Most improved player 2004 predictions

[Shwab]

Who is going to take the next step in 2004?
(All the talk on this forum is Ries)

My tip is Lance Picioane to have a standout year (if he doesn't get his face punched in).

 

[Ramma]

Luke Hodge.
With (finally) a full pre-season behind him, and hopefully a decent run in the mid-field, I think he'll show the rest of the football world what we all know he is capable of.

 

[King Dunstall]

Ramma,

Couldn't agree with you more !

Can't help but think that Browny will be back bigger and better than ever too ! Lot's to look fwd to this year that's for sure !


KD

 

[ROCK22]

Agree with Ramma also

Also wanted Hay to have a top injury free season, however once again, the footy gods are against us

 

[feher]

The obvious ones are Hodge and Ries, but i am going to say Bateman is going to have a stand out season.

 

[ROCK22]

With the fantastic news today/last night

I'll put Hay on that list, he needs to have a gun season. He has had his first stroke of luck, NOW FINISH OFF THE SEASON!!

 

[andrew coombs]

For Hawthorn to be a serious challenger in 2004 it will need improvement from a number of young players. Osborne was great last year and with injury luck will definately step up.Hodge has had his first real pre season and should be a stand out with more stamina.Ries'improvement is crucial as he has genuine talent and should now be ready to become a 25 possesion player week in week out.There probably isnt a lot of improvement in Mitchell but hopefully some others such as Bateman can give him a chop out.Croad will certainly have to improve on the last couple of years, hopefully he has grown up.

 

[HIG]

Originally posted by andrew coombs
There probably isnt a lot of improvement in Mitchell

Huh? He only played 9 full games last year! I'd certainly expect an improvement on output from sammy. Still very young, and has supposedly improved his explosiveness over the pre-season. Realistically, despite the heavier tagging that he'll be subjected to, we SHOULD be expecting more from sammy after such a fine second half of 03.

People expecting huge things from Hodge, i'll agree that we will see an improvement, but i suspect he's still a good 3-4 years away from dominating week in, week out, so i'm trying not to worry too much about him at the moment.

Others to watch would be Lance (if he remains injury free) and Lonie - if he begins the year in the same fashion as last year, excellent in the Melbourne game, dominating Judd until injured - i'd suspect he's going to be crucial in releasing Hodge/Smith to more attacking roles.

 

[Gary Shadforth]

I have great wraps for Mark Williams. He has all-round skills and, astonishingly for his size, not afraid of a high leap to pull down a mark. Is cheeky and confident.

Hopefully he'll get lots of game time this season for opportunities to take the step up he will need to be a star- played 9 last year and averaged a goal a game - a good grounding for a young guy at senior level. Needs to bulk-up somewhat.

What do others think?

 

[jj flash]

Yep, Williams for me.

A bit more confidence and experience playing on dirty mongrels like wanganeen, and he'll do some real damage.

 

[andrew coombs]

Originally posted by Gary Shadforth
I have great wraps for Mark Williams.

What do others think?
If Williams could become a small goalkicker in the matera mould he would be invaluable. He has to learn a lot especially not to fly for marks with the big forwards but the potential is there.

 

[andrew coombs]

Originally posted by Hodge_is_God
Huh? He only played 9 full games last year! I'd certainly expect an improvement on output from sammy. Still very young, and has supposedly improved his explosiveness over the pre-season. Realistically, despite the heavier tagging that he'll be subjected to, we SHOULD be expecting more from sammy after such a fine second half of 03.
Mitchell will never have pace and will be manned up far more than last year . I hope I'm proven wrong but I have a hunch that 2003 was the peak of his powers.

 

[Grendel]

Andrew, check your private messages.

 

[Napier_Street]

My predictions,

Justin Murphy and Matty Allan

 

[tige19]

I think we can safely say that if Tim Clarke and Steven Green dont have a stand out year they are in strife. My predictions though of who will take the football world by storm is Luke Hodge, i think the guy is a bomb ready to explode.
Hopefull we see some good football out of Ries and Brown who i belive can become great players for the club.
The player i am most looking forward to seeing improve is Nathan Lonie, i think the guy should be in our best 22 and is to dangerous of a player to be left in the 2s he is 1 guy who i think will have a great season.

cheers