Improving in 2010

[Vader]

In the AFL, as in any competition, to stand still is to go backwards. We must improve on 2009 if we are to hold our own, let alone achieve a greater level of success in 2010. The AFC made no changes during trade week, so any improvement in 2010 is going to have to come from within our existing list.

This begs the question? Which players will improve? The flip-side of this is who will go backwards - and who will stay steady?

*** Note that I am comparing performance levels in 2010 with 2009.

Likely Improvers
Shaun McKernan
Phil Davis
William Young
Taylor Walker
Patrick Dangermouse
Rory Sloane
Jared Petrenko
Myke Cook
Tony Armstrong
Andy Otten
Jarrhan Jacky
James Sellar
David Mackay
Kurt Tippett
Brad Moran
Ivan Maric
Bernie Vince
Nathan Bock
Brett Burton

Steady Performers
Brodie Martin
Richard Douglas
Chris Knights
Nathan van Berlo
Jonathon Griffin
Brad Symes
Jason Porplyzia
Brent Reilly
Ben Rutten
Scott Thompson
Trent Hentschel
Graham Johncock
Scott Stevens
Michael Doughty

Going Backwards
Simon Goodwin
Tyson Edwards
Andrew McLeod

Most of them won't be too contentious. However, there are a few I feel the need to justify.

1. In 2008 Burton was one of only 2 dangerous players in our forward line (along with Porplyzia). In 2009 he was a shadow of himself, struggling for fitness due to a lack of a pre-season. He's now injury free and should be able to manage a full pre-season, resulting in a return to his previous status as one of the fittest players on our list. I don't necessarily expect him to achieve the levels he reached in 2008, prior to injury, but I do expect more than we saw in 2009.
2. Bock is on the "likely improvers" list because he missed so many games in 2009 due to injury (and club suspension). His overall standard won't change, but we'll get more out of him.
3. Conversely, Martin's injury is likely to ****** his development in 2010, with significant improvement expected in 2011.
4. Reilly & Douglas appear to have plateaued. We'd all love them to become genuine first grade midfielders, but it's looking like an increasingly forlorn hope. Symes is a "what you see is what you get" type of player who also doesn't appear to have a whole lot of improvement left in him.
5. Griffin's main problems aren't technical. He's like the tin man. Unless he finds some heart, he's not going to improve.

It seems to me that we have a lot more players with significant scope for development than we do players sinking slowly into the sunset. I can certainly understand the club's line of thinking.

 

[sbenno]

I think you're about right there Vader, my only contention would possibly be with Symes. I am hoping he can improve next year, but who knows.

I would have him somewhere between "Steady Performers" and "Likely Improvers", if such a classification is possible

 

[Sekaj]

I don't think we've quite seen the best of Knights and Van Berlo yet. 2009 was a bit of a breakout year for Knights. I believe he can still improve. Hopefully he doesn't do a Brett Ebert and become a one-season wonder.

 

[KUNG FU]

Lets' wait to see who gets a full pre-season in. Douglas has a lot more left in him than the overwhelming majority of the list.

 

[KUNG FU]

Also I think NVB's year was seriously undermined by his plantar fascia injury, which I'm lead to believe is a real niggling concern.

Although I believe they still have an extra gear, I don't expect Vince, Maric or Bock to come along full steam ahead.

Also, I'm unsure whether we can conclude from that list that our team will necessarily be better next year. While a lot of those players are expected to improve, are they all going to be doing so at AFL level? The question for me is whether Otten, Tippett, Mackay, Walker, Moran & at least one of Cook/Sloane/Petrenko can out-pace the decline of the older brigade?

 

[Vader]

I don't think we've quite seen the best of Knights and Van Berlo yet. 2009 was a bit of a breakout year for Knights. I believe he can still improve. Hopefully he doesn't do a Brett Ebert and become a one-season wonder.

I think both VB & Knighta have plateaued, having reached the level dictated by their talents.

FWIW, I don't think Knights improved in 2009 - it's just that they found a role which suited him to a T, where his talents were put to the best possible use.

 

[cmndstab]

It's a good list Vader From my point of view, the only one I'd question is Van Berlo. Not that VB's season was disappointing but he can play better than he did this season and I'd like to see him to that next year.

 

[relapse]

I don't think we've quite seen the best of Knights and Van Berlo yet. 2009 was a bit of a breakout year for Knights. I believe he can still improve. Hopefully he doesn't do a Brett Ebert and become a one-season wonder.

I think Knights might get closer attention in 2010, but as a long kicking half forward I still think he will be very effective player and wont do an ebert.

 

[craig crowing]

In the AFL, as in any competition, to stand still is to go backwards. We must improve on 2009 if we are to hold our own, let alone achieve a greater level of success in 2010. The AFC made no changes during trade week, so any improvement in 2010 is going to have to come from within our existing list.

This begs the question? Which players will improve? The flip-side of this is who will go backwards - and who will stay steady?

