Unheralded Improvers

[1981]

Which players this year maybe haven’t got the recognition they deserve, for improving their game?

I put forward Sam Rowe. I’m not sure he has been taken to the cleaners much by any great forwards (has he?), but more to the point I have been impressed with his marking. I was critical of his marking efforts last year, often he would juggle/drop marks much of the time uncontested. But this year he seems to have held on to them a lot more, so credit to him. He is still not the safest user of it, but I think he is underrated – he is a true tall, big bodied defender we need right now.

 

[HARKER]

Docherty has taken the next step this year and adds a lot more than just on-field value.

Can't believe this is the same guy I watched labouring through his first pre-season training session with us, three years ago.

 

[Blue__Balls]

Simon White. Still not sure he should be in the seniors as a regular, but he's yet to put a foot wrong. Gets given a job, does the job, no fuss. Backs himself against the game's best and if he doesn't win the contest he'll damn well halve it.

Ed Curnow. Has probably been our most consistent midfielder for the year, and would have featured in our bests more often than not. Cripps carrying a niggle, Murphy out injured, Gibbs good in patches - Curnow has kept our midfield going far beyond what anyone would have believed possible.

 

[Windhover]

Simon White. Still not sure he should be in the seniors as a regular, but he's yet to put a foot wrong. Gets given a job, does the job, no fuss. Backs himself against the game's best and if he doesn't win the contest he'll damn well halve it.

Ed Curnow. Has probably been our most consistent midfielder for the year, and would have featured in our bests more often than not. Cripps carrying a niggle, Murphy out injured, Gibbs good in patches - Curnow has kept our midfield going far beyond what anyone would have believed possible.

Agree with you on Ed. He used to be a pretty ordinary kick but he has obviously worked on it and has become very reliable, almost in the Sam Mitchell class.

 

[Azul]

Phillips - 'Sammy' is proving AFL capable after not seeing much action at GWS.
Plowman - Likewise hadn't played much footy. As shown in the recent Collingwood game is still a work in progress but settling in.

 

[Cutz]

For me it was Ciaran Byrne..Watching the decisions he makes along with the runs out of the back line are great to watch..Spewing he hurt his knee, but look forward to his return....

 

[HBF]

Ed Curnow for me. Really didn't think he had this sort of quality in him, particularly his kicking. It's improved out of sight.

 

[P_Crippy]

+1 for E Curnow.

 

[1981]

Yes agreed on Curnow.

Used to be you could rely on him for at least 1 horrendous turnover a week, which would oftentimes result in a goal the other way.

But those sorts of glaring errors have been much limited this year.

Credit to him.


Simon White also.

I have long been a fan. He is no superstar but he tries his guts out, is a pretty good kick, is versatile, and goes hard. An often unheralded foot soldier. And, let’s be honest, perhaps the most fan-neglected player on the list for a long time. Maybe he needs a more colourful name LOL. Can we call him Joe Orange?

 

[BLUEALLTHRU]

Probably not the correct thread but can I just say I didn't think Simmo could get better but he has and I think he is easily the best player at Carlton.

He will go down as one of my favourite players I have watched at Carlton.

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

Ed Curnow. Has probably been our most consistent midfielder for the year, and would have featured in our bests more often than not. Cripps carrying a niggle, Murphy out injured, Gibbs good in patches - Curnow has kept our midfield going far beyond what anyone would have believed possible.

Ed has taken another step, no doubt. Unfortunately, I don't think he's drastically improved his disposal and decision making much and it's still hurting us. The past few games sans Murphy has shown us how much we are lacking in this area. For the record, I love what Ed brings to the side. But we won't drastically improve until he is our fifth banana, as opposed to our second or third.

I agree re White, he has been good. Plowman too, often playing on blokes considerably bigger than him. Have like Matthew Wrights contribution at times too.

 

[Blue Warrior]

Curnow and Rowe have improved to become valuable members and leaders at our club.

