Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
So: Caveat #1.
Lachie has never been my fave player but I have 100% appreciated the way he has been able to lock-down an outside mid role for the best part of a decade and just been SO darned reliable.
But - when we were scouring lists to find new players, Baker was (almost) the perfect selection.
He's played a bit, he runs, he understands width and he kicks it a mile. When I say 'played a bit', I mean he knows enough about senior footy (and gotten enough kicks in the teeth at selection tables) to understand he is NEVER going to be Bont - so he plays within his limitations (which gives him an immediate tick over and above 85% of players on AFL lists).
Lachie - well, he is a club legend and I am sad he isn't with us now...but his last two years in particular have ranged between disappointing to disruptive...he needed to go.
My ONLY caveat here is that Melbourne had an even better fit for us on their list than Baker (Bedford) but the Giants stole him!
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Hunter was a hard one to judge at times. Lots of touches but his impact on our ball movement at times made you wish he actually got less of the ball. Will be interesting to he how he goes in the Dees system tomorrow.
Baker looks a good bargain pickup which we haven't had in a while.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Until I watch Baker run a game out as an outside player at senior AFL level, I'll reserve judgement.
I loved the way Hunter ran back hard to block space as a wingman. His tank just helped our rotations so much.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mofra
Until I watch Baker run a game out as an outside player at senior AFL level, I'll reserve judgement.
I loved the way Hunter ran back hard to block space as a wingman. His tank just helped our rotations so much.
Agree with this.
Hunter at his best was a gauge on how we were travelling. However, with the issues he had over the past two years, we have done the right thing. Let's see what Baker can do
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mofra
Until I watch Baker run a game out as an outside player at senior AFL level, I'll reserve judgement.
I loved the way Hunter ran back hard to block space as a wingman. His tank just helped our rotations so much.
I am with you on that one. There were things I liked in the preseason game, but need to be convinced.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Interesting comment from Lachie saying if he was going to tag a player it would be Libba.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bornadog
Interesting comment from Lachie saying if he was going to tag a player it would be Libba.
If I was coaching against us Libba would be my target.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bornadog
Interesting comment from Lachie saying if he was going to tag a player it would be Libba.
Melbourne have done that in the past.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Did he give any reason why? For instance, because it stops the ball at the source?
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeemak
Did he give any reason why? For instance, because it stops the ball at the source?
Not really:
Quote:
Former Bulldog and current Demon Lachie Hunter said if he could tag any Dogs midfielder, he would pick Liberatore, highlighting how he is rated internally.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Noticed this on AFL.com. I think many suspected that we picked up some of his salary but it really does put the trade into some perspective
Melbourne duo Brodie Grundy and Lachie Hunter, as well as Fremantle's Jaeger O'Meara and Collingwood's Tom Mitchell, are others having parts of their salary – and some into the future – being paid for by former clubs.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GVGjr
Noticed this on AFL.com. I think many suspected that we picked up some of his salary but it really does put the trade into some perspective
Melbourne duo Brodie Grundy and Lachie Hunter, as well as Fremantle's Jaeger O'Meara and Collingwood's Tom Mitchell, are others having parts of their salary – and some into the future – being paid for by former clubs.
Be interesting to know how much and for how long
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bornadog
Be interesting to know how much and for how long
In terms of tenure it would likely be for the duration of his contract which expires at the end of 2024 so just 2 years.
It might have also limited our ability to get more involved in other trades last year.
It seems we were keen to get him out.
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GVGjr
It seems we were keen to get him out.
Disappointing it came to this given he was a reasonably decorated player with us and F/S.
Had/has his flaws (in game) but a very clever player who when fit was (and would still be) clearly our best winger.
How has he been going at Melbourne?
Re: Controversial Opinion: Oskar Baker > Lachie Hunter (but Bedford would have been even BETTER)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
The Bulldogs Bite
Disappointing it came to this given he was a reasonably decorated player with us and F/S.
Had/has his flaws (in game) but a very clever player who when fit was (and would still be) clearly our best winger.
How has he been going at Melbourne?
Melbourne mates rate him highly.
