Ricky
Cancelled
- Banned
- #1
Let me say one thing before I start, the majority of people may say that it is the "Mickey Mouse" cup and doesn't mean a whole lot and shouldn't be taken seriously. Let me tell you, there are 17 clubs out there that are taking this NAB Cup seriously.
Gameplan:
The most impressive aspects that I have noticed about new game plan is that we are playing as a team and running and supporting each other. We are playing for one another, putting their bodies on the line. Most importantly, the intensity around the ground means that the players are playing for the coach and the jumper, which is what Knights couldn't get the players to do.
Defence:
Our defence has been fantastic IMO. We've managed to hold Brisbane and St.Kilda to 14 & 38 respectively in what would of been a half of football during the normal season in Week 1 of the NAB Cup.
Week 2 against Melbourne we managed to hold a pretty attacking Melbourne during an open and free flowing game to 82.
Most impressive was Week 3 against St.Kilda where we held the runner up of the last year to measly 45 points over 4 quarters, 3 goals to 3/4 time. Keep in mind that we did this without arguably our 2 best defenders in Fletcher and Pears. Kudos to Hooker, Hibberd, Hardingham, Heppell.
Midfield:
I am really liking the look of some of the guys that are playing in the midfield at this early stage of the year and our midfield is in for a very bright future IMO. Zaharakis, Melksham, Colyer, Heppell, Jetta, Howlett are a great bunch of kids that we have to rotate through the midfield. All have poise and great skills and all but Howlett have genuine pace.
With these young players helping the likes of Watson, Stanton, McVeigh, Hocking and Prismall, we have plenty of rotation that can go through the midfield if need be. Also noticed that the midfield are kicking more goals. These are INVALUABLE! Midfielders kicking goals, takes pressure off the forward line to kick the goals.
Our ruck stocks, I believe are slipping underneath the radar if you ask me. Ryder and Hille are a sensational duo and in the top 3 duos in the league. I have been really impressed with Tom Bellchambers this pre season. His skills look great for a man of his size. If and it's a big IF, T-Bell can manage to string together another good game against Collingwood, I believe we may start Round 1 with 3 talls in Ryder, Hille and Bellchambers and either Hille/Ryder playing as predominant forward.
Forward:
Firstly, the biggest improvement in our game has been our defensive pressure inside the forward line. Davey, Williams, Monfries, Jetta, Hurley, Crameri, Hurley all putting big big pressure on the opposition defence. Going back to our ruck stocks, if we do play those 3 tall man in Ryder, Hille and Bellchambers, our forward line could look very dangerous.
*Rotating Midfielder*/Crameri Hurley Williams
Gumbleton Hille/Ryder Monfries/Davey
Plenty of tall timber there that can take a big mark and kick the ball, and plus with the crumbing likes of Williams, Monfries, Davey, Crameri and that rotating midfielder, plus there is plenty of pace and engine there still to create that forward line pressure that we have been witnessing.
Player Review:
Jay Neagle: Look he is extremely lucky to be given another chance by Hird and the coaching team but he is doing everything he can to stay on the list in 2012. His new role down back will take a while to adjust to. Hopefully while playing at Bendigo for the season, he can adapt. He did some nice things in his game down back against the Saints in Week 1, but still a lot to learn.
Ricky Dyson: I honestly believe that Ricky is in for a tough year. He has to do everything right to be able to find a spot in the starting 22 every week. Problem is, 95% of the time he is a terrific user of the football, his left foot is one of the better left foots in the side. His work rate needs to lift, but there's no question that once Ricky does find a spot in the 22, he needs to do everything right because there are others that are out for his spot.
Scott Gumbleton: Gumbleton has probably had his best pre-season at the club, yet he only managed to do 3/4 of the pre-season due to surgery on his knee (I stand corrected if I'm wrong). We've seen what the kid can do, great pack mark and has the engine of Nick Riewoldt, his kicking still needs some improvement but from what I have seen of him so far this pre-season, that improvement has already begun.
