AFL Player # 8: Ben "Goblin" Hobbs

[VelvetSledge]

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

 

[Snake Charmer]

I rate Hobbs if we get some blokes back from injury, a block In the 2s wouldn’t hurt him

 

[Yoda_]

Give the first option

 

[ant555]

I can't put my finger on whether he's got super low footy IQ or super high arrogance, whatever it is , my god he misses so many open teammates by taking the solo option often

Or he is just overthinking the moment rather than taking the first option.

 

[Doss]

Give the first option

Shitting me to tears at the moment, this. He’s not yet good enough to be doing what he tries to do and he burns opportunities as a result.

He’s going to be a very good player but he needs to get the basics nailed before he tries for the low percentage, high reward options as often as he does.

 

[Howard Moon]

Or he is just overthinking the moment rather than taking the first option.

But then you see Durham in the guts bypass the first option, take a step to the side in traffic and open up a whole world of better options, it's what makes the greats great

 

[DERO]

But then you see Durham in the guts bypass the first option, take a step to the side in traffic and open up a whole world of better options, it's what makes the greats great

There was an obvious one where he could have hit Davey who was directly in front about 30 metres out, that looked pretty bad. At the time I wondered whether he decided not to kick to Davey because he did not see him as a good option.

 

[Howard Moon]

There was an obvious one where he could have hit Davey who was directly in front about 30 metres out, that looked pretty bad. At the time I wondered whether he decided not to kick to Davey because he did not see him as a good option.

How bout when the quarter was winding down, he'd obviously seen the 30 second sign or whatever, took a mark on the wing and just turned his back and walked, ima taking 15 secs boys, executive decision... meanwhile there was a totally free teammate ahead just outside 50

 

[DERO]

How bout when the quarter was winding down, he'd obviously seen the 30 second sign or whatever, took a mark on the wing and just turned his back and walked, ima taking 15 secs boys, executive decision... meanwhile there was a totally free teammate ahead just outside 50

Yeah, that was anothery. I need to watch the replay. Might put the kids to bed tonight and grab a few beers and rewatch.

 

[Howard Moon]

Yeah, that was anothery. I need to watch the replay. Might put the kids to bed tonight and grab a few beers and rewatch.

Don't think that showed up on telly - pretty big crowd groan at the game though

 

[Happyskeret]

I thought he was good against the saints, poor against Port along with many others and was somewhere in the middle of that against the dogs. I’m confident he can work through his issues in the seniors so for me I would like to see him stay in.

 

[Foxx]

Blue collar player, that works his butt off defensively. I think he'll round off the rough edges with experience. The more he plays the better he'll get.

 

[ant555]

Have to remember he is an inside midfielder playing the high forward role . His issues before the draft where needing to improve his outside game and kicking and what he needs for the role he is now playing needs a bit of outside game and foot skills. We are basically playing a pure inside mini bull at half forward. It is not surprising he is have a few moments most weeks.

Ben Hobbs Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

"The knock on him will be his outside game and ability to impact a contest from other positions, but unlike some pigeonholed inside midfielders, Hobbs is still able to impact the game by hitting the scoreboard. Multiple goals in the Rebels' win over the Bushrangers, and then goals in his final two games of the NAB League season showed he has enough smarts and strength to able to capitalise away from the coalface. He certainly could improve the outside aspects of his game, including his kicking, which is a main focus for the GWV Rebels on-baller."

 

[Nicholas61]

Was kicking some opportunistic goals a couple of years back hopefully taps into that again. Has very good hands generally and like his side steps to lose opponents at times something I noticed other clubs do to us. Durham does it too. Just checked and Hobbs is still a few months of being 21 as well. You can see the comparisons with Selwood in terms of finding and getting the hardball but would need to improve disposal and decision making as others have mentioned.

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

I thought he was alright the other night and the criticism seems quite harsh. Played well and truly out of position but continues to turn up and compete. You can tell he is hungry and is a natural footballer, well and truly in the best 22 at the moment.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Needs to be more love for this guy's game tonight after the crap he copped last week. Tough as nails.
We've been begging for midfielders like him, caldwell and duzz for years.

 

[Petrify]

One of his best games for the club. Elite pressure and that goal he nailed was extremely clutch

 

[bommer16]

I really like this player. Always have. He’s and ️ through and through.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Huge game. What a nugget

 

[SpeckieMcVeigh]

Before last night's game he'd had a very ordinary season. Huge performance from him though, his tenacity in tackles and ability to pop up and kick goals reminded me of why we were so high on him going into this season.

 

[Yoda_]

Someone mentioned in the game day / review thread, he played a very mature game last night. The goal was inspirational. Went back and said I am the man and got the job done.

For an inside mid, his forward craft is quite reasonable

 

[jannissary]

really stepped up last night, played a solid game

 

[Call Me Cake]

So at good at sticking onto a player in a tackle once he's got them and getting on with it when he wins a free. Also tough in the contest. Has improved his 360 degrees awareness and is taking more time with his disposals which are becoming more accurate. Hope he keeps going on that trajectory.

 

[naraku]

We need to keep Hobbs, Caldwell, Durham and Setterfield as our core central mid group IMO.

Parish can learn to play in a pocket or something.

 

[brain taylor]

he's back

 

[NoWuckingFurries]

His disposal is a bit loopy but is made of the right stuff