What does 2012 have in store for Kyle Cheney?

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Must say I am a real fan of this bloke.

In 2007 he played for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC, made the TAC team of the year on a back flank and finished second in his club's B&F.

He was drafted to Melbourne with pick 53 and played 14 games in three years before being traded to the Mighty Hawks. In his final year at the Dees he spent all bar two games with the Casey Scorpians, where he finished second in their best and fairest.

The trade to the Hawks saw Cheney and pick 66 go to Hawthorn for pick 52. The Hawks picked up Paul Puopolo with their pick, the Demons, Tom McDonald, a key forward also from Ballarat, who has played three games.

In his first year at the Hawks, Cheney played eights games and kicked his first AFL goal, against none other than the Bombers. He averaged 13.6 touches, 4.8 marks and probably the surprising stat, only 0.6 tackles.

The Hawks website identifies him as a: "a hard, tough and uncompromising youngster and has plenty of football ahead of him."

I was really disappointed he didn't dominate against the Suns when he came back into the team at year's end, as I wanted to see him play finals. There is no more competitive spot in the AFL than trying to get a job as a medium defender at Hawthorn though, so not sure what 2012 holds, but I would love to see him in the team and playing 15+ games.

If Pops plays forward, for mine, there's a lot to like about:

FB: Stratton - Schoey - Guerra
HB: Cheney - Gibson - Birchall

What do others think 2012 holds for the Ginger Ninja?

 

[obscura]

It is out of him and Murphy for the lockdown small defender role in the back six. I see the Guerra/Suckling types as more offensive players, not fighting for the same spot. This is why Murphy seemed to be "gifted" a spot in recent years, as he was there to fill a need, not totally on merit (2011 excepted).

 

[savagelunchbox]

a lot of sunburn?

 

[Goody1971]

Handy depth player for me at this stage...I can't quite see him cementing a spot in the best 22, but between inevitable injuries and possible 'resting' of players later in the year he should get a few games.

 

[flashmanvc]

Yep, a handy depth player.

 

[Bardo State]

Even if he doesn't play another game I would never undo the trade

From what I have seen at AFL level he seems like a very handy player that might be hanging out until Guerra/Gibbo retire or slow down. For 2012 I see him as a good depth player, he's just unlucky that about half of our list is made up of defenders.

He might find it hard with Langford developing.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

I'm like most on here. See him as a handy depth player. thing is, he is good enough to string a few good games together to make him difficult to drop. I think he suits our game plan in terms of hardness, not sure he has the polish in his disposal to fully be indispensible from the side.

Good player though, love his hardness and is quicker than you think.

 

[TAITA]

Don't ever put a ceiling on your expectations is my motto.

Kid just needs to work real hard and he could be the next Andy Collins if he sets his mind to it.

 

[itshissong]

It is out of him and Murphy for the lockdown small defender role in the back six. I see the Guerra/Suckling types as more offensive players, not fighting for the same spot. This is why Murphy seemed to be "gifted" a spot in recent years, as he was there to fill a need, not totally on merit (2011 excepted).

While your point about Guerra/Suckling being mainly offensive players might be right (I'd probably quibble a little bit about Guerra bein categorized that way), my sense is that what is holding Cheney back is his speed of decisionmaking. This is only anecdotal but my memory is that Cheney too often either got caught in possession more often than he should have or failed to move the ball on quickly enough.

 

[Symons]

I like him, and think he has potential. Good effort on him for slotting that pressured goal last year (when play on was called, and a "certain goal" opportunity was taken away) from a tougher angle.

It's always good to have depth and players pressuring each other for position.

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

His game V Sandy this season showed he is a cut above VFL. He is at the wrong club as there are too many in front of him and a few that should go past him in Langers and Lithers.

Depth players dont last on lists long. Say that three times.

 

[mrcurly]

I'm a big Cheney fan; I like his approach to the game, his physical hardness epitomises the Hawthorn style.

He is not as slow as some have suggested, pretty solid overhead for his size, positions well, and has good judgement. As Taita said, he does have a bit of Andy Collins about him. He is not purely a spoiling back, takes the game on and will try to run with the ball.

There were a few times early in the season when he was caught back peddling, but in my opinion he gained plenty of poise and confidence as the season progressed, won or broke even in most of the one on ones, and was very unlucky to find himself out of the side.

He would probably be a starter in the back six in the majority of the other clubs, seems to have to prove himself more than some to get a game. I would like him in the side, problem is he was sitting at around the 20-22nd player picked last season, and there will probably be even more competition for those slots in 2012.

