Training Pre season training
- Thread starter saintmike65
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Saintos The ITK
Premium Platinum
He’s a bit of a strange cat is Hunter. You’d think he’d be a Saints poster boy but you never see him interviewed or featuring in the vids the club puts out. Is he a bit of a loner or a bit shy???
I really hope he gets a clear run at it this year. I can finally say this year and stop having to change my sentence to next year.
I really hope he gets a clear run at it this year. I can finally say this year and stop having to change my sentence to next year.
I'm not having a go at him for his contact injuries. I just don't think he'd get a game as a mid at too many other clubs, Richmond maybe, and that's how I really think about him and the level he's at. Whether I like him or not.
phantom13
Moderator
- Moderator
- #2,529
This is an issue when people talk about depth players.
Is he getting a game at the dogs up against Bont, Treloar and Richards. Of course not. Is he getting a game at the dogs if one of them is injured and he’s battling Kennedy, Vandermeer and co. Probably.
He’d be in a midfield rotation at quite a few clubs, just as he is at ours (albeit he’s probably higher in our rotation)
gubby88
Club Legend
- Jul 31, 2022
- 2,077
- 6,778
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
when Clark gets the ball, magic happens usually. people have short memories. even the back end of last year, his ability to get foot to ball to one of our players while being ta led led to quite a few scoring shots.
On SM-A156E using BigFooty.com mobile app
On SM-A156E using BigFooty.com mobile app
So he had lots of score involvements?
Not even Macrae could get in front of those Bulldogs mids.
The constant scapegoating of Clark is a joke, however I am very happy for the pressure to come on to him.
No more free rides.
To call him Dunstan or Billings absolutely fails to understand his role in the mids.
On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app
Last edited:
- Nov 20, 2022
- 2,858
- 13,141
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Thread starter
- #2,533
He went pick 7 in a poor draft, suffered a car crash facial injury against Adelaide, then a couple of other facial injuries but he just keeps on going…I really admire him for that alone!
beside the seaside
Premium Platinum
- Jun 7, 2023
- 2,480
- 8,551
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Clark is at a bit of a crossroads. Has had terrible luck no doubt but at this stage his career has been average after a fantastic start. Let's hope he can get a good run at it to see where he's at.
It's funny how people use Billings as an example of where Clark is at. At this stage of their careers Billings would be in front of Clark. Billings played some good footy for us at times, I don't really get the desire to constantly pot him.
It's funny how people use Billings as an example of where Clark is at. At this stage of their careers Billings would be in front of Clark. Billings played some good footy for us at times, I don't really get the desire to constantly pot him.
- Oct 2, 2010
- 21,310
- 77,859
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Let's be honest, same with Dunstan at the same point of his career.
beside the seaside
Premium Platinum
- Jun 7, 2023
- 2,480
- 8,551
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
I don't mind Clark as a player but his TOG% would have to be among the worst in the comp for a mid. He can do special things and could still become a good player for us but the tendency to overrate current players and underrate past players is over the top. Dunstan was a bit like Clark in that he started out well but petered off as a player. I still think Clark can become a really solid B grade player for us but if he gets injured again I'd be really worried.
I like Clark as a point of difference inside mid for us - but unless he gets his TOG up I think he'll struggle to keep his spot. His ability to get the ball out in a tight situation is very good and compliments the runners around him.
Neil Elvis Winmar
Debutant
- Sep 22, 2023
- 79
- 355
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
He would get a game at lots of clubs as either a mid or a HB like he does at the saints.
His injuries have nothing to do with preparation so I think that’s why we cut him some extra slack. The last 3 preseasons he had actually been in the top couple of players in preseason and found an unlucky injury. Like half our list this year will be important to him and his career as we are still a list in transition.
His acceleration has only ever been my query on him. He’s actually always pretty well up there in metres covered vs playing time so he works hard. if he’s winning it at the source and bringing other players into the game I like him in the team.
But if the other emerging players push him out of the side then I think we are in a great position as a club, just not sure that’s going to be 2025 unless he’s injured!
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
Last edited:
Neil Elvis Winmar
Debutant
- Sep 22, 2023
- 79
- 355
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
You need 5-6 going through there and you need to get the mix right at any one time.
Dogs would probably play him at HB anyway!
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
- Oct 2, 2010
- 21,310
- 77,859
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Contract wise, I dont think he can afford another mid-long term injury this year. Another one would be hard for him to overcome.
While Dunsatn did drop off in a way, his last season for us was really good and if Clark could match that level of performance, we would be a better midfield group for it.
- Mar 14, 2013
- 5,869
- 12,344
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Hampton Rovers FC
Clarke ranks across his stats in about the 60 - 80th spot across midfielders. This puts him at about the 3/4th best midfielder averaged across an AFL list which seems about right for him so far. He would easily slot into any other midfield in the competition and fill that 4th man role.
I personally rate him higher then that however as I think his general poise and ability to shirk tackles is a trait that’s very difficult to find naturally in players and his only genuine weakness is his time on ground which at 60ish% limits his disposal average. If he can push that into the 75% range that will bring him to averaging more like 25 a game which is genuine A grade territory.
I personally rate him higher then that however as I think his general poise and ability to shirk tackles is a trait that’s very difficult to find naturally in players and his only genuine weakness is his time on ground which at 60ish% limits his disposal average. If he can push that into the 75% range that will bring him to averaging more like 25 a game which is genuine A grade territory.
Stan_Darsh72
Hall of Famer
- Jun 18, 2011
- 39,398
- 66,434
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
Clark has one thing going for him that Billings and Dunstan never had, the ability to find time and space in congestion.
That alone makes him a better player.
That alone makes him a better player.
ESPN8 The Ocho
Debutant
- Oct 12, 2019
- 55
- 295
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
If Hunter is going to succeed in 2025, he will have to be like a midget at a urinal.
Always be on his toes.
Always be on his toes.
Zzzed
Debutant
- Jan 5, 2018
- 54
- 212
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
I get that most don’t see Hunter in the starting line up. But at his best , which we haven’t seen a lot of due to lack of continuity, he has shown some nice tricks and is arguably best 23. At worst he is solid depth - and 8 times out of 10 will be better value than the draft pick we would get for him at this point in his career.
With a decent injury free run who is to say we don’t see him blossom in the same manner as Mason Wood. But another injury interrupted year and perhaps both parties may just think it’s time he needs a new environment.
With a decent injury free run who is to say we don’t see him blossom in the same manner as Mason Wood. But another injury interrupted year and perhaps both parties may just think it’s time he needs a new environment.
I think i have him just in the 22, but its a tight thing.
- Aug 17, 2014
- 1,525
- 3,294
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
He's just introverted. Jack Steven was our best player for years and was the shyest person at the club, it's a great club to be at if you don't want the media attention and limelight.
gringo2011
Premium Platinum
He probably starts the year on the bench in the best 22 but will have to motor so that the kids coming up under him don't take his spot.
gringo2011
Premium Platinum
He's unique, makes stuff happen and is creative. He's also had low professionalism and injury hold him back. He's probably at the point where we lost faith in Dunny and Billings. It's all there for him if he wants it enough. Hopefully he makes himself undroppable.
