Nunez
Premium Platinum
One of my favourite threads over the past few years have always been POBT s most important players list, and given the season is around the corner I thought I'd kick off discussions with my own top 10.
In my opinion, our top ten players will be the key to us pushing from a 4-7 win season to a 6-10 win season.
1. Dayne Beams
An easy choice is Beamsy. The guy is an extremely good talent, our captain and imo could easily win a brownlow off the back of a strong season. He polled in the top 10 even with a buggered shoulder which is a testament to his ability.
Beams will need to play at least 18-20 games this year as his leadership for our young mids will be pivotal. Obviously adding to that is his ability to kick 2-4 goals a game and set up countless more.
2. Luke Hodge
It was a hard call putting Hodgey in at number 2 given he will likely play 16 or less games, but his leadership is paramount and a lot of our improvement this year will stem from on field leadership. There is no better teacher and the guy is still a great talent on the field. He finished 2nd in the Hawks bnf for a reason.
3. Dayne Zorko
Zorko was in super form last year, winning his first AA honors. He absolutely must deliver again in 2018. Our midfield looked so strong at times in 2017 when both Zorko and Beams were in form. They are a much stronger combination than Rockliff/Zorko or Rockliff/Beams and if we are fo beat teams in the engine room it'll be offthe back of Zorko and Beams leading the way.
4. Harris Andrews
Andrews has been developing at a phenomenal pace. He has beaten some quality opponents (Lynch, Daniher) and with Hodgey taking a lot of the on-field coaching responsibility, I can see Andrews absolutely breaking out as a defender. If he can be our KPD who controls the oppositions best, it will help immensely when it comes to keeping our opponents score to a minimum.
5. Eric Hipwood
What can be said about Hipwood that hasn't been said 1 million times already? He's a freak who took the promise of his first season and carved out an amazing second season. His third season could go either way, but if he's ableto take another step and kick/be on track to kick 40-60 goals it would be a monster effort and would give the team monster confidence in passing the ball forward which has been a weakness.
6. Allen Christensen
Bundys return cannot be understated. He is fitter than ever, is showing strong leadership abilities and looks absolutely desperate to play afl again after nearly 2 years of injuries. He has mentally come a long way, and if his football ability can deliver like we know it can, he will be a lethal third foil to Beams and Zorko. He can kick goals, win the footy on the inside and outside and tackle ferociously. Could be a game changer.
7. Mitch Robinson
Heart and soul in a young team such as ours extremely important. If Robbo is on the park, young guys such as Matho, Clugg and Berry will walk taller and as 2nd + 3rd year players, it is invaluable.
8. Charlie Cameron
Cameron coming to the Lions was huge. His second last performance in an Adelaide jumper involved 5 goals in a prelim and he was not disgraced in the final either. His pressure and goal kicking sense is a huge asset to a team desperate for pressure. If his kicking improves, I could easily see him racking up some big i50 numbers in 2018 which as an area of weakness last year will be huge if it comes to fruition.
9. Hugh McCluggage
I feel bad putting a second year player in the top 10 - it is a lot of pressure - but the talent of Hugh McCluggage elite and he's added some much needed mass. I thought his 2017 season was rock solid but it wasn't until I went back and re-watched some of our wins that I realized the impact of having a guy like Hugh had on our team. His ability to evade and have extra time with the pill was often 1-2 steps ahead of his own team mates. He could squeeze passes via foot or hand with ease and has a real goal sense. He has added much needed mass and another pre season of working out synergy with his fellow mids gives me big confidence in his ability to make a big impact in his second season.
10. Rhys Mathison
With Rockliff gone, we absolutely need an inside mid who can step up and matho has worked extremely hard to do claim that position. He has a lot of competition but I think he's up for the challenge and will take the ball and run with it. He has a strong ability to win the pill and is an underrated handballer (please don't kick it though Rhys) and when up forward can draw a free and is a solid set shot for goal. He adds attitude and grunt and if he can be consistent will be huge in the fight for 4 points throughout the season.
