Coburgtiger said:
Take it easy, champ.
You know what registers when you say we win the hit outs but lose the clearances? Exact confirmation of what I see during the game. Hampson is an athletic big bloke who can jump, but is probably the single worst footballer I have ever seen. He gets his hand on it, but has no idea how he's done it, panics, and hits randomly. Our blokes set up as they would for a real ruckman, and get confused when their own ruckman hits it away from them.
But you know what? I meant no sarcasm when I said we should play an extra midfielder. Nic Nat can't grab it out of the ruck, because if he's tackled immediately, it's an automatic holding the ball. Get a mid to stay down wait for him to land and tackle him, and have an extra runner in the centre.
Or if that's too out there, get Vickery to do the same.
All better look options than Hampson.
OK, but what bothers me about some of the posters here is the reflex bagging of players often in scant regard for the actual game they've played. Hampson is the biggest target here in that respect. Anyone can see his drawbacks, a giant athlete but not a natural footballer, unco, clumsy. And I have posted long ago that I was really annoyed we spent the pick on him; I had a young player in mind that will probably be a 10 year player for Brisvegas now.
However, had to bite the bullet and consider the club believed we had to have a solid ruck back-up (you know the reasons I'd say). Hampo has had few games, very little continuity at AFL level because of how Eevan has been so reliable and stood up, his own injuries etc.
Now he is getting some games due to fortune. I have seen numerous ruckman over the years become players because of this situation. They had to take over No.1 spot. They had to go out and compete for most of the game on a tough, seasoned big man who would crunch them if not up to it. From the old days, with Swampy Patterson to Balmy, Salmon at Dons and Hawks. Currently look at examples of Martin at Lions, Pike at Swans, or Mummy at GWS, Stanley at Cats et al.
I think many people are reluctant to concede Hampo has been useful/competitive in 2016. He seems to be improving; I pointed out before last game that he might do better than last time against Jacobs because he needed ops on both ankles in the off-season. What happened, to the surprise of most, he beat him in the ruck. But then his attackers say he was hopeless because we lost the clearances, like both are totally his blame.
It seems many here want him to keep failing to keep their accumulated posts intact, justify themselves or something.
You can find plenty to criticise him for, resent that he actually can ruck after all in contravention of your established heckling, but there are plenty more players who share responsibility for the disgraceful loss to Pies and Turnover Kings performance against Crows.
I, for one, was rapt with the improved efforts and steps forward he has made with the responsibility thus far. I think Eevan will come back when fit and ready, especially suited to when the conditions slow down with wetter weather, softer grounds.
Re your other ideas, as someone else has posted TV is just so unconvincing in the ruck and looks intimidated which Hampson doesn't at all. Trying to just shark Nicnat's HOs would simply enable him to direct them easily out wider to an outside runner for an easy clearance IMHO.
