I've closely reviewed three different highlight videos of Hampson and am amazed at the attitude of some posters towards him. For mine he is the ideal big man fit for the Tigers in terms of age, size, athletic ability, versatility and experience.
One only has to go back to Brad Ottens to see how much we mismanaged him. A big, mobile ruckman who could also dominate a forward line. IIRC correctly there are still some here on PRE with the same doubts on Hampson as they once had on Ottens. I guess Geelong proved otherwise when Brad was instrumental in helping them win 3 flags at ages 27, 29 and 31!
In all seriousness we need to go way back to the days of David Cloke to get an idea what Hampson can provide us with. Back then Cloke paid ruck/CHF and, at times, a kick behind the play. Roach was the gun forward(as Riewoldt is now) with Cloke crashing packs around CHF. He took heaps of marks, kicked plenty of goals and sprayed plenty, and our crumbers had a field day around him. We haven't won a flag since he left to go to Collingwood. Has to be a message there somewhere!
Tye Vickery should develop into an enormous asset for us. At this stage though he is not a ruckman in my opinion. Relying on him and Maric for at least the next 12 months is too big an ask. Tye is not yet ready and the work load is too big for Ivan alone. Many times this year he played injured because we could not do without him. Manage him better, use Hampson as the main ruck back-up, develop Tyrone more gradually and use Orren Stephenson as a very solid reliable stop-gap.
In summary I reckon we can now give a top 4 finish a big shake in 2014. Without Hampson we would struggle to stay in the 8. Time will tell!
:happy :bdaygrin 
