Player Watch #17: Riley 'Stiffy' Hardeman

[An Ardenary Life]

Dumb story but we went to Bells Hotel on Moray Street South Melbourne recently (ironically, it used to be associated with Port Adelaide in Melbourne, not sure if it still is), and one of the waiters mentioned Riley as one of his mates, because he overheard me say something about North Melbourne.

The waiter is heading off to the US to try out for college football.

(awkward cough)

There really is nothing else to this story, so scroll on.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Very solid game by riley

More if this pls

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Just keep pumping games into him. Once he gets up to speed and he starts to build his confidence the other layers (run & carry, intercepting) will start to flourish as well.

Been bullish on him from the moment we drafted him, he is a natural footballer.

 

[tales129]

Just keep pumping games into him. Once he gets up to speed and he starts to build his confidence the other layers (run & carry, intercepting) will start to flourish as well.

Been bullish on him from the moment we drafted him, he is a natural footballer.

~400m gained from 12 didposals

 

[hotchilli]

Looking a lot more settled at the level.

 

[harper2bastinac]

this is what happens when you play a half back with foot skills who can actually defend

 

[hotchilli]

Next step now needs to be getting involved more offensively as his kicking could be a real weapon.

 

[Passmore]

Hopefully he's ready for the level now. Onwards and upwards.

 

[Lavy_Panther]

Like the look.

 

[archereleven]

Went back with the flight and got the spoil, used it well and has a turn of speed.

Seems to have the basics down pat. A lot to like about this kid. Just play him.

 

[shintemaster]

Should have been a full game as soon as he came in, match committee have made some blunders this year but they look to be learning and rewarded with on field improvement.

Good, solid outing and we looked much less flakey with him and Archer coming in and even Dawson.

 

[Passmore]

Should have been a full game as soon as he came in, match committee have made some blunders this year but they look to be learning and rewarded with on field improvement.

Good, solid outing and we looked much less flakey with him and Archer coming in and even Dawson.

Adding 3 athletic types to defence to replace slow, labourous type is more in line with a modern backline.

 

[koshari]

Dumb story but we went to Bells Hotel on Moray Street South Melbourne recently (ironically, it used to be associated with Port Adelaide in Melbourne, not sure if it still is), and one of the waiters mentioned Riley as one of his mates, because he overheard me say something about North Melbourne.

The waiter is heading off to the US to try out for college football.

(awkward cough)

There really is nothing else to this story, so scroll on.

more factual content than 95 % of BF posts.

 

[shintemaster]

Adding 3 athletic types to defence to replace slow, labourous type is more in line with a modern backline.

Yeah agree. Dawson is also very athletic / attacking with his run which helps a lot.

 

[Northwards]

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

I said this in a group chat with some mates the other week that other teams have these sorts of guys across every line. It’s so accurate.
Competent defenders with an offensive game are so important.

Players like:
Wilmot, Starcevich, Lachy Ash, Noble, Mark O’Connor, Bowey, Aish and J Clark all so important to have on a list and needed to have a stingy defence that can rebound with interest back the other way.

He’s not at the level of those guys yet but the play style is visible. I hope they see it and persist like they did with Archer because that had its growing pains and has worked out well after he got an extended run.

 

[Nylex]

With Hardeman and Arch as our small defenders… no need to overpay for Maynard

 

[Snojet]

Liked what I saw.
I can see he and Archer being integral parts of our backline going forward.
A better option than Fisher and McDonald.

 

[shintemaster]

With Hardeman and Arch as our small defenders… no need to overpay for Maynard

I'm neither here nor there on that need overall but I think you would be a brave man to suggest that Luke McDonald swapped with Maynard wouldn't improve us.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Hopefully we're done ****ing him around.

 

[shinboner magic]

Good game and more than did his job.
Keeping building - get goater in yo replace Lmac and we’re cooking

 

[tales129]

Should have been a full game as soon as he came in, match committee have made some blunders this year but they look to be learning and rewarded with on field improvement.

Good, solid outing and we looked much less flakey with him and Archer coming in and even Dawson.

Hopefully we're done ****ing him around.

Agreed, with the caveat that if we were a Geelong or hawthorn with senior players in the side this would be good management giving him a taste as a sub and going back to play a full game of twos and earning a spot.

The difference is we aren’t those clubs and he’s been the obvious option for the whole season.

Now to get Goater fit and get him up and about

 

[remfan101]

My feeling is he’s a long kick but not necessarily a good one- bit of a dodgy balldrop/action. As long as he plays the percentages like yesterday that’s ok though.

 

[zoomba23]

My feeling is he’s a long kick but not necessarily a good one- bit of a dodgy balldrop/action. As long as he plays the percentages like yesterday that’s ok though.

It's an upgrade on Tucker, who has a dodgy ball drop/action and also can't kick it more than 40m

 

[DuckYeah]

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

Lets not get too carried away. He had a good game but his disposal is still iffy, especially 20m kicks. A pre requisite for half backs is they need elite foot disposal

 

[rickety]

Lets not get too carried away. He had a good game but his disposal is still iffy, especially 20m kicks. A pre requisite for half backs is they need elite foot disposal

I don't think I'm getting carried away at all ... he does have a nice kick. I much prefer him sauntering out of the square and hitting a longer ball than CD at half pace hitting, or not, a dinky little 20 yard thing.