Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn, Changkuoth Jiath - 2017 category B rookie

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[The Chad and I]

CJ had a great return tonight and it was his best game in years for mine. Last year he looked a bit fumbly and indecisive I felt - but tonight he was back to his very best. Hard running, both ways, putting his body on the line, spoiling and he went at 90% DE as well. So good to have him back to his old form - hoping it continues.

Agree.
CJ was very good, and his 1 on 1 duels were great tonight.

 

[TONYC3163]

Agree.
CJ was very good, and his 1 on 1 duels were great tonight.

I was critical early, but finished welll.

 

[suedehead]

The CJ of old returned. Was so good to have him back.

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[Iceman!]

I was critical early, but finished welll.

Yeah considering how much footy he had missed he far exceeded my expectations on return!

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Keep him across half back, CJ is much better when he can just react to the game as it comes and half back is the perfect position for this type of player.

Very solid first game, well done CJ

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

People realizing why Sam sees CJ as big part of our 22.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

People realizing why Sam sees CJ as big part of our 22.

I get why you have been a believer also. Not that I was looking for the hook or questioning his role in the side when picked - but last year at times he looked so shaky and not his confident and brash self. Last night he was so bloody good though - glad he's back!

 

[flinchfree]

Changkouth was simply great tonight.
Looked 100% ready to go.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Changkouth was simply great tonight.
Looked 100% ready to go.

That was the incredible thing - he is coming off another long spell, has an interrupted few years and he comes in and performs like it's round 20 and he has been in the run on side every week.

 

[VandoHawk]

His defensive running yesterday was super impressive. Would use his pace to shut down multiple options and force dump kicks. Amon was doing it too.

As he gains confidence, I think we'll start seeing his trademark offensive runs too. Wasn't the night for it yesterday.

 

[TheFourPillars]

He looked great in pre season. I was pretty confident he would hit the ground running. I think with a few more games I am sure you will see CJ just light it up with his blistering runs from half back

 

[Hodgey 15]

So happy for CJ last night.
His defensive efforts were excellent.

 

[toomanysquibs]

CJ is back! We keep finding players to pop up and keep us on an even keel.

Wonderful game from a player who will be among our best given a long enough crack at it.

 

[Titch3Votes0MooreAA]

Arguably one of his better defensive displays for the club. Looked more intent and therefore likely to win contested situations than he used to, and his positioning seems to be getting better. Seems he's now enjoying the hard defensive efforts and the one-percenters, whereas I thought in the past he was a bit flat-footed at getting to contests and doing the hard stuff. Great to have him back in the side; the selection squeeze is well and truly on again at Hawthorn...

 

[SSSSSS]

Kade copped a lot of slack early on in his stint as a line coach but his whole theme of DEFENDers seems to be working really well.

CJ is a bloody good DEFENDer at the end of the day.

With two athletic beasts in CJ and Finn locking up two whole halves of the ground defensively, we are becoming really difficult to score against.

 

[Dipper]

I have already mentioned this to some of the hawthorn supporters i know. I will say it again. There are two players that i see that could take us all the way. CJ is a difference maker. If he stays fit and plays to his best we're going to go close this year. He fits our game style as well as anyone else in the team. The other player is Lewis. Fingers crossed what a great game by CJ. He is only going to get better

If you could have only one of Dear or Lewis back and cherry ripe for the backend of the season would you choose Lewis? (I assume yes based on your post).

It's interesting, personally I'd choose Dear but I very much hope it's both.

 

[TheFourPillars]

If you could have only one of Dear or Lewis back and cherry ripe for the backend of the season would you choose Lewis? (I assume yes based on your post).

It's interesting, personally I'd choose Dear but I very much hope it's both.

Lewis. Dear is still just a kid and unlike last year hasn't had a pre season

 

[Ka Norkers]

If the Hawks don't have any further injuries in the short-term, CJ Worpel and Macdonald are going to pose serious selection headaches for Sam. CJ was back to his best, and first-up too!!
Scrimshaw is a gun, and walk-up start.
Ward and Mackenzie both played their best games for the club on Thursday. Maginness and Harry have both been really good.
If nobody gets injured during the GWS and Port games, Easter Monday is a real, real selection problem.

 

[Threadkilla]

Just watched the replay. He took a great contested mark and first goal of the game. Must’ve got his confidence up. Anyway, that’s what Brian said.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

The game tonight wasn’t played in a way that really gave CJ space to show off his run and carry, but watching at the ground I thought he used his run really well defensively to cover the ground laterally to prevent Carlton from being able to exit their D50 with a long kick.

He really paired well with Barrass in that it allowed TB to just sit back as the spare and make sure our defensive zone was holding shape and not have to do too much running himself.

CJ is def a player where you see his value so much more live at the ground. His cover is huge. I often think it’s why there is a fair bit of difference of opinion about him. Those that see him live at the ground understand his value whereas those that don’t attend don’t see this part. It’s great to have him back. I hope he plays within himself and gets thru a good block of games.

 

[TheFourPillars]

He was running on top of the ground in pre season. Few can go with him when he takes off really excited about what he will bring this year

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Kade copped a lot of slack early on in his stint as a line coach but his whole theme of DEFENDers seems to be working really well.

CJ is a bloody good DEFENDer at the end of the day.

With two athletic beasts in CJ and Finn locking up two whole halves of the ground defensively, we are becoming really difficult to score against.

I reckon with CJ if he focuses on the defending first (and he is a good one on one defender) then the offensive side of his game will flow naturally from that.

CJ strikes me as a player who thrives when he is given a clear job to do. And it's pretty straightforward playing off half back, beat you man and when you can run offensively.

 

[peetoo]

His multiple efforts in opponents handball chains were really disruptive for them

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

I reckon with CJ if he focuses on the defending first (and he is a good one on one defender) then the offensive side of his game will flow naturally from that.

CJ strikes me as a player who thrives when he is given a clear job to do. And it's pretty straightforward playing off half back, beat you man and when you can run offensively.

CJ learnt to be a defender and is therefore comfortable playing this role. He was super exciting as a HBFer few years back before the injuries hit

He struggled as a winger last season. I would be surprised if we see him much in that role this year, maybe in games that may afford more education

 

[extractasam]

CJ is def a player where you see his value so much more live at the ground. His cover is huge. I often think it’s why there is a fair bit of difference of opinion about him. Those that see him live at the ground understand his value whereas those that don’t attend don’t see this part. It’s great to have him back. I hope he plays within himself and gets thru a good block of games.

Yeah agree , I hadn’t thought about this, but im always so much more frustrated watching CJ on TV rather than at the game. Sometimes you’ll just see him flash in screen and fumble what seems to be unfumblable, but you don’t get to see the 100m sprint he’s just done to close space and help out a teammate.

Thought he was really good Thursday in what was a slippery game at times. I wonder if we are full strength what his role would be if he’s to keep his spot. That wing role we saw most of last season, or across half back?