Player Watch Hugh Bond - Signed to End of 2025
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TubbsFarquhar
TheBrownDog
Surely he gets the #7 guernsey?
Jetafl
Club Legend
- Sep 24, 2022
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A powerful big bodied 185cm inside mid and a tackling machine (Berry and Bond) we have the tackles covered in spades. Fun fact: Ed Langdon was pick 54.
SNAPSHOT: “A ferociously competitive ball winner who runs hard and makes his presence felt going both ways.”
There are few harder and more physical competitors among this year’s crop of midfielders than Hugh Bond, a talented multi-sport athlete out of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels region.
A rower at the national level, Bond has put his focus into footy of late, and overcame seperate injuries both last year and in preseason to produce a solid top-age campaign. He turned out 12 times for the Rebels this season, earning Vic Country selection and stepping up in big games.
Bond’s move to defence while donning representative colours only boosted his stocks, with the on-baller’s desire to hunt both the opposition and ball translating well to his role behind the ball. With his strong physique and running capacity, there is plenty to like.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Much of Bond's value extends from his contested game, with the hardened ball winner capable of impacting going both ways. He takes the ball cleanly at stoppages and has a sharp step to power out, but isn't afraid to wear contact in doing so. On the flip-side, his tackles have buried many an opponent, with Bond's physicality setting a great tone at the source.
Those attributes served him perfectly for a shift to defence with Vic Country, where Bond's competitiveness in one-on-one situations saw him become a capable lockdown option. It will be interesting to note where clubs see his best footy being played, given his stoppage craft and endurance base suit the midfield, but his defensive acumen helped him rise in stocks behind the ball.
There were times where the Rebels needed a lift this season, and Bond was able to provide it on-ball. Though his method of driving the ball into attack could do with some polish, his intensity can never be faulted and Bond's average of nine tackles per NAB League outing absolutely attests to that.
Going forward, finding a greater inside-outside balance may help his hurt factor. Bond has said himself that kicking is an area for improvement, and while neat by hand, being able to break to the outside himself, lower the eyes, and find targets forward of the ball is a more surefire way to make his possessions count.
DRAFT RANGE: 40-60
SUMMARY:
As far as well-developed ball winners go, Bond is up there in the readymade category given his running ability and appetite for the contest. He thrives on being able to hurt the opposition, but can look to do so more with ball in hand, rather than on the defensive end. Speaking of, his versatility to roll back and become a lockdown option will boost his chances towards the middle and back-end of the draft, with his AFL traits evident – especially in a work rate sense.
SNAPSHOT: “A ferociously competitive ball winner who runs hard and makes his presence felt going both ways.”
There are few harder and more physical competitors among this year’s crop of midfielders than Hugh Bond, a talented multi-sport athlete out of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels region.
A rower at the national level, Bond has put his focus into footy of late, and overcame seperate injuries both last year and in preseason to produce a solid top-age campaign. He turned out 12 times for the Rebels this season, earning Vic Country selection and stepping up in big games.
Bond’s move to defence while donning representative colours only boosted his stocks, with the on-baller’s desire to hunt both the opposition and ball translating well to his role behind the ball. With his strong physique and running capacity, there is plenty to like.
- Competitiveness
- Contested work
- Endurance
- Physicality
- Tackling
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Kicking
- Polish
Much of Bond's value extends from his contested game, with the hardened ball winner capable of impacting going both ways. He takes the ball cleanly at stoppages and has a sharp step to power out, but isn't afraid to wear contact in doing so. On the flip-side, his tackles have buried many an opponent, with Bond's physicality setting a great tone at the source.
Those attributes served him perfectly for a shift to defence with Vic Country, where Bond's competitiveness in one-on-one situations saw him become a capable lockdown option. It will be interesting to note where clubs see his best footy being played, given his stoppage craft and endurance base suit the midfield, but his defensive acumen helped him rise in stocks behind the ball.
There were times where the Rebels needed a lift this season, and Bond was able to provide it on-ball. Though his method of driving the ball into attack could do with some polish, his intensity can never be faulted and Bond's average of nine tackles per NAB League outing absolutely attests to that.
