Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

[The Coon Dog]

Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

The Herald Sun - 19 September

ADELAIDE ruckman Ben Hudson seems bound for the Western Bulldogs.

It is believed Hudson wants to go to Whitten Oval.

The Bulldogs, keen to bolster their ruck division, only need to satisfy the Crows with a player or draft picks.

Hudson was originally snatched from under the Bulldogs' noses by the Crows.

The 28-year-old played with the Dogs' VFL affiliate, Werribee in 2003, but was taken with pick No. 58 in that year's national draft. He made a solid return from a knee injury this year, playing 22 games.

The Bulldogs have refused to talk about likely trades, but Hudson is said to be a lock-in and contract terms have already been discussed.

Adelaide, with Rhett Biglands ready to return from a knee injury, also has young ruck back-ups in Jonathon Griffin, Ivan Maric and John Meesen.

Adelaide football operations manager John Reid confirmed the contract stand-off.

"Negotiations with Ben on a new contract have broken down," Reid said last night.

"As a result, his management has advised us that the Western Bulldogs are keen.

"We regard Ben as a required player. We are waiting to hear where the Bulldogs stand."

Hudson, who has played 55 games, made headlines last month when suspended for a week by the Crows for breaking off-field rules. He broke an 11pm Sunday curfew and teammates made it clear it would take time to win back respect.

"Huddo is very disappointed in himself for letting the playing group down," teammate Nathan Bock said at the time.

Securing a ruckman is the Dogs' No. 1 trade priority -- ahead of a key forward.

If Hudson lands at Whitten Oval, it will put increasing pressure on Peter Street. Will Minson, who will return from a back injury, is expected to be given development time following Luke Darcy's retirement.

St Kilda, Carlton and Richmond are also in the market for a ruckman.

Despite speculation, it is believed Brendan Fevola is not on the Dogs' radar.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

So what would we be prepared to offer for him?

[The Underdog]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

So what would we be prepared to offer for him?

A late pick. He's old after all, and not the only one on the market.

I'm intrigued about this radar though, it's doing an excellent job if this article is any indication and it's Fevola free, which is nice.

[Mantis]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

So what would we be prepared to offer for him?

I am prepared to offer a second rd pick (maybe trade for a latish one) or a player equivalent to Giansiracusa/ McMahon.

[W W Biscuit]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

I am prepared to offer a second rd pick (maybe trade for a latish one) or a player equivalent to Giansiracusa/ McMahon.

If we trade either of those two for a 28-year-old, serviceable ruckman with a reconstructed knee, then we are being mightily ripped off.

[Mantis]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

If we trade either of those two for a 28-year-old, serviceable ruckman with a reconstructed knee, then we are being mightily ripped off.

We need a ruckman. The 2 players mentioned had less than satisfactory years and are in a group of players that we have an excess of, outside players.

Please offer an alternative.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

We need a ruckman. The 2 players mentioned had less than satisfactory years and are in a group of players that we have an excess of, outside players.

Please offer an alternative.

Im inclined to agree with WW Biscuit - Hudsons value in the trade stakes is about a 4th round pick given the age and previous knee reconstruction, and the guy is out of contract and not heading back to Adelaide.

If we give them McMahon then we should expect to receive a pick from them as well as Hudson, maybe there 2nd pick for our 3rd or 4th. So McMahon and our 3rd for Hudson and there 2nd.

Hudson is a terrific workhorse at the stoppages and is exactly the type of player Minson should be striving to become

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

Hudson quits Crows


September 19, 2007 02:15am
RUCKMAN Ben Hudson has quit the Crows after his contract talks broke down last week as Adelaide labelled his demands as excessive.

Hudson, 29 next year, has asked to be traded to the Western Bulldogs.

Hudson, who was plucked from VFL obscurity by Adelaide in the 2003 draft, demanded a three-year contract worth more than $1 million.

Adelaide offered a two-year deal with a lower annual pay scale.

Despite 55-game Hudson drawing controversy to himself late this season - when he was suspended from the August 12 clash with Geelong for breaking a team curfew - the exit from the Crows is based purely on the terms and value of his new contract at West Lakes.

However, there is also speculation Hudson lost interest in Adelaide after coach Neil Craig gave him a scathing assessment of his form at the start of August after a poor performance against Essendon at the Telstra Dome. This was shortly before he broke the curfew.

Adelaide football operations manager John Reid last night confirmed Hudson and the Crows were left at odds on Friday.

"Negotiations with Ben on a new contract have broken down," said Reid.

"As a result, his management has advised us that the Western Bulldogs are keen on Ben.

"We regard Ben as a required player. We are waiting to hear just where the Bulldogs stand on this."

It is uncertain if the Bulldogs are planning a package of players - such as South Australians Jordan McMahon and Stephen Tiller - or draft picks for Adelaide.

