Still locked up, why not make a list
This one is the 5 most important players for NMFC in 2021, not necessarily resulting in the greatest impact on success in 2021, but the players that are important for the club now and into the future but need to have a certain impact in 2021.
1. LDU
Why: The next A+ Grader?
We are obviously the least attractive club in the comp, even though we have one of the biggest cheque books. One of the key areas we lack in is a genuine young A grade midfielder. I wasn't sold earlier in the year but LDU's past month has opened the eyes. He needs to be a difference maker in 2021 to generate the excitement we need as well as a lift in performance on the field.
2. McKay
Why: The next anchor
Even though we have been up and down over the past 6 or 7 years, we have had Tarrant as a constant and it always helps when you have key positions solved. Mc Kay is a different player, and is suited to the bigger forwards, but at 23 if he can hold up that key post, with Corr, Walker and Tarrant we can take the KP defenders as an area of concern. After 2020, he should have a great understanding of where the body needs to be to have an even better 2021.
3. Thomas
Why: We need mercurial and exciting
While I think his best footy is still a couple of years away, we are in desperate need of excitement and he is best position to deliver. Regardless of the forward setup next year, the ability of Thomas to take marks with his great leap and hands should be used more and obviously he is an excellent field kick. Doesn't have the pace of Cyril but we need him to be the presence he was. This is his first big step, major midfield numbers are for the years after.
4. Perez
Why: A genuine all-rounder, 200 gamer?
Almost every player on our list has a trait or two that are really good, but also have a trait or two that are really not. It is the all round player that is essential to premiership teams because they do what they need to at a good level. I think Perez is our best chance. Endurance is good, speed is good, courageous, dual sided, accurate disposal, defensive minded, hard at it, composed, evasive, good mark ... He looks like a complete player. In 2021, with a full pre-season, if he can slot into the backline and build off his last few games, he will be the type of player that we can rely on for a decade. Would love him to elevate beyond this but this is the type of player I want to see in 2021;
5. Cunnington
Why: does help help
One part is the injury, is it short term or long term. However my big question is how well he syncs with LDU and Simpkin as all three can be creative clearance players. Other than Higgins on the outside, most of the clearance players around Cunners are just get ball and kick type players, whereas the two young guns think their way through situations. If the three work well together, our centre square effectiveness should lift significantly and I think it might prolong his career.
Just outside of this group was Bonar, who if steps up could add to 5 and make this a big strength, and Comben, because if he shows that he could be a genuine KP forward / ruck moving forward, regardless of what happens with Brown, that is something we need and with Larkey mean we could have our KP forwards for a decade.
That's mine, what's yours?
This one is the 5 most important players for NMFC in 2021, not necessarily resulting in the greatest impact on success in 2021, but the players that are important for the club now and into the future but need to have a certain impact in 2021.
1. LDU
Why: The next A+ Grader?
We are obviously the least attractive club in the comp, even though we have one of the biggest cheque books. One of the key areas we lack in is a genuine young A grade midfielder. I wasn't sold earlier in the year but LDU's past month has opened the eyes. He needs to be a difference maker in 2021 to generate the excitement we need as well as a lift in performance on the field.
2. McKay
Why: The next anchor
Even though we have been up and down over the past 6 or 7 years, we have had Tarrant as a constant and it always helps when you have key positions solved. Mc Kay is a different player, and is suited to the bigger forwards, but at 23 if he can hold up that key post, with Corr, Walker and Tarrant we can take the KP defenders as an area of concern. After 2020, he should have a great understanding of where the body needs to be to have an even better 2021.
3. Thomas
Why: We need mercurial and exciting
While I think his best footy is still a couple of years away, we are in desperate need of excitement and he is best position to deliver. Regardless of the forward setup next year, the ability of Thomas to take marks with his great leap and hands should be used more and obviously he is an excellent field kick. Doesn't have the pace of Cyril but we need him to be the presence he was. This is his first big step, major midfield numbers are for the years after.
4. Perez
Why: A genuine all-rounder, 200 gamer?
Almost every player on our list has a trait or two that are really good, but also have a trait or two that are really not. It is the all round player that is essential to premiership teams because they do what they need to at a good level. I think Perez is our best chance. Endurance is good, speed is good, courageous, dual sided, accurate disposal, defensive minded, hard at it, composed, evasive, good mark ... He looks like a complete player. In 2021, with a full pre-season, if he can slot into the backline and build off his last few games, he will be the type of player that we can rely on for a decade. Would love him to elevate beyond this but this is the type of player I want to see in 2021;
5. Cunnington
Why: does help help
One part is the injury, is it short term or long term. However my big question is how well he syncs with LDU and Simpkin as all three can be creative clearance players. Other than Higgins on the outside, most of the clearance players around Cunners are just get ball and kick type players, whereas the two young guns think their way through situations. If the three work well together, our centre square effectiveness should lift significantly and I think it might prolong his career.
Just outside of this group was Bonar, who if steps up could add to 5 and make this a big strength, and Comben, because if he shows that he could be a genuine KP forward / ruck moving forward, regardless of what happens with Brown, that is something we need and with Larkey mean we could have our KP forwards for a decade.
That's mine, what's yours?