Player Watch Welcome to Hawthorn - Emerson Jeka - delisted 2023

[tommyk72]

100% we can.
We're crying out for a 2nd KPD to play CHB as it is.

Is a big BP/FP - not a KPD.

He’s playing as a KPD though. Another average game today. I really think he needs to go out for Jeka. Cost us all our momentum today.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Jeka for mine is a definite keeper now. He is such a great distributor from the back half and not many players can kick the ball the way he does!This is a weapon that clubs are looking for.
I am hoping that the penny has dropped and Zane Little-John preaching of consistency has sunk in?
Even though there are some on hear that think his papers are stamped.
I actually find Jeka one of our most exciting prospects when he is up and about!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Sure he's been good at Box Hill, but he's done nothing at AFL level to be so confident that he has a future.

 

[A1fromDay1]

Sure he's been good at Box Hill, but he's done nothing at AFL level to be so confident that he has a future.

I don't see the risk in Jeka taking Frost's spot for the last 4 games of the year.

Jeka sets the world alight we finish 16th

Jeka plays and gets donuts while being a defensive liability we still finish 16th

There is no risk and we will find out what we have.

There is a 0% chance that Frost is in our side when we are contending, so find out what we have in Jeka once and for all.

Similarly what if Clarko had dropped Dylan Moore in 2020 after his two poor performances and he didn't have his breakout game against the suns in the last game, we wouldn't have our current vice captain.

There is no risk in finding out what we have in Jeka

 

[The Chad and I]

Can we fit Jeka and Blanck in the same side? It might solve our KPD issue to have two 200cm+ defenders to throw on the two tallest forwards and let our interceptors play off them.

Yes.
Blanck to shutdown the main KP threat.
Jeka and Sicily controlling the air and providing elite distribution.
Fit everybody else around these 3.

Surplus is pushed up the ground, kept as depth, or traded.

 

[MasterSamurai]

I don't see the risk in Jeka taking Frost's spot for the last 4 games of the year.

Jeka sets the world alight we finish 16th

Jeka plays and gets donuts while being a defensive liability we still finish 16th

There is no risk and we will find out what we have.

There is a 0% chance that Frost is in our side when we are contending, so find out what we have in Jeka once and for all.

Similarly what if Clarko had dropped Dylan Moore in 2020 after his two poor performances and he didn't have his breakout game against the suns in the last game, we wouldn't have our current vice captain.

There is no risk in finding out what we have in Jeka

There's merit in this way of thinking. Wouldn't mind seeing what jeka can provide and maybe even in two games we can see what he's made of at senior level.

 

[Rowie6]

Sure he's been good at Box Hill, but he's done nothing at AFL level to be so confident that he has a future.

I do have concerns with Jeka’s competitive desire but I also look at his positive and if there is a chance we can still tap into that I will take that as we have nothing to lose now?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I don't see the risk in Jeka taking Frost's spot for the last 4 games of the year.

Jeka sets the world alight we finish 16th

Jeka plays and gets donuts while being a defensive liability we still finish 16th

There is no risk and we will find out what we have.

There is a 0% chance that Frost is in our side when we are contending, so find out what we have in Jeka once and for all.

Similarly what if Clarko had dropped Dylan Moore in 2020 after his two poor performances and he didn't have his breakout game against the suns in the last game, we wouldn't have our current vice captain.

There is no risk in finding out what we have in Jeka

I think the club may feel that they already know what they have.

 

[FB19]

Yes.
Blanck to shutdown the main KP threat.
Jeka and Sicily controlling the air and providing elite distribution.
Fit everybody else around these 3.

Surplus is pushed up the ground, kept as depth, or traded.

How’s this look for last 4 games?
Mitchell Blanck Jeka
Hardwick Sicily Impey
Weddle Newk Amon
Moore Lewis wingard
Brockman Ryan Bruest
Reeves Day Worpel
Nash Scrimshaw Long Ward Cmac

Mackenzie to play main man at box hill today not good for his development

 

[naysayer]

How’s this look for last 4 games?
Mitchell Blanck Jeka
Hardwick Sicily Impey
Weddle Newk Amon
Moore Lewis wingard
Brockman Ryan Bruest
Reeves Day Worpel
Nash Scrimshaw Long Ward Cmac

Mackenzie to play main man at box hill today not good for his development

Well the reality is it's about form, availability and what's required against the opposition. Bit hard to presume our set up will be the same 4 weeks in a row.

I also think Serong might get an opportunity ahead of Jeka. Both out of contract and Jai has been banging the door down for almost 2 months, whereas Jeka has been back for 3 weeks. It'll be interesting.

 

[dermott]

Well the reality is it's about form, availability and what's required against the opposition. Bit hard to presume our set up will be the same 4 weeks in a row.

I also think Serong might get an opportunity ahead of Jeka. Both out of contract and Jai has been banging the door down for almost 2 months, whereas Jeka has been back for 3 weeks. It'll be interesting.

Agree re Serong. Has been good since returning from illness.

