Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Cody Anderson

[Simon Crawshay]

I think he's the type to absolutely smash BH.
He's physically ready to go, and not many will be able to deal with his speed in defence. He's got AFL traits that will stand out immediately.

That's what I thought when I watched that highlight package. Having that speed and desire for physical contact are both clear AFL traits that are rare to see in such a young player. Also seems to be handy above his head which is something that he will need if he wants to get a spot as a mid sized forward.

Will need to work on his skills though but his kicking mechanics don't look too bad at first glance. Probably just needs to learn to take his time when disposing of the ball, like Worps had to.

 

[Del33640]

I think he's the type to absolutely smash BH.
He's physically ready to go, and not many will be able to deal with his speed in defence. He's got AFL traits that will stand out immediately.

I'm guessing he'll get a game in the seniors if injury strikes, and he's playing well at Box Hill.

That said, it's hard to see any players breaking into the side who weren't thereabouts during finals. But teams do get injuries, and if his form is good the other guys on the fringe will have to be playing better than he is (and vice versa).

Standout traits are valued highly at Hawthorn, particularly if you get in line and play your way to the front of the pecking order.

 

[The Chad and I]

I think he's the type to absolutely smash BH.
He's physically ready to go, and not many will be able to deal with his speed in defence. He's got AFL traits that will stand out immediately.

He will dominate BH.
Then it's a question of where he fits into the seniors, bc it's not in the midfield at this point, that's for sure.
I know we get excited by players with speed and physical dominance, but that's gonna last about as long as his 3rd turnover, or mishandling of the ball to break down a chain of play etc

He has very specific elite traits that would serve an immediate purpose as a pressure forward, but also weaknesses that will not be tolerated by S. Mitchell further up the field.

His rate of improvement with his skills is the big one to watch.
If he can just get this to a reliable level of competence, he will become a weapon.
Doesn't need to do the exquisite, just hit clear targets, clean ball handling etc.

 

[FB19]

He’s unlikely getting a game ahead of Ginni, Wiz, Croc, Moorey or Punk just because he likes to chase and tackle.

Probably true but if he forces match committee to have that conversation and not because of injuries or poor form we will all be rapt. He’s good depth for now and let’s see what he can become.

 

[cryptor]

Does seem like the type that could play a bit next year. His style of play (being hard and contested, chasing, etc.) will perpetually keep him in the frame for selection. And obviously looks well suited to the sub given he could play a variety of roles and bring a heap of energy late in games.

I don't expect he will play a lot in the seniors next year, if at all, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did either.

 

[matey]

Love where our list is at allowing the young players that arrive to transition there game from fitness, skills, acclimatising, preparation etc …….. no rush.
Sam knows that Finn just can’t tag or Moore just a half forward where he now runs up high applying manic pressure helping out the mids etc ……. players are expected to continuously improve and work on other parts of their game as they can’t just be one trick pony’s. Id imagine as soon as he starts Cody will be working on finding a nice balance of beauty and the beast!

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Some big statements for a player most have never seen play.

 

[I got the outside word]

Some big statements for a player most have never seen play.

Just because you’ve never won a Brownlow and Cody will by the end of the year doesn’t mean I’m wrong.

I do like him though, I think he can find the goals, tackles and chases hard and these could be very good pressure forward traits. Possibly ends up 15 possession 5-6 tackles and a goal or two a game player?

 

[MazHawk]

There's lots to like but lots of work to be done to iron out those deficiencies.
Pros: Is physically ready (and imposing) for AFL. Hunts the ball carrier relentlessly. Tackling machine.
Cons: Disposal efficiency. Spatial awareness.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

If I was a betting man, I'd gamble that'd he'd play 10 games + at a minimum.

He's got the attributes and the physical build. He doesn't necessarily need to 'develop' in the VFL, other than cleaning up his disposal by foot.

Would be the perfect sub option as a high impact player, even though I want to see the sub rule abolished.

Ok, you’re free to throw money away if you want.

We’ve just improved our list through the trade period, players like Weddle, Hardwick and even Sicily might need to play in other parts of the ground as a consequence, on top of Finn, CJ, Harry all fighting for 1 spot and we have a host of small forwards and high half forwards, but Pick 60 something is going to come in and play 10 games….


As others have said, if Anderson plays 10 games in 2025 we’ve had a heap of injuries and we’re missing finals.

 

[Brishawk]

Does he have a tank? Love his tackling!

 

[bigmaxi]

Some big statements for a player most have never seen play.

I think the term is : Draft Rush, the exhilaration of your teams selection post draft which leads to outlandish statements of fact and a stiffening of excitement in anticipation of coming training reports which contain the keys words….tearing and up and track.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Worpel re-gen

Was my 1st thought about him & if he comes on then maybe he pushes Worps or Newc to hold their spot. Effective disposal could be the key anyway plenty of time for that.
Go well 'beast', ' predator', 'chopper' or what ever ya tag will be.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Ok, you’re free to throw money away if you want.

We’ve just improved our list through the trade period, players like Weddle, Hardwick and even Sicily might need to play in other parts of the ground as a consequence, on top of Finn, CJ, Harry all fighting for 1 spot and we have a host of small forwards and high half forwards, but Pick 60 something is going to come in and play 10 games….