*** Note that I am comparing performance levels in 2010 with 2009.

Likely Improvers
Shaun McKernan
Phil Davis
William Young
Taylor Walker
Patrick Dangermouse
Rory Sloane
Jared Petrenko
Myke Cook
Tony Armstrong
Andy Otten
Jarrhan Jacky
James Sellar
David Mackay
Kurt Tippett
Brad Moran
Ivan Maric
Bernie Vince
Nathan Bock
Brett Burton

Steady Performers
Brodie Martin
Richard Douglas
Chris Knights
Nathan van Berlo
Jonathon Griffin
Brad Symes
Jason Porplyzia
Brent Reilly
Ben Rutten
Scott Thompson
Trent Hentschel
Graham Johncock
Scott Stevens
Michael Doughty

Going Backwards
Simon Goodwin
Tyson Edwards
Andrew McLeod


Most of them won't be too contentious. However, there are a few I feel the need to justify.

1. In 2008 Burton was one of only 2 dangerous players in our forward line (along with Porplyzia). In 2009 he was a shadow of himself, struggling for fitness due to a lack of a pre-season. He's now injury free and should be able to manage a full pre-season, resulting in a return to his previous status as one of the fittest players on our list. I don't necessarily expect him to achieve the levels he reached in 2008, prior to injury, but I do expect more than we saw in 2009.
2. Bock is on the "likely improvers" list because he missed so many games in 2009 due to injury (and club suspension). His overall standard won't change, but we'll get more out of him.
3. Conversely, Martin's injury is likely to ****** his development in 2010, with significant improvement expected in 2011.
4. Reilly & Douglas appear to have plateaued. We'd all love them to become genuine first grade midfielders, but it's looking like an increasingly forlorn hope. Symes is a "what you see is what you get" type of player who also doesn't appear to have a whole lot of improvement left in him.
5. Griffin's main problems aren't technical. He's like the tin man. Unless he finds some heart, he's not going to improve.

It seems to me that we have a lot more players with significant scope for development than we do players sinking slowly into the sunset. I can certainly understand the club's line of thinking.

Great list and great thought provoker and will be interesting to see at end 2010 even the probably people will still have judgement on.
My Thoughts
Improvers
Wonder how you and others classify as improvers if dont get a opportunity to play AFL but lift their SANFL standards.
Jacky -- Dont see what club does in this player moving fwd and word out of Eagles wasnt good either. The spots there if can lift level to get there.
Sellar -- What we saw I think is as good as he can give and with others putting hand up might fall by the way. Nice to see him become plyr hoped.
Petrenko -- loved what I saw for Crows but game fell away year end .
Love his speed and attack on ball --On the fence here.
Cook -- Defenitely on the fence here love his speed but slight body and that kicking also fell away season end.
Burton -- My thoughts not actually a secret but might get mark of the year again. Injuries will re occur is my crystal ball.
Steady Peformers.
Griffin -- I believe can only go either way as if he doesnt improve will fade into oblivion.
Stevens -- Am a Stevens fan due to his flexibility but unless can be more consistent like early season maybe taken over by one of young talls
Hentschell -- He has real footy smarts and can be used both ends I think hope and pray that he is a improver in 2010.
Porps. --- Is so talented still hope he has a massive consistent break out year like 2008 when not injured.
Agree with thoughts on Rielly - Douglas ,Symes and Martin who has it all to become a key player in future.
Even agree with your logic on Burton.
First time for many years a lot of promising players around and finally a couple that can become the next Maccas - Roos etc and with Tippett who could become one of AFL super Stars the years ahead look exciting.
Now posters have mine to disagree with as well . Thats why you have forums.

 

[Coopers]

I think Porps can step up just that little bit more this year, to the AA level.

Also, I think NVB's output will return back to it's 2008 levels, where he was quite a lot better. I'd suggest both should be in the improvers list.

 

[Vader]

I think Porps can step up just that little bit more this year, to the AA level.

Also, I think NVB's output will return back to it's 2008 levels, where he was quite a lot better. I'd suggest both should be in the improvers list.

I think Porps was at an AA level last year anyway - how Leon Davis achieved selection is entirely beyond me.

There's a fair case for including VB on the "improvers" list on the grounds of injury in 2009.

 

[WALL-e]

I'd have a 'who knows' status. For guys like Griffin, Jacky etc and a 'wildcard' for guys like Will Young.

 

[Vader]

Let's face it, it would be hard for Jacky NOT to improve on his 2009 season.

 

[amer]

As if you can't see the ability Jarrhan Jacky has.

It's unbelievable the way the popular view has become that he just doesn't have anything at all in the trick bag, no talent or anything. You guys are kidding yourselves.

 

[Alex99]

FWIW, I don't think Knights improved in 2009 - it's just that they found a role which suited him to a T, where his talents were put to the best possible use.

I agree with this. I don’t think Knights improved either, I agree with Vader that his role was perfect but I just think his disposal became irrelevant as the end product showed a lot of positive results.

 

[amer]

I agree with this. I don’t think Knights improved either, I agree with Vader that his role was perfect but I just think his disposal became irrelevant as the end product showed a lot of positive results.

Knights was spraying shots at goal left, right and centre in years gone by. He definitely improved this year (and will improve again next year) imo.

