Players that need to "step up"

[Visro]

Ok with such a young list at WC which young players do you believe need to step up a level. Chad Fletcher immediately springs to mind, he has played a few good games but is not consistent. There are a few others but I will let everyone else post their ideas first

Vis

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Williams and Glass. Both have been on the verge of something big but can't seem to break that rookie image. Know what i mean? When you see them in the squad you consider them to be rookies, yet they are both about 20 yrs old. When Cousins, Gardiner, Wirra, Morrison, etc were 20 they were never looked at as rookies.

Might not make sense to you, but thats the way i see them.

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"I'm not going to waste my life trying to prolong it"

 

[Broome]

I agree on Williams. He's had 3 seasons at the Eagles now and it's time to produce the goods especially seeing that he's a 40+ gamer. I honestly felt that this was Glass's year after an incredible start being thrown in at the deep end last year when the team was not travelling too well, but this injury will set him back a bit

.
Rowan Jones is a player that I'm sure the WCE could get even more value from if someone would just work on his kicking a bit more. He's not unlike Mainy - great at getting the ball but you never knew where the kick would end up. It would be a good idea if someone would run to support him when he's in the vicinity of the ball so he can feed off a handball to make the most of his possessions. (How often did we see Bluey handball off to teamates....not that he had a problem with his kicking!!) Mind you Jones's value as a negating player would have him in the team every week anyway but imagine if he was more accurate with his disposal

Most of the other young guys were only drafted at the end of 1999 so last year was their first season at the club so it's a bit much to ask a lot of them.
Green is one of those young guys that got an opportunity late last year and impressed immediately. He seemed to be very cool when he got the ball. I hope he gets another opportunity early this year and can manage to build on a great start. In the same boat as him are David Haynes, David Antonowicz & Adam Hunter all with only a handful of games.
I honestly believe though that KJ recruited the way he did so that he could have walk up starts into the team this year- guys with experience who could be played whilst the young guys developed so that we didn't have an experienced side having to take on the likes of the Bombers, Blues etal. Instead they could be introduced in with experienced players. The only drawback with that at present is that the new players with experience (differing experiences) will take time to gel as a unit..... I just hope it's not a LONG time

 

[jod23]

Williams and Embly need to step up and become more consistent and be able to have more of an impact on the game. There both very mobile are good in the air and on the ground and can take a strong overhead mark. But they are never consistent enough. Would be nice if Cox could get better quickly so you could release Gardy up forward, when King went forward last sunday he kicked two goals. Gardiner can have the same impact but we need someone to be able to hold there own in the ruck while Gardy is forward.

 

[Frodo]

I'ts an interesting question.
The guy that should by now be a Brownlow shout and Captain is Drew Banfield. He has always been good but I always think he is a potential great. I would have tried by giving him a Vice captaincy and maybe tried him as something other than a tagger to bring out something extra.
Cousins, Braun and Wirra hold the key to the season with Kempy, Fletcher and Taylor as backup on the ball.
We have to get Donners back and do something with that half forward line. Antonowitz may be an option or even Turnbull as a stand in until Sierra anad Gaspar ar fit.
If we can't find a half forward structure then Gardy must stay in the centre square with two midfielders 15 metres behind on either side. This gives a known target from defence. If he marks he lays off to a running player who goes over the top of the half forward line. If the defender spoils the ball should still go to one of the two back up midfielders.
It is still early days, although Sunday was horrific, there was some good signs in the last quarter though with a great passage of play up the left hand side.

 

[Visro]

Yep Andrew Williams is another that immediately springs to mind. Someone mentioned Glass, I think that may be a bit harsh considering that last season was his first at the club (I think!!

). He is still young and for the time being I dont mind him playing average games. He is still learning the business as a "top level" defender and he might even be able to fill in as fullback when Macca goes. Anyway, a lot of the young players look promising, they just need some inspiration I think to make an impact.

Vis

 

[eagleskickass]

Chad Fletcher will stand up and show he is a good player, that I reckon could be a Dean Kemp type of player. I have followed him since he started at Subi and can say he will be one of our best!

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If everybody is rowing the boat together then there's no body to rock it!
CARN THE 7TH WONDERS
CARN THE W C WARRIORS

 

[iceman]

Williams springs to mind, i remember in his second year(?) he was used up forward alongside Cummings and he did well for a while before being switched to defence.

Ever since hes moved to defence, ive hardly seen him at all...

Also, i might be a bit harsh but has anyone been impressed with Antonowitz?
Ive seen most of his games and if hes to make his mark its gonna have to be this year..cos he hasnt shown much yet

 

[ah_19]

yes antonavitz HAS to show something
or be delisted for sure
hes got the talent, he needs to be given some proper extended AFL game time
and maybe he will get there
hopefully he will get to play fullback for 2 full games wtih the injury to sierra
then we see if hes got what it takes

 

[jod23]

Turnball or Cox need to step up because i think Gardy could be our solution to the CHF problem. He is a great mark, strong and always provides a target and contest. Would need a quality backmen to play on him helping Cummings and Wilson. Obviously he would still play in the ruck but i think using him at CHF in bursts could be a big plus. When King went forward on sunday we kept Gardy in the ruck probably for the reason that there was no one else to really play that position. But if Cox or Turnball played on Sunday then why not put them in the ruck to face Geelongs second ruckmen and put Gardy at CHF??