Ashley Hansen Plan B for Western Bulldogs

[Dogs Rule]

Ashley Hansen Plan B for Western Bulldogs
Mark Stevens | October 08, 2008 12:00am

WEST Coast premiership forward Ashley Hansen is moving closer to the top of the Western Bulldogs trade hit-list. With the door now almost shut on a deal for the Dogs' No. 1 target, Sydney star Barry Hall, Hansen could be headed to Whitten Oval.

It is understood the Dogs inquired about Hansen on the opening day of the trade period and the Eagles were open to the idea of a trade.

Although the Dogs refuse to give up hope on Hall, Hansen is starting to loom as plan B.

Despite reports linking Tim Boyle to the Dogs, the club will not be chasing the Hawthorn fringe player.

It also appears highly unlikely that Richmond's Jay Schulz will head to the Dogs.

Former Essendon forward Courtney Johns is not on the club's radar.

At 198cm, Hansen is more of a lead-up target than a pack-marking power forward, but he has shown his ability to shine in the past with quality delivery.

A straight swap between Dog Farren Ray and Hansen may not be out of the question, although the Eagles may ask for something extra.

Hansen is a Victorian, lifting the Dogs' chances of a deal.

The Dogs believe Ray is worth a high second round pick, but clubs have not been banging down the door chasing his services.

Ray is out of contract, giving him the option of walking out via the pre-season draft.

Melbourne has the No. 1 pick in the pre-season draft, but it is understood the Demons aren't interested in the midfielder.

Sydney is playing hardball on Hall, who has a year to run on his contract, saying he is wanted.

Hansen has played 27 games in the past two years, restricted by injury, and 67 career games.

But the 25-year-old showed his potential by kicking four goals against Hawthorn in Round 14 this year.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24463180-19742,00.html

 

[kookadog]

If we lose Ray I wouldn't be unhappy if we swap him for Hansen. In fact It would be good if we can get him, especially considering Ray can walk for nothing.

He's played 7 Finals and had some success, still got a good 5 years barring injury. We should go for it.

 

[InCase]

If we lose Ray I wouldn't be unhappy if we swap him for Hansen. In fact It would be good if we can get him, especially considering Ray can walk for nothing.

He's played 7 Finals and had some success, still got a good 5 years barring injury. We should go for it.

4 of which will be taken by injury.

Hansen for Ray would be a good trade.

Hansen for Ray + something would be a steal.

 

[Finding Ebo]

Both are fairly (or unfairly) maligned players, a fresh start in their home states could be good for both Ray and Hansen.

Sounds like the Eagles are the more reluctant of the two clubs, so maybe a pick or a pick upgrade might be in order given the needs of each club and also the threat of the PSD?

 

[Snagboy]

Both are fairly (or unfairly) maligned players, a fresh start in their home states could be good for both Ray and Hansen.

Sounds like the Eagles are the more reluctant of the two clubs, so maybe a pick or a pick upgrade might be in order given the needs of each club and also the threat of the PSD?

Agree,

The query on Hansen, over the last two years, has been injury. Ray, if given extra responsiblity in a younger team, may produce...

Cheers

 

[camstars]

Agree,

The query on Hansen, over the last two years, has been injury. Ray, if given extra responsiblity in a younger team, may produce...

Cheers

I'm not unhappy about this as I thought he could be an option for a while.Yes he is injury prone but a fresh start can sometimes work wonders on injuries.
If can stay fit this will help others in forward line as he would take best big man in defence.

 

[StringyDog]

25 years old and only played 67 games. A durable player could play that many by the time they were 21-22 which is a worry. Also he doesn't take contested marks, is simply a poor man's Murphy as a lead up forward. Would be disappointed if they went for him unless it was a straight swap for Ray, if it is Ray and a draft pick than no thanks

 

[DexterTan]

If Hansen comes to the bulldogs, that means the dogs will have Murphy and Hansen as two lead up forwards. When they get hit with a perfect pass, they turn around and the forward 50 is crowded. They decide to bomb the ball to......?

