Player Watch #17: Riley 'Stiffy' Hardeman - made his debut v Adelaide in Hobart

[shintemaster]

Good. Hope he kills it.

To be honest even though inexperienced we could use a couple of extra players if they are in their genuine positions into the team. Needs a reset.

 

[koshari]

Good. Hope he kills it.

To be honest even though inexperienced we could use a couple of extra players if they are in their genuine positions into the team. Needs a reset.

Cant think he would be more lost than biggie was.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Loved how you could see his dad was barely holding it together.
Means so much for the entire family, not just the player.

 

[DunderHead]

Awesome news. Seems like a top bloke and has longterm 200 gamer written all over him. I think he’ll bring out the best in L-Mac whom needs to regain his bite.

Could seriously see this kid captaining the team one day.

 

[Val Keating]

Loved how you could see his dad was barely holding it together.
Means so much for the entire family, not just the player.

Yeah that tugged the heart strings

 

[ansonholt]

After such a difficult week, this was beautiful to watch. Made me happy. Had almost given up on North ever making me happy again. Maybe there's a very tiny light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Uber Roo]

His parents look like very nice people and have raised a well mannered , respectful young lad.

Good luck to the entire family , I’m sure we have a good one here.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Jesslc]

Sheezel moving to the midfield now will change the whole format of the team. Needed.

 

[JGreezy]

Yes! A smart move. The first of 200+ games for him.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

Important part of a revamped back 6 for us in 2025.

B. Hardeman K Dawson Logue
HB. Bergman Chom Goater

Archer/W Dawson will be the 7th defender.

This is a completely different backline to what we have had to put out this year. It has the right balance of size, defensive mindset and skill/ball use.

Just imagine - a backline without LMac/Corr/Fisher/Biggie and not having to play Kerch, Sheez and Scott back there.

This is where the team improvement can come from next year.

 

[Roostorm]

Aw heck yes…go well young Riley…absolutely stoked to see him get his chance …

 

[kirbonavich]

Sheezels skills are a wee bit crisper than this kid, but boy does he go for the all or nothing kicks that open games up.

Left footer out of defence to McKerchers crispy left to Sheezel on the lead - can see it already.

 

[Sphynx]

Sheezels skills are a wee bit crisper than this kid, but boy does he go for the all or nothing kicks that open games up.

Left footer out of defence to McKerchers crispy left to Sheezel on the lead - can see it already.

He’s very athletic and gut runs though. He’s got much quicker wheels than Harry.

We haven’t seen too much of his overhead ability at VFL level yet, but that’s also there.

With the slight hunch and the way he moves looks quite a bit like Birchall from afar in person.

 

[King Corey]

Great news congratulations Riley.

Riley Hardeman = The Samantha

 

[Ligma]

His afterburners are elite too

Just when you think his cooked he turns them on

 

[Hearts to hearts]

We drafted a defender. And we are playing him as a defender. Gosh.

 

[Possession]

We drafted a defender. And we are playing him as a defender. Gosh.

We should start him in half-back so he can find his feet... wait.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Hardeman in, Scott to wing, Stephens dropped please

There has to be consequences for continued bad play. Has to. Otherwise the players are going to lose faith in the coaching panel.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Important part of a revamped back 6 for us in 2025.

B. Hardeman K Dawson Logue
HB. Bergman Chom Goater

Archer/W Dawson will be the 7th defender.

This is a completely different backline to what we have had to put out this year. It has the right balance of size, defensive mindset and skill/ball use.

Just imagine - a backline without LMac/Corr/Fisher/Biggie and not having to play Kerch, Sheez and Scott back there.

This is where the team improvement can come from next year.

Each player in that six can actually defend. Now we just need to get the midfielders and forwards to do so too.

 

[muttley45]

I love these debut phone home video's, Dad looks like a fair sized unit, the have to change the footy tips line from mum cracked me up big time.

 

[Caracas]

After such a difficult week, this was beautiful to watch. Made me happy. Had almost given up on North ever making me happy again. Maybe there's a very tummy light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’ll have to change my tips as well”. Genuinely classic comment by his mum. So honest… and correct.

 

[shinboner magic]

Brilliant to see Riley given his chance.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

So stoked.

I’m sure plenty seen me post about Hards lots last year in the draft thread. I couldn’t be more stoked we picked him and I couldn’t be more excited to see him play.

From a long way out he had leadership and reliability written all over him.

 

[ohmygewd]

Congratulation to Riley!!!

Finally a defender that intercepts and rebounds who hopefully releases Scott onto the wing or Sheez from the HB role and allow him to mid/fwd and really build on the connection he and Wardlaw have been building....hopefully those leadership qualities debuts as well!!

Best of luck, young fella!!

 

[RightWingRoo]

Loved his draft highlights video and he's backed that up at training and in the VFL.
Has the discipline to defend, as well as the ability to rebound with his speed and left foot.
A well-rounded player fancy that.

Go well young Riley