Leading into this season everyone was drooling about Hoops returning to the forward line. Anticipation of him contributing 30+ goals and consistently hitting Fev lace out was everywhere, but such expectations have fallen well short.
Why?...because with an opponent playing him with respect we have been unable to get the ball to him often enough where he has a bit of time and space to use his foot skills. If he had more pace or was more elusive things might be different.

Last week we saw Hoops moved onto Ballantyne after AJ struggled there and Hoops did well.
The MC initially earmarked Stevens for the quaterback role across HB and it wasn't successful.
Hoops has far more experience across HB than Stevo, and with his stronger body and longer reach is more effective spoiling whether against a lead or with the ball sitting on his head. He is a better defender than Stevo and his tackling and defensive skills have developed to the point they are now underrated.

If Hoops plays across HB we should be able to get the ball into his hands around 25 times a game, and with the space you get across HB he should be able to use it more effectively than most and with less risk of turnovers than any other player.
If I had to choose any player to pinpoint a short pass into the corridor Hoops is the man. He could help straighten us up and the key to getting value out of Hoops is getting the ball into his hands as much as possible where he has a bit of time to use it by foot. When he has time it is not just that his foot skills are excellent, but also his decision making.

For mine Hoops to play back from this week, and Scotto to probably spend more time forward.

Interested if others agree or think its worth persisting with Hoops as a forward.

I would show him Royal Parade and tell him to get on the next one way tram

I think he lost a bit of confidence after not getting that crucial goal against the saints,and then again the next week.
he may be stuck in his head a bit too much,and just need to DO...not think.
As for the tram ride..perhaps whoever wrote that about Hoops should consider taking that one way ride.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

..well, it's partly the way Hoops has been used.. .often as a defensive forward, or a lead-up target and help to the half back line.. ..factor in the games he hasn't played and it's easy to see why he hasn't looked like delivering a 30+ goal year..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

I would be playing Hoops on O'Keefe tomorrow.

He has struggled up forward, without that yard or two of pace he seems to have lost he isn't as dangerous at ground level.

..admittedly he doesn't seem to be as quick, not sure what's goin' on there.. ..but i still think he's dangerous at ground level.. ..for me, it's as if all the defensive aspects that he needed/needs ti improve upon have made such an impression upon him that he's not playing with his natural attacking flair.. ..but rather thinking too much about playing defensive cos it doesnt come naturally to him and he needs to focus on it..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Houla has played his best football at half-back and as a run with player through the middle

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Consistently inconsistent. Given that we currently have Fisher, Grigg, Carrazzo, Yarran and soon Walker as HF options, I'd like to see more of him in midfield.

When he doesn't win the ball, he can chop out a few of the opposition with his mature body.

And as I mention this another 20 odd touches this week after 19 last; that's what I expect of him along with good ball use. That's what I was expecting of him at HF, maybe bobbing up with a couple of goals if we needed it.

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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.

Arguably one of his best games of the season today. Too inconsistent, but can play very well. Always dangerous. And in our best 22 for this year.

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Chris Judd: 'I've since watched some Steven Seagal movies and realise pressure points are no laughing matter.'

he was in my top 3 today. . .squeezed him in for the 1 vote.

Hit fev lace out a few times, showed balance, class, and an un-mentioned toughness pushing players like bird, vespremi, shaw and mattner off the ball allowing judd, simmo and carrots etc to gather the ball and get the credit for the posession.

I've been his biggest critic back in the day, and its why im allowed to get overly excited when he plays like he did today. he should NEVER play in the 2's again barring injury setback. His skills are sublime and if he missed a single target today with his 22 touches i'd be suprised.

Well done cinderella. . .love your work!

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Cuck Follingwood

I think that was his best game. A wizard the way he weaved out of contests and delivered the ball.

good hoops ...bad hoops ...bad hoops ...real good hoops ...bad hoops ...bad hoops ...good hoops........... ...bad hoops ...good hoops........

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There's so much I could say...

It's terrible when we cry for class
And when we've got it in our hands, we bitch.

Houla is class...and you need that in the fabric of team.

He's in our first 22 and can be played back, forward and in the guts.

16 contested possessions...sure that's more than fantastic, but when he only gets 3-4 contested possessions (which is good too) he is out of favour from the Mister Cloudy Days.

As I said before: we pick the best team every week.
Players who are developing should do most of that in the Ants and at Visy Park.
Until players not in the current 22 are better than the individuals selected, then they should not be picked.
When Houla is overtaken by the class of say a Yarran, then so be it.
In the meantime, he offers this team something we don'y have in abundance in 2009....class.

Great game yesterday Houla. That's 3 good games in a row.

Get on the bandwagon now, for he's hot, and knock him when he fails.

Go Bluebaggers

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

'Is he the answer, no' is what you said a couple of weeks ago.

Do you float with the breeze like most others?

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There's so much I could say...

You should just knock up a few classic 'budzy' lines and copy-paste them into the appropriate threads; activism at its worst.

Moving on from that, I was critical of Houla's tendency to hang onto the ball last week in traffic, but he seemed to have gotten the timing of it right this week. There'll always be a place for good decision makers in a team, just glad we're not getting burned the other way at present.

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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.

it's always been about timing with houla, hasn't it ...

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There's so much I could say...

i had him on his last chance, but he was good yesterday.

keep that up and he is in our best 22, if he drops from that level he is no use to us.

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

What a surprise coming from you of all people.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Was good to see Hoops take most of the kick ins along with Stevo last night. Think it was the best we have done in this area for the year.
The only stuff ups where when Army and AJ had a crack

Good on 'em for having a go down there, we need to stop relying on two blokes for kick-outs because it slows down our play.

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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.