Jesse Hogan 'playing like a $1.3m player' as James Hird tips him to win Coleman Medal again
James Hird believes Jesse Hogan is a strong chance to win back-to-back Coleman Medals if he can stay healthy.
The 30-year-old Giant sits second on the leaderboard after round nine with 25 goals, two behind Gold Coast's Ben King, however Hogan has played two fewer games.
He kicked seven goals in GWS's win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in round eight, and a bag of nine against West Coast earlier in the season.
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Jesse Hogan booted 7.1 to get the Giants home. Getty
Hird, who spent two seasons with the Giants in a coaching capacity alongside Hogan, was full of praise for the confidence he had found in his game.
"The confidence he must have gotten out of last year, just to see how he grabs the ball, and last year the way he was grabbing the ball, it was one touch with his vice-like grip," Hird told Nine's Footy Furnace.
"His goal-kicking now, he very rarely misses.
"This guy is just getting better and better and better. I hope for his sake and the Giants' sake that he avoids injury because if he does, he will have another Coleman at the end of the year."
Tom Morris wonders whether Hogan may be among the most underpaid players in the competition on current output.
Jesse Hogan of the Giants. via Getty Images
"He's playing like a $1.3 million player on current (form)," he said.
"Now, we know a lot of money gets reserved for potential and he's a bit older, but he has to be the most dangerous key forward in the competition at the moment, doesn't he?"
Hogan has kicked 102 goals since the start of the 2024 season, putting all of the pieces together after a turbulent run with off-field issues and injuries in previous seasons.
The Giants host Fremantle at ENGIE Stadium - Sydney Showground - in round 10, before facing Carlton in round 11.
