Kyle Hardingham

[MAAAATTDAAAAMON]

After reading praccy match reviews it got me thinking about Kyle Hardingham.


Last year he had his moments, kicking a few goals, but ultimately failed to play four quarters. His better games he would get a few shots on goal, but very little link up play around the ground. Late in the season people began saying he was a more natural backman, and that's where he'd play in 2011.

Simple question:

Does he deserve to be in the best 22? If so, where? Back or forward?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Forward and just outside the best 22. However, could easily push into the best 22. I have high hopes of him this year.

 

[LeeARM]

If he can play forward and back he might be a good sub option. But right now I'd say he'll be pushed out of the team with Williams looking good at the moment, along with the improvement of our young midfielders which will take up a few spots.

 

[ghostdog]

Dunno if Hardingham's best 22 or not. I like him though. Athletic, agile. A bit hit and miss goal kicking according to reports though.

 

[Red n Black Pride]

I'm a huge Hardingham fan, was at his debut last year and he was brilliant in that game. And the mark against Carlton was superb! Although I completely agree he is a little bit hit or miss, I think consistency will come with more afl experience. I've certainly got him in my best 22.

 

[Yoda_]

Random, but, he should be playing as a running goalkicking midfielder utility.

Watched him play defence at Bendigo and struggled at times, whilst his goalkicking up forward are there for all to see.

Think all his athletic attributes could see him become useful through the midfield.

 

[Bomber32]

He's not best 22 material just yet but he has a fair bit of potential. From the games I saw him play last year, I would certainly play him up forward.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Don't rate.

 

[B-Bomber]

Can I vote for:

Whichever is the opposite end to Hurley?

I think he could be the guy that swaps with Hurley. Need more defensive edge, Hurley back Hardingham forward. Need a bigger body in the forward line, swap them back.

 

[Kong]

Not sold on him either, but he's surplus to our requirements anyway, so anything he can produce will be a bonus.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Random, but, he should be playing as a running goalkicking midfielder utility.

Watched him play defence at Bendigo and struggled at times, whilst his goalkicking up forward are there for all to see.

Think all his athletic attributes could see him become useful through the midfield.

Disagree. Forward is his best possy. Enables him to express his exuberance and to utilise his running ability to chase down players. He seems to apply great pressure in the forward line.

 

[Red n Black Pride]

Don't rate.

Oh don't you? Well in that case he should just be delisted.

 

[Vass38]

I keep a list of the 'best 22' bombers in an excel spreadsheet and pretend Im coach & pick what positions and what players from the squad Id have in. After hearing the practice match performce write ups I find myself keeping Hardingham in the best 22, but I wasnt there, and Im not the coach so I dont really know. What I do know is that I regularly switch players in and out of the best 22, as I think its a fluid thing - depends on your opinion, coachs opinion, player form, media hype, opposition and so many other things.
Anyway for the record I have had and would continue to have Hardingham in my best 22 but only find a spot for him on the bench

 

[ghostdog]

I keep a list of the 'best 22' bombers in an excel spreadsheet and pretend Im coach & pick what positions and what players from the squad Id have in. After hearing the practice match performce write ups I find myself keeping Hardingham in the best 22, but I wasnt there, and Im not the coach so I dont really know. What I do know is that I regularly switch players in and out of the best 22, as I think its a fluid thing - depends on your opinion, coachs opinion, player form, media hype, opposition and so many other things.
Anyway for the record I have had and would continue to have Hardingham in my best 22 but only find a spot for him on the bench

I believed last year's pre-season reports about NLM would see him carry his form into the season, to no avail.

I like the spreadsheet idea as well.
Might copy that.

 

[Burzum]

Not sold on him either, but he's surplus to our requirements anyway, so anything he can produce will be a bonus.

Agree.

 

[Knight Ryders]

I think he could be very important in the next couple of years with the way the game is being played. Players that can pluck the ball in a contested situation or at least create a contest/spill will be super valuable. He will create all sorts of headaches for defensive coaches and release players like Williams/Zaka/Monfries to carve up.

He's no Barlow, but we shouldn't complain; he'll be a player

 

[thebigboy]

His leap and marking ability is top rate but can't help thinking that if he's getting a regular game this year, we're not gunna have a good year.

 

[The Donners]

Could be a bit of an impact player coming off the bench but in all honesty when I think about it, I just can't see him becoming a consistent performer at least in the forward line and I can't see him getting a game in the back 6 with Pears, Fletcher, Hooker, Slattery, Heppell and even Dempsey ahead of him. Realistically, I couldn't see him getting a game ahead of Monfries, Gumbleton, Carlisle, Williams, Hurley and Davey in the forward line.

On a side note, wow, we'll have a tall forward line considering we'll have a resting ruckman as well. I read somewhere where they're expecting Hurley to play forward, must mean Carlisle will play in defense. Going to be very interesting on our forward line set up.

 

[windyhill]

Bit Micky Symons, mark of the year then stick it on the full. Love his ethusiasm though, full hearted effort as you would expect coming off the rookie list. Take note Jay !

 

[LukeParkerno1]

For me, outside the best 22. Has a few good qualities but none stand out. I would rather Williams shooting for goal, than Kyle. Then he is not in our best key backs. However for mine he could be the perfect sub player- a guy that can play both ends if needed.

 

[The Bomb]

Steinberg could be the one who keeps him out, not straight away, but soon enough, pretty sure Steinberg kicked 4 goals in our 1st trial match.

 

[Slattery_20]

So far, handy without being locked-in.

I believed last year's pre-season reports about NLM would see him carry his form into the season, to no avail.

I like the spreadsheet idea as well.
Might copy that.

He did though. Was very useful clearing the ball & pumping it long in the first 6 or 8 weeks, he ended up top 10 or so in the B&F.
He'll always be a bit sloppy on the kick, unfortunately.

 

[HighettBomber]

I can see him pinch hitting in the forward line, but I don't think we can afford to have someone with such inept foot skills in the forward line. If he could learn to kick he would really add something to the forwardline. I wouldn't like to see him too deep imn defence either, again because of his kicking, and if every team plays a Collingwood style zone, kicking skills will be a must ijn the backline.

I would like to see him in the best 22 because his athletic attributes are elite, but the only place I can see him be able to play consistently is half back.

 

[Jade]

He is a freakin handful. Kind of reminds me of a Russell Robertson type player.

I say play him. He'll have quiet patches, but he'll also cause hassles.

 

[Smokin]

I am remaining very open minded about our 'best 22' even if that concept is at all relevant, seeing as often it is horses for courses and of course rarely do teams ever have the whole list 100% available.

I think with a new direction, new game plan and new coaching philosophy, many things including personnel can change fairly quickly.

Hardingham is every chance to be a regular senior player IMHO - a lot of his deficiencies you could have said about Jack Riewoldt 12-18 months ago. The bottom line is though, he is an extremely hard matchup, is great in the air and on the ground, can move and is flexible. He may not be Jack of course, but lets give him a little more time.

I personally feel that outside of Ryder, he is the hardest matchup in our potential forwardline, and that is saying something as guys like Hurley, Gumby and Williams all have pretty strong strengths.