The Improvers!

[Righteo]

Everyone LOVES Sam Reid, yet Jones had nearly the exact same output as him this year. Both have trouble with set shots, both are awesome contested marks. When Jones sorts out his kicking, he will be a very good CHF.

I agree, Swans fans won't agree but I reckon that's a decent comparison. Once both of them get their kicking issues sorted they'll be formidable players.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Not to be too harsh but isn't he expected to miss half of next season as well?
Very hard to improve on this years performance with the sort of stuff he's going through.

Can't see him ever being a top 15 in AFL to be honest, but would be good of him to try hit this years form again.

Nope wellsy is expected to play round 1. Also the condition he has is very minor, its only serious if it stays untreated for a long time but thankfully our medical staff found it quick so its being treated.
He can still do weights and run but no physical contact till march. By then the blood clots will have disappeared and he will be back at 100% fitness so he will still have a full pre-season and also play round 1.
I think he will/can improve on this year again albeit he set a high standard for himself to improve on but if he does i could see him being in the top 15 in the comp, finished top 10 in the coaches award this year so he would want to match that effort again.

also my tip for big improvers at north next year are lindsay thomas and ben cunnington

 

[Jesus Baulks]

Incredible optimist in me says Jack Watts

 

[Demon 16]

Incredible optimist in me says Jack Watts

Didnt notice he already showed something this year?

 

[BlackCaviar]

Didnt notice he already showed something this year?

jack darling showed as much in my eyes but maybe I'm harsh
will be close between them over the years to come I think

 

[Roachy8]

Incredible optimist in me says Jack Watts

Watts will be a very fine player.

I reckon Alex Rance will surprise a few...

 

[Igloo]

jack darling showed as much in my eyes but maybe I'm harsh
will be close between them over the years to come I think

Darling is a lot more physically developed than Watts, while still being 2 years younger. Less room for potential improvement in him, while there is plenty in Watts.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I think Darling might only be a year younger than Watts.

I don't think Darling has shown as much as Watts; if you were to examine their seasons as 19 year olds (ie. Watts 2010) then Darling definitely showed more than Watts did.

Watts' 2011 was a whole lot better than Darling's 2011; for a few reasons ... but I don't want to derail the thread!!

From another improver perspective I think Bellchambers will really step up next year; he has the potential to be a fantastic ruckman IMO.

He's probably a bit more 'heralded' than most but I think as he's currently the third in line for ruck duties at Essendon he's worth a mention.

 

[juzz_e]

Darling won the Carlton final of his own boot. Kids a gun.

 

[StringyDog]

I don't rate Jones tbh. Whenever i've watched him he's seemed to crack at critical moments. I remember a game this year when he spilt an easy mark about 40m directly in front, under no pressure. He also sprayed an easy shot.

He's only 20 years old FFS, Scott would give anything to have a young forward with as much scope as Jones as North have no young talls that have shown anything near what Jones has shown.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Darling won the Carlton final of his own boot. Kids a gun.

Never said he wasn't.

 

[Schulzenfest]

I could list a whole bunch of obvious ones like Hartlett and Butcher, but to stick to the OP:

Maligned:

Justin Westhoff: Was crap for a long time before 2011, but was arguably Port's best player in 2011 before he got injured mid-season. At his best this year he was arguably the best player in the competition at taking contested marks floating over the top of/in front of a pack (was in or around the top 5 in the AFL for contested marking before his injury). His height combined with his mobility make him a very difficult match-up, especially when played on the wing as he was at times this year. Has always had big problems with consistency, but Daniel Wells showed this year that players can overcome those problems. AFL players tend to break out in their 6th year, and this will be the 6th year in the AFL system for the Hoff. At his best, he's a very good player, and if he can continue the steps forward he took in '11 and show his best more consistently in '12, he'll be a massive improver.

Jay Schulz: Has kicked 56 goals in his last 25 games, but nobody outside of SA seems to have noticed. Averaged nearly two goals a game this year despite his season being significantly affected by injury. If he can get his body right in 2012 he could easily be a 50 goal forward.

Unheralded

Mitch Banner: Was brought into Port's side for the second half of the year this year and quietly went about averaging 18.8 disposals and 1.6 goals as a midfielder/half forward in his last 5 games without anybody noticing. Mitch can rack up touches in the midfield or kick a few goals as a crumbing forward, and if he keeps up his late season form over a whole year then surely people outside the club will start noticing him.

