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Where should Hodge play?
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Hawker4Sewell
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I think that The General should rotate between the midfield and half forward.
Simply my humble opinion, however he has a deadly kick, both for goal and for disposals, which could provide many goals and goal assists for us this year.
This would have many benefits, such as the fact that a fully fit Hawthorn squad would give most coaches a head ache, who to tag? Mitchell? Hodge? Burger?
It would also match up nicely with Rioli moving into the midfield more; Hodge moves to HF when Rioli moves to the midfield, I know they are completely different players that would play different roles, but it would drown anyone trying to minimize either of their influence on a game.
However, (and this is no attack or criticism of the OP) I don't like the line that he should play midfield to mostly shut up the critics. There will always be critics, however he has a premiership medal and a norm smith, and Hodge strikes me as someone who would not care what a media reporter thinks of his ability. He would just side step it like he does so many would be tacklers.
But Midfield and Half forward for me.
I'd like to see him line up on the HFF and then just go where ever he reckons he'll be most effective throughout the game.
On the G, last Saturday in September in Brown and Gold.
Ha Brilliant - thats where we would all like to see him play
CHB or loose off the flank, nothing better than seeing hodga running it up through the guts banging it up to Buddy
Top answer
I'd love Hodge to play where we will get him the ball. His disposal is close to, or the best, in the teams. So lets use it, much the way the doggies use Lindsey Gilbee's kicking. We should be trying to get the ball in his hands as often as possible, as his decisions, and ability to act on them, are streets ahead of everyone else. Therefore, I'd like to see Hodge in the starting centre, where he will pretty much boss the game from there. Able to drop back and help out if really needed, but essentially a deadly attacking weapon. I don't care if people say he only plays in one direction, because you can bet your bottom dollar they're getting punished.
It depends on how our defence is holding up without him. I don't really care what opposition fans say about him if he's helping us to win games. So if the additions to our backline in the off-season aren't enough to cover for him he needs to stay down there, as much as I'd love to see him in the middle.
It also depends a bit on how his body holds up as to whether he can do the running required in the middle.
It also depends a bit on how his body holds up as to whether he can do the running required in the middle.
Camnstell
Team Captain
I’d like to see General Hodge with a “Jimmy Hird” type free reign to play all over the ground. Spending most of his time smashing through opponents and launching 55m rockets onto the chest of Buddy, Rough and Beau D. Have him spend most of his time between the 50m arc’s this year and it’s going to be a great, 25 game long season for the boys.
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I like the idea of the James Hird type role but unless our backline gets its act together early in the piece, I think he'll be back there again.
Everywhere
Centre and forward.
Luke could do what Darren Jarman did for the Crows in his last 5 years.
If he was left to play forward he would be a nightmare match up. Strong overhead, great on the ground and deadly around the goals.
Luke could do what Darren Jarman did for the Crows in his last 5 years.
If he was left to play forward he would be a nightmare match up. Strong overhead, great on the ground and deadly around the goals.
Anywhere he is needed. Hodge is far too versatile and talented to be locked into one or two roles for a season.
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This the the real answer to me
. The great thing with Hodgey is that he can play anywhere and can dominate. With injuries, etc throughout the year, he is the man that can move and make the team still work. With fewer injuries (hopefully) then it means that the team on the whole stays stable.Cheeseman wins the best answer though
WeneedyoungJarmans
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Hawthorn is at it's stellar best when he's playing across half forward and midfield.
25 toughes, 8 clearances, 3 goals, 5 assists, 3 turnovers created, 5 tackles.
It's the balance of posession, clearance work, goal scoring and goal creation that makes him so effective. As an attacking midfielder he is the complete package when fit.
He is also a general and will enable a rotating forward line mix to work effectively as he directs traffic.
All of the above is barring the backline can hold it together without him. He and Hird are the best play making half backs I've seen play the game. Of course, every side finds itself defending matches at times. This is where temporary switches to the backline will be required.
Mr Fix it!
All of this is barring the impact Burgoyne and Rioli can have in the midfield and forward of centre.
Hodge may find he is not required onball or forward of centre at all if the mix of mids - Mitch, Lewis, Sewell, Burgoyne, Bateman, Rioli are up and firing.
25 toughes, 8 clearances, 3 goals, 5 assists, 3 turnovers created, 5 tackles.
It's the balance of posession, clearance work, goal scoring and goal creation that makes him so effective. As an attacking midfielder he is the complete package when fit.
He is also a general and will enable a rotating forward line mix to work effectively as he directs traffic.
All of the above is barring the backline can hold it together without him. He and Hird are the best play making half backs I've seen play the game. Of course, every side finds itself defending matches at times. This is where temporary switches to the backline will be required.
Mr Fix it!
All of this is barring the impact Burgoyne and Rioli can have in the midfield and forward of centre.
Hodge may find he is not required onball or forward of centre at all if the mix of mids - Mitch, Lewis, Sewell, Burgoyne, Bateman, Rioli are up and firing.
any where he wants to..........
Hole in bucket
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No brainer.
In the guts. Matthews, Voss, Ablett in their prime wouldnt have considered playing HBF nor should Hodge.
In the guts. Matthews, Voss, Ablett in their prime wouldnt have considered playing HBF nor should Hodge.
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Hodge seems to struggle to get through a season, in part (it seems to me) because he doesn't have the natural body for running miles and miles.
