One of the guys who is in a Tigers e-mail loop with me at work is putting together a one-a-day player critique starting at #1 and working through the player list. It's a pretty good read so I thought I would share it with you.
Part 29 in the series….
31 – Chris Hyde
Position: Half Back
Age: 20 - Turns 21 Round 19 v Saints
Height: 183
Weight: 81
Career Games: 2
Career Goals: 0
Draft History: Drafted Selection 41 in 2000 National Draft, Delisted after 1 year, redrafted 2001 National Draft selection 68. I mentioned at the time this was strange, his delisting effectively gave us pick 90 in the draft, and we then used 68, we also then draft McGrath after a guy we delisted? Maybe some contract funny business, can't explain it other than very poor planning otherwise.
2002 Averages: 2 games, 4 Kicks, 1.5 Marks, 2 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1 Tackle, 2 Rebounds, 0.5 Inside 50s, 0 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
2002 Summary: Debut against Carlton in Round 14 after having been an emergency 7 times previously, barely touched the ball and turned it over when he did. Was retained for the round 15 game against Brisbane and struggled again, although did start to find some footy as the game went on. Was reasonably good without being outstanding for Coburg, and really probably got his senior debut more by default as he wasn't exactly staring at that stage. Interestingly enough, did play his best footy after returning back to Coburg and had a good Finals series.
Previously: Spent all 2001 at Coburg where he was fair for that level, but failed to really stand out. Was Co-Captain of Murray Bushrangers U18's in 2000 (with Craig Ednie & Marc Bullen).
Ability: 2 - I'm going to start out harsh, but everytime I've seen him he looks nothing more than a reasonable VFL level player - I don't see an AFL player in him.
Offence: 2.5 - Doesn't look like a forward option, not one to create an opportunity, lacks the skills to be a "finisher"
Defence: 3.5 - Might make a run-with player, but didn't seem overly competent defending a man and was very loose a few times when I saw him.
Hardness: 4 - Seemed reasonably willing to take punishment to the body, would say he has a go at least.
Speed: 6.5 - Probably his main "selling point", looked genuinely quick at times.
Stamina: 6 - Looks to me to be a pretty strong runner, along with his pace, his strong point.
Delivery: 3 - Substandard, even for a guy just starting out. No-pressure errors a big worry for a guy looking to play midfield.
Air: 3.5 - I'm not really sure here, he is fairly reliable when running out wide to receive, but doesn't look to have the greatest hands, will reassess as we go here for sure.
Ground: 3 - More a running receiver (not a criticism - more that's his strength) than a great in and close ground player, this low score probably reflects my opinion of his skills overall.
Injury: 5 - Early days, has had a couple of minor soft tissue injuries.
Temperament: 7 - Has a reputation of being a good leader, not seen anything to concern me in this area.
Ball: 3 - Seems a reasonable ball winner at VFL level, would need to improve dramatically.
Strengths: Has good running ability, looks like he's prepared to have a go, and apparently has good leadership qualities.
Weaknesses: Looks to lack the raw talent to play at the top level, not great hands and poor skills.
Overall: I saw a fair bit of Coburg in 2001, much less in 2002, and while my general view with kids is you don't delist after one year, I was prepared to break that rule for Hyde. He just looks too much like a VFL level player only and was probably a better option on the Rookie list than the main one. He may have good running capabilities but poor skills and decision making with plenty of disposal errors. To give him credit he did finish 2002 off well with Coburg. I'd be very surprised if Hyde was with Richmond in 2004. Got no reason to dislike him, just don't think he's a player, although something about him makes me hope I wrong (might be the black and yellow Guernsey). I think if he's to have a career he needs to develop his strength and turn into a run-with type, capable of running with the quality speedsters in the league, but will need to improve his skill level.
What he needs to do?
1) Survive the cut this year. Early signs don't look good that he's made the necessary improvements.
2) Skill work, his style of play, his type of player, you can't be coughing the ball up as much as he does.
