News Hawks keen to re-sign Sewell

[Rioli magic]

If you think we are going to get something of return for him think again....that boat has passed. It should have been done 3 years ago. If we do choose to move him on he'll be going as a free agent, so we are in a hard place because we will get nothing return.....in saying that, it still doesn't change the fact that we can't play all of Sewell Mitchell and Lewis in the one team. Cue the Benny Hill music, this will continue untill the club realizes a major rebuild is on the cards in 2 years time, by the time we are ready to challenge for a flag Buddy and Roughy will be 29 to 31... and the musical chairs will start again.

This is not correct, we will be compensated by the AFL if a free agent leaves the club, see my post earlier.

I think this is our best opportunity in getting a return for Sewell, as opposed to another club trading. I wouldn't dare guess the formula the AFL will come up with....but considering what players to the expansion teams have netted, Sewell's B+F results etc I think it would probably be and end of 1st rd pick.

2 picks in the top 20-25? of this years draft could be a good result to start that midfield rebuild IMO.

 

[dipper86]

This is not correct, we will be compensated by the AFL if a free agent leaves the club, see my post earlier.

I think this is our best opportunity in getting a return for Sewell, as opposed to another club trading. I wouldn't dare guess the formula the AFL will come up with....but considering what players to the expansion teams have netted, Sewell's B+F results etc I think it would probably be and end of 1st rd pick.

2 picks in the top 20-25? of this years draft could be a good result to start that midfield rebuild IMO.

Really, I thought the compensation picks were only brought in for losing players to GWS and Gold Coast.......and in turn free agency there was no compensation, You lose your player for nothing unless you match the oppositions best offer.

Edit: I just found this.

A player has served eight or more seasons of AFL football at one club, is one of the top 25 per cent highest-paid players at his club, and is now out of contract for the first time since reaching eight seasons of service. (restricted free agent)
The player is eligible to field offers from all rival AFL clubs.
If he wishes to change clubs, the player must decide on the best offer of his choice from one rival club.
His club has the right to match the presented offer.
If the club matches the offer, he may choose to remain with his original club, seek a trade or enter the Draft.
If the club does not or can not match the offer, the player can move to the new club of his choice.
His original club will receive a compensation pick for the loss of the player, on an AFL-determined formula to apply where clubs lose more free agents than they gain in any single transfer period

 

[Guardian Hawk]

Sheesh guys...it was a bad loss but those questioning whether Sewell should even be re-signed at all (regardless of money) or should be sub and saying he's not a required player...wow!

One of the major reasons for our loss to Richmond was getting smacked in contested footy. Yet Sewell had more contested possessions than 42 of the 43 other players on the ground including Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Mitchell, etc.

On the sub issue, if I were to pick a player on our entire list who should least be sub, Sewell would be no 1. The sub is for versatile burst players. Sewell is Hawthorn's least versatile and slowest player but most integral to winning contested football and tackling like a maniac all day long. Biggest waste ever for him to be sub.

Furthermore, in 2012, Sewell is in the top 20 players in the entire AFL for contested possessions, ahead of Selwood, Kerr, Priddis, Black, Griffen, Deledio, Barlow, etc - would you suggest any of these players not have their contract renewed?

He is also in the top 25 clearances players in the entire AFL, ahead of Kerr, Black, Griffen, Cotchin, Stanton, Barlow, etc. - again, any of these players you wouldn't bother resigining?

This is getting tiresome, but he is ALSO in the top 15 for tackles in the entire league, ahead of hacks like Pendlebury, J.Selwood, Watson, Judd, S.Thompson, etc

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he is the 'BEst EVA' or that our midfield does not need a shake up or even that the right trade for the right price would not be entertained but to suggest he should not be resigned at all or that the likes of Ellis or some skinny kid should make Sewell sub or completely out of the side is sheer ridiculousness. We may be disappointing and middle of the road but we would be a lot worse if Sewell was hung out to dry.

 

[Rioli magic]

Sheesh guys...it was a bad loss but those questioning whether Sewell should even be re-signed at all (regardless of money) or should be sub and saying he's not a required player...wow!