Simon Phillips: I probably hope this one more than think it, but Phillips has a ton of potential. Is quick as hell, has good attacking instincts, great goalsense and puts on a lot of defensive pressure, but in his first few games at AFL level he just couldn't pick up the ball without fumbling it and it ruined his game. In his last two games he finally showed some clean hands and consequently played two very promising games, but then did his shoulder and was out for the rest of the season. If those clean hands carry over into 2012, Port will have a quality quick crumbing forward on their hands, which is a position we've been looking to fill for years.

 

[Yabba]

From another improver perspective I think Bellchambers will really step up next year; he has the potential to be a fantastic ruckman IMO.

He's probably a bit more 'heralded' than most but I think as he's currently the third in line for ruck duties at Essendon he's worth a mention.

I agree, would be surprised if he doesn't knock Hille out of the team early next season.

I am going to nominate a player who played well this year, but then went down injured. Hamish Hartlett, if he play for a full season it will make Port a much tougher opposition. They may still struggle, but not like the end of this year where most times they were smacked.

 

[Righteo]

Watts will be a very fine player.

I reckon Alex Rance will surprise a few...

The Jack Watts bashing was always undeserved. Skinny KPP's always take a few years before they starting playing well consistently, even if they are No 1 picks.

Looking foward to seeing Watts and Jurrah do their thing next year.

 

[Purplrrr]

From freo, I think Matt Deboer will really prove his importance to the team. Will never be a superstar, but does a whole bunch of the important things. Would be nice to see Suban actually play out a season and see if that potential can shine.

The non-freo player I'm really excited to watch next year is Luke Parker from the swannies. Get to watch him live, and think that he really looks like he will cement a place in the team. Have Luke Parker envy...

 

[Greyman05]

The Jack Watts bashing was always undeserved. Skinny KPP's always take a few years before they starting playing well consistently, even if they are No 1 picks.

Looking forward to seeing Watts and Jurrah do their thing next year.

Admire your style Riteo. there's so many good young players running around. It's good to kick back and watch (sometimes in awe) of the likes of Fyfe, Darling, Dangerfield, Redden, McKenzie, Jurrah & Martin weave their magic, even if they are playing against your side.

 

[Jesus Baulks]

Didnt notice he already showed something this year?

How to pick up cheapies on the back flank you mean?

 

[cotter101]

How to pick up cheapies on the back flank you mean?

You just don't know anything about any other teams players

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

How to pick up cheapies on the back flank you mean?

Keep it on topic prease.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Patrick Veszpremi perhaps?

I've liked the look of him every time I've seen him. What do you Bulldog fans reckon?

 

[Jesus Baulks]

Keep it on topic prease.

How am I not on topic? Jack Watts fits the OP perfectly, no idea why you try to chuck his name in alongside some young guys that already are good/great footballers when Watts is anything but.

Watts has struggled with the hack tagged, somewhat unfairly, he is maligned and the incredible optimist in me says he might evolve into a semi-decent player next year. GG topic.

 

[juzz_e]

Watts is already a decent player. Could be an outstanding player if he shows as much improvement in 2012 as he did in 2011. Definitely is not 'anything but' a good footballer.

 

[Demon 16]

How to pick up cheapies on the back flank you mean?

Take it to the bay sweet cheeks.

Is Garry Rohan worth a mention here - or has he already showed enough? He could be ready for a bit of a breakout I reckon.

 

[LeverPuller]

A sneaky one - Ryan Lester from Brisbane. I know he's been injured, but I actually know the guy (mates with his brother) and he's pumped and seriously ready to go, high expectations of himself after he was really disappointed with his foot injury. Played some good games before he did his foot, too (played really well against us if I remember right).

 

[cotter101]

A sneaky one - Ryan Lester from Brisbane. I know he's been injured, but I actually know the guy (mates with his brother) and he's pumped and seriously ready to go, high expectations of himself after he was really disappointed with his foot injury. Played some good games before he did his foot, too (played really well against us if I remember right).

Certainly showed good signs and played well. Will play down back next year or even the midfield!, I would rather him playing as that third tall down back instead of Patful.