Firstly I'd like to say he was a great get by the club a few years back, I can understand why the club went down his path. However, I'm really starting to worry for him. He is extremely injury prone, and consequentially, misses a lot of senior footy as a result. With McLean added to the squad, along with a few others, I think that he may continue to battle even further to keep his place. Don't get me wrong, I think a fully fit Hadley adds great things to our side, and I wish him the absolute best for 2010, but if it was hard for him to break into the side in 2009 and prior, it will not be any easier this year. The key to his progression is keeping injury free, but therein lies the problem.

Thoughts?

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Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Was just starting to recapture early season form when he broke his arm and I thought we missed him dearly against the Brions. From all reports - including himself - is having his best pre-season yet, and was amongst a large group who smashed their PB around Princes Park. I have him in my starting 22.

the only problem is that he seems to be slowing down all the time and with Brock around can only see him as a back up for him

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C'mon Blueboys!

I think Hadley is a quality player who we need to rotate with McLean as our strong and hard inside midfielders who block and dish it out to our classy stable of outside mids. Definitely need both for their hardness and strength. Robbo may get stints as well in that role as he matures.
It's hard to fit everyone into the 22 but we must have balance and cover all bases properly.

I watched both Brock & Hadley closely at training yesterday. I think there will be healthy competition between them for the same spot. Hadley looks fitter than any other time I've seen him, and he's no slower than Brock...

I think it's going to be hard to play both of them all season (although against some opponents, in certain conditions and on certain grounds, we will), and I think Brock is a better footballer. But when fit and in form, Hadley is a good player and he'll keep the pressure on Brock to perform.

It's good to have some decent depth in the midfield (at last!).

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

We were an infinitely better team when Hadley was on the park. When he was there, that's when our midfield looked unstoppable. Simply put, we beat Geelong with him playing, but suffered our worst losses (Collingwood, Essendon* and Adelaide) when he wasn't there. And now with Brock in there too, expect our outside mids to run rampant.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Pigeon hole players at your own peril.

Hadley is an amazing inside player.
Furthermore he's 190cm tall. That's tall.

Imagine McLean supporting Hadley in the rotations (or vice versa) and you've got a qualtu inside mid for 100% of game time. It's up to the rst to do their bit to take adavantage of what these seasoned footballers dich out,

Hadley is class for those who don't understand his background. Class...smarts and amazing will to win the ball whilst copping big hits. You try that and tell me who else on our list can withstand that sort of puishment.

Lwt you on this...this is the year our fitness people earmarked him to be at his best. Good luck to those who want his spot in the first 22. See Doc's post above.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

OK, OK, I'm going......

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Well we do need a strike force...

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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.

Excellent point. When people were whinging about us picking up Brock, this was missed. Imagine a full 100+ minutes where the Holy Trinity don't have to worry about having the snot beaten out of them, and can do what they do best. As opposed to spurts within a game.


The difference is ours isn't a "WANKAAAAA!!"

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Just started to show his worth late last year.

Easily room for him and McLean in the same side. We have lacked hard in and under players and this will allow guys like Judd, Murphy, Gibbs to play more outside.

The big asset Hadley has is that he is such a good decision maker in close and if he stays fit will be a vital part of our side in 2010!

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Our 2009 season effectively ended when Hadley got injured against Melbourne. We got killed in the clinches against Adelaide and Brisbane. We recruited Mclean because a list needs to class in an under mids

Had's is in our best 22.

It was no surprise our best footy last years was when he was at the bottom of the packs.

I'm glad his injury late last year was an arm and not a leg. I know he'll recovey 100% from the arm break.

Looking forward to seeing him in the clinches in round one and so are Gibbs, Simpson, Judd (later) and others.

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

Word is he has had his best pre-season EVER

Hopefully that means he will cover the ground OK, bec that is his biggest issue, next to injuries

If he can stay fit and cover the ground OK (let's face it he will never be a Walks or Judd in that regard), then he and McLean should be able to have a huge impact by way of freeing up the Skip to play a bit more outside where he can use his explosive pace and run'n'carry to really hurt teams

Judd is wasted somewhat when he has to focus on inside play. He is great at it, but he became the star he is more as a result of his explosive running (and goals)

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

Spot on VB

I think Ratts will be looking for goals from our midfield this year with our lack of noted forwards.

A fit Hadley, shovelling balls out to others, will play most of the year IMO

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I support the Navy Blues whatever happens!

shovelling balls...

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There's so much I could say...

Plenty of room for Hadley and McLean in the same side . At least one of them on the ground 100% of the game .
Both as often as possible .

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Get the facts first.
Then you can distort them at your leisure.

..i agree, put your best players on the field, and then work a gameplan that suits.. ..it'll be great to have two treue, hard in and under mids to play out the game.. ..not to mention some depth in that category now..

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

Great to hear he is having his best pre season. He is vitally important to us as will be McLean.

The recruiting of these two could well turn out to be the most important factor in us winning our next premiership.

Died in the arse when he got injured late last year.

Would absolutely love it if he showed everyone how good he is in 2010.

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Go Baggers...