I'd say the dogs need TWO talls in the upcoming trade period. I thought Grant perhaps may start in the forward 50 next year, but again he's still in the "development" stage.

Boyle maybe a fringe player, that's because there are two big fellas infront of him called Franklin and Roughead.

Boyle at FF
Hansen at CHF

Which could give the dogs a spine of:
Lake
Williams
Cooney
Hansen
Boyle.

I like it.

 

[go the dogs]

Whats with us we need a big forward not another lead up player who is average at best

 

[Cruiserweight Champ]

If Hansen comes to the bulldogs, that means the dogs will have Murphy and Hansen as two lead up forwards. When they get hit with a perfect pass, they turn around and the forward 50 is crowded. They decide to bomb the ball to......?

I'd say the dogs need TWO talls in the upcoming trade period. I thought Grant perhaps may start in the forward 50 next year, but again he's still in the "development" stage.

Boyle maybe a fringe player, that's because there are two big fellas infront of him called Franklin and Roughead.

Boyle at FF
Hansen at CHF

Which could give the dogs a spine of:
Lake
Williams
Cooney
Hansen
Boyle.

I like it.

I dont.....the Geelong defence would eat that forward line for breakfast. They would be lucky to kick 80 goals between them.

 

[KouDogg]

If Hansen comes to the bulldogs, that means the dogs will have Murphy and Hansen as two lead up forwards. When they get hit with a perfect pass, they turn around and the forward 50 is crowded. They decide to bomb the ball to......?

I'd say the dogs need TWO talls in the upcoming trade period. I thought Grant perhaps may start in the forward 50 next year, but again he's still in the "development" stage.

Boyle maybe a fringe player, that's because there are two big fellas infront of him called Franklin and Roughead.

Boyle at FF
Hansen at CHF

Which could give the dogs a spine of:
Lake
Williams
Cooney
Hansen
Boyle.

I like it.

Agreed, Hansen is a CHF not a bloody FF.

Think Bulldogs!!!!!!!......

 

[Dry Rot]

When you look at the success rate of WCE with Hansen in the side, don't forget he had a real big bastard called Lynch ahead of him at FF.

Given we have Murphy, I really can't see much of a point with this trade.

I'd rather get (and keep) a second round pick for Ray.

 

[Mofra]

I'm for it, because:

a. I'm sure half of his injuries were from sunburn, which the Dome with the roof closed should help him avoid

b. Murphy can play in multiple positions, and play deeper as well. Having a lead up forward like Hansen to play his role will free him up

c. Hansen is a genuine tall forward with good hands on the lead, who at 198cm will demand a tall defender. As much as we talk of the need for a full forward, we often fell down on the HF line this year (Hawks finals game being a prime example)

d. Welsh tailed off dramatically last year, yet we had no replacement for him. Most of his second half-year goals were from crumbing. We need someone who can mark.

e. We want a return for Ray which will be better than a 3rd rounder. Hansen is much better than a 3rd rounder.

f. Realistically, Hansen is better than anyone else who is likely to be available, and is likely to play in the seniors instead of at Willy.

 

[flamethrower]

Agreed, Hansen is a CHF not a bloody FF.

Think Bulldogs!!!!!!!......

Last time I looked we don't have a Centre Half Forward. We have a midfielder (Hahn) and a wing/flanker (Murphy) masquerading as CHFs. At times little Shaun Higgins has filled in at CHF.

If we can get Ash Hansen for Farren that appears to be a win win for both clubs.

 

[bludger]

I would be happy with a staight swap. The bonus for us is that Farren now doesn't seem to be in the best starting midfield and would probably play some games at Willy,yet at W.C he would be a walk up start.
Hansen is injury prone but if fit would be in our best 22, so both teams would gain.
Good trade in my mind.

 

[Gridlock'd]

Hes pretty much a taller, shitter version of Robert Murphy.

However, having said that I believe he could hold down the full forward spot because of his size and good pair of hands.

The worry is his injury concerns. Never seems to be fit.

