AFL Player # 8: Ben "Goblin" Hobbs

[VelvetSledge]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 12, Schnitzengruben

 

[jdstorm]

His strengths aren't his kicking or aerobic running power, not sure he lends himself to a HBF.

And midfielders aren’t required to do those things?

Sounds like a great way to build his tank and have him learn how to pick apart a defence.

Maybe it fails and he’s just a libba like contested player but I think that he’s earned AFL minutes and I’d like to see what he could do with that role.

 

[dank420_]

And midfielders aren’t required to do those things?

Sounds like a great way to build his tank and have him learn how to pick apart a defence.

Maybe it fails and he’s just a libba like contested player but I think that he’s earned AFL minutes and I’d like to see what he could do with that role.

We are all sick and tired of playing midfielders at half back flank. So, so sick and tired.

 

[FlyingV]

If Caldwell and Shiel can push forward I don't see why Hobbs can't. He's been focusing on adding some forward craft to his game so that he has versatility as part of a midfield where everyone has a second string to their bow. He said as much in an interview like 2 months ago.

I love being at the club: Hobbs primed for season two

Ben Hobbs is ready to elevate his game in 2023.

www.essendonfc.com.au

We also did it with parish for a few years while he built up his tank

 

[faible]

And midfielders aren’t required to do those things?

Sounds like a great way to build his tank and have him learn how to pick apart a defence.

Maybe it fails and he’s just a libba like contested player but I think that he’s earned AFL minutes and I’d like to see what he could do with that role.

He’s an inside midfielder with some forward nous, a HBF is probably the least useful place for him and a spot we have tonnes of depth in….

 

[ghostdog]

If Caldwell and Shiel can push forward I don't see why Hobbs can't. He's been focusing on adding some forward craft to his game so that he has versatility as part of a midfield where everyone has a second string to their bow. He said as much in an interview like 2 months ago.

I love being at the club: Hobbs primed for season two

Ben Hobbs is ready to elevate his game in 2023.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Mark and goal vs. Tom McCartin says yes.

 

[ant555]

Interesting discussion with Hobbs. We all want him in the side but there is a balance when it comes to development. Yes we do want him to develop a bit of a forward game to add another string to his bow but do you do that at AFL level at the expense of him further developing his midfield game ? Is it better that as a second year player he is working on his one wood (midfield) in a big number on minutes in the VFL right now rather than playing a bit of a role in the forward line and an even smaller amount of time in the midfield plus a lot of bench time at AFL level ?
We have been guilty of not giving our young midfielders the VFL minutes they have needed to develop in the past. I want to see him getting 25 to 30 touches in the VFL week in and week out and see him ready to go when he is needed.

 

[Andronicus]

I may have missed something, but I thought he was close to ready made when we drafted him. Second year and not in the seniors is not what I was expecting.

 

[Lore]

I may have missed something, but I thought he was close to ready made when we drafted him. Second year and not in the seniors is not what I was expecting.

Missed the end of preseason with a calf injury iirc, played one VFL game coming back from that (probably with the intention of bringing him in soon), and then rolled his ankle and was withdrawn from the second one. Then played VFL again last Sunday.

So he hasn’t strung two good games together yet.

 

[MattyB3150]

When we bring him in he needs to get some midfield minutes. No point playing most of his time up forward. Perkins and Caldwell aren’t even getting midfield minutes.

 

[Don Won]

I may have missed something, but I thought he was close to ready made when we drafted him. Second year and not in the seniors is not what I was expecting.

He was getting a lot of the ball in preseason, but butchering it badly (2nd hand reports). Can’t hurt to circumvent second year drop-off by making him earn his spot the hard way.

 

[Lore]

Ben Hobbs​

27 disposals, seven tackles, one goal

'Hobbsy' had a really good game with a lot of contested possessions and clearances. He had a man on him tagging him the whole game, so he had to fight through that and came through really well. He set us up from stoppages and to have seven tackles, defensively he was great for us.

VFL player review: Rd 3 v Northern Bullants

12 AFL-listed players featured in Sunday's matchup with the Bullants.

www.essendonfc.com.au

For anyone who is wondering, the VFL player review is in jumper number order (not best on ground).

 

[BrunoV]

Current contract status is much ado about nothing.

Whether he's tearing the VFL apart or contributing at AFL level there is then a case to be made for the sorts of deals we've previously handed out for noting.

You don't try to make deals when your bargaining position is weak, especially if that position can and will change.

If he gets a significant injury he'll sign, my impression is that is what usually happens industry wide. He'll otherwise look to put a body of work together that justifies the deal he wants.

 

[Beerfish]

 

[JT_the_Man]

Welcome back Mr Hobbs.

 

[ghostdog]

Let's go Hobbsy!

 

[carnthedons]

It is time

 

[The Devils Advocate]

It is time

Why did I hear this in Splinter's voice from TMNT?
But yes, I agree.

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

But yes, I agree.

I heard this in Krangs voice

 

[Kong]

Obviously it’s in Rafiki’s voice

 

[carnthedons]

Obviously it’s in Rafiki’s voice

A man of culture

 

[DallasCrane316]

Talk about taking your opportunity when it presents itself.

Would expect him to be absolutely fired up on the day.

Merrett actually did say he’s a pretty driven and serious guy too. You’d expect him to step up.

 

[eDPS]

Wouldn’t suprise me to still see him miss, Caldwell seems the obvious one to take that midfield spot as he is more of a midfielder than forward and then Davey comes back in as a proper small forward.

 

[Blind Turn]

I’d love to see him given a chance on Anzac Day but the pragmatist in me continues to see greater benefit in him getting a solid sequence of form as the key mid in the VFL. I think he is the type of player that would benefit from learning his craft in a consistent way rather than playing low percentage midfield time in the 1s. Maybe Merrett being out gives him a look at a higher percentage in there but we have numerous others who might step up in his absence such as Caldwell, Martin, Perkins, Langford, and even Stringer in bursts.

 

[FlyingV]

Wouldn’t suprise me to still see him miss, Caldwell seems the obvious one to take that midfield spot as he is more of a midfielder than forward and then Davey comes back in as a proper small forward.

Really pleasing to see how Caldwells running has improved. Covered over 15kms on the weekend.

 

[blitzer]

Wouldn’t suprise me to still see him miss, Caldwell seems the obvious one to take that midfield spot as he is more of a midfielder than forward and then Davey comes back in as a proper small forward.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Caldwell is already in the side ahead of Hobbs and he seems next in line to take up one of those starting midfield spots. So the player they bring in may mostly play forward which would favour Davey ahead of Hobbs. Then you'd think someone like Perkins would be next in line in the rotations which again would take from the forward line to aid the midfield.

That said I wouldn't be shocked if Hobbs did end up coming in. He's certainly been performing well and he's not even bad up forward either.