Jobe Watson: Not much to really say about Jobe, except he just keeps getting better and better. Seems to have had a pretty good pre-season and will only get better as the season goes on. Not much else to say about our skipper.
Brent Stanton: Been really impressed with Brent's work rate over the summer, yes we all know that he runs and runs all day and wins every time trial there is during the pre-season but he has improved on his counter attacking and running back to support the backline. Last year, you wouldn't see Stanton running back to help in defence or he would be a good 10-15 metres behind his opponent putting in a lackluster performance to make up for the error. His skills and hard running will be vital for Brent this year.
Angus Monfries: The biggest thing for Angus this season is for him to become more consistent, too often he has one good game and 3 bad games. He can't afford to do that in the year 2011. He is vital to our forward line. Good hands for his size, normally a good shot for goal and has that x-factor about him.
Leroy Jetta: Player that I have been most impressed with over the NAB Cup and pre-season. Really worked his backside off and done all the right things. His pressure and tackling towards the opposition his phenomenal and his explosive pace and good ball use has been 1st class. Perhaps a break-out year for young Leroy, here's hoping!
Jason Winderlich: Similar to Angus Monfries, needs to find consistency in his game. Skills and pact are sublime. He is the outside running player that needs to be consistent throughout the season. Looks to have a solid pre-season and ready to start 2011 with a bang!
Brent Prismall: Cannot believe some of the comments I read on here about Prismall. The guy is easily our most skillful midfielder. Has had a terrific pre-season and will be vital to our midfield in season 2011. He is a fantastic build to help Watson in the midfield. Deserves a spot in the 22 every week of the year.
Mark McVeigh: You look at the Mark McVeigh of 2010 and think that he hasn't got that much left, you look at the Mark McVeigh of 2011 and you'd think he is a young 19 year old wanting to get out there and start playing. One reason, his good mate in James Hird. McVeigh has always had a great left foot and a great engine to run with the elite in the competition and shutting them down. This man bleeds red & black and I think we will see a reinvigorated Mark McVeigh in 2011.
David Zaharakis: This is David Zaharakis' year! *touch wood*. He is ready to break out into the midfield and become a real force. Has had a monster pre-season in the gym and his work rate has really picked up. His foot skills are in the top 3 in the club. Great goal sense and great pace for the 20 year old. 2011 - The Year of Zaka!
Andrew Welsh: IMHO, Andrew is in for a really tough year. I can't see him playing too many games this year because I believe that you can't have Watson, Hocking, Slattery, Stanton, McVeigh and Welsh in the same line up in the midfield/backline. It's just too slow and with Andrew not having the greatest pre-season due to injury, I find it's going to be very tough for Andrew to find a spot in the 22.
Anthony Long: Longy has been very unfortunate due to injury during his time at Essendon and has really struggled to feature in any practice matches over the last 2 years. Working hard to get back and be available for selection in 2011.
Sam Lonergan: Sammy Lonergan is the type of player that, I believe, we need in the side. He is the hard nut of our side and will always put his head over the ball to feed out to the players on the outer. His pre-season has been on par and will be on the brink of our best 22.
Courtneay Dempsey: Courtneay is highly highly underrated. Same again with Prismall, some of the comments put towards Courtneay is just ridiculous. Dempsey has had a terrific pre-season, worked his backside off to keep fit and his skills are yes sometimes can be ineffective but it's the flying back into the packs and spoils over the top that go un-noticed a lot of the time. Would be great to see him pushed up onto a wing.
Tayte Pears: Hopefully not a case of a Matthew Egan here for Tayte. Great young defender whose pre-season has been ruined by injury. I don't expect Tayte to be anywhere near his best in season 2011 without a pre-season.
Jake Melksham: Jake has become our little terrier IMO. Skinny, young and hard at the ball. Not afraid to stand up to the players, i.e Brendon Goddard. His skills have improved over the summer and is capable of taking a big mark for a small man. Really wish he'd put some muscle on, that's the only downside to Jake's game.