Straight swap for Ray, or nothing else IMO.

 

[KouDogg]

Last time I looked we don't have a Centre Half Forward. We have a midfielder (Hahn) and a wing/flanker (Murphy) masquerading as CHFs. At times little Shaun Higgins has filled in at CHF.

If we can get Ash Hansen for Farren that appears to be a win win for both clubs.

If so then get him, but if we have to offer a 2nd rounder as well.....then no.

 

[Bodicifer]

Is he going to be a bit too similar to Welsh ie. lead up, not a strong pack marker?

Ray makes sense going West on the big ground at Subi where his run would be very handy over there in the drier conditions.

 

[Matty01]

Why are we going after Hansen? I thought we wanted a power forward? We should be going after Lynch rather than Hansen, why hasn't his name been brought up? Can't be worth that much surely.

 

[scooter600x]

West Coast already have picks 2, 18, 20 and 36 with few players to delist.

If draft picks were involved all it's likely to be is Ray + pick 32 for Hansen and pick 36.

We'd probably end up with the same player in the draft anyway.

It seems to me everyone is simply making a point 'our bloke is better than your bloke'

This trade will get done.

 

[InCase]

West Coast already have picks 2, 18, 20 and 36 with few players to delist.

If draft picks were involved all it's likely to be is Ray + pick 32 for Hansen and pick 36.

We'd probably end up with the same player in the draft anyway.

It seems to me everyone is simply making a point 'our bloke is better than your bloke'

This trade will get done.

Exactly, if it's going to be Ray + something, it's not going to be a pick. We have enough already. It would be a pick upgrade, so you wont be losing too much on this extra incentive.

I would be happy if it was just Hansen for Ray.

 

[Underdog]

Why are we going after Hansen? I thought we wanted a power forward? We should be going after Lynch rather than Hansen, why hasn't his name been brought up? Can't be worth that much surely.

Lynch ran 2nd in our best and fairest and can play any position on the ground very well. He is also required as rucking depth as Seaby will leave and is just young.

I'd suggest he is an untouchable as far as West Coast are concerned

 

[Dry Rot]

Lynch ran 2nd in our best and fairest and can play any position on the ground very well. He is also required as rucking depth as Seaby will leave and is just young.

I'd suggest he is an untouchable as far as West Coast are concerned

Agreed. I quite like Lynch - a bit underrated, IMO.

 

[josh the gent]

Lynch ran 2nd in our best and fairest and can play any position on the ground very well. He is also required as rucking depth as Seaby will leave and is just young.

I'd suggest he is an untouchable as far as West Coast are concerned

Hansen for Ray is a positive swap for both clubs. WC could do with Ray's run and carry, we could do with Hansen's size and hands.

Maybe we do a pick upgrade, WB 48 for WC 52, but there is enough parity in the trade anyway IMO.

We still need to pursue a FF, but Hansen would be a big plus for our forward line. Big tick for this trade...

 

[Finding Ebo]

I would be happy with a staight swap. The bonus for us is that Farren now doesn't seem to be in the best starting midfield and would probably play some games at Willy,yet at W.C he would be a walk up start.
Hansen is injury prone but if fit would be in our best 22, so both teams would gain.
Good trade in my mind.

I wouldn't say a walk-up start, on the contrary Hansen would be your only pure AFL-ready CHF. Murphy is not this, as versatile as he is. But you are right, its a fair trade and seems to make sense to everybody, not just one side.

Why are we going after Hansen? I thought we wanted a power forward? We should be going after Lynch rather than Hansen, why hasn't his name been brought up? Can't be worth that much surely.

Lynch = untouchable. Eagle for life. Hansen is a Vic, so he should settle in well.

West Coast already have picks 2, 18, 20 and 36 with few players to delist.

If draft picks were involved all it's likely to be is Ray + pick 32 for Hansen and pick 36.

We'd probably end up with the same player in the draft anyway.

It seems to me everyone is simply making a point 'our bloke is better than your bloke'

This trade will get done.

Bang.