I thought in the commentary today Nathan Buckley made a really good point about the Hawks bringing in players and making them better. Just this year alone these players are better:
Wizard Watson started poorly in his Rookie year with sloppy conversion in front of goal. Mitchell (one of the great dual sided kicks ever) did extra kicking sessions with him, and look at him now. They nurture, challenge and give them the tools to be better contributors to the team.
- D’Ambrosio
- Chol
- Meek
- Ginnivan
Michael Barlow is in his Rookie year as head of our development. None of these recruits have improved this year. Perhaps you can’t polish a turd after all.
- Fisher
- Stephens
- Nguyon
Difference is none of the Hawks players are scared of a contest. Ginnivan willingly gets his head torn off for a kick ffs. D’Ambrosio & Chol natural games aren’t contested beasts but they don’t pull out of contests either.
Stephens, Fisher & Biggie (+ Stephenson) couldn’t get further away from a contest if they tried .