One of the major reasons for our loss to Richmond was getting smacked in contested footy. Yet Sewell had more contested possessions than 42 of the 43 other players on the ground including Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Mitchell, etc.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he is the 'BEst EVA' or that our midfield does not need a shake up or even that the right trade for the right price would not be entertained but to suggest he should not be resigned at all or that the likes of Ellis or some skinny kid should make Sewell sub or completely out of the side is sheer ridiculousness. We may be disappointing and middle of the road but we would be a lot worse if Sewell was hung out to dry.

I can't speak for others, but for me I'm not saying we should do anything, I'm saying we should reassess at the end of the season, and keep our options open until then. At this stage that may mean we re-sign a 2 time premiership player, or we start rebuilding a midfield that just finished 10th.

The pessimism I think is because the current group hasn't been able to get the job done for the last 3 1/2 seasons, and now other teams are overtaking them. If they don't get the job done this year which isn't going too well at the moment, it's even more unlikely they will be able to next year, or that they will be part of our next flag.

 

[Brishawk]

Sheesh guys...it was a bad loss but those questioning whether Sewell should even be re-signed at all (regardless of money) or should be sub and saying he's not a required player...wow!

One of the major reasons for our loss to Richmond was getting smacked in contested footy. Yet Sewell had more contested possessions than 42 of the 43 other players on the ground including Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Mitchell, etc.

On the sub issue, if I were to pick a player on our entire list who should least be sub, Sewell would be no 1. The sub is for versatile burst players. Sewell is Hawthorn's least versatile and slowest player but most integral to winning contested football and tackling like a maniac all day long. Biggest waste ever for him to be sub.

Furthermore, in 2012, Sewell is in the top 20 players in the entire AFL for contested possessions, ahead of Selwood, Kerr, Priddis, Black, Griffen, Deledio, Barlow, etc - would you suggest any of these players not have their contract renewed?

He is also in the top 25 clearances players in the entire AFL, ahead of Kerr, Black, Griffen, Cotchin, Stanton, Barlow, etc. - again, any of these players you wouldn't bother resigining?

This is getting tiresome, but he is ALSO in the top 15 for tackles in the entire league, ahead of hacks like Pendlebury, J.Selwood, Watson, Judd, S.Thompson, etc

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he is the 'BEst EVA' or that our midfield does not need a shake up or even that the right trade for the right price would not be entertained but to suggest he should not be resigned at all or that the likes of Ellis or some skinny kid should make Sewell sub or completely out of the side is sheer ridiculousness. We may be disappointing and middle of the road but we would be a lot worse if Sewell was hung out to dry.

You offer a useful perspective but the issue with Sewell is not the volume of his statistics, it's his effectiveness. His statistics were on display last year when it took him about 40+ inside 50s to register his first goal assist. He is unable to burst away from packs and must either handball out of congestion or hack it forward by foot. These traits are all too common in our midfield. Sewell is a good player but he isn't the player we need and, as he can't play anywhere else, it is natural to single him out as the player that needs to go.

 

[Dragz]

Sewell has the lest to offer of all our midfielders going forward, age and pace aren't on his side, nor is versatlity, he's been a good player, but If Hawthorn were smart, they'd trade him to either the Gold Coast or GWS, who'd love a another hard bodied midfielder, whilst we'd gain a 2nd first round draft pick in the supposive super draft.

This. Have loved Sewelly for years, but we need to get a young, hard bodied fast midfielder who can win contested footy. And to do that, we need to give up someone valuable.

For those in the Hawks player lovefest, our midfield is being smacked. If we're not getting our hands on the ball, we need to do something about it.

 

[Guardian Hawk]

You offer a useful perspective but the issue with Sewell is not the volume of his statistics, it's his effectiveness. His statistics were on display last year when it took him about 40+ inside 50s to register his first goal assist. He is unable to burst away from packs and must either handball out of congestion or hack it forward by foot. These traits are all too common in our midfield. Sewell is a good player but he isn't the player we need and, as he can't play anywhere else, it is natural to single him out as the player that needs to go.