 

[KUNG FU]

Knights was spraying shots at goal left, right and centre in years gone by. He definitely improved this year (and will improve again next year) imo.

That had a lot to do with his position though. He's still has that typical left footer trait of sweeping his kick (see: L Franklin). Gets a lot more distance but is more unreliable. When Knights went forward previously he played deep or back off on a wing, but this year he played more of a HFF/wing which played to his strengths. He still sprays it a fair bit with pot shots.

 

[Mismatched]

That had a lot to do with his position though. He's still has that typical left footer trait of sweeping his kick (see: L Franklin). Gets a lot more distance but is more unreliable. When Knights went forward previously he played deep or back off on a wing, but this year he played more of a HFF/wing which played to his strengths. He still sprays it a fair bit with pot shots.

Yeah, whilst his goal kicking was generally pretty good, he still sprayed his fair share of shots throughout the year. But then you'd take that because whilst he might spray 1 or 2, he'd also slot another 2 or 3 from long range which otherwise may not have resulted in goals.

 

[juvenile]

Great list Vader.

I'd agree with what some others had said regarding Van Berlo. Getting that foot injury just at the end of the pre-season was a big set-back and i don't think he completely recovered to play the football we know he is capable of until mid-way through the year. Then he had a few more injury issues towards the end of the year so i think he can contribute a little more in 2010.

As per your comment, "He has played as well as his talent dictates", i just about agree with but i still think he can have a more consistant year this year and in my opinion could improve marginally on his 2009 performance (like Bock). And as you said "There's a fair case for including VB on the "improvers" list on the grounds of injury in 2009".

I agree with everyone else on your list and it will be the degree that players improve by in 2010 that will define our year. I still see huge improvement in 2010 for the 'experienced', 'will be' 20-24 yr olds like Maric, Otten, Dangerfield, Walker, Mackay. Then i'd expect improvement from a few other 2nd/3rd year players who didn't get too great a run this season and hopefully some improvement from the likes of Tippett + Vince & possibly Knights/Reilly/Douglas.

 

[cmndstab]

As if you can't see the ability Jarrhan Jacky has.

It's unbelievable the way the popular view has become that he just doesn't have anything at all in the trick bag, no talent or anything. You guys are kidding yourselves.

I'm not writing him off yet, but he'd want to do a hell of a lot more than he did this season.

It's one thing to have talent but you have to put it all together, something Jacky is a long way from doing.

Hopefully he can do it soon because he's probably the most likely of the young kids on the 2010 chopping block at the moment.

 

[amer]

I'm not writing him off yet, but he'd want to do a hell of a lot more than he did this season.

It's one thing to have talent but you have to put it all together, something Jacky is a long way from doing.

Hopefully he can do it soon because he's probably the most likely of the young kids on the 2010 chopping block at the moment.

Yeah that's true, but if you read half the calls on Jacky you'd think talent is the issue which is not the case. It wasn't necessarily directed at you, but the kid can play and I just think it's stupid that he has been made out to be some sort of no-talent super-hack when it is more a matter of building his confidence and getting him on the park consistently.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

I would hope that VB would improve on his 2009 season, I just feel that he was a little restricted by injury

Hentchel is another I would be expecting further improvement from now that he has a few games under his belt and will also benefit from another pre-season

I would assume that the club will be expecting further improvement from both Douglas and Griffin

 

[Sekaj]

As if you can't see the ability Jarrhan Jacky has.

It's unbelievable the way the popular view has become that he just doesn't have anything at all in the trick bag, no talent or anything. You guys are kidding yourselves.

amer, I've noticed you tend to rate Jacky very highly. Can you give us a bit more info on what this is based on? Have you watched a lot of him playing?

 

[Vader]

As if you can't see the ability Jarrhan Jacky has.

It's unbelievable the way the popular view has become that he just doesn't have anything at all in the trick bag, no talent or anything. You guys are kidding yourselves.

I don't believe I said anything derogatory about Jacky. I listed him amongst the likely improvers in 2009 and stated that his 2008 was so bad that almost anything would be an improvement. Both statements I believe to be true.

I have made no statements about his level of talent or his likely long term future. My understanding is that he is very much a confidence player - if he can gain confidence that he is capable of playing at an AFL level, then it's entirely possible that the sky is the limit.

 

[craig crowing]

I don't believe I said anything derogatory about Jacky. I listed him amongst the likely improvers in 2009 and stated that his 2008 was so bad that almost anything would be an improvement. Both statements I believe to be true.

I have made no statements about his level of talent or his likely long term future. My understanding is that he is very much a confidence player - if he can gain confidence that he is capable of playing at an AFL level, then it's entirely possible that the sky is the limit.

No Vader I think Amer was responding to my posting and others critical of Jacky . All I base my views on Jacky is his form and attitude at Eagles and has done nothing there to even think can make Eagles team but with new coach there might find confidence.
I also attended a coaching clinic early in his first season with club where he turned up late and showed a could not care attitude whole time which totally different to Otten and Tippett , Moss etc .
These are my views and obviously Craigy or someone in club thinks there is something there to re sign him and as posted we still are looking for a crumbing forward.