Im going to go a different way to most.
I think l prefer Atley on the back line running in straight lines, that is his go. To me he needs the play in front of him, he really does get a foggy brain when in traffic & submits in tackles l think he can still be damaging from where he plays & also by rotating with Scotty McMahon when being dragged back to the goal square. Scotty Mc is still our best/preferred deep small defender for mine.
Its impossible for me to settle on a line up for next year because to me we have so many young players l would like to see exposed but that time has past now its time for best players only.
Players l would like to see go up a level
Majak - Who knows what that knee injury will do to his career he cant afford to stagnate as a project player by not being able to build a big enough tank in the off season. The more he does not play the more the vultures will circle him. Has the most X Factor of any player on the list for mine simply with the athleticism. My mind wanders back to the TAC Cup the mark running back with the flight v Melb the two marks v Geelong at Skilled. If he lifts his game awareness & tank another 10% we could have another Corey McKernan type player in another 2 years (the good Corey). If he improves to become a regular we are on the march because not many could defend him while still having 2 of Petrie Black & Tarrant to contend with in the forward line.
Hansen - If Hansen plays another season like he did, even though the last game of the year he stunk it up with about 6 dropped marks against Colllingwood. It will be difficult for opposition teams to kick unreachable scores because of his ability to cut off attacks. He is vital to next year being successful.
The Triple towers - Black 2-2.5 goals a game avg would be a good return along with his tackling. I am really hoping he can expand on his forward role & become even more dominant. Tazza needs a good year he is capable but If he has a ordinary start he could find himself in the 2nds, will obviously be given first crack & if he succeeds we will go a long way. Drew l have no idea what happened to his leaping ability but it was only on show twice a month last year after having 6 noms for mark of the year in 2012. He needs that string to his bow to ensure he is the one who gets the best defender. The three tall's for mine need to avg 8-9 goals between them against teams outside the eight & 7 goals against the best teams inside the eight.
Taylor Hine/Greenwood - l have watched the last few games of the year a few times now & it should not be forgotten how important tough hard tackling defensive type players are late in the year l would like to see one of these two tagging next year.
Players on the rise l would like to see play......
Luke Mc - I have watched him play about 18 games & he has star qualities but can drop off in intensity with his running at times, he could just be pacing himself but was not always the quickest to the next contest this is the only knock l have on him. Has enough good qualities to be a star but fitness needs to be built to become a regular AFL player obviously & l could see him getting the sub vest a bit this year because of this.
Taylor Garner - I like a bit of C*** in players he laid some good tackles against Collingwood & showed he is capable & not overwhelmed on a reasonably big occasion in his first game in front of a huge crowd at the G he did well. I will watch with interest.
Mason Wood - Injury curtailed his chances last year he needs a good solid batch of games in the 2nds but he has enough upside & is ideally suited to AFL the way it is played now.
Cam Delaney - I still want Narni playing most of next year & l hope he gets to 100 games but Cam is the future he will end up developing as a tall with lots of steady assistance around him in the back line a luxury most playing there currently did not have.
Moving forward........
This is the best North list l have ever seen the players in the 2nds are mostly really talented developing players. Almost anybody playing 2nds over the age of 23 will not be there in 2015 so its now or never for some.