Hamish McIntosh

[mudgee]

Hey guys - of all the posts I have checked out for this year's supercoach, I haven't read too much on Hamish McIntosh being on people's radars as a smokey for their R2 or R3 even. Am I missing something obvious here? In 2009 he averaged 91.6, 2010 dropped off a bit to 81.6, and last year he only played once... but scored a 96 in the fwd line. Surely at $360k he's worth a punt!

[BratPack]

Please do not invoke the name of the Antichrist  :P

[SydneyRox]

He is on plenty of radars, but the question mark is over how will the roos (and his scoring) handle him and Goldstein in the same team?
Goldy should be the number 1 ruck. so that leaves Hmac
A. In the reserves
B. On the bench/fwd line/backup ruck
C.Permanent fwd/backup ruck

People who are picking him are hoping for c. But I think it is more likely to be a mix of A and B

[mudgee]

Hmmmm what to do... take a risk on McIntosh or a slightly smaller risk (maybe?) on Kreuzer for R2

Decisions decisions (=Þ)

[cdcanman]

I'm stearing clear of North's ruckman at this stage. I'm not convinced that Goldstein and HMac can work. Early on HMac might eat into Goldstein's scoring potential, and after having them both in the side doesn't work, I don't like HMac's job security.

Even if it does work, that probably means they are both playing well, therefor splitting time on the ball. Doesn't bode well for fantasy scoring.

HMac's price is tempting and certainly worthy of consideration on this list and for your starting teams, but I'll pass.

North should have traded McIntosh. He could have returned some of the class that they are sorely lacking. In an offseason when plenty of teams needed ruckman, he would have been the hottest commodity on the market. They also have an abundance of ball winning mids as well. Could have packaged one together with HMac and returned something of real significance.

[Wolf67]

I'm actually going with the combo of HMac and Kreuzer at the moment, pending performances in the NAB Cup.  I watched the R24 Roos v Tigers game, where Hmac played predominantly as a forward and did pretty well.  In North's intra club game, they played Goldy and Hmac on the same side, suggesting that they will both play this year, as other teams have done, such as WC, where Coxy still scored well with NicNat.  Brad Scott has also suggested that they will both play a significant role, and Hmac was reported to be the dominant big man in the intra club game.  I know this is only an intra club game, but teh signs were reportedly very good.

I agree that Hmac has a fair bit of currency and yes, North could have got a good player or pick had they placed him on the trade table, however they said all along that he is a required player, and he was never put up for trade.  this was all just media speculation, but the ones best placed to make these decisions work at Arden St, and not in the media, and there is no way that North would not have held onto him if they were planning to play him in the reserves.

The other reason that Hmac is attractive as a SC ruck this year, is that there is not a standout ruck selection as there has been in previous years such as Coxy last year.  Cox started the season at a bargain basement price of about $428k and the reports were that he was in for a big year, and it was correct.  coxy is a fair bit more expensive this year.

sandilands has been an automatic in the past, but he and mummy (knee) are both injury prone, both missed games last season.  Goldy had a good year but may have Hmac take some points from him, berger is one to consider in the mid 5's, jacobs could have a break out in the low 5's, but there is not one stand out ruckman in my opinion, so taking Hmac frees up plenty of cash to spend elsewhere.  along with Kreuz, they could prove to be bargain premium rucks by years end.

I believe HMac will alternate between the fwd line and stints in the ruck, and barring an injury, should play every week, which should produce a good score as R2.

Then again, this is just one mans opinion.  Or should I say, one wolf.   

[cdcanman]

I heard all the 'required player' talk out of North around the draft too, I just can't understand it. Last year he was required for a single game. That's a lot of coin to be paying a guy for one game. When you have an abundance of talent in a spot, instead of having that talent and money wasting away in the reserves, why not cash that talent in for some pieces that you do actually need? In North's case, they require some genuine class. Good ball users and ball carriers. Granted, players like that don't grow on trees. But neither do quality ruckman. McIntosh (perhaps when coupled with on of their ball winning mids) COULD have returned a real diffrence maker.

Its just really interesting watching AFL teams handle player movement. From someone who has followed a lot of American sports over the years, its really hard to fathom some of the decisions that are made. The advent of Free Agency will force teams to be more aggressive when trading players in my oppinion. You have to be willing to give something up to get something of value, and sometimes you have to take risks in order to make that leap up the ladder. Without an injection of genuine, top quality class, this North team is destined to be a middle of the road, top 8 side who won't be able to truly contend. McIntosh presented them an opportunity to make that leap to the upper eschelon some time soon, they chose not to pull the trigger. If you let him go, what do you really lose? He hasn't contributed for 2 years anyhow, and you have another All-Australian ruckman who has filled his shoes and then some.

