Preview 2019 Player Previews

[BlueAbroad]

Caleb Marchbank - VIDEO

Only the 12 games from Caleb in 2018, a big shame given the level of talent he has.

We've saw glimpses of his best in 2017 but unfortunately the injury bug seems to have traveled with him from Sydney.

His back issue kept him out of full training before Christmas which suggests it will be another hampered season so hopefully with Andrew Russell at the club we can manage Caleb throughout the year.

I'm simply hoping to get him healthy as soon as possible as he's such an important part of our future.
What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Jack Silvagni - VIDEO

It was a frustrating year for Jack as he seemed to battled with himself more so than anything else.

The reality is, nothing is linear. Progress comes in ebbs and flows - so for Jack it is all about staying resilient, working hard and eventually finding the breakthrough.

Let's remember a very important factor - he's still only 21 years old!

He is a hard worker and has shown glimpses of the "footy brain" so his focus in 2019 is really coming into his own and playing at a consistent level.

I can see him playing around 10 games in 2019 with the potential for more provided that he's able to make genuine impact.

What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Sam Walsh - VIDEO

VERY excited to have Sam at our club.

It's hard to keep a lid on the excitement that surrounds the 2018 number 1 pick, especially when our coach and best players are talking about how special this guy has been throughout the pre season.

Nevertheless, we do need to keep things in perspective and understand that the next few years are a transition period as Sam adjusts to the rigours of a full time professional athlete.

I think he will have an impact in 2019 and hopefully his body lasts the test of time.

What are you excited about Sam play in 2019?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Liam Jones - VIDEO

It's a make or break year for Liam Jones - something he is all too familiar with.

His burst onto the AFL scene in 2017 was a great story for the club, however we are looking forward and we need to know whether or not he will be with the club beyond 2019.

I felt there was too far a gap between his best and worst in 2018 as we struggled for a defensive leader with the loss of Sam Docherty.

Nevertheless, I think Liam will start in round 1 and have every opportunity to prove himself as one of our key defenders.

Whether that remains the same throughout the season is yet to be seen.

What do you expect Liam Jones to do for the club in 2019?

 

[therubbernub]

I agree, dont rush him back even though he is definitely one of our best tall defenders. We have plowman who looks very fit this year, as does Weitering and Jones . Thats 3 talls . Marchbank seemed to be given an intercept role in the past IMO and that is something that Weitering and Jones have done pretty well at whilst in good structured defences. Unfortunately that structure is severely reduced with Doc missing , but I am hoping that is something they can all overcome.
i see this as a potential opportunity for some of the other players: Jack could possibly be trialed there, then there is the mystery man macreadie , the equally mysterious Williamson who is either on deaths door or just recovering from some heavy preseason loads depending on who you listen to.
Then there is Kerr- reportedly training as a defender and even Ben Silvagni might surprise . I sincerely hope that we dont have to use Mitch McGovern down back as that will severely hamper our forward scoring ability IMO. Either way , I dont see us without options , and if Bolts sees it imperative that our defence functions well this year, then we do have some things to try in Marchbanks absence.

 

[BlueAbroad]

Lachie Plowman - VIDEO

Another young defender who struggled with form and injury in 2018.

Lachie seemed to lack the aggression and intensity in his game that saw us buoyed with excitement after 2017.

Some of that could be attributed to life without Doc in the backline, but as I said throughout the year, at some point Lachie needs to take responsibility for what he can control.

The game against Geelong was by far his best game in 2018, and that is the benchmark for his effort that I expect coming into 2019.

I'm backing him in to bounce back this season.

What do you think?

 

[Arr0w]

Loving the effort and work you put in BA

Keep them coming

 

[therubbernub]

Loving the effort and work you put in BA

Keep them coming

Absolutely. BA's efforts arent being recognized enough

 

[thylacine60]

couldn't agree more - never understood why he struggles to get traction here - his vids are excellent........

 

[therubbernub]

Caleb Marchbank - VIDEO

Only the 12 games from Caleb in 2018, a big shame given the level of talent he has.

We've saw glimpses of his best in 2017 but unfortunately the injury bug seems to have traveled with him from Sydney.

His back issue kept him out of full training before Christmas which suggests it will be another hampered season so hopefully with Andrew Russell at the club we can manage Caleb throughout the year.

I'm simply hoping to get him healthy as soon as possible as he's such an important part of our future.
What do you think?

View attachment 620081

I am mildly concerned about Caleb. There are a few vague rumors about an attitudinal problem, which combined with his injury history....... Hopefully, this year he comes back better than ever, because there is no doubt that the talent is there. Does he need the influence and discipline that Doc brings to the backline- possibly.

 

[BlueAbroad]

I am mildly concerned about Caleb. There are a few vague rumors about an attitudinal problem, which combined with his injury history....... Hopefully, this year he comes back better than ever, because there is no doubt that the talent is there. Does he need the influence and discipline that Doc brings to the backline- possibly.

It's a valid question. A lot of our defenders seemed to crumble without the key "leader" there to help give them direction.

Fingers crossed for a bounce back year.

 

[Aphrodite]

Loving your work BlueAbroad

 

[BlueAbroad]

David Cunningham - VIDEO

Injury plagued and a massive unknown - A recurring theme with our list and where David Cunningham unfortunately sits.

He has the traits of a good player, but his body has not really let us supporters see whether or not he will make it at the top level.

He has completed the entire pre season from all reports which is a huge tick for him, and I actually believe this is the year when his body allows him to showcase his talent.

I'm expecting a good year from Cunners, with 15 games a strong target for him to reach.

What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Cam Polson - VIDEO

f footy was all about effort, this guy would be one of our better players.

Unfortunately he wasn't able to impact games anywhere near as much as he would like, but there is plenty of time for him to develop.

I was rather critical of Bolts choosing to play Cam for so many games because of the output I was seeing in his possession tally - however he must be far more valuable internally than what we as supporters see from week to week.

There is a hole with our small forward stocks and with that comes an opportunity for someone to grab that spot. Cam Polson is definitely in that group of players who very well could do so.

What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Charlie Curnow - VIDEO

The future of our club - simple as that.

I held back with the hype on Charlie last year as I wanted him to enjoy his footy and develop naturally, but there is really no escaping the talent he has.

With Harry and now Mitch in the forward line, I simply can't see a reality in 2019 where Charlie doesn't dominate.

45 goals is a strong but realistic target for him to work towards, but I also would like to see him have moments throughout the midfield because I think he has the capacity to do so.

The sky is the limit for this guy.

What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Harrison Macreadie - VIDEO

Harrison was a bit of a surprise packet in 2017 with the impact he was able to have.

Unfortunately he was another one struck down through injury in 2018 (seriously, it's insane how many of these youngsters were injured).

He is yet to resume full training which suggests that patience is needed with him.

I'd love to see him feature in the middle part of the season once he is fully fit with the hope of building towards a big 2020.

What do you think?

 

[BlueAbroad]

Matthew Lobbe - VIDEO

He might not feature in too many games this season, but don't underestimate the importance of Matthew Lobbe's role in 2019.

A guy who has earned everything in his career, I look at him as a great mentor for young Tom De Koning - showing him how to best prepare his body and mind for the rigours that a ruckman needs to get through a full season.

I could easily see Lobbe falling into a development coaching role after his career is finished.

If he is required to play in 2019, his approach to the game is something I have full confidence in.

What do you think?