ant555
The Oracle
- Joined
- May 4, 2004
- Posts
- 41,235
- Reaction score
- 66,262
- Location
- lurking in the shadows of the matrix
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Penrith Panthers
15) Courtney Dempsey - is still pretty skinny but he looks to have grown a fraction taller. No doubt he has great speed and good skills (although he can miss kick it at times when he is at full pace). At this stage he isnt best 22 material. His lack of body size means he gets knocked off the ball too easily at the moment and gets put out of the contest. He needs some time to build his body up a little and gain confidence in his game. has the skills to make it.
16) Kepler Bradley - question is where does he play? Lacks pace off the mark and can be undecisive under pressure. Personally i think he is a CHF but there is not much chance he will get to play there much in the next 3 years. He looks much better when he can lead up the ground. His marking is good and his goal kicking is pretty good despite the fact his kicking can be suspect in general play. When he is in defence he struggles to cover the quick lead and looks awfull under pressure when he has the ball. Plays a bit better on the wing but his pace can be exposed. If he could improve his tap work he may make a good ruckman as he can be good around the ground.
17) Scott Camporeale - has had a slow pre season because of an ankle injury but has comenced full training and should be ready to go shortly. He will need to return to near his best if he is to be on the list next year.
18) Matthew Lloyd - has come back with no problems. Will kick 70 to 100 goals if he stays fit.
19) David Hille - we have all heard and used the excuses. He is a ruckman , he will take a bit of time. Well the time is now. Has played 100 games and turns 26 this year so he should be close to his prime. Needs to become a far more consistant player. His around the ground work can bee very good but at times it falls below the good level. His hit out to advantage precentage is as good as most of the best ruckman but the problem is he doesnt win enough ruck contests. Needs to lift his hitouts by around 10 per game to push himself up into the better class.
20) Henry Slattery - the worry with this bloke for me is two things. His pace and the amount of frees he gives away. He can defend well but he is slow and his lack of experience leads him to get caught often. Like to go in hard which is a plus but needs to work on his tackling as he gives away a lot of head high free kicks.
21) Courtney Johns - copes a lot because of the early hype. Most in the media and a lot of the general public say he has been around for 4 years he should be delivaring now but this bloke does have an excuse. Spending the first 2 1/2 years on the list not being able to run most of the time does hinder your development. He was played in 2005 way before he was ready and did nothing. Last year he improved but he still has a way to go. He has had a pretty good pre season this year and is in the best shape he has ever been. Will this convert to form on the field ? Not sure as i still have doubts if the Lloyd,Lucas,Hird and Johns forward line will work or if he will be able to lead to goal scoring positions with the other three in the forward line as well.
There is no doubt he still needs to improve but i think he will come good. It may well not be a disadvantage if he plays more for Bendigo this year than he does for Essendon. Although he has been on our list for a while he is virtually comencing his third season as far as being able to play goes.Needs to be and should be given more time.
22)Mal Micheal - should help our defence. The real question is will he get back to some of his better form.If he can play reasonably well if will let us use Fletcher in a more creative role and also ease the need for us to play bradley or McPhee in the bigger forwards.
23)Mark Bolton - i think enough has already been said about Bolts over the years.
24) Brent Stanton - has been getting better every year. Dont think he will ever be in the Judd/Voss class of mids but he can certainly be the next level down which is still good.Would be nice to see him improve his goal kicking. Has built up a very strong body now.
25)Scott Lucas - wont be kicking 70 again this year but he will no doubt still give us 100% every week. With Lloyd back he will probably enjoy not being double and triple teamed every week this year.
26) Chris Heffernan - not sure where to put Heff. He hasnt had a flash pre season as far as performance goes but he is as fit as anyone going around. Isnt quick but his skills are ok and his defencive work is good.If JJ and Campo are in the side then i cant see a place for him.
27) Jason Laycock - just seems to get injured at the wrong time all the time.He is still young but it would be good to get some games into him as he has shown he can be ok in the ruck a couple of times in his short career. Is still a long way off the better ruckman but we need to get some games into him wether that be at bendigo or in the seniors.
28) Richard Cole - let himself down last year with his very poor workrate early on which resulted in a number of injuries. At his best he is a good player but does have questionable skills and decison making when he kicks it. Has got himself 200% fitter this year but still has to keep working hard to make it.Has played 60 games and his career as definately at the cross roads.
29)Alwyn Davey - has been sensational so far. His goal kicking can bet a bit patchy but his run and pressure up forward is great. Isnt much of him but it doesnt seem to stop him getting contested ball or laying tackles. looks to be a good pick up.
