Most Improved

[Stiffy_18]

The pre-season games are just around the corner so its time for us to say who we think will be the most improved (biggest surprise packet) for season 2005. In 2002 it was Michael Doughty. In 2003 it was Perrie's turn to step up. Last year I picked Begley as the one and he looked very good before the injury.

This year I think many people have written off Chris Ladhams after one bad year. I think 2005 will be a good season for Ladhams. I expect him to play all the games this year and show some real dash accross HFF and onball.

Who do you think will step up this year from that 2nd tier group and cement their place as a regular in the side and why?

 

[Eggzoi]

Skipworth. Although many would place him in a third tier, I like him. The form he was hitting before he was injured I thought was pretty good and was actually a useful member of the team. If he can keep it up, would be very nice.

 

[noddy]

The pre-season games are just around the corner so its time for us to say who we think will be the most improved (biggest surprise packet) for season 2005. In 2002 it was Michael Doughty. In 2003 it was Perrie's turn to step up. Last year I picked Begley as the one and he looked very good before the injury.

This year I think many people have written off Chris Ladhams after one bad year. I think 2005 will be a good season for Ladhams. I expect him to play all the games this year and show some real dash accross HFF and onball.

Who do you think will step up this year from that 2nd tier group and cement their place as a regular in the side and why?

Like to see your proven right Stiffy in regards to Chris Ladhams but on what he showed last year he doesn't even deserve to be on the list, all the natural ability in the world but soft & lazy in the head dept.

My tip for the most improved is for Ian Perrie to really stamp his presence on the footy field & make chf his position right from game 1, supposedly bulked up with muscle & would have gained in confidence (at last) from the way he finished 04.

Of the lessor lights who haven't played all that much so far maybe young Schuback can have an injury free run for the whole year & put his hand up.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Martie Mattner.
Showed a lot of promise a couple of seasons ago where his enthusiasm saw him clock up about 13 tackles in a game against Geelong at the Cattery.

Has the athleticism and build of todays type footballer, reasonable ball skills and can provide pace and link.

He may not be the most improved but he'll be right up there if he takes his chances.

 

[macca23]

You're a bold man picking Ladhams Stiffy. Not because i don't agree that he will improve - he has to or he's a dead duck - but there are so may that need to improve.

How about

Bock
Begley
Bode
Doughty
Hudson
Jericho
Krueger
Ladhams
Massie
Mattner
Perrie
Reilly
Shirley
Skipworth
Smith
Torney
Watts

Taking a stab at it, it will come from one of Hudson, Jericho, Reilly, Shirley or Skipworth IMO.

I'll say Reilly.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I think either (hopefully all 3) of Mattner, Schuie or Krueger will step this year. I'm hoping Krueger is the most improved as we require a dominant KPP more than we require a wingman and a HF flanker. Going on what people have said on here, krugs could be the monster forward we have lacked.





So much for that idea.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Not a bad point regarding Hudson macca23. I reckon he could be another one that turns out to be a surprise packet.

I am planning to go down to one of the training sessions this weeks so I might be able to make a slightly more educated guess by the end fo the week

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Like to see your proven right Stiffy in regards to Chris Ladhams but on what he showed last year he doesn't even deserve to be on the list, all the natural ability in the world but soft & lazy in the head dept.

My tip for the most improved is for Ian Perrie to really stamp his presence on the footy field & make chf his position right from game 1, supposedly bulked up with muscle & would have gained in confidence (at last) from the way he finished 04.

Of the lessor lights who haven't played all that much so far maybe young Schuback can have an injury free run for the whole year & put his hand up.

If Ladhams' attitude does improve, along with his game, the AFC MUST only sign him on 1 year contracts in the future. It pis*es me off when players bludge in the 1st year of a 2 year contract. Also says a lot about his attitude and character.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

While I think Hudson will improve (because everytime he steps onto the field he does that anyway), my pick is the Bodemeister.

Unlike Ladhams, he knows this is his break year IMHO and will make an all out effort to show a lot of people with the name of Gary Ayres "You were wrong".

Sorry to Mark Williams for stealing his line.

 

[Stiffy_18]

While I think Hudson will improve (because everytime he steps onto the field he does that anyway), my pick is the Bodemeister.

