Jesse Hogan’s wayward kicking could hurt his hip pocket, says David Schwarz

VIDEO: DAVID Schwarz has slammed Jesse Hogan’s kicking as “absolutely shocking” and Jason Dunstall is also concerned with the young forward’s stuttering technique.

MELBOURNE defender Tom McDonald says Jesse Hogan simply had an off day with his kicking, which Demons great David Schwarz warns could hurt his hip pocket.

Hogan kicked two goals in Sunday’s NAB Challenge win over St Kilda, but struggled with his set-shot routine, missing a number of shots on goal.

Schwarz, who kicked 244 goals in his 173 games for Melbourne, is worried that the 21-year-old’s errant kicking could cost him on the bottom line as he prepares to negotiate a new contract.

“If Jesse Hogan doesn’t get his kicking fixed, his contract will decrease by $400,000 a year,” he said on SEN.

“That’s how much of a liability it becomes.

“Jesse Hogan’s kicking is a disgrace. Shocking. Absolutely shocking.

“He’s kicking with the left-handed drop for a right-handed kick. Awkward is an understatement.

“If you can’t kick the ball as a key forward or are kicking at 30 or 40 per cent, you are not worth the money of somebody who can kick it at 60 or 70 per cent.

Jesse Hogan’s kicking isn’t up to scratch, David Schwarz says. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“If you are Jesse Hogan and you’re kicking at 45 per cent, your worth is nowhere near as much. That’s a concern that I would have.

“If you’re going to put out your hand for a big pay cheque, you need to be confident kicking for goal. You’re not in the side for any other reason than to be a big target up forward and to kick goals.”

Hawthorn goalkicking champion Jason Dunstall was also questioned Hogan’s stuttering technique.

“I don’t think he’s a poor kick for goal, he looks reasonable, but everything he’s doing indicates he’s got some mental demons when it comes to goalkicking, doesn’t it?” Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

“The ball grip, the run up, everything.”

Hogan kicked 44.19 last season and McDonald said he was not concerned about his teammates’ kicking style.

“I think he’s just had one of those days where the marks don’t stick and you don’t kick amazing at goal,” McDonald said.

“If you can kick two goals and still have an impact, and that’s a bad day, it’s still a pretty good day. He dropped a couple of marks he would normally take, a couple of set shots where he wasn’t striking them very well.

“It was just a bit of a bad day for him personally. He had a week off, as well, so it was probably a bit of rust. I’m not too concerned.

“He’s still got a bit of a weird run-up. It’s not the most natural looking kicks, but I don’t see him miss many at training, so I’m not too worried. I’m probably not the expert to be giving goalkicking tips, either.”

Originally published as Jesse Hogan’s wayward kicking could hurt his hip pocket, says David Schwarz