3) Work harder getting back on his man and tighten up defensively.
Part 29 in the series….
31 – Chris Hyde
Position: Half Back
Age: 20 - Turns 21 Round 19 v Saints
Height: 183
Weight: 81
Career Games: 2
Career Goals: 0
Draft History: Drafted Selection 41 in 2000 National Draft, Delisted after 1 year, redrafted 2001 National Draft selection 68. I mentioned at the time this was strange, his delisting effectively gave us pick 90 in the draft, and we then used 68, we also then draft McGrath after a guy we delisted? Maybe some contract funny business, can't explain it other than very poor planning otherwise.
2002 Averages: 2 games, 4 Kicks, 1.5 Marks, 2 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1 Tackle, 2 Rebounds, 0.5 Inside 50s, 0 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
2002 Summary: Debut against Carlton in Round 14 after having been an emergency 7 times previously, barely touched the ball and turned it over when he did. Was retained for the round 15 game against Brisbane and struggled again, although did start to find some footy as the game went on. Was reasonably good without being outstanding for Coburg, and really probably got his senior debut more by default as he wasn't exactly staring at that stage. Interestingly enough, did play his best footy after returning back to Coburg and had a good Finals series.
Previously: Spent all 2001 at Coburg where he was fair for that level, but failed to really stand out. Was Co-Captain of Murray Bushrangers U18's in 2000 (with Craig Ednie & Marc Bullen).
Ability: 2 - I'm going to start out harsh, but everytime I've seen him he looks nothing more than a reasonable VFL level player - I don't see an AFL player in him.
Offence: 2.5 - Doesn't look like a forward option, not one to create an opportunity, lacks the skills to be a "finisher"
Defence: 3.5 - Might make a run-with player, but didn't seem overly competent defending a man and was very loose a few times when I saw him.
Hardness: 4 - Seemed reasonably willing to take punishment to the body, would say he has a go at least.
Speed: 6.5 - Probably his main "selling point", looked genuinely quick at times.
Stamina: 6 - Looks to me to be a pretty strong runner, along with his pace, his strong point.
Delivery: 3 - Substandard, even for a guy just starting out. No-pressure errors a big worry for a guy looking to play midfield.
Air: 3.5 - I'm not really sure here, he is fairly reliable when running out wide to receive, but doesn't look to have the greatest hands, will reassess as we go here for sure.
Ground: 3 - More a running receiver (not a criticism - more that's his strength) than a great in and close ground player, this low score probably reflects my opinion of his skills overall.
Injury: 5 - Early days, has had a couple of minor soft tissue injuries.
Temperament: 7 - Has a reputation of being a good leader, not seen anything to concern me in this area.
Ball: 3 - Seems a reasonable ball winner at VFL level, would need to improve dramatically.
Strengths: Has good running ability, looks like he's prepared to have a go, and apparently has good leadership qualities.
Weaknesses: Looks to lack the raw talent to play at the top level, not great hands and poor skills.
Overall: I saw a fair bit of Coburg in 2001, much less in 2002, and while my general view with kids is you don't delist after one year, I was prepared to break that rule for Hyde. He just looks too much like a VFL level player only and was probably a better option on the Rookie list than the main one. He may have good running capabilities but poor skills and decision making with plenty of disposal errors. To give him credit he did finish 2002 off well with Coburg. I'd be very surprised if Hyde was with Richmond in 2004. Got no reason to dislike him, just don't think he's a player, although something about him makes me hope I wrong (might be the black and yellow Guernsey). I think if he's to have a career he needs to develop his strength and turn into a run-with type, capable of running with the quality speedsters in the league, but will need to improve his skill level.
What he needs to do?
1) Survive the cut this year. Early signs don't look good that he's made the necessary improvements.
2) Skill work, his style of play, his type of player, you can't be coughing the ball up as much as he does.
3) Work harder getting back on his man and tighten up defensively.