Unlike Ladhams, he knows this is his break year IMHO and will make an all out effort to show a lot of people with the name of Gary Ayres "You were wrong".

Sorry to Mark Williams for stealing his line.

Thats the thing. There are SO many players who we know can play but have not been able to deliver or have been up and down for different reasons.

I probaly rate Bode higher than a lot of people here and I beilieve he is one of our small number of REAL ball hunters. Sure he might not have the skills of a McLeod but he has a big heart and toughness that we need around the ball.

Bode will be back to his 2002 form and shows us all that he CAN play and play very well.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

From what I have heard from several people on here and speaking to others the standouts seem to be Perrie and Im with you Stiff, hopefully Ladhams. Nobody has doubted his skill but obviously its his head that is letting him down.

I am hoping against hope that Bodey has an injury free year and gets given his chances.

 

[Damp Squarie]

If I was Bodes coach the first thing Id say to him is this...
"If you kick across your body again youll be benched"

 

[Skippy_14]

Skipworth, Shirley, Perrie, Massie- one of them. It could be anyone of a large part of our list though.

 

[Leigh Roy]

I'll get in early and say the good old Territory boy Hentschel, Stiffy.

 

[drakeyv2]

Riley & Stiffy will step up to the next level & become full time members of the midfield rotation.

Hentschell will become the no 1 tall in the forward line.

Rutten will become one of the best full backs in the comp.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

Bock
Begley
Bode
Doughty
Hudson
Jericho
Krueger
Ladhams
Massie
Mattner
Perrie
Reilly
Shirley
Skipworth
Smith
Torney
Watts


Perrie and Bode to be the big improvers of the older players
Jerico and Reilly for the youngsters

 

[Stiffy_18]

I hope you are right #1DP regarding Jericho. The kid has had a groin op and he is yet to take the track. Without pre-season to speak of, I am not expecting anything special out of Jezza this year. He still is a young play on our lis that has that X-factor.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

I hope you are right #1DP regarding Jericho. The kid has had a groin op and he is yet to take the track. Without pre-season to speak of, I am not expecting anything special out of Jezza this year. He still is a young play on our lis that has that X-factor.

Good point - I forgot about that

All things being equal I reckon Jerico has as much upside as our other youngsters. He showed a big improvement last year (from reserves to over 10 AFL games) and has abundant athleticism to build his game on

 

[Cap]

is this most improved on last years form or most improved on actual performances ??

cause if its on last years form i'll go with ladhams
but on actual performances i'll go with bock - surely he has to get better

 

[Damp Squarie]

...yeah particularly after bock to bock goals in his first game.

 

[tztommo]

Reilly will step up this year. he will be playng of the half back flank and giving some extra run through the midfield out of the backlines this year.

Jericho will also step up this year i think he will be played out of the forwrd pocket but will be given a licence to run up through the midfield and give welsh a bit of room.

Perrie has to step up IMO if Adelaide are to have any chance at the finals this year. With Stevens being a bit unriliable with injuries last year and he wont have the opportunities this year becuase of that. Perrie will have to step up and assert himself as a centre half forward.

 

[Stiffy_18]

is this most improved on last years form or most improved on actual performances ??

cause if its on last years form i'll go with ladhams
but on actual performances i'll go with bock - surely he has to get better

On last years form.

Basically who will step up and cement their spot in the 22 from the players that were a bit on the outer last year

 

[Mong]

I agree with you Stiffy, I expect Ladhams to improve his output. I put him and Bode in the same boat. I expect both to produce closer to what we know they can. I expect them to improve, simply by getting more game time.

As for genuine improvement (rather than just stemming from increased opportunity), I predict big things from Johncock. This might sound strange because he is a pretty good player already but I think after a few seasons in the league now he will take another giant step forward and really develop into a matchwinner for us. At the start of last year I thought there were some signs of him doing it last year but it didn't quite happen. I really think he is the next big thing at the Crows.


****

 

[Jars458]

Begley in Defence

Skipworth in the middle

Hentshel up forward

 

[NikkiNoo]

if we go on last years form (but I will ignore stiffy's second part ) I would love to see Macca improve!