As others have said, if Anderson plays 10 games in 2025 we’ve had a heap of injuries and we’re missing finals.

I don't make this statement lightly.

I didn't expect Calsher Dear to play a game for two years.

Anderson enters the league physically capable with skills most players don't possess.

Those are generally the types who play early.

Also, when we were 1-6, Lewis was injured and Dear was debuting as our key forward in the absence of Chol, who would have anticipated that we'd finish our season in semi-final week?

The depth is there. We can cover injuries and still have a successful season.

 

[HedgeFund]

He has a crack, that’s for sure. Going to be fun to watch him at Box Hill.

I’m not on board with all these posts about him playing next year, our side and particularly our forward line where some suggest he will play is stacked.

Yep. He’s not blessed with sublime talent or vision.

Clearly a hard nut with natural defensive instincts.

Would be surprised to see him pass a dozen players on our list in his first year to get a gig in the senior side. Might happen, and particularly if we get injuries to our small fwds, but I doubt it.

 

[HedgeFund]

I think the term is : Draft Rush, the exhilaration of your teams selection post draft which leads to outlandish statements of fact and a stiffening of excitement in anticipation of coming training reports which contain the keys words….tearing and up and track.

Yep - like Henry Hustwaite waltzing straight in and being the next Pendelbury primarily because he was 195cm (now taller).

Every new kid will be a star, and we will be selecting teams of 32 players because we can’t possibly leave someone out.

How many houses are being trained down this week?

 

[Manila_Hawk]

The thought of the Beast being our new Paul Puopolo

28

Paul Puopolo

Age

37

Ht

173cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.9

4star

K

6.9

3star

HB

6.9

4star

M

2.2

2star

T

4.3

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

8.5

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

1.0

1star

T

2.5

3star

G

0.3

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

8.8

4star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

4.8

5star

G

0.0

1star

is pretty exciting though.

C'mon... Admit it.

 

[Slainte]

I can see how Cody gets game time in 2025. Day and Newcombe are both very versatile and don't have to play midfield. Nash just needs to improve his overhead marking and he will also be very versatile. Rotation depth provides a competitive advantage. If Cody is ready, he could get decent midfield minutes without displacing a current mid. It will all depend on how how quickly he can sharpen up his disposal.

 

[Tomohawks]

There's lots to like but lots of work to be done to iron out those deficiencies.
Pros: Is physically ready (and imposing) for AFL. Hunts the ball carrier relentlessly. Tackling machine.
Cons: Disposal efficiency. Spatial awareness.

I think it looks pretty good judging by his highlight packages especially around the stoppage.

 

[cs61]

I remember watching Box Hill, not knowing who he was, thinking he was probably a mature mid season draft type option. After the game was hoping we were hiding him for that, but never heard of him again. In that game he was noticeable , constantly among it either harassing or ending up with the ball. 2 goals, 16 touches, 4 clearances, and a fair amount of presence on the game for (what I found out later was) a young developing player. Haven't had a sight of him before or since, but happy to have drafted him with a late pick given the glimpses he showed in his first up Box Hill game against seasoned players. Pace, aggression, size, and a knack of finding the ball midfield and forward? Think a bit to work with for Sam there.

 

[The Kipster]

Welcome young fella, wishing you great success in the B&G.

 

[Roddy]

Did he play more more as a defensive forward or midfielder this year?

 

[triangulation_squared]

Injuries aside, iterested to know why he went so late. Came top 10 in the 20m sprint in the 23 combine which is genuine speed.

Looks like a pure jet. Most likely to slot in next to Wiz up forward in the poppy role over the next decade but I can see Sam Mitchell potentially putting him with the backs in a Willie Rioli

15

Willie Rioli

Age

30

Ht

175cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.0

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

11.0

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.6

3star

/ Ksiyah Pickett / Bobby Hill lockdown role.

The peripheral tackling pressure he brings alongside Moore, Wiz, D'Ambrosio is going to bring a tonne of turnovers and assists thru the corridor.

Hok Ball Beast Mode setting activated

 

[MasterSamurai]

You gotta love how our club is thinking about the here and now with Barras and Battle then, going and drafting youngsters with upside for the near future. The beast is comfortable when playing as a clearance/stoppage impact player where he will run with the ball away from the congestion with good pace , so, if he does play some games don't be surprised to see Sam throwing him at stoppages to make an immediate impact. Where he will struggle is when the balls in active play , that's when he'll be more frwd of centre post clearances. He is a different cat, in that, profile of a hunter , pressure player but, knows how to kick a goal or two. Stoked about this pick up more than a few here

 

[SSSSSS]

Looks like he has similar closing speed to The Wizard but he hits a lot harder due to his size. I haven’t seen many underage kids tackle with that level of ferocity before (any?)

As previously mentioned I am also not a fan of the sub rule (in fact I hate it) but he looks well suited to coming on as a substitute to wreck havoc in the middle / up forward. Reckon he could play a few games next year if his fitness is up to standard.

Bloody unit for an 18 year old as well!

Wardlaw and JHF were ferocious at underage level.