Hannebury must play inside

[B.M]

I believe the fitness of Dan Hannebury is the most important factor in where StK finish in 2020. He is easily the most decorated player on the list, he’s only 29 and if he can get up and running again, will be the A Grade mid we lack on the inside.

His last three seasons have been effected by injury, last season was completely ruined. However, when he did play late last season, even lacking match fitness, he looked a class above our other mids.

The one change I would make with Dan this season is that I would move him to predominantly inside. He has played a lot of his career as a gut running Wingman who can go inside, mainly because Sydney had Kennedy, Parker, Jack inside but we have class and run outside (Billings, Hill, Jones, Sinclair) but we lack elite skill, and decision making inside. Which is why I’d partner Hannebury with Ross (accumulator) and Steele (Run With). Gresham and Dunstan would be back up.

Hannebury, for those who haven’t seen him in person, Dan is pretty small, but he’d be partnered with Steele 188/87 and Ross 187/83 and his attack on the footy and courage makes up for his lack of size.

He actually played mainly inside at VFL level and when he played AFL late last year, and what was noticeable was how elite his touch, his hands, his decision making and even his kicking out of stoppage was notably better than others we have inside. I think he should be used that way again. He has lost a little bit of his explosive running which made him the best wingman in the game 5 years ago, and a move to stoppage would be best for him and the team.

Our starting midfield
Wingers
Hill - A Grade
Billings - Potentially A Grade
Tagger
Steele - Great role player
Insiders
Hannebury - Gun
Ross - Great accumulator
Ruck
Marshall - A Grade

Back Ups
Dunstan, Sinclair, Gresham, Clark and Ryder

[Secret Kiel]

our midfield depth is better but we are still one or two A graders short of sustained top 4 material, a good outcome in 2020 will be if someone on your backups list goes to next level, it will take the pressure of having to recruit another A grader in next years trade period. As I say, an interesting year for someone like Sinclair, can he be the midfielder to take his game to another level with support around him like he's never had before.

On DH, our homegrown midfielders took a few games to get some rhythm with DH, the speed at which he entered packs and exited with the ball for a quick distribution took them buy surprise on numerous occasions. His entry and exit patterns in and out of congestion had the receivers fumble or completely miss the pill several times before they woke up to the new standard.

[samuraisaint]

He needs to play. Period.
His off season injury doesn't help because it puts him behind the rest of the players meaning he needs to catch up, which in turn puts him at increased risk of re-injuring his hamstring or getting shin splints.
Possibly the most important player we have now that Steven has left.

[B.M]

Time off legs might work out to be a blessing in disguise.

He is a natural aerobic animal, and will take little time to catch up to, and surpass others.

[B.M]

From what I understand, he will be back in full training first session back.

[Enrico_Misso]

That's what mummy used to tell him.

[stevie]

But every time he plays inside he falls down stairs

[Joffa Burns]

I believe the fitness of Dan Hannebury is the most important factor in where StK finish in 2020. He is easily the most decorated player on the list, he’s only 29 and if he can get up and running again, will be the A Grade mid we lack on the inside.

His last three seasons have been effected by injury, last season was completely ruined. However, when he did play late last season, even lacking match fitness, he looked a class above our other mids.

The one change I would make with Dan this season is that I would move him to predominantly inside. He has played a lot of his career as a gut running Wingman who can go inside, mainly because Sydney had Kennedy, Parker, Jack inside but we have class and run outside (Billings, Hill, Jones, Sinclair) but we lack elite skill, and decision making inside. Which is why I’d partner Hannebury with Ross (accumulator) and Steele (Run With). Gresham and Dunstan would be back up.

Hannebury, for those who haven’t seen him in person, Dan is pretty small, but he’d be partnered with Steele 188/87 and Ross 187/83 and his attack on the footy and courage makes up for his lack of size.

He actually played mainly inside at VFL level and when he played AFL late last year, and what was noticeable was how elite his touch, his hands, his decision making and even his kicking out of stoppage was notably better than others we have inside. I think he should be used that way again. He has lost a little bit of his explosive running which made him the best wingman in the game 5 years ago, and a move to stoppage would be best for him and the team.

Our starting midfield
Wingers
Hill - A Grade
Billings - Potentially A Grade
Tagger
Steele - Great role player
Insiders
Hannebury - Gun
Ross - Great accumulator
Ruck
Marshall - A Grade

Back Ups
Dunstan, Sinclair, Gresham, Clark and Ryder

Great post BM, could not agree more.

The big challenge is how is Dan going to play consistently when he has barely been on the park in the last three seasons with soft tissue injuries.

How does this issue miraculously solve itself not, though only 29 he looks like a player whose best is well behind him in a game that is only getting faster. He was an absolute gun in his day, elite.


Great if it works, but there is a pattern of 3 years of issue with Dan.

[whiskers3614]

Genius medical team that fixed Freeman will get him up!
Biggest recruiting c**k-up since Lovett who was a worse choice than Barrott!

[B.M]

Not sure he’s carrying any soft tissue injuries at the moment.

I think last year, and even his off legs start to preseason will be a blessing in disguise!

He played with tight groins with Sydney and his explosiveness was just not there.

But even underdone last year in the last six rounds, he looked to be moving freely!

I’ll back him in!!

And a comparison with Lovett is ridiculous
Lovett was a C***!

[Jacks Back]

What, indoor footy?

[Hunter2King]

What, indoor footy?

His mum doesnt want him outside in the cold getting a sniffle.

[Joffa Burns]

What, indoor footy?

His mum doesnt want him outside in the cold getting a sniffle.

Does the Marvel roof being closed constitute indoor?

[Hunter2King]

Seriously though. OP has a point.

DH is only 28 years old. 29 when the season starts. This is by no means old.

We should be expecting at least 2 premium years from him.

We know he is in the top 5 % of $ earners.

Needs to play 15 games and be a top 5 player.

If Hannebery, Hill, Jones, Steele, Ross and Clark get some synergy happening then we can get on a roll.

Bytel can sneak in there as 7th fiddle with no pressure and maybe get off the leash as well.