Michael Hurley: Hurley is going to be a very very good player for the Red & Black, he has showed in his short yet promising career that he can be very versatile in his game playing forward and back. His form in the NAB Cup has been below his standards but has done his part without doing anything special. First 10 picked each week.
David Hille: Another whose pre-season has been injury interrupted but being the player that David is, I'm sure that he will bounce back with class and be a massive figure in the year 2011 if we are a chance to play finals. His ruck work has improved dramatically in the last 2-3 years. His work rate for a 110kg man is above and beyond.
Henry Slattery: Really changed my view of Hank. I think he is very vital to our backline. Big body in that backline, great tackler and generally has good skills. Has done his job the last 2 years in defence and always has courage to go back with the ball. Unfortunate to see that he won't be playing in Round 1 of 2011.
Dyson Heppell: I could rave about the young man all day long, but I won't. For an 18 year old, he speaks like a leader. Dyson is capable of being a top 10 player in the league in his future as a Bomber. Great left foot kick, poise and direction in his game is great and his football brain is superb. Future leader of the club.
Jake Carlisle: Great young talent going into his second year and just had his first full pre-season under his belt. Will do him the world of good. IMO I think Jake is a very good size for a CHF. Good mark of the ball and also has a great engine. Hasn't really had much of a chance during the NAB Cup, playing in Week 1 and being a sub in the game against Melbourne. Would like to see him push to play 7-10 games during 2011.
David Myers: I haven't said too many negative things on here as of yet, but here is one of them. David really needs to work on his decision making and his awareness. He has done more bad things than good during the NAB Cup and has really struggled. My biggest problem with David is that he is a fantastic size and build for that running half back that would do us the world of good. His kicking is below par and needs to be picked up, quick smart or he might find himself at the back of the line behind Heppell, Hibberd and Hardingham or even worse, shown the door at the end of the season.
Alex Browne: A player that has really slipped under the radar. Really liked the look of Alex and think he can be a vital player for us in the future. Tall, good mark and runs like a midfielder. Great asset to have.
Ariel Steinberg: As I haven't seen much of Ariel during the pre-season due to his mishap during the intra-club game, I can't really say much. But I will say this, great size and frame to the young man and who knows, his year in Canada playing gridiron might help his tackling here for the Bombers.
Cale Hooker: Dustin Fletcher v2. We have a real winner on our hands here I think. His long dangley arms and legs are a great asset to have. His is capable of holding the big forwards, i.e Riewoldt N & J, Roughead and the like. Had a great pre-season and is ready to improve even more during the season.
Luke Davis: Much like Steinberg, I haven't seen much of the lad, but from I saw in the game against Brisbane, I think, he looks like a great young talent just trying to find his way into the big time. The move from Adelaide to Melbourne is a big move for any young player. Give him time to adjust and he'll be right to go.
Darcy Daniher: Really liked the early looks of Darcy in his first few years at the Bombers as a defender. Dashing pace and good skills. Unfortunately, injury again has plagued him from playing reserves/senior footy at all lately, but he is doing everything he can to get back out on the park.
Alwyn Davey: Really impressed with Alwyn in the opening few games of the NAB Cup before unfortunately sustaining a hairline fracture in his arm. His defensive pressure has always been a great attribute of his but this year it looks like he has really stepped up a gear and put in that massive pre-season. One problem with Froggy is that he seems a little rushed when disposing of the ball, especially when going at full throttle, needs to steady before disposing.
Paddy Ryder: Paddy is ready to become elite I believe. He is in for a big year. Worked really hard during the pre-season on his ruck work with David Hille and Simon Madden. He is going to take his game to the next level and show the rest of the competition how dangerous he can be.
Dustin Fletcher: This man just doesn't change, absolute phenomenal. Still in the top 5 backmen in the league and never disappoints. He just keeps going and going. No signs of slowing down either. Great to have the great man still apart of the side in 2011.
Travis Colyer: Spent majority of the pre-season in the gym by the looks of things, like Zaharakis, Colyer as really bulked up and dare I say, be our Brent Harvey, quick, good skills, small, slips under the radar! Travis is slick through traffic and can create something from nothing.