In my opinion, our top ten players will be the key to us pushing from a 4-7 win season to a 6-10 win season.
1. Dayne Beams
An easy choice is Beamsy. The guy is an extremely good talent, our captain and imo could easily win a brownlow off the back of a strong season. He polled in the top 10 even with a buggered shoulder which is a testament to his ability.
Beams will need to play at least 18-20 games this year as his leadership for our young mids will be pivotal. Obviously adding to that is his ability to kick 2-4 goals a game and set up countless more.
2. Luke Hodge
It was a hard call putting Hodgey in at number 2 given he will likely play 16 or less games, but his leadership is paramount and a lot of our improvement this year will stem from on field leadership. There is no better teacher and the guy is still a great talent on the field. He finished 2nd in the Hawks bnf for a reason.
3. Dayne Zorko
Zorko was in super form last year, winning his first AA honors. He absolutely must deliver again in 2018. Our midfield looked so strong at times in 2017 when both Zorko and Beams were in form. They are a much stronger combination than Rockliff/Zorko or Rockliff/Beams and if we are fo beat teams in the engine room it'll be offthe back of Zorko and Beams leading the way.
4. Harris Andrews
Andrews has been developing at a phenomenal pace. He has beaten some quality opponents (Lynch, Daniher) and with Hodgey taking a lot of the on-field coaching responsibility, I can see Andrews absolutely breaking out as a defender. If he can be our KPD who controls the oppositions best, it will help immensely when it comes to keeping our opponents score to a minimum.
5. Eric Hipwood
What can be said about Hipwood that hasn't been said 1 million times already? He's a freak who took the promise of his first season and carved out an amazing second season. His third season could go either way, but if he's ableto take another step and kick/be on track to kick 40-60 goals it would be a monster effort and would give the team monster confidence in passing the ball forward which has been a weakness.
6. Allen Christensen
Bundys return cannot be understated. He is fitter than ever, is showing strong leadership abilities and looks absolutely desperate to play afl again after nearly 2 years of injuries. He has mentally come a long way, and if his football ability can deliver like we know it can, he will be a lethal third foil to Beams and Zorko. He can kick goals, win the footy on the inside and outside and tackle ferociously. Could be a game changer.
7. Mitch Robinson
Heart and soul in a young team such as ours extremely important. If Robbo is on the park, young guys such as Matho, Clugg and Berry will walk taller and as 2nd + 3rd year players, it is invaluable.
8. Charlie Cameron
Cameron coming to the Lions was huge. His second last performance in an Adelaide jumper involved 5 goals in a prelim and he was not disgraced in the final either. His pressure and goal kicking sense is a huge asset to a team desperate for pressure. If his kicking improves, I could easily see him racking up some big i50 numbers in 2018 which as an area of weakness last year will be huge if it comes to fruition.
9. Hugh McCluggage
I feel bad putting a second year player in the top 10 - it is a lot of pressure - but the talent of Hugh McCluggage elite and he's added some much needed mass. I thought his 2017 season was rock solid but it wasn't until I went back and re-watched some of our wins that I realized the impact of having a guy like Hugh had on our team. His ability to evade and have extra time with the pill was often 1-2 steps ahead of his own team mates. He could squeeze passes via foot or hand with ease and has a real goal sense. He has added much needed mass and another pre season of working out synergy with his fellow mids gives me big confidence in his ability to make a big impact in his second season.
10. Rhys Mathison
With Rockliff gone, we absolutely need an inside mid who can step up and matho has worked extremely hard to do claim that position. He has a lot of competition but I think he's up for the challenge and will take the ball and run with it. He has a strong ability to win the pill and is an underrated handballer (please don't kick it though Rhys) and when up forward can draw a free and is a solid set shot for goal. He adds attitude and grunt and if he can be consistent will be huge in the fight for 4 points throughout the season.