy we want with the ball in his hands though, he’s lethal when he gets it.
1 Like
CJohns aluded to this in his training report, but at one stage he got tackled by Perkins, and I thought, ‘ball up for sure’, and he busted out of it, much to Perkins shock. He is very strong young man. Will be an inside bull.
4 Likes
Late last year Hobbs was going to ground too often. Sometimes he would be paid a free against as a result. OK, it just happens sometimes, and sometimes its “professional” but hopefully he takes that out of his game. It takes you out of the next contest.
1 Like
My man Hobbs will break out this season
3 Likes
Will win the bnf this year
1 Like
Ben Hobbs.
B Hobbs
Bhobbs
Bobbs
Bobs.
Your uncle
2 Likes
2 Likes
If he had Horne Francis leg speed he would be the best player out of that draft
4 Likes
Bob…down and kiss my a$%^
I get this is an Essendon forum and we see things a bit differently than most, but several players’ limbs would have to fall off for this to be remotely true.
1 Like
Hobbs, 19 disposals, 6 goals, zero brownlow votes
JHF, 17 disposals per game, 16 goals, 16 brownlow votes.
Conclusion, Hobbsy, grow your hair longer, bleach it and curl it, kick twice as many goals then you might even be noticed by the umpires.
3 Likes
I agree JHF didn’t deserve all those votes, but he is the type of player that stands out. He has a presence about him, similar to Dusty.
1 Like