Cleve Hughes [merged]

[wayne]

Out of 8 quarters of football since his return, Cleve has scored goals in only 3 of them.

The good news is that he has kicked nine and averages 3 goals in quarters he kicks goals in.

If Cleve can put together a four quarter effort, I expect a minimum 12 goals a game from him.

[one-eyed]

Cleve is under contract for another year but there seems to be some on BF (yeah I know) who either think or wish he will be traded.

Hughes, 21 y.o.,  started the season in the seniors before being dropped after our loss to North in round 2. Returned in round 13 to boot 6 goals against Port and 3 the following week against Carlton. He was omitted however again two weeks later after our second win over the Bombers with a "back" complaint. Finished the year playing in Coburg's one final appearance.

           Games   Disposals  Marks   Tackles   G.B
2006:      3           4.0         0.7        0.7      3.2
2007:      7           7.6         3.4        1.3      8.5
2008:      6           7.0         4.3        0.2     12.2

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1630&SeasonID=ALL
http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=2006144


So do we keep or trade Cleve?

[Go Richo 12]

Keep, he is slowly getting there and  when the big fella retires i believe he will step up. The game against Port proved what he could do and i liked his game in the final for the burgers, it wasnt his fault supply dried up. He is also turning into a pretty big unit and with Jack, Mitch and Browny can really make up a dangerous forward fifty.

[WilliamPowell]

No brainer - KEEP

We need key position players, he has skill & talent and he's only been in the system 3 years...... 

I know this will shock people but sometimes development takes time 

[mightytiges]

Keeper for me too. Cleve has shown glimpses so far to be persisted with and is a good kick for goal. Compared to a Fev or Mooney who both took 4-5 years to come on he's coming along okay. Of course he needs to work on impacting more when the ball hits the ground and his defensive pressure but he needs to be persisted with in the seniors in tandem with Jack and Morton.

[bojangles17]

I always bang on with cleve, he is 21 and performed better than many others of same age in VFL that have lofty reputations, in Thorp, Dowler, Hawkins...he kicked more than all of them and hit a high note in PA...He has to knuckle down and if we didn't see real improvement in 2009 then he would get the short shrift, no doubt...Keep him

[Darth Tiger]

Sorry boys, this guy has peaked in Tiger colours ... move him on whilst he has some value.

[Beren]

No brainer - KEEP

We need key position players, he has skill & talent and he's only been in the system 3 years...... 

I know this will shock people but sometimes development takes time 

Yes keep.
Have been told the Polly incident shook him up a lot more than was first thought too.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Keep keep keep. Has shown enough to suggest that with some application on the track and hard work in games he can kick bags of goals and be a real handful for defenders. Real issue with Cleve that can be is downfall is his mindset and psyche. Needs to have that in order otherwise he will stagnate.
On the flipside if club is aware of something about his mindset and that it will hinder him in the future then trade trade trade whilst his value is at its highest. Only thing that will keep this kid from developing into an adequate footballer who could kick 50-60 goals per season.

[Infamy]

Don't understand why people want to get rid of him, he get's a bum rap on all forums

Wouldn't be surprised if injury is holding him back from hitting the packs hard as he's still growing into his body. Once he gets confident that he won't get hurt when attacking the ball hard then we'll have a very good forward on our hands.

[Judge Roughneck]

Needs to come good IMO. We lack a tall foward.

Compared to Dowler/Clark etc. other highly rated forwards of his draft pool, he doesnt look too bad development wise.

FB: Newman - Thursfeid - Rance/Connors/Meyer/Edwards/Raines/Polo/Jackson
HB: Moore - McGaune - Tambling 
 C: Richo - Coughlan - White
HF: Cotchin - Reiwoldt - Deledio
FF: Brown - Hughes - Morton
OB: Simmonds - Tuck - Foley

It would be nice if one of Gourdis or Putt came good early but i doubt it with each still playing in the 3rds

Johnson, McMahon & Bowden will get spots you'd think

If Hughes gets a game it means someone like Raines or Edwards or Polo does not.

I agree he does not do well normally when the ball is on the ground and rebounding defenders run off him abit too much. However he is a nice league/mark/kick. Could have Cleve (21) and Jack (19) swapping from CHF/FF thou out the game. those 2 + Morton (21) seem to have abit of understanding playing with each other. These 3 tha look like being the forward line of 09/future we sometimes forget are still quiet young.. none of the 3 will be 22 till next season.

Stack Lids, Brown, Cotch along side them

and grunt in the midfeild Cogs, Tuck, Foley, White and Cleve might have some sort of chance of getting 40+ goals next year

[Infamy]

It would be nice if one of Gourdis or Putt came good early but i doubt it with each still playing in the 3rds

Both had earned elevation to the Coburg Seniors
Putt ended the year injured and Gourdis was only dropped in the finals due to the 12/10 rule

[mightytiges]

Putt should be fine in a couple of years as his body matures. A 202cm forward who can push into the ruck.

Gourdis is more a project type with his iffy kicking the main concern. Good size though if he can overcome his deficiencies.

[one-eyed]

What are your expectations for Clever in 2009 and what would be a good year for him?

Career so far:

           Games   Disposals  Marks   Tackles   G.B
2006:      3           4.0         0.7        0.7      3.2
2007:      7           7.6         3.4        1.3      8.5
2008:      6           7.0         4.3        0.2     12.2

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1630&SeasonID=ALL
http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=2006144

[Infamy]

I would like to see him cement a spot in the side as our full foward, play around 15 games and kick around 30-35 goals.
If he can do that then I'll be happy with his progress