Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn : Massimo D’Ambrosio

[SSSSSS]

I used to think Mass is a slight bodied winger. But looking at him yesterday he looks a fairly solid nugget. Might be the new TV.

Can be strange how clubs can lose sight of the value of their own players by selling the farm for a player they need (McKay) and only offer 1 year to what looks like a 200 gamer (now, for us). Incredible pick up.

He's got that Italian mid 40's plumber build. Just needs to fill out.

 

[Nugett]

I used to think Mass is a slight bodied winger. But looking at him yesterday he looks a fairly solid nugget. Might be the new TV.

Can be strange how clubs can lose sight of the value of their own players by selling the farm for a player they need (McKay) and only offer 1 year to what looks like a 200 gamer (now, for us). Incredible pick up.

Just think that we will get his kids!

 

[Buzz Hawk]

He’s a lock for the expanded AA squad and if he keeps his form up, who knows?
Very astute recruiting.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Seeing him live for the first time, he reminds me a lot of late-career Guerra.

Tough, far more physical than you'd think, good body spoil from commitment (and nuggetness!) and a powerful driving kick.

I know he's playing further up field and Amon sitting back in defence, but I feel ultimately they will swap around again, using Amon's run through wing/midfield, and Massimo's ability in defence.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I used to think Mass is a slight bodied winger. But looking at him yesterday he looks a fairly solid nugget. Might be the new TV.

Can be strange how clubs can lose sight of the value of their own players by selling the farm for a player they need (McKay) and only offer 1 year to what looks like a 200 gamer (now, for us). Incredible pick up.

It's not the thread for it, but Essendon did not sell the farm for McKay. They have got money some to spend.

 

[The Chad and I]

Super happy for him.

Was clear he was destined for depth with us as Brad likes taller marking options as his wings and he has Martin playing the distributer role off half back.

Would have loved to keep him but he has found a team where his strengths are used and his weaknesses limited and he is thriving.

Always love a kid with a great name.

These things happen from time to time.

Thankfully we are on the right side of the trade this time…

Massimo is perfect for us.

 

[The Chad and I]

Seeing him live for the first time, he reminds me a lot of late-career Guerra.

Half Guerra half Suckling.

It’s like we genetically modified the best halfbacks of our golden era to make Massimo.

 

[MrPremiership]

Still only 20 years old

Remember meeting him at the Family Day, and was pleasantly surprised how solid he is. Big legs.

 

[Philhawk]

His kicking skills make me (and the commentators) gasp.

He’s simply that good with the ball in hand.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

What was his draft year? He's playing like a first rounder right now.

 

[Slow Hand]

What was his draft year? He's playing like a first rounder right now.

I believe 2022 mid-season draft. Pick 3.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I believe 2022 mid-season draft. Pick 3.

So 2021 would have been his normal draft year, where he was overlooked. He would not look out of place in the top 10 of that draft at this stage.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Those comments pre season he made about playing like Daicos and Gulden. I thought it is nice the boy has some ambition. But he is tracking well towards that level and is far better than most thought.

Surprise packet of the season

 

[Tall Tales and True]

Past interviews suggest problems related to the Covid seasons & pretty serious back issues around the time undermined his draft chances.

(Wasn't he an absolute gun thru' the juniors?)

On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Paul Kersey]

Been awesome.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Have to be a contender for most improved player in the leauge if they actually had such an award I would have thought.

He's pretty hard at it which is something I did not expect. Looks like a potential 200 game player for the Hawks.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Have to be a contender for most improved player in the leauge if they actually had such an award I would have thought.

He's pretty hard at it which is something I did not expect. Looks like a potential 200 game player for the Hawks.

Yeah the hardness and competitiveness has really surprised me too, and I think it's fair to say that this was the biggest knock on his game for most people.

It seems like he's come here with a real point to prove, and he's more than proven it.

Amon taking our kick-ins and playing on at all costs is good for my SC side, but I reckon D'Ambrosio should be given more of a go with taking the kick-ins.

 

[GerryLewis]

So 2021 would have been his normal draft year, where he was overlooked. He would not look out of place in the top 10 of that draft at this stage.

Wow. Looking back now and the 2021 draft is seriously good. I don't disagree. Mass is certainly tracking into the top 10-15 at this stage which is huge.

 

[theiaofseed]

 

[cryptor]

Massimo D'Ambrosio translates to Greatest Immortal.

Accurate. He kicks like a god.

 

[Alite]

I generally know nothing about our players other than my own thoughts.

But today I found out that a person I know also knows Massimo D’Ambrosio and his family. Unbidden by me, I was informed of some very good information.

