AFL Player # 8: Ben "Goblin" Hobbs

[VelvetSledge]

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

 

[bombreys]

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 think they have to play him this week - going to be very hard for them not to reward the form. He's built for an ANZAC day game - I think he comes in.

 

[eDPS]

I think they have to play him this week - going to be very hard for them not to reward the form. He's built for an ANZAC day game - I think he comes in.

He would likely come straight back out for Merrett anyway have to remember this scenario. If Merrett was out long term maybe it’s a good option but it’s just a short suspension

 

[Call Me Cake]

Merrett isn't out on form, he's out on suspension. He'd be out again the second Merrett is cleared to play. You get the feel that if our mantra is to get someone in on the merit of keeping them in then he's gonna need to keep proving his case in the event that someone drops off a role he's suited for rather than being pigeon holed into a role that won't even be his after a week.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

He would likely come straight back out for Merrett anyway have to remember this scenario. If Merrett was out long term maybe it’s a good option but it’s just a short suspension

Thats a good point, Scott keeps saying he wants the young players like voss to come in when they are ready for a permanent position in the 22.

 

[justlookingaround]

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

 

[bombreys]

He would likely come straight back out for Merrett anyway have to remember this scenario. If Merrett was out long term maybe it’s a good option but it’s just a short suspension

Are we forgetting how good he was, though? If he comes in and makes an impact, it might be similar to what Snelling's just done - he might be undroppable (just made up a word). I would be staggered if Davey comes back in and Snelling is omitted.

If Hobbs comes in this week and dominates - and Menzie has another quiet one (who I do like), for example, do they bring Merrett back in and shift Hobbs forward?

 

[eDPS]

Are we forgetting how good he was, though? If he comes in and makes an impact, it might be similar to what Snelling's just done - he might be undroppable (just made up a word). I would be staggered if Davey comes back in and Snelling is omitted.

If Hobbs comes in this week and dominates - and Menzie has another quiet one (who I do like), for example, do they bring Merrett back in and shift Hobbs forward?

Menzie is more likely to come out than Snelling but I’ll be shocked if Davey doesn’t come back in after being managed, his pressure will be huge for anzac day

 

[bombreys]

Menzie is more likely to come out than Snelling but I’ll be shocked if Davey doesn’t come back in after being managed, his pressure will be huge for anzac day

We'll see what happens. I just have a feeling Davey will be playing VFL, hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Lore]

Ben Hobbs​

31 disposals, nine clearances, eight inside 50s

Hobbs had a good game, he was in and under. Really good midfield contested game, but was also able to get on the outside and impact the game with some run. He worked really hard throughout the whole game and was one of our best.

VFL player review: Rd 4 v Casey

Nine AFL-listed players played in Sunday's matchup with Casey.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Beerfish]

He's definitely knocking at the door

 

[Lore]

He's definitely knocking at the door

Are you sure he hasn't attempted to lift it off its hinges altogether?

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Oldie but a goodie.

 

[fishardansin]

I love young Davey and their dad was my favourite player when he burst onto the scene. However, he's still a skinny kid and I'd like him to play some VFL games now. Hobbs can play forward and Caldwell can play more forward than he is as well.

When Merrett is back we should have a midfield with:
Setterfield - big-bodied ball winner who blocks and tackles,
Hobbs - a nugget who hits the fall of the ball at pace and dives under the pack doing that fish-on-the-boat action,
Parish - a ground ball king who has lightning hands and can be the first handball option for Hobbs and Setterfield, as well as winning ball in transition.
Merrett - near the coalface and the guy who is the first option for the other three and the guy we want delivering inside 50.
Shiel - the second option for the inside three, while not the first option delivering inside 50 his run and long kicking can gain metres.
Martin and Durham - the best wing pair I can remember at Essendon.

Depth/rotations:
Wing: Heppell and Langford.
Stoppage: Caldwell, Perkins, Stringer and Snelling/Tippa.

