The Improvers!

[PykeDream]

David Mackay and Brodie Martin, if both can get their bodies right. Sloane isn't really a left field choice, but I think he'll light it up next year anyway.

 

[Vdubs]

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.

I second that nomination. Can not wait for Big Dawson to have his loyalty repaid. Love the way he has genuinely celebrated GF victories with Blake and West whilst being an onlooker. Now is his time to be the next REALLY B I G thing.

 

[AngryLittleMan]

Ben Cunnington...The kid is seriously good, if he can have a big pre-season and hit the ground running from rd 1 he could turn a few heads. Sammy Wright too, can't believe how many North fans don't have him in our best 22.

 

[amer]

David Mackay.

 

[Righteo]

Ben Cunnington...The kid is seriously good, if he can have a big pre-season and hit the ground running from rd 1 he could turn a few heads. Sammy Wright too, can't believe how many North fans don't have him in our best 22.

Bastinac is more impressive than both IMO (not that they won't also become quality players).

For Freo I'll second Walters and Suban.

 

[Saigan]

For the Tigers, Ty Vickery. Will take the comp by storm next year.

 

[LilJeffGarlett]

Barlett, Rich, Polec, Raines, Cornelius and Polkinghorne.

I am not saying they will all Improve but I think a couple of them will.

You missed Karnezis. That guy could be anything IMO.

 

[Dazb86]

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.

Minson is a pretty poor mark. He does everything right before the ball comes. Out bodies his opponent to get a clear grab at the ball every single time. They just never stick. His hands are like concrete.

His main weapon is his physicality. He can go over the top and give away stupid free kicks from time to time because of this.

The only problem with Will is that he often tries to do more than his ability allows. Ie: going for a run and trying to pin point passes on his left. The 2/10 times it comes off is terrific viewing though. If he played safe he'd easily be an AFL quality ruckman IMO because his tap work is pretty good.

 

[Morris Major]

Easton Wood
Jarrad Grant

I bloody hope so, anyway. Having seen them at their best and at their worst.

 

[Gus]

The only problem with Will is that he often tries to do more than his ability allows. Ie: going for a run and trying to pin point passes on his left. The 2/10 times it comes off is terrific viewing though. If he played safe he'd easily be an AFL quality ruckman IMO because his tap work is pretty good.

I still remember a game in 2010 where he bombed a goal from 55 on the run on his left. His field kicking is pretty underrated, and his kicking for goal is one of the more reliable in the side.

I daresay if he wasn't prone to unbelievable brain-fades he'd be rated as one of the better ruckmen in the league already.

 

[Del80659]

jarrad redden
dan stewart
jasper pittard to make a name for himself not just be one we talk about
jarrad irons
matt broadbent
mitch banner

 

[Angelus]

With not having to take on the big monster KPP next year, I see a BIG improvement from Zac Dawson.

No takers for Mitch Clark???......interesting

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

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.

Spot on with Mitch Brown, IMO.

He's a solid player but those awkward injuries knocked him out of the team and there was no way back in with how well Glass, MacKenzie and Schofield went.

I reckon if he gets into the 22 though, he wont come out unless he gets injured.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

No takers for Mitch Clark???......interesting

Not at Melbourne, I suspect they wont win many games again, although they'll improve a touch.

At Fremantle though, Clark would've been playing for a top 4 contender and probably being taken by the 2nd defender. In that case, I would've picked him for this thread.

 

[The Chiefton]

Cruize Garlett (Greg Williams with pace)

 

[Righteo]

Cruize Garlett (Greg Williams with pace)

I swear I've seen quite a few North posters that don't rate him due to his small size, and the fact he dominated in the VFL and still rarely cracked the senior team this year?

 

[Demon 16]

Rohan Bail could start to get noticed next year.

 

[quotemokc]

Hibberd

 

[Daz]

I swear I've seen quite a few North posters that don't rate him due to his small size, and the fact he dominated in the VFL and still rarely cracked the senior team this year?

'Greg Williams with pace' was a troll from a North poster called Jozeph a while ago and it had stuck. The funny thing is Cruize is actually quite slow.


Anyway, my high draft pick nomination is Ben Cunnington. First pre-season and all that stuff. His work in stoppages is beautiful to watch. He's so clean with his hands but still attacks the ball like an animal.

My lesser known nomination is Ben Speight. Was very effective as the super sub last season until he hurt his shoulder. He's a goal kicking winger/hf who has pace and damaging disposal.

 

[juzz_e]

I would've thought Essendon could push hard for a top 4-6 position if Gumby gets up this year.

 

[cotter101]

You missed Karnezis. That guy could be anything IMO.

Thanks for that, I actually meant to put him in instead of Rich.

 

[Ambrosia]

I think the big improvers at Essendon will be our second and third year lesser known players such as Hibberd, Hardingham, Howlett, Carlisle and I know he doesn't really fit the criteria of the op but I can see Jake Melksham having a Zaharakis like year.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

With not having to take on the big monster KPP next year, I see a BIG improvement from Zac Dawson.

No takers for Mitch Clark???......interesting

Considering he's a player who it is expected will perform to a good level then...

No, he shouldn't be included in this thread.

Nor should players like Higgins or Ryder.

This thread is for the unheralded player.

 

[Macca19]

Simon Phillips would be one as we do need a quick goal sneak.

Andrew Moore is another that really needs to show why he was picked in the first round but has been injury riddled as well.

Ben Newton was picked in the 2nd round last year but only played about 5 games of SANFL reserves, missing the rest of the year with injury. We need all the midfielders to come on as we can get.

Mitch Banner and Matt Broadbent need to really become effective AFL players and improve their fitness

Desperately need either Dan Stewart or Daniel Webb to become a viable consistent option at AFL level.

 

[Spanish_Fly]

I also like the Minson nominations.

From the Tiges its Dylan Grimes, probably not many opposition supporters would currently rate him but by the end of the yrear they will. The other to keep an eye out for is Matt Dea, late bloomer who played basketball as a kid and has a fantastic body on him and plenty of courage too.