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- Mymancans
Well after 6 weeks of the season we are 3-3 and sitting 10th on the ladder (equal 4th with 8 other teams). So what are the positives of the season so far? The obvious are the incredible wins over Carlton and Collingwood but lets look a little deeper.
Here is my list so feel free to discuss, add to, critique etc. This is a positive thread, not a "Dyson has been ordinary, Myers shouldn't be playing" thread.
- The emergence of Tayte Pears as a Key Position defender.
Given that Tayte had a limited preseason and was a surprise inclusion in Round 1, I think he has improved each week and is holding his own against larger opposition in one-on-one marking contests. Many people forget that Tayte is only 2 months older than Michael Hurley so the upside is massive. He is our future CHB.
- Courtenay Dempsey's season games record.
He has played 6 in a row! He has shown how damaging his offensive side can be, but in the last few weeks we have seen his defensive game and courage to back into packs. Even his passion at the free kick given against him was great to see, as he is now starting to feel like he is a permanent member of our makeup. I feel he will continue to improve as his confidence and experience grows.
- Paddy Ryder in the ruck.
We all know the reason he is there is a tragedy, however he now has the opportunity to show how good he can be and so far it looks positive. 1 great game and 1 average game so far, lets hope he can improve each week and gain some consitency both with hit outs and work around the ground.
- Zaharakis.
He is the first midfield recruit to really look at home in the seniors in his first year for a while. Given he has already played 5 games is a real bonus and I think we have a long term midfielder here.
- Winderlich's return from injury.
Very few expected him to have any impact at the start of the season, but I dare say he would be in the top 5 in the Best and Fairest so far. He has looked absolutely sensational in terms of his run, carry, ball use and marking. What a bonus to have him firing given his career looked almost over.
- Davey's return from injury.
Similar to Winderlich, Alwyn is crucial to our side. He seems to have lost none of his speed and agility and I expect him to get better and better as the season progresses.
- Watson and Stanton's midfield leadership.
Many may be surprised at this, but given that both have been forced to act as our 2 senior midfielders so far this season, I believe they have stepped up a level. The horrible clangers have reduced and their workrate has been a key in our performances so far this season.
- Lovett's maturity.
The pressure was on him this season as we all expected him to lift. Whilst his stats don't appear that different, he is copping a hard tag most weeks and still working his **** off for the team. Two examples sum up the 2009 model of Lovett.
1). The gut running to set up Jetta's goal on ANZAC Day.
2). His leadership in pulling Dempsey aside and calming him down following the free kick against Brisbane.
Just wait until we get our key mids back and he is able to receive without the hard tag.
- The moulding of our future backline.
It is starting to take shape. Whilst we have only seen a handful of games from Daniher, Hurley and Hooker, I already like what I see (with Pears also). I would love to play all 4 together as much as possible this year (depending on match ups) as the key to any premiership is a defense which knows each others game inside out and can work as a team to nullify the opposition's forwards. Myers fits into this 'moulding'.
I'll leave the rest to you...
Here is my list so feel free to discuss, add to, critique etc. This is a positive thread, not a "Dyson has been ordinary, Myers shouldn't be playing" thread.
- The emergence of Tayte Pears as a Key Position defender.
Given that Tayte had a limited preseason and was a surprise inclusion in Round 1, I think he has improved each week and is holding his own against larger opposition in one-on-one marking contests. Many people forget that Tayte is only 2 months older than Michael Hurley so the upside is massive. He is our future CHB.
- Courtenay Dempsey's season games record.
He has played 6 in a row! He has shown how damaging his offensive side can be, but in the last few weeks we have seen his defensive game and courage to back into packs. Even his passion at the free kick given against him was great to see, as he is now starting to feel like he is a permanent member of our makeup. I feel he will continue to improve as his confidence and experience grows.
- Paddy Ryder in the ruck.
We all know the reason he is there is a tragedy, however he now has the opportunity to show how good he can be and so far it looks positive. 1 great game and 1 average game so far, lets hope he can improve each week and gain some consitency both with hit outs and work around the ground.
- Zaharakis.
He is the first midfield recruit to really look at home in the seniors in his first year for a while. Given he has already played 5 games is a real bonus and I think we have a long term midfielder here.
- Winderlich's return from injury.
Very few expected him to have any impact at the start of the season, but I dare say he would be in the top 5 in the Best and Fairest so far. He has looked absolutely sensational in terms of his run, carry, ball use and marking. What a bonus to have him firing given his career looked almost over.
- Davey's return from injury.
Similar to Winderlich, Alwyn is crucial to our side. He seems to have lost none of his speed and agility and I expect him to get better and better as the season progresses.
- Watson and Stanton's midfield leadership.
Many may be surprised at this, but given that both have been forced to act as our 2 senior midfielders so far this season, I believe they have stepped up a level. The horrible clangers have reduced and their workrate has been a key in our performances so far this season.
- Lovett's maturity.
The pressure was on him this season as we all expected him to lift. Whilst his stats don't appear that different, he is copping a hard tag most weeks and still working his **** off for the team. Two examples sum up the 2009 model of Lovett.
1). The gut running to set up Jetta's goal on ANZAC Day.
2). His leadership in pulling Dempsey aside and calming him down following the free kick against Brisbane.
Just wait until we get our key mids back and he is able to receive without the hard tag.
- The moulding of our future backline.
It is starting to take shape. Whilst we have only seen a handful of games from Daniher, Hurley and Hooker, I already like what I see (with Pears also). I would love to play all 4 together as much as possible this year (depending on match ups) as the key to any premiership is a defense which knows each others game inside out and can work as a team to nullify the opposition's forwards. Myers fits into this 'moulding'.
I'll leave the rest to you...