Mark Williams: Had a big pre-season shedding 8 kilos off his body weight which is a fantastic sign. Shows how much he has worked during the pre-season. Done all the right things off the field. From early signs of the NAB Cup, get some early goals in the year for Williams could be a real confidence booster for him.
Kyle Hardingam: One of 2 X-factors that our side has. Can play either forward or down back. Has a tremendous leap on him and the second half of last year i'm sure will of earned him a spot in the regular 22. Worked hard as all players during the pre-season have. Mark it down, will take mark of the year one day!
Taite Silverlock: Struggled again with injury, after breaking his leg badly at the end of last year while playing for Bendigo. But has fought back to get back out on the track before the end of the pre-season to prove his worth to Hird and the coaching staff.
Tyson Slattery: Very unlucky to be delisted in the first place. Dashing defensive player who gives his all. Still young and has plenty of time to learn. Had a good pre-season, managing to work on his work rate and skills.
Kyle Reimers: X-Factor number 2. The kid has the skills and the flair to be our Alan Didak, Jason Akermanis. Big Call I know but he just needs to be a bit smarter around goals and around the contests. He reminds me of a Mark McVeigh, fiesty and gave away stupid free kicks. He needs to cut that out of his game and stop trying to stir the pot because he can play. Great skills and a good over-head mark. Pre-season has been interrupted by injury but made a short but successful return against St.Kilda last friday night.
Michael Ross: Young talent who again also had his pre-season interrupted by injury but is back out on the track now in full training, I believe which is a great sign. Michael has great skills and poise for a young man of his caliber. Will be a steal in the draft once he gets out onto the park.
Heath Hocking: Runner up B&F from 2010. Had a fantastic season in 2010 and would really like to Heath step up another gear and be the enforcer in the midfielder. His role most weeks will be as a tagger and I don't mind that has he is a big body player who can lay a big tackle. Capable of going forward and kicking goals too. Also shed some kilos over the pre- season and looks fighting fit for 2011.
Ben Howlett: Surprise packet IMO. Will also enjoy a break-out year in the midfield alongside Watson, Prismall and Stanton. Hard at the ball and has really worked hard on his disposal over the summer and is relishing at the opportunity that has been given to him.
Michael Quinn: Has got 1 last chance IMO. Can perform at VFL level but gets found out at AFL Level. Has he has needed to, he has been working on his disposal over the summer as it has been a massive let down for him over his 3 years at Bomberland.
Nathan Lovett-Murray: NLM is much like Andrew Welsh. Injury has set him back and watching the NAB Cup, IMO, Michael Hibberd has taken NLM's spot, but if NLM manages to get into the starting 22. He has to do everything right to hold onto to that spot.
Michael Hibberd: Super impressive. Great left foot and has really settled into the backline at Essendon. Good speed and good skills means almost a certain spot in the 22 come the start of the year. Seems to be that Hibberd has really enjoyed the start of his career at Essendon and even showing some leadership at trainings.
Tom Bellchambers: Again, super impressive. Really happy with where T-Bell is at, at the moment. Would really like him to continue from his pre-season form and take into the regular season. Worked extremely hard on his endurance, ruck work and skills over the summer and so far is paying dividends. His work rate has been superb over the NAB Cup. Watching him against St.Kilda last Friday Night, one minute took a mark in the backline, followed up into the middle of the ground and found himself at the top of the goal square in the forward line. Really great to see from T-Bell.
Stewart Crameri: Strong mid sized forward who has been the biggest surprise in the NAB Cup. Worked really hard on his upper body strength in the summer and is working well so far as he has shown his NAB Cup games. Great left foot and strong body means when he tackles, they stay tackled. Good to see.
Josh Jenkins: Not your normal ruckmen, only stands at 195cm but has a tremendous leap due to his basketball background. He is a project that Hird and coaching staff are willing to work with. Still as a while to adjust but IMO won't be too bad.
James Webster: Sad to finish like this but I honestly can say, I don't even know what James looks like. But wearing the Red & Black, let's hope he can turn out to be a player
Well that's my take on the pre-season so far.