Thanks for your feedback and for the most part, I completely agree. I don't think Sewell should necessarily be retained if the right price can be found. It was more to those who thought he is 'past it', 'useless', 'just don't re-sign', 'play him as sub', 'replace him with Ellis', etc which completely undervalues what he does provide Hawthorn and would undoubtedly make us a worse side. On his efficiency, he is still at 73%, which for a top 20 (in the AFL) contested ball winner is still very good. Sure, sometimes he is forced to throw it on the boot in the middle but all clearance players and contested ball winners have to do this in congestion sometimes - otherwise it's HTB or another stoppage. In fact, he may be instructed to do this as he used to try to ride tackles and give the hands off and now he gets the quick kick away, clearing the congestion and giving quick entryinto our forward line. Anyway, the point being, Sewell has obvious limitations (all players do) but what he offers (actually getting the hard ball) outweighs this. Sure, replace him with a younger, faster, cleaner player who can still get the hard ball and shrug a tackle but these players don't grow on trees and there isn't anyone lying around at the moment for us to do that with - he's in our top 5 this year and a VFL player isn't going to change our fortunes.

This. Have loved Sewelly for years, but we need to get a young, hard bodied fast midfielder who can win contested footy. And to do that, we need to give up someone valuable.
For those in the Hawks player lovefest, our midfield is being smacked. If we're not getting our hands on the ball, we need to do something about it.

I assume I am being referred to in "Hawks player lovefest" which highlights to me how much football observers seem to lack perspective. When a side is going well, every player seems to become 'awesome', 'superstar', 'career best season', etc and when the side is disappointing everyone are 'past it', 'struggling' and 'should be dropped for some youngster that isn't even performing at Box Hill'. That's not how it works at this level. Besides, all I did was offer the facts - I did not suggest our midfield didn't need change or to improve. We do need inside players who can run and spread and Sewell cannot do that. But Sewell has just about been our best for 'getting our hands on the ball' as you put it. Take him out and I think everyone will realise the value he brings (and be further shocked with how bad we are) as Mitchell will be left to get all the contested footy on his own*.

* People may say what about Lewis but Sewell has had more than 2 games worth of contested posessions more than Lewis this season (both have played 9 games).

 

[J0NNY B]

Thanks for your feedback and for the most part, I completely agree. I don't think Sewell should necessarily be retained if the right price can be found. It was more to those who thought he is 'past it', 'useless', 'just don't re-sign', 'play him as sub', 'replace him with Ellis', etc which completely undervalues what he does provide Hawthorn and would undoubtedly make us a worse side. On his efficiency, he is still at 73%, which for a top 20 (in the AFL) contested ball winner is still very good. Sure, sometimes he is forced to throw it on the boot in the middle but all clearance players and contested ball winners have to do this in congestion sometimes - otherwise it's HTB or another stoppage. In fact, he may be instructed to do this as he used to try to ride tackles and give the hands off and now he gets the quick kick away, clearing the congestion and giving quick entryinto our forward line. Anyway, the point being, Sewell has obvious limitations (all players do) but what he offers (actually getting the hard ball) outweighs this. Sure, replace him with a younger, faster, cleaner player who can still get the hard ball and shrug a tackle but these players don't grow on trees and there isn't anyone lying around at the moment for us to do that with - he's in our top 5 this year and a VFL player isn't going to change our fortunes.



I assume I am being referred to in "Hawks player lovefest" which highlights to me how much football observers seem to lack perspective. When a side is going well, every player seems to become 'awesome', 'superstar', 'career best season', etc and when the side is disappointing everyone are 'past it', 'struggling' and 'should be dropped for some youngster that isn't even performing at Box Hill'. That's not how it works at this level. Besides, all I did was offer the facts - I did not suggest our midfield didn't need change or to improve. We do need inside players who can run and spread and Sewell cannot do that. But Sewell has just about been our best for 'getting our hands on the ball' as you put it. Take him out and I think everyone will realise the value he brings (and be further shocked with how bad we are) as Mitchell will be left to get all the contested footy on his own*.