Going forward, finding a greater inside-outside balance may help his hurt factor. Bond has said himself that kicking is an area for improvement, and while neat by hand, being able to break to the outside himself, lower the eyes, and find targets forward of the ball is a more surefire way to make his possessions count.
DRAFT RANGE: 40-60
SUMMARY:
As far as well-developed ball winners go, Bond is up there in the readymade category given his running ability and appetite for the contest. He thrives on being able to hurt the opposition, but can look to do so more with ball in hand, rather than on the defensive end. Speaking of, his versatility to roll back and become a lockdown option will boost his chances towards the middle and back-end of the draft, with his AFL traits evident – especially in a work rate sense.
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I like the aggression and physicality of him.
crowholder
All Australian
- Jul 26, 2018
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- West Torrens... I mean WWT
He looks so strong... though don't think he will claim number 32 like he wore with Vic country for a while at least.
Luke Brown replacement?
He’s a prototype Hamish selection
Which can go either way
A little underwhelmed but no doubt he will get the best out of himself
I bet Hamish sees him as a mid
I will learn to love him as he has a massive crack and will be a fan fav
Which can go either way
A little underwhelmed but no doubt he will get the best out of himself
I bet Hamish sees him as a mid
I will learn to love him as he has a massive crack and will be a fan fav
Seems like another inside physical type. We really need more class in midfield now though, we have enough brutes now!
Dowling can be that and obviously Rankine/Rachele/Pedlar in bursts
- Sep 3, 2018
- 5,337
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- Adelaide
Looks like our Brown replacement. Will go straight past Jones and Parnell for the Elliot/Papley type match ups
Nick Smith Mk2
Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Nick Smith Mk2
Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Presumably he'll start in defence, given the gaps we have back there, and we'll see how he progresses.
Welcome Hugh 
Yeah think his future might be in defence. Just a generally competitive hard nut, proven he can lock down at U18 level
Yeah think his future might be in defence. Just a generally competitive hard nut, proven he can lock down at U18 level
Will go well with Berry, not as hard as Sam but not far off it. Dunstan type perhaps but will better tackling. Nice pickup!
Prob only seen him 3 or 4 times to be honest in total so very limited viewing. I did see those games, he can stick a man well I agree. We desperately need more quality down back so that would be a role potentially.
HeinzKetchup
Draftee
- Oct 24, 2018
- 4
- 111
- AFL Club
- Gold Coast
Followed Bond a lot this year, he is one of the most underrated players heading into the draft.
Giants were going to take him at 51 but Crows traded in front and snagged him.
He led the NAB League in tackles and finished second in the Rebels B&F. Usually ran the most kms per game for the Rebels as well, if you watch back some of their games he seems to be at every contest making second and third efforts.
Played across half-back and as a tagger for Vic Country and didn't miss a beat. His ability to successfully play multiple positions was a big positive for club recruiters.
Rebels coach said he should have gone in the 30s.
Most importantly, been away from family at boarding school so has no issues moving interstate. You guys have got a steal.
Giants were going to take him at 51 but Crows traded in front and snagged him.
He led the NAB League in tackles and finished second in the Rebels B&F. Usually ran the most kms per game for the Rebels as well, if you watch back some of their games he seems to be at every contest making second and third efforts.
Played across half-back and as a tagger for Vic Country and didn't miss a beat. His ability to successfully play multiple positions was a big positive for club recruiters.
Rebels coach said he should have gone in the 30s.
Most importantly, been away from family at boarding school so has no issues moving interstate. You guys have got a steal.
- Sep 17, 2011
- 2,193
- 2,332
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Sep 17, 2011
- 2,193
- 2,332
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
Wonder what his teammates will think when he turns up in his Aston Martin...vroom vroom...
I've heard he has a bit of a drinking problem.Wonder what his teammates will think when he turns up in his Aston Martin...vroom vroom...
WaynesWorld19
Moderator
- Moderator
- #25
Great selection ! …… better chance of making it than Dowling
Hasn’t played a lot of footy …. but has the high level discipline and work effort, that rowing brings
Hasn’t played a lot of footy …. but has the high level discipline and work effort, that rowing brings