I am welcome to hear some feedback, positive or negative. Enjoy
Gameplan:
The most impressive aspects that I have noticed about new game plan is that we are playing as a team and running and supporting each other. We are playing for one another, putting their bodies on the line. Most importantly, the intensity around the ground means that the players are playing for the coach and the jumper, which is what Knights couldn't get the players to do.
Defence:
Our defence has been fantastic IMO. We've managed to hold Brisbane and St.Kilda to 14 & 38 respectively in what would of been a half of football during the normal season in Week 1 of the NAB Cup.
Week 2 against Melbourne we managed to hold a pretty attacking Melbourne during an open and free flowing game to 82.
Most impressive was Week 3 against St.Kilda where we held the runner up of the last year to measly 45 points over 4 quarters, 3 goals to 3/4 time. Keep in mind that we did this without arguably our 2 best defenders in Fletcher and Pears. Kudos to Hooker, Hibberd, Hardingham, Heppell.
Midfield:
I am really liking the look of some of the guys that are playing in the midfield at this early stage of the year and our midfield is in for a very bright future IMO. Zaharakis, Melksham, Colyer, Heppell, Jetta, Howlett are a great bunch of kids that we have to rotate through the midfield. All have poise and great skills and all but Howlett have genuine pace.
With these young players helping the likes of Watson, Stanton, McVeigh, Hocking and Prismall, we have plenty of rotation that can go through the midfield if need be. Also noticed that the midfield are kicking more goals. These are INVALUABLE! Midfielders kicking goals, takes pressure off the forward line to kick the goals.
Our ruck stocks, I believe are slipping underneath the radar if you ask me. Ryder and Hille are a sensational duo and in the top 3 duos in the league. I have been really impressed with Tom Bellchambers this pre season. His skills look great for a man of his size. If and it's a big IF, T-Bell can manage to string together another good game against Collingwood, I believe we may start Round 1 with 3 talls in Ryder, Hille and Bellchambers and either Hille/Ryder playing as predominant forward.
Forward:
Firstly, the biggest improvement in our game has been our defensive pressure inside the forward line. Davey, Williams, Monfries, Jetta, Hurley, Crameri, Hurley all putting big big pressure on the opposition defence. Going back to our ruck stocks, if we do play those 3 tall man in Ryder, Hille and Bellchambers, our forward line could look very dangerous.
*Rotating Midfielder*/Crameri Hurley Williams
Gumbleton Hille/Ryder Monfries/Davey
Plenty of tall timber there that can take a big mark and kick the ball, and plus with the crumbing likes of Williams, Monfries, Davey, Crameri and that rotating midfielder, plus there is plenty of pace and engine there still to create that forward line pressure that we have been witnessing.
Player Review:
Jay Neagle: Look he is extremely lucky to be given another chance by Hird and the coaching team but he is doing everything he can to stay on the list in 2012. His new role down back will take a while to adjust to. Hopefully while playing at Bendigo for the season, he can adapt. He did some nice things in his game down back against the Saints in Week 1, but still a lot to learn.
Ricky Dyson: I honestly believe that Ricky is in for a tough year. He has to do everything right to be able to find a spot in the starting 22 every week. Problem is, 95% of the time he is a terrific user of the football, his left foot is one of the better left foots in the side. His work rate needs to lift, but there's no question that once Ricky does find a spot in the 22, he needs to do everything right because there are others that are out for his spot.
Scott Gumbleton: Gumbleton has probably had his best pre-season at the club, yet he only managed to do 3/4 of the pre-season due to surgery on his knee (I stand corrected if I'm wrong). We've seen what the kid can do, great pack mark and has the engine of Nick Riewoldt, his kicking still needs some improvement but from what I have seen of him so far this pre-season, that improvement has already begun.
Jobe Watson: Not much to really say about Jobe, except he just keeps getting better and better. Seems to have had a pretty good pre-season and will only get better as the season goes on. Not much else to say about our skipper.
