Saw something like this on another board so i thought i would do something simular. Will been done in order of player numbers.
1. Jason Davenport
James has had a rapid development in the past 2 years and expect him to keep improving. Must become a better kick, a bit like Wojcinski in that sometimes he is running to fast to dispose of it properly, not necessarily a bad thing though. I would expect him to maybe play a game or two depending on injuries. There are simular players ahead of him. Will get a run in NAB Cup but on the whole expect another solid VFL year. A player for the future though.
2. Tom Harley
A great season as captain last year and expect another. Can and will play tall or small as required in the role of 3rd key defender. Hopefully he can stay injury free and with his age may not play on the quicker players like last year but expect Tom to be a key for us not only on but also off the field.
3. Jimmy Bartel
How can a Brownlow Medalist improve? I guess if Jimmy can maintain his performance levels we will be happy. I expect him to get tagged a lot more tightly this season but as he is happy to go and get the hard ball himself and his strong marking ability going forward he will still be able to break the tagging shackles. Possibly see him kick a few more goals this year with his marking ability. He is still relatively young so natural improvements in strength, fitness and skills etc will elevate Jimmy into the upper echelon of the AFL this year (if not already).
4. Andrew Mackie
Had a breakthrough season last year off half back and I expect him to play a simular role this year. As last year was his first year playing at that level I expect him to still have some improvement in him (obviously strength is one). With his height and hopefully some added strength I would like to see him play on some taller players that are mobile like Milburn has done just to add another string to his bow. He must not rest on one good year need to consolidate this year.
5. Travis Varcoe
A good second year last year but this year is a big one for him. Third year in the system and the old huge pre season has never been more appropriate for Travis. He has to have one. He is exiting we all know that but he has to get more of the ball this year and not just be a forward pocket wonder. Improved fitness levels should get him up the ground more where he can use his pace to break through the middle. Expect him to be given the opportunities just has to make the most of them.
6. Brad Ottens
Came as a forward now is a genuine top ruckman. I expect Brad to continue in that role. But as fine wine does ruckman generally become better with age and I think Brad can do the same. With hopefully Blake improving I think Brad might just spend a bit more time up forward this year and kick a few more goals as Blake will take more load in the ruck. The best of Brad Ottens is still yet to come, exiting.
7. Harry Taylor
Has played a bit of senior footy and is 21 I think so probably has the ability to play ones this year. But obviously tough to break into a premiership side. By all reports is tearing up the track in pre season and I would expect him to get a run in the NAB Cup. Is versatile and might just be a wild card in Geelong’s pack to play a fair bit of senior footy this year. Wells doesn’t waste picks to often especially on 21 year olds in the first round.
8. Josh Hunt
I think Josh had a great finish to the season after being out of the side. I think that showed a bit of character. Showed an ability to play on the smaller forwards which was of value to the side. I expect him to fill a simular role this year. He just has to not think he is better than he is and just knuckle down and be a hard nosed defender. Disposal is fantastic and of real benefit to our side. Might even need to drop a few kilos to get some more pace might be handy as he is a tank.
9. James Kelly
Really matured last season I think and was a good player. But needs to become a great player, and I think he can. He is the player in our on ball division who had the most improvement in him I think. He needs to become elite and I think he can. Training along side Ablett, Bartel, Ling and Corey should show him the way. Maybe needs to hurt teams a bit more with his disposal and toughness is never in question. My challenge to James Kelly is do you want to be a good player or a great player. I think he can become an elite midfielder just needs to put in the work and it may be the little thinks like diet or extra training, do it James.
10. Kane Tenace
Make or break year for Kane. An unfulfilled talent. I think the area that lets him down the most is his skills that are so crucial in todays football. Maybe its confidence. But he MUST have a big pre season and say to the footy club I am worth keeping. I still think he needs to be harder at the footy. A couple of years ago I suggested a tagging role for him and I still think that may teach him a lot. But we are pretty right for taggers (Ling, Rooke). Ideally the wing is his best position and I think there is a spot there for him but he will have to show he is better than guys already considered regulars in the side and that could be tough. It has to start in the pre season for Kane. Expect a NAB Cup run for him to prove this and the rest will be up to him.
