I think he's getting closer to the player he can be.
Once he gets that feeling that he belongs we'll have an absolute ripper.
Once he gets that feeling that he belongs we'll have an absolute ripper.
Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Josh Ward. Extends to 2025!
- Thread starter Strapping Young Lad
- Start date
- Tagged users None
He has one just only short kicks from what I’ve seen.
oscarthegrouch
Rookie
- Feb 14, 2024
- 25
- 26
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
People acting like everyone can kick wrong foot on the run and still hit a target. Very few people can do that
- May 4, 2013
- 5,075
- 11,054
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Did a beautiful kick on half back to the wing in the first quarter. Can't remember exactly who too but it broke open the zone.
- Jun 17, 2019
- 8,108
- 20,113
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Elite kicking, Elite endurance and courage out the arse. He's the player if we let go, you can guarantee it will come back and bite us.
Newcombe can but still sprayed a few. Day too. Happens.
Sixpence
Brownlow Medallist
Why? Birchall never did.
gianytee
Team Captain
Ward to me has stood up in the heat his last 3 AFL games. Yes he has made errors but clearly looks like he belongs. I personally think as a mid he is ahead of CMAC but CMAC looks so smooth with ball in hand while Ward is elite but can make a wrong decision here and there BUT he has barely played mid under Sam and I remember Finn, Day, Worps, Watson, Scrim, CJ all making massive errors and it happens and they grow.
Also saw 2 high drafted mids who have struggled with those ahead of them against each other Tsatas & Hobbs vs Cam & Ward. I barely noticed Tsatas and Hobbs and certainly didn’t look clean with ball in hand or see them on last line gut running. Perspective is a wonderful thing both are good AFL level players who can become great. We just need to keep giving them time in the guts so they can grow. Day playing FWD with Newc in spurts should allow both to grow as mids.
Also saw 2 high drafted mids who have struggled with those ahead of them against each other Tsatas & Hobbs vs Cam & Ward. I barely noticed Tsatas and Hobbs and certainly didn’t look clean with ball in hand or see them on last line gut running. Perspective is a wonderful thing both are good AFL level players who can become great. We just need to keep giving them time in the guts so they can grow. Day playing FWD with Newc in spurts should allow both to grow as mids.
Reggie Mombasa
Draftee
- May 9, 2022
- 19
- 115
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Objectively this was a strong performance from Ward. 22 disposals from the wing, 9 contested, 72% efficiency, 5 score involvements and 536 meters gained (3rd best on the ground after Amon and Sicily).
That compares well to the other wingers last night:
Harry 14, 4CP, 100%(!), 2SI, 150m
Mass 9, 5CP, 88%, 3SI, 105m
Duursma: 19, 8CP, 84%, 5SI, 167m (2goals)
H Jones: 14, 7CP, 71%, 5SI, 209m
Roberts: 19, 5 CP, 78%, 3SI, 207m
Frenchy (21, 9CP, 61%, 5SI, 173m) clearly outperformed Hobbs (13/5CP/84%/5SI/60m) and was better than Tsatas too (18/8CP/72%/3SI/163m).
All players deliver the odd clanger, but better that they try ambitious, high degree of difficulty kicks and our young players do that and have outperformed their peers at the Bombers.
Glenferrie Arty Deco
Rookie
- Aug 23, 2022
- 37
- 160
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Player Ratings had him =2nd best on ground. Keep getting the pill in his hands as much as possible, he knows what he's doing.
Strapping Young Lad
Moderator
- Apr 19, 2006
- 102,139
- 257,799
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Storm, Spurs, Socceroos
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #2,236
Looks a player
- Aug 29, 2006
- 4,401
- 4,790
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Chicago Bulls
Need to find a way to keep him in the side. Looking at his advanced stats, was an impressive game. On top of the finals last year.
Hopefully it's the start of some for him.
On Pixel 6 using BigFooty.com mobile app
Hopefully it's the start of some for him.
On Pixel 6 using BigFooty.com mobile app
- Nov 21, 2010
- 13,946
- 18,674
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Chelsea, Detroit Pistons
Agree and that's why I think you persist with him on the wing and don't go straight to increasing his CBAs like many here want. There's an easier path to being a starting wing in this team and it lets the side squeeze in more quality across the board.
Ward is studying philosophy, so it stands to reason that he can't help overthinking things.
Wardy wasn't a like for like replacement with Worps, but what he brought yesterday was awesome.
I'd like to see him stay in the side even when Worpel comes back but that might be too hard to manage.
I also love that him and Frenchy have a tight connections and are arguably our two most intellectual (outside of footy) players.
I'd like to see him stay in the side even when Worpel comes back but that might be too hard to manage.
I also love that him and Frenchy have a tight connections and are arguably our two most intellectual (outside of footy) players.
So before he kicks the ball he's thinking about Socrates?
He's thinking, "If I play for Hawthorn, I'll be a happy man. If I played for Essendon, I'd be a philosopher."
- Nov 10, 2022
- 14,753
- 12,203
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Was mentioned wardy is studying law
Tall poppy Syndrome
Team Captain
- Dec 31, 2018
- 423
- 1,129
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
moginie
Brownlow Medallist
I was under the impression he was permanently pissed (but a lovely little thinker).
Ward is developing nicely IMO. His game last week was quite mature and very solid. My one little comment is that he still doesn't look fully confident in himself. I'd like him to have a crack at goal occasionally as he always looks to dish off, even when seemingly open. Sometimes the less difficult option is to have a ping.
He just needs regular time in the first 22 as once he believes, his game will go to a higher level.
To kick or not to kick, that is the question.
Similar threads