Brent Stanton: Been really impressed with Brent's work rate over the summer, yes we all know that he runs and runs all day and wins every time trial there is during the pre-season but he has improved on his counter attacking and running back to support the backline. Last year, you wouldn't see Stanton running back to help in defence or he would be a good 10-15 metres behind his opponent putting in a lackluster performance to make up for the error. His skills and hard running will be vital for Brent this year.
Angus Monfries: The biggest thing for Angus this season is for him to become more consistent, too often he has one good game and 3 bad games. He can't afford to do that in the year 2011. He is vital to our forward line. Good hands for his size, normally a good shot for goal and has that x-factor about him.
Leroy Jetta: Player that I have been most impressed with over the NAB Cup and pre-season. Really worked his backside off and done all the right things. His pressure and tackling towards the opposition his phenomenal and his explosive pace and good ball use has been 1st class. Perhaps a break-out year for young Leroy, here's hoping!
Jason Winderlich: Similar to Angus Monfries, needs to find consistency in his game. Skills and pact are sublime. He is the outside running player that needs to be consistent throughout the season. Looks to have a solid pre-season and ready to start 2011 with a bang!
Brent Prismall: Cannot believe some of the comments I read on here about Prismall. The guy is easily our most skillful midfielder. Has had a terrific pre-season and will be vital to our midfield in season 2011. He is a fantastic build to help Watson in the midfield. Deserves a spot in the 22 every week of the year.
Mark McVeigh: You look at the Mark McVeigh of 2010 and think that he hasn't got that much left, you look at the Mark McVeigh of 2011 and you'd think he is a young 19 year old wanting to get out there and start playing. One reason, his good mate in James Hird. McVeigh has always had a great left foot and a great engine to run with the elite in the competition and shutting them down. This man bleeds red & black and I think we will see a reinvigorated Mark McVeigh in 2011.
David Zaharakis: This is David Zaharakis' year! *touch wood*. He is ready to break out into the midfield and become a real force. Has had a monster pre-season in the gym and his work rate has really picked up. His foot skills are in the top 3 in the club. Great goal sense and great pace for the 20 year old. 2011 - The Year of Zaka!
Andrew Welsh: IMHO, Andrew is in for a really tough year. I can't see him playing too many games this year because I believe that you can't have Watson, Hocking, Slattery, Stanton, McVeigh and Welsh in the same line up in the midfield/backline. It's just too slow and with Andrew not having the greatest pre-season due to injury, I find it's going to be very tough for Andrew to find a spot in the 22.
Anthony Long: Longy has been very unfortunate due to injury during his time at Essendon and has really struggled to feature in any practice matches over the last 2 years. Working hard to get back and be available for selection in 2011.
Sam Lonergan: Sammy Lonergan is the type of player that, I believe, we need in the side. He is the hard nut of our side and will always put his head over the ball to feed out to the players on the outer. His pre-season has been on par and will be on the brink of our best 22.
Courtneay Dempsey: Courtneay is highly highly underrated. Same again with Prismall, some of the comments put towards Courtneay is just ridiculous. Dempsey has had a terrific pre-season, worked his backside off to keep fit and his skills are yes sometimes can be ineffective but it's the flying back into the packs and spoils over the top that go un-noticed a lot of the time. Would be great to see him pushed up onto a wing.
Tayte Pears: Hopefully not a case of a Matthew Egan here for Tayte. Great young defender whose pre-season has been ruined by injury. I don't expect Tayte to be anywhere near his best in season 2011 without a pre-season.
Jake Melksham: Jake has become our little terrier IMO. Skinny, young and hard at the ball. Not afraid to stand up to the players, i.e Brendon Goddard. His skills have improved over the summer and is capable of taking a big mark for a small man. Really wish he'd put some muscle on, that's the only downside to Jake's game.
Michael Hurley: Hurley is going to be a very very good player for the Red & Black, he has showed in his short yet promising career that he can be very versatile in his game playing forward and back. His form in the NAB Cup has been below his standards but has done his part without doing anything special. First 10 picked each week.