 

[Zach Package]

Are you sure he hasn't attempted to lift it off its hinges altogether?

 

[ant555]

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.

Caldwell has been a big part of the team defense as a forward. Would have been nice if he had of converted opportunities in recent weeks but his defensive pressure has been the best of the forwards.

 

[Zach Package]

Caldwell’s ground all stuff in the front half has been very good as well.

 

[ant555]

He would likely come straight back out for Merrett anyway have to remember this scenario. If Merrett was out long term maybe it’s a good option but it’s just a short suspension

Not sure that really matters. Who knows what comes the following week. Hobbs is ready to play. Strong midfield form in the VFL. Midfielder for a midfielder.

 

[ghostdog]

Not sure that really matters. Who knows what comes the following week. Hobbs is ready to play. Strong midfield form in the VFL. Midfielder for a midfielder.

I hope Hobbs comes in but Scott has been hesitant to bring players in unless it looks like they'll hold their spot. In that context I'd think he has to push Heppell out.

 

[eth-dog]

I hope Hobbs comes in but Scott has been hesitant to bring players in unless it looks like they'll hold their spot. In that context I'd think he has to push Heppell out.

Heppell is completely irrelevant to Hobbs.

 

[ant555]

I hope Hobbs comes in but Scott has been hesitant to bring players in unless it looks like they'll hold their spot. In that context I'd think he has to push Heppell out.

Why would a midfielder be pushing out a bloke who is now playing in the defensive rotation ? Hobbs is not going to play there.

 

[ghostdog]

Heppell is completely irrelevant to Hobbs.

Why would a midfielder be pushing out a bloke who is now playing in the defensive rotation ? Hobbs is not going to play there.

Because Merrett will be back in a week and if Hobbs is going to stay in the side it won't be at Merrett's expense; in my opinion, although he's had a decent couple of weeks, Heppell is the weakest link.

You're right though, because Scott has also been saying he'd rather play players in their best positions so Hobbs also wouldn't be brought in to hold a backline role, so even then I don't see Hobbs pushing in and staying in.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Caldwell has been a big part of the team defense as a forward. Would have been nice if he had of converted opportunities in recent weeks but his defensive pressure has been the best of the forwards.

Hobbs was good last season with defensive pressure and nose for a goal so don’t see why they can’t share the mid/fwd role

 

[ant555]

Hobbs was good last season with defensive pressure and nose for a goal so don’t see why they can’t share the mid/fwd role

They could but I do not think we need to take away something that is really fixed one of the biggest issues we had . Right now Caldwell is doing exactly what we want as a forward. I would be leaving him to do it . I suspect him and Snelling will do a bit of a role on Daicos .

 

[faible]

Not sure that really matters. Who knows what comes the following week. Hobbs is ready to play. Strong midfield form in the VFL. Midfielder for a midfielder.

Exactly, perfect time to bring Hobbs in, who knows whether there'll be an injury this week or not, but his form has been consistently good at VFL level, and there's a genuine midfield opportunity.

 

[ant555]

Because Merrett will be back in a week and if Hobbs is going to stay in the side it won't be at Merrett's expense; in my opinion, although he's had a decent couple of weeks, Heppell is the weakest link.

You're right though, because Scott has also been saying he'd rather play players in their best positions so Hobbs also wouldn't be brought in to hold a backline role, so even then I don't see Hobbs pushing in and staying in.

Heppell may be the weakest Link for us on the outside of the fence but the consistent word from the players and coach is he is bringing a level of calm to the players on field And under pressure. His form has clearly picked up in the last two weeks as well.
As long as the players are responding to his on field leadership then he is not the weakest link .
At this stage Menzie would be the one under the most pressure but he has done nothing all that wrong yet other than being a bit low in the tackling numbers the last few .

Hobbs may have to come into the side and then go back to the VFL for now. His situation is a bit different to Voss and the comments Scott made about getting a good run at it and being ready. Hobbs is ready but in the line. Voss has been working on some aspects of his game .