* People may say what about Lewis but Sewell has had more than 2 games worth of contested posessions more than Lewis this season (both have played 9 games).

Your defence of Sewell is spot on, it is just unfortunate that we have Mitchell and Lewis to fit into the midfield. Lewis is now our shutdown player so unfortunately the jig saw puzzle does not include Sewell. His best games this year have been against the slow midfields (Melbourne, Freo, Geelong, Collingwood (with Ball). The best teams in the AFL have A-grade mids that are fast and are also good inside players, so if we line up with Mitchell/Sewell/Lewis in the centre we will get our pants pulled down time and time again.

Look at the bold part above. Brendan Whitecross. People will laugh at me and whatever else, but he is our best midfielder. But he doesn't even get to play in the midfield. Look at the Geelong game when he actually was played in the midfield.

Clarko has held this guy back and given him the shit apprentice type roles. It was obvious that due to a couple of mistakes from Whitecross in the prelim final, he was going to be subbed, typical Clarko move. Yet Clarko left poor Chance on who had run himself into the ground for 3 qtrs...... Sidebottom has blossomed since Ball was removed from Collingwood’s midfield and I would expect the same from Whitecross if Sewell was moved out of ours.

Sewell is still important to us, and injuries rotations etc will still allow him to contribute. And the sub option is perfect for him, this is not a negative, this is something that could be a real advantage for our team, having a player of Sewell’s ability as the sub in a big final.

 

[Prudster]

* People may say what about Lewis but Sewell has had more than 2 games worth of contested posessions more than Lewis this season (both have played 9 games).

Keep in mind they do play slightly different roles. Lewis has been used as a tagger, and he also kicks goals and sets up goals too.

 

[Dragz]

@Guardian Hawk - Not specifically saying Hawk Lovefest to you at all, more a generalisation You know this board, 35% say player x is god, %35 say they're crap (When they do something wrong) and the other %30 read it and say "Poster X is a moron"

The issue is, players these days need to be good at Multiple roles. Sewell doesn't play in the fwd line or back line. Lewis can be effective on the HFF (Takes a good mark, generally decent kick at goal) so he wouldn't be an effective trade win for us. Mitchell? Still need someone who can get it out. Shiels/Whitex are still young and improving. Whitex especially could possibly take Sewell's role. Also got Schneider sitting on the Rookie list.
Running out of people to trade who are worth something to another team...

By no means am i advocating a "Trade Sewell" campaign. Would love to see him remain at Hawthorn. But IF there's a suitable young draftee, who we'd need to give someone decent up for to have a shot at, Sewell is the one imho.

 

[Guardian Hawk]

That seems a fair enough analysis Dragz - thank you for your clarification.

 

[Rocket72]

Brad Sewell is in the best bargaining position of his life. The Hawks need players who can win their own ball and he's above average there.

 

[Burgarama]

Move him on. He can win his own ball, but his decision making look slow, gets caught with the ball a lot, and disposal is average at best.

Lewis can slot straight into his spot as a holding midfielder. When given tagging jobs, Lewis has been BOG. Toweled up Judd round 22 last year, and completely shut down Dal Santo a few weeks ago. We wouldn't be losing any of Sewell's hardness by putting Jordan in there either.

Does anyone know what sort of pick we'd get for him if GWS took him or he went via free agency?

 

[Pessimistic]

Sewell was towelling up judd for a few years now, Lewie wanted in on the action

 

[dermott]

Interesting to note Mitchell and Burgoyne both turn 30 in October this year. Sewell and Hodge turn 29 in 2013 (Feb and June respectively).
With four midfielders nearing retirement I don't think I would be trading Sewell just yet particularly as Burgoyne has a carefully managed knee, and Hodge's battered body has barely made it onto the park this year.
For what it is worth Sewell and Mitchell are looking a bit more durable than Hodge and Burgoyne at this stage of their careers.

 

[Pessimistic]

One injury = instant resolution of problem

Also Sewell + Mitchell > Sewell x2. OR Mitchell x2

Greater than the sum of the parts