David Hille: Another whose pre-season has been injury interrupted but being the player that David is, I'm sure that he will bounce back with class and be a massive figure in the year 2011 if we are a chance to play finals. His ruck work has improved dramatically in the last 2-3 years. His work rate for a 110kg man is above and beyond.
Henry Slattery: Really changed my view of Hank. I think he is very vital to our backline. Big body in that backline, great tackler and generally has good skills. Has done his job the last 2 years in defence and always has courage to go back with the ball. Unfortunate to see that he won't be playing in Round 1 of 2011.
Dyson Heppell: I could rave about the young man all day long, but I won't. For an 18 year old, he speaks like a leader. Dyson is capable of being a top 10 player in the league in his future as a Bomber. Great left foot kick, poise and direction in his game is great and his football brain is superb. Future leader of the club.
Jake Carlisle: Great young talent going into his second year and just had his first full pre-season under his belt. Will do him the world of good. IMO I think Jake is a very good size for a CHF. Good mark of the ball and also has a great engine. Hasn't really had much of a chance during the NAB Cup, playing in Week 1 and being a sub in the game against Melbourne. Would like to see him push to play 7-10 games during 2011.
David Myers: I haven't said too many negative things on here as of yet, but here is one of them. David really needs to work on his decision making and his awareness. He has done more bad things than good during the NAB Cup and has really struggled. My biggest problem with David is that he is a fantastic size and build for that running half back that would do us the world of good. His kicking is below par and needs to be picked up, quick smart or he might find himself at the back of the line behind Heppell, Hibberd and Hardingham or even worse, shown the door at the end of the season.
Alex Browne: A player that has really slipped under the radar. Really liked the look of Alex and think he can be a vital player for us in the future. Tall, good mark and runs like a midfielder. Great asset to have.
Ariel Steinberg: As I haven't seen much of Ariel during the pre-season due to his mishap during the intra-club game, I can't really say much. But I will say this, great size and frame to the young man and who knows, his year in Canada playing gridiron might help his tackling here for the Bombers.
Cale Hooker: Dustin Fletcher v2. We have a real winner on our hands here I think. His long dangley arms and legs are a great asset to have. His is capable of holding the big forwards, i.e Riewoldt N & J, Roughead and the like. Had a great pre-season and is ready to improve even more during the season.
Luke Davis: Much like Steinberg, I haven't seen much of the lad, but from I saw in the game against Brisbane, I think, he looks like a great young talent just trying to find his way into the big time. The move from Adelaide to Melbourne is a big move for any young player. Give him time to adjust and he'll be right to go.
Darcy Daniher: Really liked the early looks of Darcy in his first few years at the Bombers as a defender. Dashing pace and good skills. Unfortunately, injury again has plagued him from playing reserves/senior footy at all lately, but he is doing everything he can to get back out on the park.
Alwyn Davey: Really impressed with Alwyn in the opening few games of the NAB Cup before unfortunately sustaining a hairline fracture in his arm. His defensive pressure has always been a great attribute of his but this year it looks like he has really stepped up a gear and put in that massive pre-season. One problem with Froggy is that he seems a little rushed when disposing of the ball, especially when going at full throttle, needs to steady before disposing.
Paddy Ryder: Paddy is ready to become elite I believe. He is in for a big year. Worked really hard during the pre-season on his ruck work with David Hille and Simon Madden. He is going to take his game to the next level and show the rest of the competition how dangerous he can be.
Dustin Fletcher: This man just doesn't change, absolute phenomenal. Still in the top 5 backmen in the league and never disappoints. He just keeps going and going. No signs of slowing down either. Great to have the great man still apart of the side in 2011.
Travis Colyer: Spent majority of the pre-season in the gym by the looks of things, like Zaharakis, Colyer as really bulked up and dare I say, be our Brent Harvey, quick, good skills, small, slips under the radar! Travis is slick through traffic and can create something from nothing.
