Hodge v Watson

Written by Motts on January 19 2012

Couple of captains with crippling concerns in 2011. Both still managed to average 106 though. You won’t ever have any worries about them being made a sub – that only happens at Melbourne, doesn’t it, Brad.

So if you were giving advice to someone considering both of them but only room for one, who would you recommend? Feel free to back your argument up in Comments.

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16 thoughts on “Hodge v Watson”

  1. Currently trying my hardest to fit Jobe in the team…
    Set for pretty big things in 2012 Crabstick feels…

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  2. Hodge for a number of reasons.

    Firstly, Hawthorn are a significantly better team with players of the ilk of Sam Mitchell and Cyril Rioli running around with Hodge. Watson (and I say this as an Essendon fan) does not have any significant support in the midfield that you would ever consider tagging before the skipper. Is there anything more frustrating that tuning into a telecast to see the oppositions star tagger heading over to stand toe-to-toe with your premium midfielder? Picking Hodge lessens the chance of this happening.

    Secondly, as an extension of the tagging issue, Hodge can play everywhere. He can float across the backline chopping out opposition attacks (2008 GF), he can play the increasingly popular ‘quarter-back’ role (although that seems to now be a combination of Suckling’s and Birchall’s role), he can dominate in the centre and go into the forward-line and take a decent grab (see: 2011 Prelim Final last quarter mark against the Pies). While Jobe is getting better as a forward, he doesn’t have the flexibility of Hodge. Essendon need him as a midfielder or else there is a significant chance that they won’t get the ball forward in the first place.

    Thirdly, since they became stars (Hodge did it one year before Watson), Hodge has played 141 out of a possible 154 games (91.6%) while Watson has played 117 of a possible 132 (88.6%). I know that it isn’t much of a difference, but SuperCoach is a game of inches and you don’t want to have your premiums on the bench resting an injury.

    Finally, in the years that they have been premiums, Hodge has shown exactly how good he can be. He has averaged: 135, 103, 110, 118, 91, 116 and 106. A very impressive list. He will be 28 mid-season with a seven year average of 111.9. Watson, who turns 27 in the next three weeks, since becoming a good player has averaged: 95, 87, 91, 101, 106 and 106. This is a six year average of 98.1. Watson has never averaged above 106, while Hodge has had seasons of 116, 118 and 135 (elite numbers).

    As far as I can see, all of the signs point to Hodge.

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  3. I like Hodge, one because I am Hawks supporter and I have man crush and now for actual useful reasons that may help my fellow comrades he is one of those players like Goddard that can only need 20 possies to have a decent score.
    The amount of times I have finished watching the Hawks rack up another win and thinking that Hodgey was quieter than his usual brilliant self to only then see he still scored 111+ points
    I was going to write similar to what Don wrote but seeing as though he did such a great job I’ll just refer to DC write up above… nice work!

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  4. Good call DC, it is Hodge for me too! It is just such a pity that he isn’t a B/C DPP (ahh those were the days when the first 3 defenders you would pick would be Goddard, Hodge and Gibbs!)

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  5. Hey Motts, it is interesting reading peoples thoughts on the rucks this year. It is great to have varied ruck options this year.There seems to be divided opinion as to what road to take. Some want to use more ruck rookies to get another premium mid, others want to set and forget the rucks. Popular options:
    2 premiums and 2 Rookies (eg. Cox, Sandi, Giles and Big O)
    1 premium, 1 mid price and 2 rookies (eg. Mummy, West, Giles and Big O)
    2 mid pricers and 2 rookies (eg. Kruez, Maric, Giles and Big O)
    1 premium and 3 rookies (Goldy, Giles, Big O and Rowe)
    I think the ruck strategy will be critical this year and it seems more open than ever. What’s your preferred strategy? I wonder if this would be a good topic for all to discuss?

    Oh, and for what it is worth: Hodge for me. I expect him to be over the injury that slowed him down last year. The Hawks will be gunning for the GF this year and they need their General fit and firing.

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