It pained me to see him get towelled by that jib Angus Monfries early last year when he was playing unfit and I don't want to see that ever again.
Therefore, I would rather see him play either in the front or back half with bursts on the ball when required.
It pained me to see him get towelled by that jib Angus Monfries early last year when he was playing unfit and I don't want to see that ever again.
Therefore, I would rather see him play either in the front or back half with bursts on the ball when required.
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Spot on CLA, if the great man is played on ball most of the time he will go down injured no question, so play him across half back (we won a flag with hodge as a half back) with some time in the midfield. Yes he is our best midfielder but we need him playing not sitting in the stands.
Strapping Young Lad
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- Apr 19, 2006
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I'd love to see him forward, as we did in some early games in 2008.
I can understand however if we still feel he needs to be about the backline to keep us on top.
But we do have Gibson, Ladson, Ellis, Guerra, Birchall, and others who should all fair much better in 2010, and be able to give us great use of the ball coming out. Which should allow us to release Hodge to his more damaging positions.
That's one thing I think we need to acknowledge.
Hodge is possibly our biggest weapon(Franklin and Roughead have a fair argument to that title as well) and although we love that he can go back and shut down an opponent, win his own ball and steady the ship we also know that he can dominate on the ball and forward also, so in 2010 I want to see him used in his most damaging positions.
Against a club like Brisbane, I want to see him in the backline, dropping back to help our defenders, against someone like Essendon I want to see him in the middle or forward increasing our advantage with bigger bodies.
Play to our strengths and use Hodge in a position that will create more havoc for the opposition coach, that's where I want Hodge to play.
I can understand however if we still feel he needs to be about the backline to keep us on top.
But we do have Gibson, Ladson, Ellis, Guerra, Birchall, and others who should all fair much better in 2010, and be able to give us great use of the ball coming out. Which should allow us to release Hodge to his more damaging positions.
That's one thing I think we need to acknowledge.
Hodge is possibly our biggest weapon(Franklin and Roughead have a fair argument to that title as well) and although we love that he can go back and shut down an opponent, win his own ball and steady the ship we also know that he can dominate on the ball and forward also, so in 2010 I want to see him used in his most damaging positions.
Against a club like Brisbane, I want to see him in the backline, dropping back to help our defenders, against someone like Essendon I want to see him in the middle or forward increasing our advantage with bigger bodies.
Play to our strengths and use Hodge in a position that will create more havoc for the opposition coach, that's where I want Hodge to play.
go hawks!!!
Norm Smith Medallist
my thoughts are that he should play in the midfield - most of the time, in the square at the bounce.
then, rest as much as possible on the half forward flank, where he can use his brains and skills to kick goals and set up an assist, and direct the others.
against geelong - he got killed by ling last time, so let ling take him and then play him half forward, perhaps same as st kilda.
in my opinion, he is not an elite midfielder - yet - as he does not beat tags.
they key also is lewis, i would like to see a fit lewis playing a leigh matthews role rotating in the forward line....yes and rioli too.
we need more goals from our midfield and the above will help!
then, rest as much as possible on the half forward flank, where he can use his brains and skills to kick goals and set up an assist, and direct the others.
against geelong - he got killed by ling last time, so let ling take him and then play him half forward, perhaps same as st kilda.
in my opinion, he is not an elite midfielder - yet - as he does not beat tags.
they key also is lewis, i would like to see a fit lewis playing a leigh matthews role rotating in the forward line....yes and rioli too.
we need more goals from our midfield and the above will help!
Howdy all its my first post in 2 years of being a member!! Look forward to many more!!!
But my man Hodgey definately needs to move in the guts this year, although i think he will start down back for the first hand full of games just to settle our back 6. Even sneaking forward too at times id say!! I can't wait he is absolutely flying on the track at the minute!!
But my man Hodgey definately needs to move in the guts this year, although i think he will start down back for the first hand full of games just to settle our back 6. Even sneaking forward too at times id say!! I can't wait he is absolutely flying on the track at the minute!!
Matthews, Hird & Voss spend about half of their time forward.
I would start him in the square & drift him forward.
But to do that someone is going to have to step up & run the backline.
I would start him in the square & drift him forward.
But to do that someone is going to have to step up & run the backline.
Love Hodge as a player and across 1/2 back he was a major component to the Hawks 2008 premiership. My only concern with that was he was playing the role where he was dropping in front of the leading forward and this caused him to get crunched a few times.
I think playing him there with constant impact may shorten his career. I reckon he needs to go down there for the odd big game but not play across HBF all year. In other games he could play across the center line and the HFF line.... Or be told to play the rebound HBF and stay out of the crunch zone.
I think playing him there with constant impact may shorten his career. I reckon he needs to go down there for the odd big game but not play across HBF all year. In other games he could play across the center line and the HFF line.... Or be told to play the rebound HBF and stay out of the crunch zone.
Luke is looking the fittest I’ve seen him. That says to me a) that he is ready for more midfield time this year & more importantly b) injury free & training without restriction. A juicy proposition for all our forwards this year.
No doubt there will be times when he drifts back to plug holes, assert some leadership & direction.
In the guts & drifting forward.
No doubt there will be times when he drifts back to plug holes, assert some leadership & direction.
In the guts & drifting forward.
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