 

[Love the Drake]

Rowe. Has been so reliable. Crashes packs and gets a fist to the ball, wins one on one contests. His body work has improved dramatically.

White and Wright also surprised me with their output

 

[AB_Blue]

I think Kade Simpson is having a career best season.

There was some serious talk that this guy was stagnating last year and many posters on this forum were calling for this season to be his last......

I'd give him a 2 year deal. The bloke is a marvel and is relishing a stable backline which he is marshalling to perfection.

 

[Jabba73]

Without knowing the ins and outs of the club, I suspect that Neil Craig has had a fair bit to do with the improvements we have made this year. His experience seems to have complimented Boltons enthusiasm and from snippets I have seen of training he seems to get when players need some one on one treatment.

Bolton is rightly getting the kudos for the direction of the club and will also rightly wear the blame if it goes pear shaped. I think he would be grateful to have a wise head to bounce ideas off and curb any overreach a rookie coach might accidentally make.

Not a player, but playing a big role that is not in the spotlight.

 

[Tambourine]

I think simpson has gone to another level. As mentioned some people thought this would be his last season. Now we are hoping he continues on for a few more.

Plowman has been a very handy pick up. Definitely surprised me.

 

[BlueMania]

Casboult, pretty sure he has improved his knack for kicking behinds

Ok, yes, that was my attempt at humour but seriously, I really like what I have seen from Phillips so far and think he will be around for the long term.

 

[thylacine60]

Armfield. His best season may be his last.

 

[GoBlues!]

Armfield. His best season may be his last.

Agree.

Reckon Bolts would like a transfusion of Army's passion and drive into some our other players.

 

[Wiggo4PM]

Jury is still out for me on this - I did want the number 34 in the team kicking arse again - so im kinda happy there.

However, as much as Ive liked bryne rise which was expected somewhat.

I like what Sumnut is doing personally.



I like what he does to Priddis at the 19:06 mark of the first quarter - pretty sure he learnt that from Allan Langer the infamous broncos/qld small man who perfected the trip tackle.

For reference - I could dig more of these little things out he does, but this made me lol the hardest of the lot.

(not gunna bother to gif it etc, just watch from this point onwards and what he does to priddis one handed, if you have the game handy)

 

[BALKAN]

I thought Sam Rowe was cooked, but has elevated his game and been one of our most reliable defenders.

I also thought Ed Curnow would be nothing more than a fringe player but has been a top 3 player this season IMO.

Kade Simpson continues to surprise me, definitely doesn't look or play like the oldest bloke at the club, and his ability to be a strong leader and competitor even if everything around him is crumbling is astounding.

 

[gbatman]

Gibbs - has been great but was injured for most of last season and was good the season before.
Simpson - Been really good but was really good last year.
Kreuzer - Has generally been the same throughout his career but to get through a whole season (touch wood) is a massive improvement. Not sure where the whole Kreuzer must be injured or there's something wrong with him has come from, I know he hasn't lifted in performance but to jump in games played is really good.
Docherty - No doubt he has gone up a level, if his ball use was a little better he'd be AA but still might be.
Armfield - He's played more games which is good and he's kicked plenty of goals.
Thomas - Obviously has played better football but has played pretty much a whole season for the first time in a long time which is a good improvement.
White - Has been pretty solid and consistent. Has had a better run with injuries.
Wright - Has been a consistent AFL player and has been good.
Kerridge - Has been a consistent AFL player and has been good.
Phillips - really stepped up and improved as the season has gone on and looks like a solid AFL player.
Plowman - stepped up to become a consistent AFL player.
Rowe - been our main improver, been really solid at full back.
Byrne - was outstanding in what was practically his debut season before getting injured.

Slipped
Walker - Slowly diminishing as an AFL player
Buckley - really slipped as a footballer early in the season but has jumped a long way recently. Could go in either category.
Everitt - Slipped way off the reservation.
Jamison - peaked a long time ago and has gradually declined.
Murphy - Football was great but body has really let him down after a good season last year.