 

[The Chad and I]

Sure he's been good at Box Hill, but he's done nothing at AFL level to be so confident that he has a future.

In one of his 3 games last season he collected 16 disposals and 7 marks.
Hardly 'nothing' for a guy who has only played 7 games so far.

 

[Tomohawks]

In one of his 3 games last season he collected 16 disposals and 7 marks.
Hardly 'nothing' for a guy who has only played 7 games so far.

I also remember him taking some huge marks that day. He is very talented both aerially and by foot. If the penny can drop (ie competitiveness) we will have a serious player.

 

[FB19]

Also what are we losing, who are we keeping out? Surely he replaces frost and it’s time for that now. You could argue Serong but I think he needs a pre season and a mostly box hill year to learn his craft properly and solidify as a defender. It’s clear to me now that DGB is a third defender and Sicily has his spot. One more year for Jeka but he had to play seniors for a block of games and let’s see. If not making it by years end Serong will be ready and McCabe developing and we will be well stocked. It’s worth another year.

 

[Flukey!]

I think the club may feel that they already know what they have.

100% this.
The club knows exactly what they have with Jeka. Its not like he is new to the list.
I am sure they will play him if there is merit in it.

 

[barbster]

Sure he's been good at Box Hill, but he's done nothing at AFL level to be so confident that he has a future.

Thought he looked alright in the seniors at the back end of last year. He is only 21 so still very young for a key position player and has had an injury interrupted season. Playing well for Box Hill at the moment with the injuries he has had this year is an achievement in itself. He may not be the best lockdown defender, but he does have a great intercept mark, sublime kicking and even his handballs are top notch. Like others here, I would prefer giving him games over Frost and would be disappointed if we didn’t give him 1 more year.

 

[barbster]

Well the reality is it's about form, availability and what's required against the opposition. Bit hard to presume our set up will be the same 4 weeks in a row.

I also think Serong might get an opportunity ahead of Jeka. Both out of contract and Jai has been banging the door down for almost 2 months, whereas Jeka has been back for 3 weeks. It'll be interesting.

Both Jeka and Serong have had their issues this year and fortunate for them are both playing some good football down back for Box Hill. To me Jeka is the one that needs to prove himself more in order to get a contract extension, as he is a rookie, older and has been at the club longer, so I’d be giving him a game over Serong at this point in time.

 

[Billyc]

I think the club may feel that they already know what they have.

Seems that way. Sam is not fond of guys who cruise. He can't understand them.

 

[Gaston]

Another club will take a punt, maybe West Coast, it is a shame as talent is there

As the kid is from Altona, you are referencing the wrong West.
With Bruce done with another ACL and Keath a stop gap at best you are handing them a potential ready made player.
Jeka may not be the answer to their backline issues but does the club want to give them a leg up?

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

Box Hill Coach Zane Littlejohn has reviewed the performances of every AFL listed Hawk following their recent win against the Sandringham Zebras.

Emerson Jeka (20 disposals, 9 marks)​

"Jek has put together a really good month of footy after coming back from his injury. He really has been able to own his role and his position in defence again. He has taken the nine marks, two of which were contested. He had to play on some real genuine talls at times, but then slide across to the medium smalls as well when we needed him too. We should be really excited with what Jeks is showing, he's got to be really consistent, he's finding form at the right end of the year."

 

[burner1]

Can’t see the downside in giving him a few games. He’s doing enough at vfl to get a recall but the gap between afl and vfl is as large as ever (see bramble) - why not get some actual updated evidence on how he goes at afl level as a defender? Thought he was pretty decent in his 3 games last year. It’s not like we’re overflowing with key talls down back.

 

[FB19]

Can’t see the downside in giving him a few games. He’s doing enough at vfl to get a recall but the gap between afl and vfl is as large as ever (see bramble) - why not get some actual updated evidence on how he goes at afl level as a defender? Thought he was pretty decent in his 3 games last year. It’s not like we’re overflowing with key talls down back.

Ash Browne on hawks insiders thought that Mitchell would be going all in with best 23 this week to assess where we are at against the #1 team and then the last 3 weeks to experiment. That makes sense to me. Given we can’t move ladder position, Would be great to see Jeka, Serong, Long, Stephens all get a run.

 

[HedgeFund]

In one of his 3 games last season he collected 16 disposals and 7 marks.
Hardly 'nothing' for a guy who has only played 7 games so far.

In nearly 4 seasons at the club he has played AFL 7 games.

He has also played 28 games at VFL level.

The club know what he is capable of, and the idea that we “expose” him to AFL footy just to see if he can handle it or not in the last month of year 4 seems odd.

He has a couple of good AFL games, but so did Tom Scully, Tom Phillips, Hartigan, Hartley, etc. - and they actually worked really hard all the time!

 

[TazHawk15]

He has just left the training track injured

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

He has just left the training track injured

Not exactly. He has tightness.

 

[Baz_hawk]

Jeka has always had a knack for getting injured at the worst possible time. Hopefully it's just a precaution and there is no tear.