Strapping Young Lad
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Sam says Blicavs…
Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Pick 18, Josh Weddle
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cryptor
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- May 11, 2008
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Would love to see him burst through the CBA coming off the back of the square. Bit risky if the opposition win the clearance though.
Hawkers Hero
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Surely his best role (if team balance allows) would be a roving wingman given his running power? The ideal wingman is able to drop back to help out the defence (check), provide an outlet option on the way out of defence (check), run the length of the field at pace to provide a link option (check) and push hard forward to provide an option forward on rebound (check). He can also do this all day allowing more rotation of our HFF's and Mid's.
About the only real deficiency I would see in him as a winger (at least to date) is that his disposal isnt the best so the kicks into the forward line wont have the penetration of Mass or Karl. The other downside is that given so much play runs through one wing or the other, you run the risk of either Mass or Weddle being out of the action for long parts.
About the only real deficiency I would see in him as a winger (at least to date) is that his disposal isnt the best so the kicks into the forward line wont have the penetration of Mass or Karl. The other downside is that given so much play runs through one wing or the other, you run the risk of either Mass or Weddle being out of the action for long parts.
- Jul 6, 2015
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Definitely should have the odd CBA. Players that can explode away from stoppages like him are worth their weight in gold! I reckon he could be the most damaging CHF, high half forward in the game.
Iceman!
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I am not too worried about his kicking, i think his penetration is fine and with time it is neat. Wouldn't be the most elite kick in that role but serviceable enough. One thing i like about him on a wing is what a nightmare match up he would be for some. I guarantee a lot of the pure outside guys will look at him and want no part of that match up.
It's also hard because any time someone suggests a position for him my mind instantly just goes to 'but i want him to play x position as well'.
- Aug 31, 2008
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He can kick it a mile, I don't think kicking penetration would be an issue for him at all.
I think have him play like Jezza Cameron, then he's not tied to the wing where the game might go past him, he can come high and go where he wants, with Blicavs retired he's probably the best endurance runner in the comp, so good luck matching up on him. He can ping a goal from 50 which is important in that role, and when he ends up in the forward line he can take a grab, that game early in the year when we were struggling they played him in the forward line for a quarter, when he led at the ball it was quite a site to behold.
It just makes sense to me.
The Perryman pursuit seems to be for him to play wing, which might suggest that there is a different plan for Weddle.
I see weddle as the middle winger, whether he plays lays in defence or attack he gets the open field in all direction to work with the ball.
Even if he doesn’t get the ball he stretches the field and worries defenders
Flukey!
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‘This kid is unbelievable’: Josh Weddle has the Hawks dreaming big
Some famous names have donned the No.23 guernsey at Hawthorn. Josh Weddle is quickly emerging as the latest star who could yet leave a premiership imprint.
Weddle article from The Age
On the position thing, how good was he in the Ruck at times. I think he was in a boundary throw in in the back flank against Xerri and then just took off and was essentially playing loose as all the North Mids had other Mids to pick up, and there is no way in hell a ruckman is getting anywhere near Weddle.
Cricketersb4gam
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Josh is like Nat Fyfe. Nat did stuff you should not do. He had no business contesting moments he did and Josh is all that.
This guy is a Jet.
This guy is a Jet.
extractasam
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Like miss multiple shots at goal in a grand final.
I get what you mean though. Both seem like no ceiling type of players, can kinda do anything anywhere.
The Jet From Poowong
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Stumbled across this package of Weddle’s 2024 season.
You just don’t realise how good he was in his second season until you see it all again to remind you. He played every game in 2024, after playing every game from Rd 7 in 2023 when he debuted.
With continued growth and belief, this guy is seriously destined to be the best AFL UNICORN
Some of those marks, some of those goals, some of those tackles, and then his run…
I don’t know what the coaches have in mind for him in 2025, but with continued ruck knowledge and some midfield minutes, there is no limit for him.
Unbelievable talent identification by the club.
You just don’t realise how good he was in his second season until you see it all again to remind you. He played every game in 2024, after playing every game from Rd 7 in 2023 when he debuted.