1. Jason Davenport
James has had a rapid development in the past 2 years and expect him to keep improving. Must become a better kick, a bit like Wojcinski in that sometimes he is running to fast to dispose of it properly, not necessarily a bad thing though. I would expect him to maybe play a game or two depending on injuries. There are simular players ahead of him. Will get a run in NAB Cup but on the whole expect another solid VFL year. A player for the future though.
2. Tom Harley
A great season as captain last year and expect another. Can and will play tall or small as required in the role of 3rd key defender. Hopefully he can stay injury free and with his age may not play on the quicker players like last year but expect Tom to be a key for us not only on but also off the field.
3. Jimmy Bartel
How can a Brownlow Medalist improve? I guess if Jimmy can maintain his performance levels we will be happy. I expect him to get tagged a lot more tightly this season but as he is happy to go and get the hard ball himself and his strong marking ability going forward he will still be able to break the tagging shackles. Possibly see him kick a few more goals this year with his marking ability. He is still relatively young so natural improvements in strength, fitness and skills etc will elevate Jimmy into the upper echelon of the AFL this year (if not already).
4. Andrew Mackie
Had a breakthrough season last year off half back and I expect him to play a simular role this year. As last year was his first year playing at that level I expect him to still have some improvement in him (obviously strength is one). With his height and hopefully some added strength I would like to see him play on some taller players that are mobile like Milburn has done just to add another string to his bow. He must not rest on one good year need to consolidate this year.
5. Travis Varcoe
A good second year last year but this year is a big one for him. Third year in the system and the old huge pre season has never been more appropriate for Travis. He has to have one. He is exiting we all know that but he has to get more of the ball this year and not just be a forward pocket wonder. Improved fitness levels should get him up the ground more where he can use his pace to break through the middle. Expect him to be given the opportunities just has to make the most of them.
6. Brad Ottens
Came as a forward now is a genuine top ruckman. I expect Brad to continue in that role. But as fine wine does ruckman generally become better with age and I think Brad can do the same. With hopefully Blake improving I think Brad might just spend a bit more time up forward this year and kick a few more goals as Blake will take more load in the ruck. The best of Brad Ottens is still yet to come, exiting.
7. Harry Taylor
Has played a bit of senior footy and is 21 I think so probably has the ability to play ones this year. But obviously tough to break into a premiership side. By all reports is tearing up the track in pre season and I would expect him to get a run in the NAB Cup. Is versatile and might just be a wild card in Geelong’s pack to play a fair bit of senior footy this year. Wells doesn’t waste picks to often especially on 21 year olds in the first round.
8. Josh Hunt
I think Josh had a great finish to the season after being out of the side. I think that showed a bit of character. Showed an ability to play on the smaller forwards which was of value to the side. I expect him to fill a simular role this year. He just has to not think he is better than he is and just knuckle down and be a hard nosed defender. Disposal is fantastic and of real benefit to our side. Might even need to drop a few kilos to get some more pace might be handy as he is a tank.
9. James Kelly
Really matured last season I think and was a good player. But needs to become a great player, and I think he can. He is the player in our on ball division who had the most improvement in him I think. He needs to become elite and I think he can. Training along side Ablett, Bartel, Ling and Corey should show him the way. Maybe needs to hurt teams a bit more with his disposal and toughness is never in question. My challenge to James Kelly is do you want to be a good player or a great player. I think he can become an elite midfielder just needs to put in the work and it may be the little thinks like diet or extra training, do it James.
10. Kane Tenace
Make or break year for Kane. An unfulfilled talent. I think the area that lets him down the most is his skills that are so crucial in todays football. Maybe its confidence. But he MUST have a big pre season and say to the footy club I am worth keeping. I still think he needs to be harder at the footy. A couple of years ago I suggested a tagging role for him and I still think that may teach him a lot. But we are pretty right for taggers (Ling, Rooke). Ideally the wing is his best position and I think there is a spot there for him but he will have to show he is better than guys already considered regulars in the side and that could be tough. It has to start in the pre season for Kane. Expect a NAB Cup run for him to prove this and the rest will be up to him.
