This seasons players to watch?

[YankeeCatFan]

Ok, it's the dumb yank again :)

Could those of you in the know tell me which players you would be expecting improvements from this season?? New or old? Please try and provide me with as much info as you can :)

Doug.

[Fall Out Boy]

Firstly, welcome. I'm our resident arrogant sod who oft criticises the club.

Now, onto my thoughts on those who should improve.

13 - Tom Lonergan

Very skinny KPP who showed enormous potential and goal kicking ability in the VFL last year. With his added strength, i'd expect to see Tom play 5-7 games, and provide us with a much needed mobile target across half-forward.

26 - Matthew McCarthy

Far more advanced than Lonergan, however still has plenty of room for improvement. His marking skills are something we haven't had since Ablett Snr., just needs to work on his kicking and consistency.

29 - Gary Ablett Jnr.

His improvement in 2003 was amazing, however there is so much more left in him. Improved fitness will allow him to play more of a permanent midfield role, it will also allow him to run out games.
If he can get his aerobic fitness up, we will see an All-Australian calibre season.

32 - Tweak Moloney

Bhudda Jnr. got a good taste in 2003, however despite having an AFL body, his fitness wasn't up to scratch.
He's put on weight and decreased his fat content, so we will see a more consistant, and hard running Tweak.

35- Paul Chapman

Another who came on in 2003, however he is still maturing so there is plenty of scope for improvement.
Hopefully with Haynes around we can use Chappy more in the midfield, where his marking skills, work ethic and hardness will lessen the burden on Ling.

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by YankeeCatFan
Ok, it's the dumb yank again :)



That narrows it down to one of two posters. :D


The players that should improve are


Brent 'Tweek' Moloney
His now in his 2nd season and showed enough last year to suggest that he could easily be a regular this year.

Henry Playfair
This will be his 3rd season and he was given a good run at the end of last season.Where he plays,nobody knows.

Matt McCarthy
Probably the most promising newbie last year.Hopefully he doesn't have a case of 2nd yearblues [yes,I know it's his 3rd year].

James Kelly
Had a case of the 2nd year blues,but did hit form late in the year.He could be the one to watch this year.

[BigCat1]

For me three guys will typify how we go this season.

Spriggs, Bartel, and Kelly. If they can bridge the gap between what they currently are (fringe players) and what we expect them to be (based on past glimpses of potential) then we should go alright. We need these three to become above avarage onballers. Clubs like Collingwood, Brisbane, Adelaide and Port Adelaide (last year) have five onballers each that if they came to us would instantly take over as our prime mover.

We also need Mackie, Gardiner, Haynes and McCarthy to take the next step up forward. Turn 10-15 goals a season into 25-30 goal seasons.

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
That narrows it down to one of two posters. :D

Well played, JubJub. I'll pay that. :p

For me, I can't wait to see Kane Tenace play, and see what he can do, if he's able to crack the first team straightaway.

If the reports are true, he's bound to be someone who can give an added dimension to our midfield, someone who can deliver the ball with a bit of pizzazz and creativity.

And on a general note, I'll say anyone in the forward line as well-- production from that unit as a whole must improve over last season's lack of contributions.

[Unwritten_Law]

Cameron Thurley.

[McLeod23]

I'd expect David Spriggs to improve a hell of a lot - especially considering he's in my Football Australia team!

[Silver Cat]

If Jarad Rooke can improve his awareness a little and fine tune his tackling, he will be sensational.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by McLeod23
I'd expect David Spriggs to improve a hell of a lot - especially considering he's in my Football Australia team!

Expect to be disappointed then.

[McLeod23]

Any particular reasons?

IMO he will be one of the most improved players in the AFL in 2004. He's had a year to get over his knee and should fire. Plus he is in great shape on the track.

Although there is that nagging voice in the back of my mind reminding me how before last season Dean Rioli was supposedly in "Voss-like condition" - and didn't Rioli just take the league by storm :rolleyes:

[NakedDeadGuy]

One bloke who I think will surprise is Tim Callan. Absoluteley loved the way he went about it in the magoos last year, especially in the second half of the season where his improvement was marked. Uses the ball well, is your old fashioned footballer rather than an athlete. I'd like to see him take Sanderson's spot this year, though he may be a little light still - never stopped a bloke called Wanganeen going alright out of a back pocket in his early years though did it? (And no, that's not a comparison or in any way a big statement - just an observation;) )

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by McLeod23
Any particular reasons?

