The Improvers!

[MaddAdam]

Which relatively unknown/unheralded/maligned player from your club could you see doing a Stefan Martin (only one example)?

For unknown/unheralded, Jamie MacMillan. Third year coming up. Has only played 13 games. Only thing most people would know about him is getting his face split open last year. Has beautiful skills, reads play well, really seems to be maturing as player and clubman. Can see him nailing down a spot and making it his own next season and people really taking notice of him.

For maligned, Lachie Hansen. Aaron Black should be able to play up forward if he stays fit leaving Lachie to play down back where has played the best footy of his career and where he is needed most. Always looks far more comfortable down back and would have a major impact if left there the whole year.

 

[StringyDog]

Grant - without Hall will get space in forward line.
Wood - Has ability to turn into a very damaging half back
Higgins - Improver from average player to matchwinner (if he gets body right)

 

[SirJimi05]

The gecko!

 

[whatboutbob]

Callum Bartlett, assuming his knees hold together. *touch wood*

 

[Silvagnis]

Picking Chris Masten for the third season in a row. I hear he's training houses down.

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Joseph, Davies and Hampson.

I wouldn't be against playing Joseph up the ground and releasing the shackles. Pacier than Ellard who has a midfield role and ticker. Like him more than Armfield who isn't a footballer.

Davies is almost as unpopular as Russell before he became a good player. Yet he's tracking better than JR at the same stage in their careers. Kept a quality opponent in LeCras quiet in the finals, but our "Usual Suspects" only focussed on the frees he gave away in the first half. Pacy and aggressive defender who backs up his touches with hard running to link up.

Hampson's arguably has the most upside of our entire list if he puts it altogether. Better athlete and tap ruckman than Kreuze with his tap work and ability to smash it into space.

Smokies

Simon White and Rohan Kerr

Kerr could replace Armfield if he has a good pre-season. Isn't as electric as Yarran, Betts and Garlett, but he's a good finisher like Houlihan who we lost to retirement. Harder footballer who pushed into the midfield and kicked 17 goals in 16 VFL games this year. Travelled to Perth as an emergency for the Freo game, so he mightn't be far off getting a game.

White will be up against it due to the young talls we have, but he played a good game on Hurley this year. Might be better suited to play as a hit up forward like Thornton.

 

[Gus]

Will Minson.

4th in the JJ Liston trophy (VFL brownlow) despite playing half the year in the AFL. Amassed a near record 56 hitouts vs Collingwood this season. Kicked a career high 4 goals vs Richmond. As much as he is ridiculed, he has the tools to be a good player. Was never a favourite of Eade, who preferred Hudson.

With Hudson gone and Roughead/Cordy still developing Minson is now our definite #1 ruck.

 

[Gus]

Wood - Has ability to turn into a very damaging half back

Very likely to make the step. I can't believe how many on bigfooty call him a spud.

 

[tigerfan1961]

Reece Conca and Tom Derickx. Maybe even Ivaaaaaan Maric.

Conca especially will be a star, no doubt, particularily after a full pre-season

 

[Knight Ryders]

Heath Hocking

Expect to be given a bit more freedom this year to create some damage the other way. Some say he has already stepped up, but the next step is one of the hardest and I think he is right on track to becoming a top 20 midfielder in the AFL.

He plays with absolute grit and determination and has better skills than given recognition. Just needs to be given the freedom to become an attacking weapon.

 

[Vdubs]

Tom Gillies. Starved of opportunities and thereby confidence, will seize his moments and be BOG , against Hawks, coincidentally. I wish.

Seriously, will need to improve, has great closing speed, and plays better around better players.


About 12 months ago, I selected Tom Lonergan on a similar thread, and he now has a premiership medal, and was a key contributor. Also nominated Tomahawk as a candidate for a breakout year, and he certainly had a breakout finals series.

Something about Tom Cats!

 

[Thommo 42]

Jarrod Witts will take the competition by storm

 

[Jentleman Geff]

Suban, hopefully. If he comes on and plays midfield, could be a crucial difference between being an also ran and a contender.

 

[Rosso]

Big Dawson Simpson for me. Giant ruckman who has been waiting for his chance and with Otto hanging up the boots, the big fella can step up. Only played a few AFL games over the past few years but has shown that he won't be overawed. About 206 + cms, strong overhead and gets around the ground pretty well too (made the final of the GF sprint).

Having the likes of Selwood, Bartel, Corey & Kelly at his feet won't cause any harm either.

 

[Natho]

tom swift and mitch brown, both on the outer. really need brown to step up and see if he has what it takes to step into the backline once glass goes.

 

[blitzer]

I'm calling Howlett from Essendon. His play this year reminds me of Heath Hocking several years ago where he was given a lot of defensive roles but wasn't always successful in limiting his opponent but I just reckon with another year of experience under his belt he could be ready to take the next step. I think also some of our third year players could be good improvers, namely Melksham/Carlisle/Colyer (all could do with a big pre-season and some weights).

 

[angrylion1]

Callum Bartlett, Cornelius & Banfield

 

[Little Jerry]

I reckon David Myers is in for a big year.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Dammit D. Myers was mine, feeling a massive year for the boy. Could be a bit of an announcing year for Melksham I feel too. Will get continued improvement from the likes of Hardingham, Carlisle, Heppell and Zaharakis, but I feel they are at different stages...either not ready to explode, or have already announced themselves.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Will Minson.

4th in the JJ Liston trophy (VFL brownlow) despite playing half the year in the AFL. Amassed a near record 56 hitouts vs Collingwood this season. Kicked a career high 4 goals vs Richmond. As much as he is ridiculed, he has the tools to be a good player. Was never a favourite of Eade, who preferred Hudson.

With Hudson gone and Roughead/Cordy still developing Minson is now our definite #1 ruck.

Good nomination; Minson needs to do one thing to become a really good AFL ruckman for mine.

Simplify his game.

Play disciplined team footy, not unlike a Hudson or a Jamar, and use his marking strength to advantage around the ground.

 

[Suma Magic]

Eric Mackenzie.

To monster forwards next year.

 

[Kram]

Hopefully Michael Walters gets his act together after a disappointing 2011, vertically challenged and not the quickest but has the football skills to be a quality player.

 

[Scootyb]

I hope Morabito comes back with a bang next year.. but we all know how hard it is to step up straight away after a reco

 

[eth-dog]

Michael Ross

 

[Enviable Tradition]

4 of those are first round picks.

True but Lobbe was about to be dropped to SANFL reserves last year.

Butcher has overcome serious back issues.

Moore has been injured a lot.

Jacobs probably should have been left out but he has had some queries over his kicking from some.

 

[Liam Boy]

I agree about Jamie MacMillan. I've been a fan of his for a while now, having met him in person I can tell you he takes nothing for granted and loves his club.

My prediction: Lindsay Thomas. He goes to water having set shots, and towards the end of the year he was being used across half forward as a deliverer to the forwards. He won't need to have set shots at goal from there, and if he keeps this role up he could have a fantastic year.