Has Macaffer become the most improved Pie?

[Forgotten Legend]

My top 10 would be: (Hard to seperate any of these. Any order could be argued)
1. Dale Thomas (Really looks a much more complete player and is now a star of the competition. Very influential player now with the running ability to play the whole game through the midfield which is a big win)
2. Ben Reid (Now has integrated himself into the senior side as a regular and his rebound from defence with his pin point long kicks have been majestic at times)
3. Chris Dawes (Had limited expectations of him. Jack Anthony's poor form gave him the opportunity and he took it. Structurally a really good fit with Cloke)
4. Sharrod Wellingham (Starting to put the package together. Didn't have high expectations for him but he has really proven me wrong and has had a fantastic season)
5. Dayne Beams (Developing into a real weapon and his game is coming along really nicely. Almost looks like the best player of last years draft the way his form has been so big )
6. Leigh Brown (Not many had high hopes but he has developed into a consistant player and most importantly has developed his goal kicking significantly. Ideal backup for Jolly and has well and truely cemented his position in this team which is fantastic to see)
7. Brent Macaffer (Has developed into a handy AFL level player and is now a nice negating forward. Has really developed his tackling game and his tackles stick. Really like the progress he has made)
8. Jarryd Blair (Gone from being a super VFL player into a guy who can play at AFL level. Midget but you just have to love him. Will be a real cult figure for many years to come. Will be interesting to see if he gets a shot in the finals)
9. Tyson Goldsack (Has again regained confidence in his ability and he is flying again. Hope to see him in the side for the finals, his form has been good enough)
10. Steele Sidebottom (Has become a regular best 22 guy and has been a nice contributor this season. Really looking forward to what he will produce in the finals)

Disappointments:
1. Jack Anthony (Had him pencilled in at FF. But unfortunately he hasn't been able to recapture his early 09 form and has taken a few backward steps. I'm confident he can break back into the side next season as a regular in some role, but what role we will have to wait and see. A full preseason will do him good)
2. Cameron Wood (Hasn't really developed his game any further which is unfortunate. His tap work improved slightly over the summer but he hasn't improved the impact he has over the ground which is the disappointing part. With Josh not on fire disappointing that Cam didn't take his chance)
3. Josh Fraser (Surprised not to see him maintain his spot in our best 22. Leigh Brown is part of the reason but he just doesn't look like a ruckman anymore and his best chances seem now as a forward if anything)
4. Shane O'Bree (Really expected another season in the best 22 but has looked far from that. I thought perhaps he could have co-existed in our best 22 with Luke Ball but it appears not..)
5. Travis Cloke (Probably hasn't taken the step we all expected this season and is still a fair way off his best. Hopefully he proves his critics wrong in the finals series)

Perfect except with Cloke being a dissapointment. He is a integral part of our side and even though his goal kicking is a major let down he still is fair from being a 'disappointment'. Still agree with you on everything else.

 

[Thommo 42]

Macaffer for me easily. The improvement in Thomas is being overstated, he's been a bloody good and bloody important player for 2 years now - he's just getting more midfield minutes. In fact I'd say his disposal is a touch down compared to previous years.

I didn't feel like I ever wanted to see Caff in the 1's again after about Round 10, and he's been sensational ever since!

Dawes, Reid, Wellers have all improved. But I think Caff has gone from potential spud to very important.

All the others were already adequate players with long careers ahead of them

 

[Markfs]

Disappointments:
1. Jack Anthony. After having an injury that almost finished his career, he got a shot at ff, even though he was recruited as a defender. In the end, unrealistic expectations probably got the better of him and he lost confidence.
2. Cameron Wood. A kid who started off immature both physically and psychologically. He is probably not up to standard of a first round pick. Its not his fault. He's still got good skills when he gets his hands on it. If he gets the confidence to impose himself on the game, then he become a good player.
3. Josh Fraser. A guy who played the ruck for 10 years who got told to play half-forward. Any surprise that it is taking a while to get his act together.
4. Shane O'Bree 31 years of age. When the game catches up with you, you hit the wall fast. No surprise that he was going to find it difficult. Great career.
5. Travis Cloke . Has twice as many marks in the forward 50 than any other collingwood player. He takes multiple contested marks when others take the odd one. Still, there will be some who will compare him to Wayne Carey and be disappointed..

 

[Go_Brad_Dick]

Macaffer has blown me away in the past month or so.
I was filthy on him playing early in the year while lockyer sat in the vfl, he was reasonably average early in the year but has really turned it on since then. Terrible set shot, he looks like he's about to shit himself, but he's an awesome snap.

Leigh Brown has been unbelievable too, especially considering how unko he was in the previous couple of years. On fire recently and barely misses a shot on goal, even from sharp angles and long distance.. confidence is so high.

Dawes has been exception for a kid in his second season. Tore Geelong up both games, which is quite a feat, and has been consistent all year. Needs to clean up his goalkicking, though..

Didak I think has stepped up another notch, so has Swan, both now really getting recognition of elite status that was doubted last year. Daisy also in this group.

Wellingham is looking so classy recently.. those low pinpoint passes into forward 50 are something we've been lacking since Buckley left.

Some of the other guys like Sidey, Goldsack, Tooves, Dawes have shown glimpses of improvement but have dropped off a fair bit recently.

 

[Football God]

I'd say Reid is most improved this year being the one breaking into the side. But Daisy is starting to show consistency

 

[HFF]

Only thing holding Caff back further is his set-shots.

He seems to try and "nurse" them through and either shanks them or doesn't make the distance. He needs to spend some time with Medders in this department.