Player Watch #17: Riley 'Stiffy' Hardeman

[DunderHead]

Mate, I look at this in two ways. The first is what is the coach trying to do, and the second is the qualitative judgement as to whether it make sense.

On the first, Clarkson is going for a team that he thinks can best get a win, to the extent he’s gone for hardened bodies and experience (like Tucker, Stephens, Fischer) and the spots for kids are for those with star quality (sheezel, wardlaw, Kerch and Duursma). In terms of the north Melbourne list, it is just about the most experienced team the club could put out.

People will disagree, but I get the logic of the selection.

What happens if there isn’t some competitiveness is a question for another week or two.

Clarko goes with experience first, then drops the kids in as they get momentum in the twos. I think that’s what he’s said previously. But I’m not sure things have run smoothly in terms of availability.

 

[Psicosis]

Just desperation from Clarkson. Playing the likes of Tucker and Fisher ahead of this guy. Pretty much the total opposite of what Mitchell would do.

 

[zoomba23]

Mate, I look at this in two ways. The first is what is the coach trying to do, and the second is the qualitative judgement as to whether it make sense.

On the first, Clarkson is going for a team that he thinks can best get a win, to the extent he’s gone for hardened bodies and experience (like Tucker, Stephens, Fischer) and the spots for kids are for those with star quality (sheezel, wardlaw, Kerch and Duursma). In terms of the north Melbourne list, it is just about the most experienced team the club could put out.

People will disagree, but I get the logic of the selection.

What happens if there isn’t some competitiveness is a question for another week or two.

Well, our previous seasons died in the arse at around this time. May that be markedly different this time round

 

[nelroo]

Disappointed to be honest.

He can defend, run and kick. Just get games into him FFS.

 

[Only Forwards]

If they drop him imma burn something.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

He did well - deserved to be in there

 

[RightWingRoo]

Can play and can defend, has to get an extended run.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Good game lad.

 

[RightWingRoo]

He spoils with authority too, not something we see very often.

 

[nelroo]

If they drop him imma burn something.

Was going to say the same thing. Needs to play the rest of the season.

 

[ohmygewd]

Amazing what you get when you play a real HB...great game Riley!!

 

[Dingster]

For a kid in that environment he did really well. That spoil on Georgiades was a ripper.

 

[nelroo]

Can he teach Comben how to spoil?

 

[GoRoos2023]

Wow! Was excellent

 

[rickety]

A defender that can defend, well **** me! Has a nice shoe too, much prefer him on the kick ins than oompa loompa doopity doo

 

[Chadwiko]

Good game lad.

Has to stay in the team. Just has to.

 

[ansonholt]

If they drop him imma burn something.

He has something. And like a few others, he needs time in the seniors. Absolutely worth persisting with.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Very impressive, play him every week please

 

[koshari]

He has something. And like a few others, he needs time in the seniors. Absolutely worth persisting with.

Looks pretty composed.

 

[nelroo]

Looks pretty composed.

He is the type of player that all other sides have about 5 or 6 of. Not us though. We usually avoid drafting these types

 

[Carey4life]

He's a from me. The silver lining is our recent recruitment is miles ahead of old North.

The only issue is they're all <20. Keep the perspective.

 

[Psicosis]

It’s a f*kn indictment that this guy hasn’t played until today. Behind the likes of Tucker, Fisher, Daniel etc who are not defenders. Seems like common sense but clearly not for our coaches.

Starting defender now.

 

[muttley45]

As expected, i liked his 1st full game of the year, should never be sub again, just watched Clarko's presser and he gave him a little mention too, so well done Riley.

 

[tales129]

As expected, i liked his 1st full game of the year, should never be sub again, just watched Clarko's presser and he gave him a little mention too, so well done Riley.

Yeh it was an interesting comment from Clarko, didn’t want to praise him too much, but I feel like we’ve got our Maynard already here. Just have to get him to 50 games asap.

Between himself, archer and FOS all blokes that have a crack in the air, can defend and can make sound decisions.

Interesting for Clarko to bring up connection too - the younger lads seem to want to play for each other and communicate way better back there together.

Liked it a lot.

Are we finally going to have afl standard medium defenders

 

[Dinkers]

Eyes ****en rolled, he's a modern day HB, FFS! How was his 60 metre kick in to our fwd line. Not sure why he isn't playing every week.