30) Patrick Ryder - is still very young and a few years off playing any consistant footy in a key role. Has played a lot in defence this pre season and has done a few nice things but hasnt really stood out. When he rucks he can get his hands on the ball first and has a good leap. Neads to work on his game in general play and build his size up a little which should lead to more confidence in his game and better reults.
16) Kepler Bradley - question is where does he play? Lacks pace off the mark and can be undecisive under pressure. Personally i think he is a CHF but there is not much chance he will get to play there much in the next 3 years. He looks much better when he can lead up the ground. His marking is good and his goal kicking is pretty good despite the fact his kicking can be suspect in general play. When he is in defence he struggles to cover the quick lead and looks awfull under pressure when he has the ball. Plays a bit better on the wing but his pace can be exposed. If he could improve his tap work he may make a good ruckman as he can be good around the ground.
17) Scott Camporeale - has had a slow pre season because of an ankle injury but has comenced full training and should be ready to go shortly. He will need to return to near his best if he is to be on the list next year.
18) Matthew Lloyd - has come back with no problems. Will kick 70 to 100 goals if he stays fit.
19) David Hille - we have all heard and used the excuses. He is a ruckman , he will take a bit of time. Well the time is now. Has played 100 games and turns 26 this year so he should be close to his prime. Needs to become a far more consistant player. His around the ground work can bee very good but at times it falls below the good level. His hit out to advantage precentage is as good as most of the best ruckman but the problem is he doesnt win enough ruck contests. Needs to lift his hitouts by around 10 per game to push himself up into the better class.
20) Henry Slattery - the worry with this bloke for me is two things. His pace and the amount of frees he gives away. He can defend well but he is slow and his lack of experience leads him to get caught often. Like to go in hard which is a plus but needs to work on his tackling as he gives away a lot of head high free kicks.
21) Courtney Johns - copes a lot because of the early hype. Most in the media and a lot of the general public say he has been around for 4 years he should be delivaring now but this bloke does have an excuse. Spending the first 2 1/2 years on the list not being able to run most of the time does hinder your development. He was played in 2005 way before he was ready and did nothing. Last year he improved but he still has a way to go. He has had a pretty good pre season this year and is in the best shape he has ever been. Will this convert to form on the field ? Not sure as i still have doubts if the Lloyd,Lucas,Hird and Johns forward line will work or if he will be able to lead to goal scoring positions with the other three in the forward line as well.
There is no doubt he still needs to improve but i think he will come good. It may well not be a disadvantage if he plays more for Bendigo this year than he does for Essendon. Although he has been on our list for a while he is virtually comencing his third season as far as being able to play goes.Needs to be and should be given more time.
22)Mal Micheal - should help our defence. The real question is will he get back to some of his better form.If he can play reasonably well if will let us use Fletcher in a more creative role and also ease the need for us to play bradley or McPhee in the bigger forwards.
23)Mark Bolton - i think enough has already been said about Bolts over the years.
24) Brent Stanton - has been getting better every year. Dont think he will ever be in the Judd/Voss class of mids but he can certainly be the next level down which is still good.Would be nice to see him improve his goal kicking. Has built up a very strong body now.
25)Scott Lucas - wont be kicking 70 again this year but he will no doubt still give us 100% every week. With Lloyd back he will probably enjoy not being double and triple teamed every week this year.
26) Chris Heffernan - not sure where to put Heff. He hasnt had a flash pre season as far as performance goes but he is as fit as anyone going around. Isnt quick but his skills are ok and his defencive work is good.If JJ and Campo are in the side then i cant see a place for him.
27) Jason Laycock - just seems to get injured at the wrong time all the time.He is still young but it would be good to get some games into him as he has shown he can be ok in the ruck a couple of times in his short career. Is still a long way off the better ruckman but we need to get some games into him wether that be at bendigo or in the seniors.
28) Richard Cole - let himself down last year with his very poor workrate early on which resulted in a number of injuries. At his best he is a good player but does have questionable skills and decison making when he kicks it. Has got himself 200% fitter this year but still has to keep working hard to make it.Has played 60 games and his career as definately at the cross roads.
29)Alwyn Davey - has been sensational so far. His goal kicking can bet a bit patchy but his run and pressure up forward is great. Isnt much of him but it doesnt seem to stop him getting contested ball or laying tackles. looks to be a good pick up.
30) Patrick Ryder - is still very young and a few years off playing any consistant footy in a key role. Has played a lot in defence this pre season and has done a few nice things but hasnt really stood out. When he rucks he can get his hands on the ball first and has a good leap. Neads to work on his game in general play and build his size up a little which should lead to more confidence in his game and better reults.
