One from left field that might be worth considering would be hampson.

Tall? - yup
Quick? - yup
Agile? - Yup
Strong enough for body on body contests? - yup

Perhaps a question mark on skills/reading of the play but one could argue that he is possibly more advanced than setanta in those areas (not to mention considerably younger)

thoughts?

edit: I've assumed of course that kreuzer/warnock/jacobs will be able to fulfill the ruck duties going forward

I've been toying with the idea of Kreuzer spending some time in the backline on Hale types, I'm confident he'd be able to negate super-tall forwards, and remove the 'tall timber' tactic as an opposition trump card.

Hampson, not so much. As you mentioned, his football knowledge is sorely deficient, imagine the amount of 'judgement' mistakes Setanta makes and double it - that's what I think Hampson in the backline would look like. Hammer is strong, but he doesn't know how to use it, would be brushed off a marking contest easily. It might advance his footy education, but at huge cost to our near-term results.

Dont think the near term cost would be that huge actually - perhaps a 1/2 hour session against sticks or fev per training session or week would do him wonders. In game situations, hampson would have greater scope to react to a lead and cover it than setanta due to greater pace off the mark and reach during a spoil. Being lead to the ball would also benefit his footballing education somewhat.

Would only need a season or two to pick up defending (easier than ruckwork?) - which would mean we would have a 22yo monster defender. Probably one of the few players that could physically match up well against franklin if you were comparing height/pace/agility?

Let him try it in the VFL, Buddy would do a Tobias Funcke on Hammer at this point

Better skills and stronger than Setanta.......you are joking right?

All this bullshit about Setanta being of Irish descent and Hammer coming from a soccer background being a huge disadvantage to them really irks me.

Try and look at them with a 2009 perspective instead of a 2004 and 2007 perspective.

Setanta has had more minutes with a footy than most senior players in any comp. He also has played more AFL senior games than most senior players in any comp.

If you think he doesn't know the game, well that's dillusional. No offense, but on what basis does this degrading and devaluing come from and what evidence is there to support this?

iT'S JUST RUMOUR AND MADE UP...BASED ON...UM...EXPERTISE?...NAH... THEIR BACKGROUND...That's the BACK ground, not the present.

Hammer is fine with the game. If he holds that ball in the mits everytime it presents itself and marks it, he'll be a superstar. Soccer keepers mark the ball remember. He's still develpoing because he isn't as seasoned capaigner. Only got drafted 2 years ago.

Watch this space.....oh maybe not, I'll be hearing about the disadvantage Hammer has because he comes from a soccer/ athletic backround over one stuff up.

I wish every player was scrutinised in the same manner. Russell has issues because of his background...what's that? Sth Australian...but so are Bradles, Kerna, Motley, Gibbs......

Next we will hear about Armfield being no good because he's been tarnished by his Rugby backround.

They either have got what it takes or they don't.

Stop living in the past. Have a look at why they were drafted in the first place. They are fine specimens.

Have you stood next to Hammer or Setanta before....intimidating species.
Did you see Hammer outrun, outjump and twice outmark his seasoned opponents who have premiership medals around their neck? Well that should anwer your question as to whether he's got it or he aint.

No offense, and I don't mean to make this personalise...but it's the biggest cop out looking at their past/ background and judging their future.

We have elite coaches and soonm an elite training centre. What do you think that does for our kids.

No room for improvement, or being conditioned to be the best?

Think about it.

Hammer could make a defender, no problem, but give him a preseason of conditioning under his belt to get the nuances right; just like anyone. Do you remember Fev on Gherig a few years back? Top footballer Fev, but too small for Gherig, and what's Fev's background....Bingling?....oh that's not going to be good for his footy career...trade him.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I'm with you C70.

That's how rumours start.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Actually I'd prefer to see him tried at CHF. Much more agile than Cloke. A lot more upside.

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Hammer played on the wing in the world game IIRC

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

He was a goal keeper I'm pretty sure...

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Circumstance has no value. It is how one relates to a situation that has value. All true meaning resides in the personal relationship to a phenomenon, what it means to you.

Hampson has got a big enough job working out what is going on in ruck and the forward line.

I would give his chance of being a full back as being exponentially negative times 1000 times a million and then forgot about.

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