Big Improver of 2009

[keen cats fella]

Yes, it is this time of the year to answer all of your questions in advance.

Obviously, most of us want Hawkins to be the big improver of 2009; we want him to take his game to the next leve.

However, my tip is Mumford. I can see him getting serious game time - i would prefer his tough body over Blakes 'ability ' anyday!

Who are other people hoping will stand up?

 

[Hinkley29]

Yes, it is this time of the year to answer all of your questions in advance.

Obviously, most of us want Hawkins to be the big improver of 2009; we want him to take his game to the next leve.

However, my tip is Mumford. I can see him getting serious game time - i would prefer his tough body over Blakes 'ability ' anyday!

Who are other people hoping will stand up?

Gamble will be the one. A permanent spot in the side is his to lose, and (Hawkins aside) he is clearly the most talented of our fringe players from last year. If he can bring some consistency to his game, he will be a star.

BTW - You really need to update your sig.

 

[shake_and_bake]

travis varcoe and ryan gamble

 

[LotsofCuddles9]

Mumford if given game time will become the X factor - Plays alot like Clark Keating - Strong and Agressive. Ryan Gamble is in out Best 22 and should of been in the GF. I also hope Tommy Hawkins takes the next step and hit the packs hard and takes the shot at goals.

All forwards to go back and kick the goals rather than trying to dish off all the time.

 

[Topper]

I think we've got this topic covered already,

Hawkins and Gamble obviously have to step up and theres no reason why they shouldnt.

Mumford should be given more of a chance and make the 2nd ruck spot his own, Blake obviously doesnt want it enough by his GF effort

 

[alberto_cat]

i would like to see Taylor keep progressing as a defender, and for Egan to get some regualr, injury free game time...

 

[madcat001]

who was the big improver of 2008?

 

[fpm84]

who was the big improver of 2008?

Stokes, injury-riddled finals performances aside.

Went from a handy goalsneak in 2007 to a reliable, high-scoring part-time midfielder in 2007. Would have ended up with 50 goals for the season if he'd been able to maintain his H&A form in the finals.

For all the ridicule Blake cops, he improved hugely this season.

 

[SJ]

Stokes, injury-riddled finals performances aside.

Went from a handy goalsneak in 2007 to a reliable, high-scoring part-time midfielder in 2007. Would have ended up with 50 goals for the season if he'd been able to maintain his H&A form in the finals.

For all the ridicule Blake cops, he improved hugely this season.

Stokes' second-half of 2007 was on par with his best in 2008.

 

[tin can sam]

Selwood was also a big improver.

 

[cocka2]

who was the big improver of 2008?

Andrew Mackie

 

[Sttew]

If Geelong is to improve on 08 then Hawkins has to be the man to improve.

Agree Gamble could / should consolidate his position in the team.

 

[moond0g]

who was the big improver of 2008?

selwood
mackie
enright
harley
corey

even though the bottom two are older players and we generally consider young players to be the big improvers, these two took there game to the next level imo.

then there were guys like gamble, blake and varcoe that improved from the year before but still aren't at a level to be consistent solid contributors. doubt all of these three will get to that level... gamble prob most likely but blake and varcoe i see as long term fringe/ok without being standout players maybe.


as for next year... the obvious gamble and hawkins. then hopefully one of our ruckmen. be it blake, west or mumford. although i'm not to confident with any of them doing it. blake is a good tap ruckmen but needs to improve possesion winning around ground and imo just doesnt have mobility to do so... west i see as most valuable around ground, can move well and take a better mark than blake. but questions over his height at 198 being tall enough to be a dominant ruckmen in the clearances at afl level. mumford has the aggression that everyone is talking about but tbh i think you need a bit more than aggression to make it as a no1 ruck in the afl. needs to refine skills, kicking/marking/tap work ect to be seriously considered.

being from out of geelong i dont see a huge amount of the vfl team but i really hope that scott simpson and simon hogan can at least crack the team for one or two appearences, they are the two yet to debut that i am really lokking forward to, also hope tenace can fianally live up to a bit of the hype of when we picked him up in the draft. the club must have seen something to offer him a two year contract last year.

 

[IbbosBFF]

From an outsiders perspective, I reckon Mackie had the most improved 2008.

In 2009 i would be looking at Gamble, Djuerrka and Hawkins.

 

[El Segundo]

I am a keen cats fan, but rarely, if ever get to see the VFL. I therefore rely on those that see some games to help build my understanding of young players.

In terms of big improvers, I think we could really use another quick forward. I dont think our problem is our lack of key forwards. Mooeny is very handy CHF and Lonergan/ Hawkins/ Ottens are fine too, imo.

I happen to think our weakness (albeir a small one) is we are a bit one paced. Our speed comes from one player. Either Byrnes or Varcoe, as they never play in the same team.

So, could Djerkurra give us an X-factor up forward? How quick is he? We dont need a high possession winner, just someone to hit packs at pace and come out the other side with the ball.

Varcoe just hasn't done this for us. In fact, I think Varcoe will be more suited to a wing than a pocket, like many other players.

Oh for a Cyril Rioli in our team.

Shane Mumford is my other big improver.

 

[James1970]

From the looks of this photo from today's Addy, I'm expecting young Nathan to be flyin' next year. He's really bulked up - come next March/April, look-out.

 

[geelong_boy]

Hopefully his quads can withstand a full pre-season. If they can, hopefully he can run amok in the forward 50 in '09.

 

[Geelong Fella]

Yeh i hope djerrkura comes on next year, but what are our expectations for hawkins, i'd hope a season of like 35-40 goals, where a good game can be 5 or 6 and a bad game is still 1 or 2. What does everyone think?