Prediction Take 5

[CJMB]

1. Jack Silvagni - IMO, one of the smartest players we have and a real heart and soul player who is unfairly maligned based on stats. I was surprised by how many were happy to trade him and how little the Silvagni name meant around the joint these days. I want him to succeed more than any other player.

2. Liam Stocker - Another player maligned in some quarters because he was part of a risky pick swap and because SOS rated him highly. Zero progress in the 2020 hub life means he needs to really show something in 2021. I like what I saw in 5 games in his first season and I want him to fire a shot for SOS and stick it up the Crows further.

3. Brodie Kemp - Love a good slider. The kid has the size and talent to be anything. Like any player you recruit injured, you just can't wait to see them strut their stuff.

4. Paddy Dow - Fairly maligned. Yeah, I said it. For a guy who likes getting the ball in traffic and bursting clear, he has looked positively timid up forward and without the ball. He has ball handling skills, but his kicking has let him down. I want him to succeed mainly because of what we paid for him at the draft, but also because of how good our midfield could be if he finds confidence and fulfils his talent.

5. Tom Williamson - I love this kid. I love his confidence and daring. He has half cemented a spot in the back half but we have recruited 2 guys who can also play the role Tom plays. I think be can become a dead set gun in the Andrew Walker mould and I do not want to see him regress and lose his spot.

I like this ‘have to get (back) into the 22’ (Williamson the obvious exception) top 5.

Jack is an interesting one, he’s been in the team more often than not when fit, has been mentioned this preseason as one of the guys that’s impressed the coaches (alongside Dow, Walsh, Fish, Setters), and while his specific role isn’t quite as definite as others, he certainly brings something to the table in terms of footy IQ, 1%ers, etc.

Dow, Kemp, Stocker all have ability and attributes that would compliment the team. Would love for them all to find a way to force themselves into selection.

I’d probably also tack on the end Fogarty, there’s been some positive talk and the club must rate him to give him #8, and we could use another good tackler in the side.

Also Durdin I’m intrigued by. First pick ahead of the big slider Carrol, so we clearly targeted and really wanted him.

With Betts at the end, there’s definitely a spot that will free up after him, and I’m sure the club will rest him multiple times during the year to try and get the most out of him before he hangs up the boots. We could see Durdin or Fogarty get a few games (each?) in that small fwd role. Either way, they’ve got a genuine opportunity to become entrenched in the 22 by seasons end.