Most improved player from 2005

[bigman]

At this early stage it woudl have to be Reilly IMHO.

I have never been a big wrap, but the way he is playing this year has been a revelation.

He was our best clearance man on Friday night and he often used the ball well when he got it from the centre breaks being very direct and giving the ball first time.

His defensive game has been the big change however. He has really added some metal to his game.

He must be in the middle for the first bounce on Monday April 3 when we play Collingwood if his present form continues.

Reilly, Shirley and Thomson - we have some hard nuts here. Add the flair of Goodwin, Macca etc. and we are going to be able to get the ball away from most set plays.

Honourable mentions for Most Improved - Trent Hentschell - keeps continuing to add more parts to his game.

 

[macca23]

Reilly without a shadow of doubt, with Hentschel the next in line.

Even harking back to the game v Norwood, Reilly looked like he was controlling that centre square, both by voice and actions. He seems to have really benefited from his transition year last year, when Craig set out to turn him from an outise wingman to an inside on-baller.

Tackling has been superb and his centre square clearances a feature of his game.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Reilly EASILY!!!!!!

 

[NikkiNoo]

Reilly without a shadow of doubt, with Hentschel the next in line.

Even harking back to the game v Norwood, Reilly looked like he was controlling that centre square, both by voice and actions.

Spot on Macca - I have been very interested in watching this year who are on-field leaders are in each area and was surprised to see Reilly at the Norwood match being the boss and telling the others what to do (thommo having to follow his orders ) It has stayed that way in all three games and you can see that he is really taking the leadership by the scruff of the neck. Can only benefit the team and his improvement in becoming a leading clearance king in the centre too has been great to see.

 

[bigman]

Stiffy and Macca as a matter of interest where would you play him against Collingwood?

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Have to disagree with the two elder statesmen who just posted.

But in my mind I cant go past Knights as the big improver.
After all he got about 10 seconds of game time last season.

 

[macca23]

Stiffy and Macca as a matter of interest where would you play him against Collingwood?

It's a no-brainer. In the centre square and on-ball as he currently is. IMO he's been playing the centreman role as Thommo has been going up forward when off the ball.

He'll probably rotate with Roo between there, on-ball and the pine when Roo comes back.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Stiffy and Macca as a matter of interest where would you play him against Collingwood?

In the guts

 

[macca23]

Have to disagree with the two elder statesmen who just posted.

But in my mind I cant go past Knights as the big improver.
After all he got about 10 seconds of game time last season.

You've got a good point, although I think we all expected it from Knights this year.

Reilly on the other hand has exceeded all expectations so far.

 

[Mad Dog]

so far Reilly followed by Knights

 

[conVINCEd]

Reilly I'd have to say as well.

I've always believed he would come good, and it looks like this will be his break-out season.

I'd say he and Rutten are, at this stage, looking like the strongest candidates for captaincy once Roo gives it up.

The initial hype over Thompson for the gig was way over the top, IMHO.

 

[showdownhero]

Reilly I'd have to say as well.

I've always believed he would come good, and it looks like this will be his break-out season.

I'd say he and Rutten are, at this stage, looking like the strongest candidates for captaincy once Roo gives it up.

The initial hype over Thompson for the gig was way over the top, IMHO.

Why?

 

[conVINCEd]

Why?

Because I still see him as unable to control his aggression at this stage in his career.

He can improve on that before Roo goes of course, but I see Rutten and now Reilly as more impressive candidates at the moment.

A lot of posters jumped on the "Thompson For Captain Bandwagon" way too early for me liking, considering the number of players aged 21-23 who can also improve a hell of a lot in the next couple of seasons.

 

[lacrow]

I totally agree. In fact I was about to post a whole thread about this very fact. Thompson is a great player, no doubt, but the guy can't control himself. I like his aggression, but I've seen him give away way too many frees for reckless stuff.

Reilly, on the other hand, is beginning to remind me more and more of Roo. Just the way he carries himself on the field now. Just watching him dish out those long-distance handballs against Hawthorn reminded me so much of Ricciutto.

I said it before and I'll say it again... if it's not Reilly.... then Rutten (or even Hudson, although he's probably too old) should be our next captain.

On another topic, I have to say... we beat up on a pretty good Melbourne team with a bunch of kids playing. That speaks volumes about our prospects.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Do you people remember Roo prior to the arrival of Blight??????

If you do then you will realise that Thommo's "flaws" are VERY fixable. Roo did it and there is no reason why Scotty can't do it as well.

Don't write him off just yet.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Reilly on the other hand has exceeded all expectations so far.

Not the expectations of some of us Macca

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Do you people remember Roo prior to the arrival of Blight??????

If you do then you will realise that Thommo's "flaws" are VERY fixable. Roo did it and there is no reason why Scotty can't do it as well.

Don't write him off just yet.

I agree - Thommos imperfections will be corrected .......He's still very young and maturity will cure.


Yur Right, Roo was very similar maybe not in giving 50mtrs away but certainly trying to "iron" opposition players out fairly consistently

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Reilly, Hentschel, Knights & Van Berlo - I expect all to have significantly better seasons.