With continued growth and belief, this guy is seriously destined to be the best AFL UNICORN
Some of those marks, some of those goals, some of those tackles, and then his run…
I don’t know what the coaches have in mind for him in 2025, but with continued ruck knowledge and some midfield minutes, there is no limit for him.
Unbelievable talent identification by the club.
cryptor
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He’s also rare in that he appears to have 100% confidence and self-belief yet not a sniff of FIGJAM about him. Self-assured yet humble.
He asked for the 23 at Hawthorn after one season because it was free and he thought he could live up to it. His first season in that number and he’s still working hard doing the team things, running hard to create space, having “quiet” games where he just has to lock down on an opponent.
Then when he is set free to run and gun he still looks to bring teammates into the play. When he kicks those Buddyesque goals from the 50m line against the boundary on GWS and Carlton you could forgive him for having a total “look at me!” cele but it’s not long before he’s looking to get around his teammates.
Just such great character on top of his football ability and physical attributes. Genuinely perplexing he wasn’t a top 10 pick or better from the start.
- Nov 13, 2018
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Beast-X-Machine.
Once he fully adapts to senior level he's going to be unstoppable.
25 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals will become his regular thing.
Once he fully adapts to senior level he's going to be unstoppable.
25 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals will become his regular thing.
The Jet From Poowong
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Yes, currently, but when he gets to the point where he plays with the swagger that befits the number 23, that is what I want to see. He is good enough and has the tools to be that. When he is bossing opposition players physically, look out. I hope it is soon. We need some more Cnut and a bit more nastiness to intimidate.
Things that stood out were how he took a mark and then just burnt off his opponent with contempt and got the ball moving. He does it so easily but was such a weapon for us the speed he puts on the ball and he exhausts the forwards who the ones who are supposed to be defended.
The other was how well he takes chances from awkward shots. Off balance on the run on the side of his foot, wide angles, long set shots… nailed so many. Hopefully he gets many shots this year too.
That’s why I think his best position is starting half back, running the direction of our goals as he is impossible to stop. But he also turned a game in the ruck against GWS, and is a danger around goals, so the in game switches are going to be a lever we can pull at any time.
The other was how well he takes chances from awkward shots. Off balance on the run on the side of his foot, wide angles, long set shots… nailed so many. Hopefully he gets many shots this year too.
That’s why I think his best position is starting half back, running the direction of our goals as he is impossible to stop. But he also turned a game in the ruck against GWS, and is a danger around goals, so the in game switches are going to be a lever we can pull at any time.
- Nov 10, 2015
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The biggest tick for me was speaking to the media openly about his 'short step' against Collingwood (I think). He didn't fully commit and it cost us a goal. He recognised it, owned it publicly and stated that he is never doing that again.... and he hasn't. He commits harder than most to long balls over his head. Shows huge character. Absolutely love this kid.
Strictly speaking, it was not a "short step" if I remember the incident correctly. A "short step" is when a player avoids a physical contact with an opposition player when both are approaching the ball at speed. In this case, it was a high ball and Weddle was in the right place to take what should have been a reasonably easy mark. However, he allowed himself to be distracted by an opposition player coming in at speed to spoil and, as result, spilled the mark. Still not a good look, and I agree that it is commendable he owned it. However, I regard it as a lesser sin that a "short step". There is nothing wrong with being aware of an incoming spoiler but it is imperative to maintain focus on the ball. As you say, the sin has never been repeated.
- Jun 28, 2013
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He WILL end up being my favourite player in this side. Freak
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The toughest thing with him is working out where he plays. The reality is that he can play everywhere already in his SECOND season. I see wing and forward but you’re dead right that those runs out of half back set us up brilliantly.
Maybe he is Break Glass when open player like Burgers was. Maybe him not having a clear position is actually the ultimate super power that Sam can use. I mean I’ve pretty much just described a utility I spose.
We often say of players “he could be anything”. Maybe with Weddle we say “he could be everything!”
- Nov 10, 2022
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Just musing the left pocket was the buddy pocket
The right pocket seems to be the Weddle pocket
The right pocket seems to be the Weddle pocket
- Jun 28, 2013
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I’ve weddled in both pockets. We all have
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