Unfortunately for North, if he again fails to have an impact this year, his currency in the market will be at an all-time low in the coming offseason.

A rare opportunity missed in my oppinion.   

[Cruiseon]

I heard all the 'required player' talk out of North around the draft too, I just can't understand it. Last year he was required for a single game. That's a lot of coin to be paying a guy for one game. When you have an abundance of talent in a spot, instead of having that talent and money wasting away in the reserves, why not cash that talent in for some pieces that you do actually need? In North's case, they require some genuine class. Good ball users and ball carriers. Granted, players like that don't grow on trees. But neither do quality ruckman. McIntosh (perhaps when coupled with on of their ball winning mids) COULD have returned a real diffrence maker.

Its just really interesting watching AFL teams handle player movement. From someone who has followed a lot of American sports over the years, its really hard to fathom some of the decisions that are made. The advent of Free Agency will force teams to be more aggressive when trading players in my oppinion. You have to be willing to give something up to get something of value, and sometimes you have to take risks in order to make that leap up the ladder. Without an injection of genuine, top quality class, this North team is destined to be a middle of the road, top 8 side who won't be able to truly contend. McIntosh presented them an opportunity to make that leap to the upper eschelon some time soon, they chose not to pull the trigger. If you let him go, what do you really lose? He hasn't contributed for 2 years anyhow, and you have another All-Australian ruckman who has filled his shoes and then some.

Unfortunately for North, if he again fails to have an impact this year, his currency in the market will be at an all-time low in the coming offseason.

A rare opportunity missed in my oppinion.

A solid summary, I concur with your thoughts.

[Maca24]

The ruck situation will be the most interesting thing this year in SC.
Plenty of options, If you're rucks dont perform then you will struggle to stay with the crowd.
Right now I have McIntosh, cas he gives me a nice structure but feel like I may have to upgrade him.

Like people have said Goldy is their main man now and who knows if Hamish still has it? He has been out for ages..
Could be a winner of a pick though if he performs.

[Wolf67]

I heard all the 'required player' talk out of North around the draft too, I just can't understand it. Last year he was required for a single game. That's a lot of coin to be paying a guy for one game. When you have an abundance of talent in a spot, instead of having that talent and money wasting away in the reserves, why not cash that talent in for some pieces that you do actually need? In North's case, they require some genuine class. Good ball users and ball carriers. Granted, players like that don't grow on trees. But neither do quality ruckman. McIntosh (perhaps when coupled with on of their ball winning mids) COULD have returned a real diffrence maker.

Its just really interesting watching AFL teams handle player movement. From someone who has followed a lot of American sports over the years, its really hard to fathom some of the decisions that are made. The advent of Free Agency will force teams to be more aggressive when trading players in my oppinion. You have to be willing to give something up to get something of value, and sometimes you have to take risks in order to make that leap up the ladder. Without an injection of genuine, top quality class, this North team is destined to be a middle of the road, top 8 side who won't be able to truly contend. McIntosh presented them an opportunity to make that leap to the upper eschelon some time soon, they chose not to pull the trigger. If you let him go, what do you really lose? He hasn't contributed for 2 years anyhow, and you have another All-Australian ruckman who has filled his shoes and then some.

Unfortunately for North, if he again fails to have an impact this year, his currency in the market will be at an all-time low in the coming offseason.

A rare opportunity missed in my oppinion.

Fair pont cdcanman, and a very good write up and good read.  You may be right.  Who knows.  I'm not going to speculate on what the club may do or could have done during trade week.  I'll leave those decisions to the football dept, as they will be the ones who know best.  The rest of us are merely outside observers with our own opinions.

All clubs could use some extra class players and good ball users.  Wells is very good with his ball use and he finally showed the football world how good he can be if stayes injury free.  Hope he recovers from the blood clot.  The NMFC are in the best position to determine where they go in the future.  There is some very good young talent at the club and perhaps they are looking for the class to emerge within, but it always takes time as with the top clubs. 

I see a lot of similarities with this north group and the team of the early 90's.  The only difference and it is a huge one is that there is no wayne Carey in this group.  Not yet anyway.

I hope HMac goes well, but time will tell.  He's in my squad until I see a reason to cut him. 

Thats the opinion of the Wolf.  Some may agree.  Some won't.  If we all agreed on everything how boring would that be.