IMO he will be one of the most improved players in the AFL in 2004. He's had a year to get over his knee and should fire. Plus he is in great shape on the track.

He still can't kick, and he still has diabolical decision making skills.

[fishman]

I am gonna state Kent Kingsley. The guy might actually show something now he is on his last legs (club wise) and he should now be mature enough to play some consistant football.

[Unwritten_Law]

In conclusion, we have:

Kingsley
Callan
Rooke
Thurley
Tenace
Spriggs
Bartel
Kelly
Moloney
Playfair
McCarthy
Lonergan
GAJ
Chapman
Mackie
Gardiner
Haynes

Might have to back us for the flag with that sort of improvement ;)

[Turbocat]

Gday Yank Mate , what's your story following the Cats in the Windy City , the Basketball no good without MJ?
Anyway welcome.
I 'd agree with most of the players mentioned above as potential improvers .McCarthey, Playfair, Kelly, Bartel, Moloney, Sprigs should improve but most would have to improve themselves 2 to 3 levels before being at a level of AFL stardom. If Ablett continue to improve at last years pace he could be right up there by the end of the year and in only his 3rd year. He upside at the moment is unlimited but hes still should be given another year or two before being expected to carry the side like a Voss does in Brisbane.The players who have had the years of training put into them, matches played and should be ready to step are Mooney and King
Mooney
I see Mooney as one of our really big chances to improve Geelong's results. He has shown glimpses of what he can do. He has a strong Body ,can mark solidly, can kick straight and on occasions has put a quarter or 2 together of match winning football. The problem is in the little grey cells, the thing on his shoulders.Frankly he gives all the indications of being 5sandwiches short of a picnic, at times he has been a picnic short of a picnic. My hope for his improvement is based on comparing him to another who was considered a bit of a Fruit Loop with talent going to waste, Barry Hall. They are very similar in style and ability, Barry is about 2 Seasons ahead of Moons and in that 2 Seasons Barry has gone from being considered wasted talent to being a top CHF. He matured and was, I believe, the main reason that the Swans went as well as they did last year. If Mooney can get close to his level Geelongs performance will increase greatly. Go further than that they will make the 8
King
King is the Captain and last year being blessed with Cats Captaincy got injured , naturally as that’s what happens to nearly all of the Cats Captains. He played on because he felt it was his duty but probably would have served the club if he had not played at all and given more time to the other ruckman. King has always been a ruckman who was very negating of the opposition but not always brilliant at offensive ruckplay. One of his better attributes was his mobility and ability to float forward and link up across Half Forward. He can kick a goal or two as he's good kick for his size. With his injury he could do none of these things to his best level. If he is totally over the injury I expect him to bounce back to his best and if he can just the increase the amount of overhead marks he take could be again recognized as one of the elite in big men in the AFL
TC

[JUBJUB]

No one's nominated Gumby. :eek:

[Jim Boy]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
No one's nominated Gumby. :eek:

Do you have turbocat on your ignore list?

[JUBJUB]

D'oh !!!!!

Sorry Turbo. ;)

[Generalissimo]

Unco Chambers.

Since I think the great Loats experiment will be a dismal flop, the 2nd ruck duties will go to Paul Chambers. Now that we know Bomber is going to use 2 rucks every game, I think Chambers will hold down a regular 2nd ruck position and maybe the odd foray into the forward or back line as well. I think he'll get his hands on the ball more often by providing another marking target around the ground; there's never been anything wrong with his disposal.

[storrma29]

I hope your right general
a about chambers improvement and
b that he will in fact be the so called second ruckman
Knowing the way thompson rates gumby(mooney) i have an awful feeling bomber may be being a tad cryptic in his "two ruckman" statement.
.....as i said i hope your right on both points

[Jim Boy]

Bomber has learnt his lesson with only one ruckman. In a recent article about Mark Blake, he said that Mark would be in the picture for a game if 2 of our 3 ruckmen were injured. King has also said that you can't go into games nowadays with only one ruck.