No, it's not Stigmata, it's just Ben Stratton getting your attention.

[Mervyn Beasley]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

If he plays in half as many flags as Mewy and comes close to being in the team of the next century I'll be stoked.

 

[Neville Bartos]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Just out of interest, why wasn't Peter Knights selected at CHB ahead of Mew for our team of the century? I wasn't around to really see either of them play but from everything I've heard about Knights, he was one of the greatest and most spectacular CHBs of all time?

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Knights was more spectacular.
Mew was more dependable, played in more flags, played a heap for Victoria.
Knights also went forward a fair bit.

I had a lot of love for Mew. Seemed to average 8-10 marks a week, and so many of them were contested. Just never seemed to get beaten.

Most Non Hawks laugh at you when you say that he is the most under rated player ever. They would have no idea he is named ahead of Knights in that team.

That said, Knights was my boyhood idol and was pretty darn special.
Mew became a fave when I was a little more discerning, which is probably indicative of the selection.

 

[grizzlym]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Chris Mew was only 189 and 90kg, or there abouts, which is what Stratton is. Came to the Hawks as a wingman, in fact that's where he started off playing. The guy just didn't get beaten very often. As Merv pointed out, took contested marks, shut his opponent down and was a mainstay in defence.

And, the small matter of 5 flags in 13 seasons. We were spoiled in the 80s with some of the most formidable backmen to ever play the game - Mew, Ayres, Langford etc.

 

[Hawkforce]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Just out of interest, why wasn't Peter Knights selected at CHB ahead of Mew for our team of the century? I wasn't around to really see either of them play but from everything I've heard about Knights, he was one of the greatest and most spectacular CHBs of all time?

Yes Knights was.

But Mew was the best CHB of all time. Quiet achiever. Never beaten.

Just look at season's 1990 and 1991 - Mew retires in 90 we fall in a heap. He returns for 1991. We win another flag.

 

[WillowSF]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Played well against the Blues. Stratton is not a key defender but has shown that he can play against bigger forwards. (He will struggle however if he is expected to cover a Mooney or Brown without help from Hodge.) He has great enthusiasm and backs himself which has been sorely lacking from our undersized backline. Given his playing style it's not surprising that Stratton's been torched a couple of times already but his presence down back has been very positive. He still needs to work on his disposal and general awareness but he's looking like he could develop into a very accomplished footballer.
Definitely not Chris Mew who was the main man in our backline during the glory years. (Langford, Ayres and Collins were all amazing players but Mew simply never got beaten.)

 

[The Kipster]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Knights was more spectacular.
Mew was more dependable, played in more flags, played a heap for Victoria.
Knights also went forward a fair bit.

I had a lot of love for Mew. Seemed to average 8-10 marks a week, and so many of them were contested. Just never seemed to get beaten.

Most Non Hawks laugh at you when you say that he is the most under rated player ever. They would have no idea he is named ahead of Knights in that team.

That said, Knights was my boyhood idol and was pretty darn special.
Mew became a fave when I was a little more discerning, which is probably indicative of the selection.

Chris Mew was only 189 and 90kg, or there abouts, which is what Stratton is. Came to the Hawks as a wingman, in fact that's where he started off playing. The guy just didn't get beaten very often. As Merv pointed out, took contested marks, shut his opponent down and was a mainstay in defence.

And, the small matter of 5 flags in 13 seasons. We were spoiled in the 80s with some of the most formidable backmen to ever play the game - Mew, Ayres, Langford etc.

Good posts Gents...I used to love Chris Mew, his composure was unbelievable, nothing seemed to phase him....from what I remember of Knights as Mervyn pointed out, he was a swing-man, I remember him taking screamers forward and back...

oh, the memories....those were the days my friends...oh, yes they were the days


Oh, I almost forgot about the Stratocaster..........he backs himself in, often fooling the opposition into thinking by his appearance from behind that he is infact, one T Murphy.

 

[Ulittledipper]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Already exhibited that he is probably our best overhead mark in the side. Good get

 

[Jaworskyj 1971]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Really warming to Stratton ,when eventually Gibson comes back ,our backline will start to look alright ,still however we seem to lack that Prestiagcomo /Brian Lake type frontline KPD.Hopefully Stratton might bulk up a bit he otherwise he seems to be a natural back there.

Interesting that somebody has remarked on the fact that Mew was only 189cm (Knights was 188) .Back in the 80's ,that was considered an ideal height for for a KPD ,Dermott Brereton himself was only 186cms ,that is the same height as Jordan Lewis.Now days you need to be at least 192cm to tick all the boxes as a frontline KPD i.e one considered suitable for the big #1 forwards in an ideal world.Just goes to show how much bigger the current generation is than their dad's i suppose.

 

[The Kipster]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Just goes to show how much bigger the current generation is than their dad's i suppose.

It is all the roids they pump into the chickens and cattle, don't ask me how they pump the roids into them mind you

 

[jd1991]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

What I like about Stratton is he has closing speed. Look at the good backman they are able to somehow get to a contest when they originally seem to be out of it.

