Positives thus far....

[The Dustbin]

Instead of the negatives, I only want to hear the positives that have come out of season 08...

For me one positive would have to be the form shown by Bachar Houli. R 1 NAB Rising Star nominee who has been one of our most consistent players in what has been a interesting 6 weeks. Continues to get better each week, I'm hoping he can stay injury free

and continue to develop into an elite midfielder. (The photo is supposed to be touch wood, not a very good pic)


I'm sure there are plenty more out there. Just a change of pace from the last couple of days.

 

[Slattery_20]

Reimers!
Dempsey for a while
McVeigh was in sparkling form
Hille similarly getting better and better
Jetta for a short while

There are positives. Seek and you will find etc

 

[NathanS]

For me it's been about uncovering younger players who can play, and a couple of older hats who have taken their games to the next level.

Houli can play. Nice skills, and he keeps running. He can hold his head up high even considering some of our defeats. Looking forward to continued improvement from him as he's still learning the game. He could be anything at this stage.

Lonergan - Has shown some poise under pressure, and nice evasive skills. Can win some of his own. It's now clear why he has been persisted with.

Reimers - We need a couple more like him - a hard nut willing to put their bodies over the ball. Courage that cannot be questioned, and still quick and skillful enough to do the damage.

Ryder - In my opinion he's taking another step this year. He's beaten some well respected players this season. Flexible - he can be damaging in a number of positions.

Hille - Career best form. Late last year there were calls to trade him as it was believed he'd reached his peak, and Laycock would overtake him as #1 ruck. Now is a chance to play ruck for Victoria.

McVeigh - Like a man possessed this year. Captain material. His injury is a huge loss.

 

[monty1104]

Lonergan: I will put my hand up and say that I wanted him axed st the end of last year, but he has really stepped up and was one of our more consistent players before getting injured.

Hille: To all of you that said he was gone, I say "suck on that!" He has ben argueably the best ruckman behind Dean Cox this year. He is a shoe in for one of the ruck spots for the Vics

Reimers: I loved seeing him last year in the VFL and has taken another step this year. He is a real hard nut and is reasonably polished with the footy. Knows where the goals are.

Lovett: He has given us a real spark since he hasreturned, which was much needed. Dunno why he was playing on Davis last week, but he did a fair job on him, which goes to show he has added a defensive side to his game aswell.

 

[mantis]

I've been really happy with the maority of the young kids, if they can stay relatively injury free, I can see them really stepping up in the next two years.

Also agree on Mc Veigh & Hille has silenced most of his knockers thus far.

 

[The_Young_Gun]

Positives:

Knights
Houli
Dempsey
Reimers
Ryder
Jetta
Hislop (Soon to be)

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

I think the fact that we don't look as slow with the ball anymore and play a more attacking brand of football (excluding the match against Collingwood) are a couple of positives that have come out of this year so far. Also the fact that we are a playing a team full of youth and excitement.

Individual players so far that have impressed me:
Houli
Ryder
Dempsey
Lonergan
McVeigh
Jetta
Reimers

 

[DonMania#5]

Most of the youngsters. Houli, Ryder, Lonergan, Dempsey, Jetta and Reimers.

Mcveigh and Hille both taking their game to the next level.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Pears - shown signs the first few weeks
Houli - Plays with heart every game, foot skills aren' too bad either
Reimers - Beat down on Dale Thomas need I say more.
Lonergan - Tough at nails head over the ball
Jetta- Classy little speedster cant wait for his return
Ryder - Looks like a champion in the making

 

[The Dustbin]

I must say it has been good to see some of the younger players play a few games in a row and not getting dropped after 1 game eg. Lonergan, Reimers, Jetta, Houli, Pears.

Knights keeping true to his word.

Special mention to Spike as well, who has been brilliant with his on field leadership.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

1- Houli- star in the making, making a lot and I mean a lot of clubs wishing they didn't let him slip to 42.

2- Reimers- really like this kid, a bit of mongrel as well.

3- Gameplan- although we'll cop our fair share of hidings, it is exciting to watch

4- Youngsters- all look the goods, and as long as imporovements are made this year I'll be happy. My main aim this year was not neccesarily to win games per se but for the kids to gain experience and to be better for it in 2009.

5- The team is getting a chance to play minus Lucas. People will see this as a negative, I don't. In the end Lucas will not be in our next premiership side so to get the kids playing some games without him is a positive

6- Pears- GUN! Who said he could not handball!

7- Ryder- improving all the time, I want him trialled in the midfield soon though. He has that "Goodes" look about him.

 

[bruce29]

1- Houli- star in the making, making a lot and I mean a lot of clubs wishing they didn't let him slip to 42.

2- Reimers- really like this kid, a bit of mongrel as well.

3- Gameplan- although we'll cop our fair share of hidings, it is exciting to watch

4- Youngsters- all look the goods, and as long as imporovements are made this year I'll be happy. My main aim this year was not neccesarily to win games per se but for the kids to gain experience and to be better for it in 2009.

5- The team is getting a chance to play minus Lucas. People will see this as a negative, I don't. In the end Lucas will not be in our next premiership side so to get the kids playing some games without him is a positive

6- Pears- GUN! Who said he could not handball!

7- Ryder- improving all the time, I want him trialled in the midfield soon though. He has that "Goodes" look about him.

Really? Why do you want that?

I love watching his efforts in defence!

 

[bomba4eva]

Biggest positive is that we seem to have found a couple of players. Riemers and Lonergan are looking solid and it is great to see them getting valuable game time into their bodies. Houli has performed admirably this season and that 2006 draft is looking better by the month. For all the negatives this season I want to be able to say at the end of the season that we have found our next crop of players that will be leading us for the next few years at least. Jetta will be back soon to further his education at this stage of his career and Hislop will enter the side within the next 4 games. Hopefully Gumbleton gets the second half of the season under his belt which will
a) Boost his confidence
b) Make him more comfortable at Essendon and dispell any chance of him returning to WA.

Great to see Daniher debuting

 

[LukeParkerno1]

[/B]Really? Why do you want that?

I love watching his efforts in defence!

I think he'll be even better in the midfield, would be a dead set star wingman.

 

[Sigmund]

Timely thread

Aside from on field, for me, it has been Knights' performance in the media. Top notch as far as I am concerned - balanced and considered, and very few cliched answeres. Loved how he named his fav player (kyle) - dont know if many coaches would do that??

On field, Pears is the one who I am excited about. looks like he has a genuine footy brain. Also, Ryder now being recognised across the AFL as a genuine star.