His fate could also rest with the brainstrust, will we be trying to sqeeze more height into our back six or persevere with the midget backline we used so successfully for most of 2011? who knows. The side could have a different complexion to 2011, if Boumann shows good form he could be the one pushing Murphy for a spot.

There is so much talent around the club at the moment that we may need to have a 6 man bench. Roughnut and Savage, Gunston, Frank?, Boumann, Wanganeen... plenty of potential senior players to push their way back into the side on the list. Regardless of that, I believe if Cheney continues to develop as he did in 2011 he will become a regular.

 

[Cynic]

Box Hill

 

[HAWKAS1887]

Would love to see him string a few games together. Im a huge fan. Love the way he plays tough very good one on one. His kicking improved each game he played last year. Hope to see The blood nut in the team at the atart of 2012 season. Good Luck to him!!

 

[Hodgepodge]

Regular gametime probably. He's good enough to hold down a spot in the back half, and more importantly, he's young enough. I'd like to see him replace Burgoyne in the back half maybe, and see Burgoyne in the forward half a lot more.

 

[The Kipster]

Cool under pressure, tough and is a good fister of the ball, he should be in the back 6 if Pops plays forward as CLA suggests...

 

[hawkstars]

If it's out of murph and Cheever I would go Cheney everytime

 

[Hodgepodge]

If he can't get a regular spot in the back 6, why not give him a try in the midfield? He's a younger player and we do need youth to support Mitchell (29), Burgoyne (29), etc.

 

[Jaeger]

If he can't get a regular spot in the back 6, why not give him a try in the midfield? He's a younger player and we do need youth to support Mitchell (29), Burgoyne (29), etc.

He spent some time there against Collingwood when Sewell and Lewis didn't play. Looked out of his comfort zone for mine, but I don't think it's a bad idea. Perhaps worth giving him some more midfield exposure during the nab cup.

Not sure whose spot he takes in defence. Potentially Murphy. Cheney would probably have his eyes locked on Goo's spot for when he retires.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

He spent some time there against Collingwood when Sewell and Lewis didn't play. Looked out of his comfort zone for mine, but I don't think it's a bad idea. Perhaps worth giving him some more midfield exposure during the nab cup.

Not sure whose spot he takes in defence. Potentially Murphy. Cheney would probably have his eyes locked on Goo's spot for when he retires.

I would have thought Suckling would be chasing that, as the go-to-man to bring the ball out of the back 50.

Who knows...

 

[Hodgepodge]

He's the new Ladson isn't he? Good enough but probably missing due to some more fancied teammates. I think his youth is his biggest asset, as we have some players on the brink, and so I hope he sticks around.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

He spent some time there against Collingwood when Sewell and Lewis didn't play. Looked out of his comfort zone for mine, but I don't think it's a bad idea. Perhaps worth giving him some more midfield exposure during the nab cup.

Not sure whose spot he takes in defence. Potentially Murphy. Cheney would probably have his eyes locked on Goo's spot for when he retires.

He had absolutely no idea at the stoppages in the Collingwood game. Experiment that went very wrong.

I am pleasantly surprised by the support for him in this thread (great thread by the way CLA).

He is a quiet achiever and I feel quite comfortable when he has the ball in his hands. He was not quite up to the speed at the top level early in the year but then adjusted and was absolutely rock solid.

I would have no qualms if he is in our back 6 next year and would not be surprised either. I like the fact he is thickset and reads it ok overhead - he is a bit different to a few others in our back half.

Shrewd pick up by the Hawks recruiters.

It's all about chances at AFL level. Look at Murph - been given every opportunity by Clarko. Would be a shame if someone like Cheney who has equal qualities and a greater upside ability-wise is not given the same chances.

 

[savagelunchbox]

If he can't get a regular spot in the back 6, why not give him a try in the midfield? He's a younger player and we do need youth to support Mitchell (29), Burgoyne (29), etc.

How come every player in your eyes should be played in the midfield?

 

[Hodgepodge]

How come every player in your eyes should be played in the midfield?

Guilty as charged. But then 10 of 22 positions are midfield positions, so will take more players than any other general field zone.

 

[savagelunchbox]

Guilty as charged. But then 10 of 22 positions are midfield positions, so will take more players than any other general field zone.

Isn't that what the interchange bench is for?

Cheney is a stopper defender and you'll notice that unless you're a 'quarterback' defender for Hawthorn (Birchall and now Burgoyne), you don't leave defense.