Here is what I learned (with my occasional paraphrasing)

• he is a lovely kid (no paraphrasing)
• Essendon were really into him in the MSD with a high recruitment vibe. I challenged this as Massi had no option as to where he would go but… I am told the Don’s still wooed him. Once he was selected in the MSD, all kindness stopped.
• For the second half of Essendon’s season he was not made to feel part of the 1st group.

Alite’s comment: he was offered a 1 year extension by the Dons while the Hawks offered a 2 year deal (I do not know the money difference).

At Hawthorn (I was told)

• He is loving it.
• Unlike at Essendon, the Hawks do not have a divide between the 1sts and the 2nds. (Alite’s verification comment: the Hawks 2nds and the 1st being one feels right given Wingard, Serong, Rama, Finn, Watto, H, HH, etc … are all in the 2nds while part of the 1sts group).
• And the girlfriends and wives are all part of the group (this is sooo very important).

What I got from this ITK person is that, at the Dons, he felt like a disposable asset while at the Hawks he feels like part of a group.

And we all see Massi is thriving. He is clearly in our top 10 for the B&F.

Kindness, Consideration, and Inclusiveness seems to be one cornerstone of our club along with a commitment to standards, a group willing to learn their role and an unrelenting will to work for each other.

Something special is brewing with this group.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I generally know nothing about our players other than my own thoughts.

But today I found out that a person I know also knows Massimo D’Ambrosio and his family. Unbidden by me, I was informed of some very good information.

Here is what I learned (with my occasional paraphrasing)

• he is a lovely kid (no paraphrasing)
• Essendon were really into him in the MSD with a high recruitment vibe. I challenged this as Massi had no option as to where he would go but… I am told the Don’s still wooed him. Once he was selected in the MSD, all kindness stopped.
• For the second half of Essendon’s season he was not made to feel part of the 1st group.

Alite’s comment: he was offered a 1 year extension by the Dons while the Hawks offered a 2 year deal (I do not know the money difference).

At Hawthorn (I was told)

• He is loving it.
• Unlike at Essendon, the Hawks do not have a divide between the 1sts and the 2nds. (Alite’s verification comment: the Hawks 2nds and the 1st being one feels right given Wingard, Serong, Rama, Finn, Watto, H, HH, etc … are all in the 2nds while part of the 1sts group).
• And the girlfriends and wives are all part of the group (this is sooo very important).

What I got from this ITK person is that, at the Dons, he felt like a disposable asset while at the Hawks he feels like part of a group.

And we all see Massi is thriving. He is clearly in our top 10 for the B&F.

Kindness, Consideration, and Inclusiveness seems to be one cornerstone of our club along with a commitment to standards, a group willing to learn their role and an unrelenting will to work for each other.

Something special is brewing with this group.

I heard him on the radio this week and he came across as a really smart and well rounded kid. I was impressed at how articulate he was for such a youngster.

And I've said it before I always reckon the Hawks play better with a lad from the Mediterranean in the side

 

[Bedi]

PCM smokey?

 

[Simon Crawshay]

PCM smokey?

Stranger things have happened.

He's been very consistent and I don't think he's missed a single game so he's not without a chance.

 

[Flamin Joe]

I generally know nothing about our players other than my own thoughts.

But today I found out that a person I know also knows Massimo D’Ambrosio and his family. Unbidden by me, I was informed of some very good information.

Here is what I learned (with my occasional paraphrasing)

• he is a lovely kid (no paraphrasing)
• Essendon were really into him in the MSD with a high recruitment vibe. I challenged this as Massi had no option as to where he would go but… I am told the Don’s still wooed him. Once he was selected in the MSD, all kindness stopped.
• For the second half of Essendon’s season he was not made to feel part of the 1st group.

Alite’s comment: he was offered a 1 year extension by the Dons while the Hawks offered a 2 year deal (I do not know the money difference).

At Hawthorn (I was told)

• He is loving it.
• Unlike at Essendon, the Hawks do not have a divide between the 1sts and the 2nds. (Alite’s verification comment: the Hawks 2nds and the 1st being one feels right given Wingard, Serong, Rama, Finn, Watto, H, HH, etc … are all in the 2nds while part of the 1sts group).
• And the girlfriends and wives are all part of the group (this is sooo very important).

What I got from this ITK person is that, at the Dons, he felt like a disposable asset while at the Hawks he feels like part of a group.

And we all see Massi is thriving. He is clearly in our top 10 for the B&F.

Kindness, Consideration, and Inclusiveness seems to be one cornerstone of our club along with a commitment to standards, a group willing to learn their role and an unrelenting will to work for each other.

Something special is brewing with this group.

Essendon living up to the Scum name. I'm shocked.

On the flipside we are showing how "The Family Club" is not just a throw away line, we ARE one big family all in it together.