Pies' Most Improved Player

[Number 10]

Who do you think it is?

For me - Cloke.

Exceeded expectations (and my expectations were high!)

Never thought he would be dominating games like he is, goals wise and strength wise. He gives us all the confidence bombing it into 50 and now he is converting far better than he used to.

Second would be a tie between Toovey/Thomas, Thomas definate AA, Toovey could make the squad of 40. His defensive game is one of if not the best in the league.

I might have missed someone very, very obvious...these were off the top of my head..

Haven't included Davis as he has just regained his previous form of 2009.

 

[mattys123]

It's hard to just name one, so I'll break it up into 3 categories;

Elite players;

Travis Cloke, a past Copeland winner who is now competing for the Coleman medal, and is the best CHF in the AFL bar none.

Middle class players;

Leon Davis; Has gone from being "finished" in the eyes of many to being on the edge of All Australian selection.

Lower class/Young players;

Simon Buckley; Gave us nothing last year, yet this year he has been very good backup for any half back that has been injured, and has probably over taken or at least equaled Goldsack in terms of player ratings.

 

[Williamc99]

Cloke. Daisy has lifted up a notch this year. Pendlebury continues to get better. Leon has really lifted and regained form of 2009 albeit in a different role. But Cloke for me. He's got even better with the goal kicking accuracy, gets more marks and it's just near impossible to stop him. So much better than last year.

 

[NeRFaHoLIc]

Benjamin Reid.

 

[Paul.]

Ben Reid/Leroy Brown.

Guns.

 

[Knightmare]

Very hard to pick a standout. Wouldn't be comfortable picking a winner.

Toovey has improved his kicking, added some rebound and made his defensive game even better.

Reid has lifted his defensive game and can now take just about anyone 1v1. Is providing even more rebound. His kicking are a pleasure to watch, never seen a KPP with a better kick! Been amongst my bests in probably 15/18 games this year which is a huge effort being a defender! Best KPD in the league for mine based on what we have seen this year.

Ball has added goal kicking to his game. Around the ground kicks are allot better and set shot goal kicking is a pleasure to watch. Lifted his work rate and is now taking allot more marks around the ground both contested and uncontested.

Cloke's production has increased massively and the goals are going through. Getting into better conditions for marks and is physically stronger than ever. Dominating with all his contested grabs.

Thomas had gone to the next level. Not allot needs to be said since all fairly well known.

Heath Shaw before his "mistake" became a much more consistant rebounder from defence.

Leon Davis has reached that next level down back and is probably playing better than his 2009 season. Kickouts are a highlight to watch and rarely gets beaten. Added allot more rebound to our back half than we have ever seen. Certainly the improvement we never expected.

Simon Buckley I had as a dark horse who could break into the team at some point this year, but has far exceeded any expectation.

Lachlan Keeffe has started to add some more size and is making Ben Reid type progression down back. Still has a long way to go but seems to be at the stage Reid was in 2009. Now at AFL level learning how to play forward and against Gold Coast was surprisingly good. I'd probably say individually he is our biggest improver since he is coming from further back than the others.

 

[Cloke_Room]

Can't go past Ben Reid IMO.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Have to go Reid.

Cloke was a handful for defenders last year, he just couldn't kick straight which he has improved this season.

 

[FireKrakouer]

No love for Blair?

Cloke, Reid, and Tooves also standout. Tarrant gels nicely into the team now after a poor first few weeks. When you consider Luke Ball's improvement as well you start to realise what a scarily good team we have.

 

[Frankie23]

Leon Davis followed by Benny Reid

Just comparing 2010 to 2011, Leon has improved out of sight, he was shocking last year and has turned it around to be in contention for an AA spot, unreal.

Personally I didn't include Cloke because I really rated his 2010, it was great and you could tell he was about to explode which he has this year. However he would be in the top 5 at our club improvement wise..

 

[PieBeast]

Despite Leon being in great form this season compared to the last one he's done it before.

Have to go with Ben Reid.

Poll needed.

 

[Cory]

For me it's a tie between Ben Reid & Travis Cloke

 

[abs_of_STEELE]

Based on last year, I don't think you can go past Leon. Out of our best 22 at the end of the year to a real chance at AA selection, that's a massive improvement. And if the stat they mentioned on Saturday night was correct, then he'd be the best kickout in the comp as well.

Transformed himself to a completely different player and he is reaping the rewards, with the strong possibility of gaining a more respected premiership medal. A fantastic transofrmation and I really hope he gets that medal.

Cloke/Reid have both improved quite a bit, but neither was ever in any danger of losing their spot in the team. Leon has gone from out of our team to one of the best rebounding defenders in the comp, so Leon takes it for me.

But he needs to keep it up!

 

[Swooop]

Great thread OP.

Reading the above posts, it just highlights our amazing player development.

From last year to this year..Leon. Gawwnn to AA form.

Past two years...Ben Reid, but Trav heaps also, Blair, Toooves, Daisy, Dawes, you could possibly include Pendles gone to superstar status

 

[Lockyer24]

Yeah I was thinking Cloke Toovs Daisy etc

But Reid has gone from promising to absolute gun very quickly

Had played about one crap game in 2 years when Brown cut him up

 

[Shade]

I think Toovey for me had a great season imo.
special mention to b.Reid

 

[Chronz]

Reid/Cloke. If Cloke could kick a few of those 15-30m gimme goals he would be in front by a mile.

 

[Pie eyed]

Short term Blair, long term Tooves for sure.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Based on last year?

Leon Davis, by a country mile.

 

[P0508]

For me it has to be Ben Reid and Travis Cloke.

 

[Markfs]

Leon, particularly since he had to learn how to play down back. Special mention for Reid who has started to lead the defence in many games and not just provide support to Harry and Nick. Luke Ball has got his pace and kicking back to his early years with the Saints. Blair has established himself. Dawes has gone from VFL player to required player. Cameron Wood has gone from hopeless to adequate.... I go with Leon

 

[ThexderX]

If we are talking about improvement from 2010 to 2011, IMO it is Simon Buckley...Zero games to playing 10 solid games in what is clearly the best team in the land.

Others have improved, but not to the extent of Simon...IMO

 

[Number 10]

If we are talking about improvement from 2010 to 2011, IMO it is Simon Buckley...Zero games to playing 10 solid games in what is clearly the best team in the land.

Others have improved, but not to the extent of Simon...IMO

He has been good and has improved. Alot of kudos to him, but sometimes I wonder if he would have gotten a game if we didn't get injuries to Johnson, Maxwell, Toovey and now a suspended Shaw?

Either way, hope he can keep getting better and build more confidence.

 

[Bay Pie]

Seriously gotta be Ben Reid.

At round 4 last year he was a VFL player who many weren't sure if he'd make it in the AFL.

Now, he's closing in on an AA selection and very important cog in our back 6, the life blood of our team.

 

[Thommo 42]

Tarrant has surprised me with just how good he is, always thought the AA FB talk when he was at Freo was a bit hyped, but he has been brilliant.

Luke Ball has gone from very good inside contributer and tackling machine to, elite midfielder who kicks goals, takes contested marks and remains a clearance and tackling machine as well.

Those are the 2 less obvious ones, but I would think Reid, Davis and Cloke are the leading trifecta, although Cloke has really only improved his kicking. He's always been an elite marking target, and the way the game is played in 2011 suits him perfectly.