Hudson's exit has left a sour taste at Adelaide. The Crows are questioning Hudson's appreciation for their taking him from VFL club Werribee as a 25-year-old as the No. 58 pick in the 2003 national draft after an AFL opportunity seemed to have passed him.

Also, Adelaide stood by Hudson as he recuperated from major knee surgery in 2006.

Hudson played 22 of a possible 23 matches this season, carrying Adelaide's rucks as Rhett Biglands was sidelined by a major knee injury from last year's preliminary final against West Coast.

Hudson's departure dramatically leaves Adelaide vulnerable in the ruck division. It has the recuperating 30-year-old Biglands and 21-year-old rookie ruckman John Meesen, drafted from Victoria two years ago, out of contract and set for a raid from Carlton.

Adelaide's other ruck options are novices Ivan Maric and Jonathon Griffin, both aged 21.

Hudson's exit will increase Adelaide's need to accept a deal with Brisbane for West Adelaide-drafted ruckman Cameron Wood.

Hudson is the second Adelaide player to ask to be traded out of West Lakes. He follows key forward Ken McGregor who is seeking to find greater opportunities with the prospect of being signed by any of Fremantle, Richmond and the Bulldogs.

Hudson's VFL club, Werribee, is aligned to the Bulldogs.

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade also needs a ruckman - more so than a key forward such as McGregor - to cover the absence by retirement of Luke Darcy.

[W W Biscuit]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

We need a ruckman. The 2 players mentioned had less than satisfactory years and are in a group of players that we have an excess of, outside players.

Please offer an alternative.

My preference would be to not court Ben Hudson at all. I'd be far happier to pursue a young player such as Cameron Wood - the first ruckman taken at the 2005 draft.

Jordy and Gia are 24 and 25 years old respectively. Sure, they had fairly poor seasons, but I think that they have greater currency due to their age, experience and some top level performances on their CV. I agree, we do have an excess of these players, and I would be willing to include either of them in trade negotiations - as long as we are shrewd. Particularly if McMahon was part of the Hudson deal, I'd expect some type of sweetener - perhaps an exchange of our 3rd round and Adelaide's 2nd round pick.

EDIT: Just read your post BR. Must have been ESP.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

Hudson would be a good stop gap while we get the protein shakes into Ayce Cordy

[Mantis]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

My preference would be to not court Ben Hudson at all. I'd be far happier to pursue a young player such as Cameron Wood - the first ruckman taken at the 2005 draft.

Jordy and Gia are 24 and 25 years old respectively. Sure, they had fairly poor seasons, but I think that they have greater currency due to their age, experience and some top level performances on their CV. I agree, we do have an excess of these players, and I would be willing to include either of them in trade negotiations - as long as we are shrewd. Particularly if McMahon was part of the Hudson deal, I'd expect some type of sweetener - perhaps an exchange of our 3rd round and Adelaide's 2nd round pick.

The McMahon deal seems reasonable.

Personally I think McMahon holds a bit more value than Gia.

To get Wood I think we would have to offer up one of these players and our 2nd rd draft pick, is this too much? Personally I have high hopes for Minson and think that with the help that Hudson will provide over the next 3 or 4 years it will allow Will to develop over this time. If we do get Hudson I think Street has to be offloaded.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

Perhaps a direct swap for Tiller? I don't think we'll be giving up too much. Given our early PSD selection, we could just pick him up that way if the Crows are being unreasonable, no?

[Mantis]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

Perhaps a direct swap for Tiller? I don't think we'll be giving up too much. Given our early PSD selection, we could just pick him up that way if the Crows are being unreasonable, no?

No thanks, Tiller is a promising Key Forward. Last time I checked there wasn't to many of these types on our list.

PSD - Will Hudson make it to our pick seeing as though Richmond and Carlton who both have picks before us are also in the need of a ruckman.

[dog town]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

Hudson is a fairly decent sort of player. Not going to come over and win an AA spot or anything but he will get in and get his hands dirty at stoppages and is rarely dominated. Actually leads the crows for contested possessions and first possessions so he has a presence at ground level around the centre bounces and throw ins. Would be staggered if we let Mcmahon go for a 29 year old with a dodgy knee but wouldn't be against trying to lure him over. The touted 1 million for 3 years is a bit of a worry as well.

[Twodogs]

Re: Hudson keen to boost Dogs' big-man stocks

No thanks, Tiller is a promising Key Forward. Last time I checked there wasn't to many of these types on our list.

PSD - Will Hudson make it to our pick seeing as though Richmond and Carlton who both have picks before us are also in the need of a ruckman.

I'm pretty relaxed about taking that chance. If he's there at our pick, then great, if he's not it's not a huge hassle.



I dont Tiller involved in this trade-he's got to much upside.