Most of our backmen dont seem to have that ability - Stratton so far has shown it. Raw and undersized for KPD in modern football - but he may be able to do it in a few years (refer to Sydney craig Bolton who is similiar size and plays on the really big fwds). But is more ideally suited to a 2nd/3rd tall in the fwd line.

 

[tazhawk]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

I like the look of young Statton and when Gibson comes back we will start to have a half decent backline.

 

[Turly]

The standout for me today was.....

Ben Stratton, he was absolutely awesome today. His role on Adam Goodes saved us big time, yes goodsy had 1 goal and 5 behinds but that was a result of good play from stratton, most of goodses shots came from the boundary line because stratton pushed him wide every time the ball came in and didn't allow any easy ones from directly infront.

What also really impresses me is his decisions under pressure, some of his work getting it out of defence was fantastic, and some of the interceptions he made were also excellent. The tackle he laid on goodes when he was running into goal is what i believe kicked it off because from there on goodes didn't look a huge threat.

For mine, he was B.O.G today and it's bloody great to see the massive impact that he has made for us, keep up the good work stratts, your a big part of our future, GOOO HAWKSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Roby]

Re: The standout for me today was.....

Yep, yep, yep. Still can't believe he was 3rd round in the draft when he was drafted. There was big wraps even before he was drafted. I guess it shows that most AFL clubs do not require Key Defensive Position players so much, and we badly do.

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

Re: The standout for me today was.....

Ben Stratton, he was absolutely awesome today. His role on Adam Goodes saved us big time, yes goodsy had 1 goal and 5 behinds but that was a result of good play from stratton, most of goodses shots came from the boundary line because stratton pushed him wide every time the ball came in and didn't allow any easy ones from directly infront.

What also really impresses me is his decisions under pressure, some of his work getting it out of defence was fantastic, and some of the interceptions he made were also excellent. The tackle he laid on goodes when he was running into goal is what i believe kicked it off because from there on goodes didn't look a huge threat.

For mine, he was B.O.G today and it's bloody great to see the massive impact that he has made for us, keep up the good work stratts, your a big part of our future, GOOO HAWKSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree, he was outstanding today. I thought his disposal may have been lacking in his first couple of games, but he looks a lot more composed and reliable with every game. Reads the ball well and great closing speed.

First hawthorn defender since Croady to look really good overhead!

What a find.

 

[Roby]

Re: The standout for me today was.....

Agree, he was outstanding today. I thought his disposal may have been lacking in his first couple of games, but he looks a lot more composed and reliable with every game. Reads the ball well and great closing speed.

First hawthorn defender since Croady to look really good overhead!

What a find.

He is probably one of the best kicks at our club if you take in account his ability to kick well with both feet.

 

[hodgeysleftfoot]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Another good game from Benny
Hope he keeps racking up good games like this
He adds a calmness and stability to our backline
Love him!

 

[dp_ramas]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Excellent game again by Stratts, this kid is has had a great first season.

What a great pickup in the draft.

 

[Lord Wentworth]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Great to see had the confidence and reading of the game to be able to leave Goodes at times and make a positive impact. He will be a great player in 4 years time barring injury.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Really good find. Has 200+ games written all over him.

 

[Arkadia]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

We have ourselves a football player

 

[Dew2KFC2Flag08]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

I love this kid. He is becoming one of my favourites in this team. He has stood up well in the past 2 games and I think he has what it takes to become a good defender in this league. We need one too. I like his composure and good skills under pressure. Takes a fair few good marks when 1 on 1 as well.

 

[mrcurly]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Really warming to Stratton ,when eventually Gibson comes back ,our backline will start to look alright ,still however we seem to lack that Prestiagcomo /Brian Lake type frontline KPD.Hopefully Stratton might bulk up a bit he otherwise he seems to be a natural back there.

Interesting that somebody has remarked on the fact that Mew was only 189cm (Knights was 188) .Back in the 80's ,that was considered an ideal height for for a KPD ,Dermott Brereton himself was only 186cms ,that is the same height as Jordan Lewis.Now days you need to be at least 192cm to tick all the boxes as a frontline KPD i.e one considered suitable for the big #1 forwards in an ideal world.Just goes to show how much bigger the current generation is than their dad's i suppose.

I think the measurement that matters the most for key position players is how tall they are from the ground to the tips of their fingers when they jump for a mark, for Knights that was somewhere close to 4 metres..

 

[PottSie2]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Player another great game today. In terms of form and pure stopping power, I would put him ahead of Gilham and Murphy at the moment.

 

[Mojo]

Re: Ben Stratton. Is he our future Chris Mew?

Player another great game today. In terms of form and pure stopping power, I would put him ahead of Gilham and Murphy at the moment.

My gold fish is ahead of Murphy.

I'm sorry, I'm not a player basher.. I'm just an alcoholic.