Mitch Hannan - where does he fit into the team for 2023

[bornadog]

Mitch has been with the Bulldogs for the past two seasons playing 17 and 7 games last year. He di have some issues with injury and concussion and then found it hard to get back into the team.

* Can Mitch be part of our best 22?

* Where does he play?

* How do you see his 2023 and how best should we use him.

[Happy Days]

I have divested myself of the tiny amount of Hannan stock I bought and don’t think he will ever be a meaningful contributor in any role.

The stint on half back last year was about as frustrated at a coaching move I’ve been under Bevo.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

At times, he did show a bit as a hybrid forward, but he's been mostly underwhelming.

He's had some battles with injury (when he first arrived) and then concussion, so it hasn't been smooth sailing. With that said, he should be showing more than he has to date.

Can he be part of our best 22? Yes, but will he?

I'm a little uncertain how we should use him. There's a spot on the wing open and he has good pace/endurance, so maybe it's worth trialling in the pre-season. As a forward, I think he's behind a few and we might prefer our 'smaller' forward from the likes of Garcia/Clarke given their ability to pressure the opposition.

He's solid depth for a side with Premiership aspirations if nothing else.

[Go_Dogs]

I think he’s a great spare parts player who can do a number of roles to a reasonable level and will play games because he’s a hard trainer who does the team things and has versatility that our coaching group crave.

We’re yet to see his best too I suspect.

I’d suggest a spot on the wing may be his best spot, but he faces tough competition across each line.

[westbulldog]

Spare parts player at best, has done nothing to suggest he is best 22.

[lemmon]

I concur with what's been said above - don't think he's best 22, but a handy mature option to have on the list.

I'd prefer to see a few of the young, flanker/winger types (Bedendo, Gallagher, Cleary) get called upon and hopefully go past Hannan in the pecking order. Baker's another one that will add some competition for those spots.

[jeemak]

Does he play the role Gary Rohan supposedly plays for the Cats?

He's been shown to be very much in the mix when fit and has played some good football for us, so if he's fit and in form then he'll likely feature at different times.

Good depth, in that band of players you need between 14 and 28 who can all contribute when called upon.

[mjp]

Spare parts player at best, has done nothing to suggest he is best 22.

Bevo has played him whenever he has been fit.

I suspect the forward group is going to look something like this:

Talls: Naughton, Lobbe, Jamarra
Mediums: Hannan, JJ, Bailey Smith or a Rotating mid, Garcia or McNeil.
Smalls: Weightman

I'm not sure if he *SHOULD* be but he seems comfortably ahead of Bedendo and Khamis in the pecking order and it seems we are determined to play someone like that - a primarily marking based, medium forward.

[EasternWest]

Does he play the role Gary Rohan supposedly plays for the Cats?

Goes missing when it counts and bangs the physio? No thanks.

[Grantysghost]

He plays the half forward / wing role.

When half forward he's one of the guys that goes up to the stoppage to make it a +1 when there's a secondary midfield bounce.

Baz does this as well.

I don't get the Hannan knockers, he's an athletic beast, can kick it 50 + , has an insane leap and works his arse off.

He's at least 2 x better than Oskar Baker. (who spells Oscar Oskar?)

Here's hoping he can stay injury free.

[Grantysghost]

Goes missing when it counts and bangs the physio? No thanks.

Like that game he kicked the winning goal against your team yeah !!? Wait...

[jeemak]

Goes missing when it counts and bangs the physio? No thanks.

I wondered who would be first.......I shouldn't have.

[Grantysghost]

I wondered who would be first.......I shouldn't have.

Deep down you knew...

You knew.

[jeemak]

Deep down you knew...

You knew.

It's him, of course it's him.....

[Jasper]

Does he play the role Gary Rohan supposedly plays for the Cats?

He's been shown to be very much in the mix when fit and has played some good football for us, so if he's fit and in form then he'll likely feature at different times.

Good depth, in that band of players you need between 14 and 28 who can all contribute when called upon.

Great suggestion but we have a logjam for mid sized forwards. It the track watchers think he could play wing Ill go with that.
At worse he fills in where needed.