Mark Williams: Had a big pre-season shedding 8 kilos off his body weight which is a fantastic sign. Shows how much he has worked during the pre-season. Done all the right things off the field. From early signs of the NAB Cup, get some early goals in the year for Williams could be a real confidence booster for him.
Kyle Hardingam: One of 2 X-factors that our side has. Can play either forward or down back. Has a tremendous leap on him and the second half of last year i'm sure will of earned him a spot in the regular 22. Worked hard as all players during the pre-season have. Mark it down, will take mark of the year one day!
Taite Silverlock: Struggled again with injury, after breaking his leg badly at the end of last year while playing for Bendigo. But has fought back to get back out on the track before the end of the pre-season to prove his worth to Hird and the coaching staff.
Tyson Slattery: Very unlucky to be delisted in the first place. Dashing defensive player who gives his all. Still young and has plenty of time to learn. Had a good pre-season, managing to work on his work rate and skills.
Kyle Reimers: X-Factor number 2. The kid has the skills and the flair to be our Alan Didak, Jason Akermanis. Big Call I know but he just needs to be a bit smarter around goals and around the contests. He reminds me of a Mark McVeigh, fiesty and gave away stupid free kicks. He needs to cut that out of his game and stop trying to stir the pot because he can play. Great skills and a good over-head mark. Pre-season has been interrupted by injury but made a short but successful return against St.Kilda last friday night.
Michael Ross: Young talent who again also had his pre-season interrupted by injury but is back out on the track now in full training, I believe which is a great sign. Michael has great skills and poise for a young man of his caliber. Will be a steal in the draft once he gets out onto the park.
Heath Hocking: Runner up B&F from 2010. Had a fantastic season in 2010 and would really like to Heath step up another gear and be the enforcer in the midfielder. His role most weeks will be as a tagger and I don't mind that has he is a big body player who can lay a big tackle. Capable of going forward and kicking goals too. Also shed some kilos over the pre- season and looks fighting fit for 2011.
Ben Howlett: Surprise packet IMO. Will also enjoy a break-out year in the midfield alongside Watson, Prismall and Stanton. Hard at the ball and has really worked hard on his disposal over the summer and is relishing at the opportunity that has been given to him.
Michael Quinn: Has got 1 last chance IMO. Can perform at VFL level but gets found out at AFL Level. Has he has needed to, he has been working on his disposal over the summer as it has been a massive let down for him over his 3 years at Bomberland.
Nathan Lovett-Murray: NLM is much like Andrew Welsh. Injury has set him back and watching the NAB Cup, IMO, Michael Hibberd has taken NLM's spot, but if NLM manages to get into the starting 22. He has to do everything right to hold onto to that spot.
Michael Hibberd: Super impressive. Great left foot and has really settled into the backline at Essendon. Good speed and good skills means almost a certain spot in the 22 come the start of the year. Seems to be that Hibberd has really enjoyed the start of his career at Essendon and even showing some leadership at trainings.
Tom Bellchambers: Again, super impressive. Really happy with where T-Bell is at, at the moment. Would really like him to continue from his pre-season form and take into the regular season. Worked extremely hard on his endurance, ruck work and skills over the summer and so far is paying dividends. His work rate has been superb over the NAB Cup. Watching him against St.Kilda last Friday Night, one minute took a mark in the backline, followed up into the middle of the ground and found himself at the top of the goal square in the forward line. Really great to see from T-Bell.
Stewart Crameri: Strong mid sized forward who has been the biggest surprise in the NAB Cup. Worked really hard on his upper body strength in the summer and is working well so far as he has shown his NAB Cup games. Great left foot and strong body means when he tackles, they stay tackled. Good to see.
Josh Jenkins: Not your normal ruckmen, only stands at 195cm but has a tremendous leap due to his basketball background. He is a project that Hird and coaching staff are willing to work with. Still as a while to adjust but IMO won't be too bad.
James Webster: Sad to finish like this but I honestly can say, I don't even know what James looks like. But wearing the Red & Black, let's hope he can turn out to be a player
Well that's my take on the pre-season so far.
I am welcome to hear some feedback, positive or negative. Enjoy
