Hayes

[Trixilver]

Liking him in the forward line. Some saying his quietest game so far this year but I noticed a few 1%ers like that smart tap to Gresham when Hill soccered it forward after some fumbles in the middle. And the quick handpass back to Wood in space created his goal. Another tall target but is quick below the knees too.

[WellardSaint]

His size and presence, his big body, I reckon made the Tigers think twice whenever he was near.
He's a brute, and I'm sure they heard footsteps, they knew they'd be crunched.
I wouldn't underestimate his effect on them.

[bigcarl]

Didn’t get a lot of it, but having another strong physical type like him or Marshall down there allows Max King to get off the leash.

Structurally it’s important

[WellardSaint]

There were folks asking how we could fit Hayes into the side when Paddy was on track to return.

Looks like that question was answered today lol

[bigcarl]

There were folks asking how we could fit Hayes into the side when Paddy was on track to return.

Looks like that question was answered today lol

It has been for now, but had we lost today there’d be plenty calling for his head.

I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand you don’t want to go in too tall and cumbersome. On the other, you don’t want long bombs to Max King being your sole approach to scoring.

And the “protection” element that you mentioned shouldn’t be underestimated either.

[The_Dud]

I think his first game has set unrealistic expectations

[magnifisaint]

I think his first game has set unrealistic expectations

I think the first game showed how good he was. It was real and spectacular!

[WellardSaint]

I think his first game has set unrealistic expectations

I think the first game showed how good he was. It was real and spectacular!

BOG in SANFL grand final, polled 3rd highest votes in Magarey Medal, his coach says 'just like Brownlow,va midfielder's medal' so he's obviously got game

[groupie1]

I'd play him as a midfielder

[wally]

I think CHF is his position

[Ghost Like]

I think we will find Hayes will be very important for our structures. Let King & Membrey get on their bikes and lead, Hayes has no issue with the contest in the air or on the ground. He will be our point of difference. He also means RoMa or Ryder can rest deep forward as well as on the bench. The more rest during a game for Paddy, the better off we will be long term.

[saynta]

His size and presence, his big body, I reckon made the Tigers think twice whenever he was near.
He's a brute, and I'm sure they heard footsteps, they knew they'd be crunched.
I wouldn't underestimate his effect on them.

He is also the first to fly the flag if one of his team mates is ruffed up. Love him for that alone.

[B.M]

I thought he was a non factor

He will be dropped next week IMO

[repta]

great to have him as an option.
Cant see staying in the side with the current availability of players.
But realistically stiff to miss.
They cant play that number of tall players on a ground outside. They will be too top (tall) heavy.

I like the ability to play at either end.
Not sure whether his tank is up to playing in the centre. but would be a good big body if he can pitch hit.

[saintsRrising]

Like most have said Hayes is useful, and his versatility means he can play around the ground as a linking player, or can play key marking target.

As a tall target he is behind King, Membrey, Marshall, and Ryder and so will get less of the ball as his team mates will look for him less. Asa true footballer though he knows when and where to run, and so he will keep presenting good options. And as he is a true footballer and a competitive beast he makes valuable contributions to our team even if his disposal tally is less.

One small demonstration of his smarts is that when he knows he will get tackled, that he will instead seek to tap the ball to a team mate rather than take possession. Too many of our players take possession.



Now if we had Billings, Clark, Jones all fit and able to play in the first he (or possibly Wood) may get squeezed out. But in the here and now those players are not able to be picked. Bytel is gaining match fitness and practice and Windhager and Owens are probably going to develop quicker as mids if playing full games as mids at Sandringham. Remember that those two have played a hardly any games of football over the last two years.


Plus with Ryder, I think it unlikely that he will play every week. So with Hayes and Campbell we have reasonable back up.

[Saints58]

Hayes should have had 2 goals he is a real presence down forward with his physicality and hard work he does some of the 1% were crucial.
We can play all the bigs as they are mobile and good below the knees unlike the Richmond bigs they only ruck nothing around the ground they barely took a mark

[saintsRrising]

Hayes should have had 2 goals he is a real presence down forward with his physicality and hard work he does some of the 1% were crucial.
We can play all the bigs as they are mobile and good below the knees unlike the Richmond bigs they only ruck nothing around the ground they barely took a mark

Yes the two Tigers rucks were true lumberers.

[bigcarl]

Important to recognise Hayes isn’t a ruckman, but can do that role at a pinch.

So you are not really talking about fitting three ruckmen in the side.

As others have suggested, maybe a similar type to Jason Blake. A big-bodied competitor who can play a number of roles.

[meher baba]

I thought he was a non factor

He will be dropped next week IMO

I agree. Indeed, Ratten almost said as much in the press conference: words to the effect of "it was great seeing all those talls playing together, but it won't happen every week." Obviously, barring injury, none of Ryder, Marshall, King and Membery (who plays tall) are going to miss against the Hawks, so that means Hayes.

I really like his style, but I think that - along with Long presumably replacing Higgins - we need someone a bit more mobile against the Hawks. I haven't seen Windhager, so I have no idea how he plays, but is he perhaps the answer?

[bigcarl]

I thought he was a non factor

He will be dropped next week IMO

I agree. Indeed, Ratten almost said as much in the press conference: words to the effect of "it was great seeing all those talls playing together, but it won't happen every week." Obviously, barring injury, none of Ryder, Marshall, King and Membery (who plays tall) are going to miss against the Hawks, so that means Hayes.

I really like his style, but I think that - along with Long presumably replacing Higgins - we need someone a bit more mobile against the Hawks. I haven't seen Windhager, so I have no idea how he plays, but is he perhaps the answer?

Ratts does tend to go for pace over structure at times so it’s a possibility.

Then again, the forward line functioned quite well yesterday with King able to be isolated one-out more often than I can remember.

Also after a really good win you wouldn’t expect too many changes. We shall see

[CURLY]

The best side in it play two rucks and two tall forwards.

Gawn- Ryder

Jackson - Marshall

McDonald - Hayes

Brown - King

Fritsch - Membrey

[perfectionist]

He had a bit of a gift run (literally) in the first game. He was allowed to run for the ball - now he too is blocked. But, you can only block a few players and blocking him allows others to run into position. We saw this a couple of times with Max King. However, I wonder if he has played any football on the backline. He doesn't seem to give away gratuitous frees and is big enough to move forwards off the ball. He's a leader - someone we need on the backline.

[maverick]

The best side in it play two rucks and two tall forwards.

Gawn- Ryder

Jackson - Marshall

McDonald - Hayes

Brown - King

Fritsch - Membrey

Perfect analogy

[older saint]

Tackles inside 50 were very poor yesterday by AFL standards and i think our tall forward line was critical in this. Has done well but short was able to walk out many times and with Scilly and CJ next week i think he may have to have a rest next week

[bigcarl]

The best side in it play two rucks and two tall forwards.

Gawn- Ryder

Jackson - Marshall

McDonald - Hayes

Brown - King

Fritsch - Membrey

Very interesting Curly. Thanks for this