Your top 5 suprise packets of 2011

[Bestbird]

Going into the 2nd bye with a very suprising 9-4 record we have had a raft of players that had performed way beyong expectations

My top 5 are

1. Kerr - In the pre season, going by training reports i thought his career was likely over or at best would have a limited impact. Instead he has shown more than just glimpses of his old form.

2. Q Lynch - Really struggled last year and i thought his role within the side was limited. He has come out this year playing a specalist position and has thrived with his marking being a real highlight.

3. Nicoski - Looked at best a depth player after being given a chance as a forward last year where he struggled. This year has been given a similar role and has had a real impact.

4. A Smith - Looked likely to be playing plenty of games in the WAFL this year but with the injury to Waters was given a chance. After a slowish start has really started to thrive in his role across half back. Kicking 2 goals on the weekend a real bonus.

5. J Darling - I thought he was more AFL ready than most 18 yo draftees but his impact across half forward is still way above expectations. His football smarts and willingnes to take the game on are incredible for a player of his experience.

 

[groga]

1. Q Lynch - best ive seen him play.

2. Nicoski - Not a fan but is playing some good footy.

3. Emac - Been injured but when he has played has been fantastic. We are a much better side when he is playing imo. Would have him ahead of glass as are number 1 defender.

4. Smith - Great year so far really stepping up.

5. Kerr - Surprised at his year is playing amazing footy.

 

[Ochre]

1. The whole team

 

[xLeCrAs2x]

1. Our whole defence unit: iv always rated hurn very high but this year he has blown me away definately an A grader, glass and butler have been more reliable than ever, Mckenzie and Schofield were the two defenders i didnt rate highly due to their shocking disposal but have now become two of our most important, Schofield with his pace to rebound and Eric has been awesome with his marking and 1on1 defending, both with good disposal now and im comfortable when the ball is in their hands unlike the past

2. The Q stick : i honestly thought he would be a depth player only this year but keeps proving me wrong every week which is awesome

3. Mark Nicoski: never rated him till this year! awesome turnaround

4. Lecras in the midfield: i didnt expect him to be that good!

5. Luke shuey: always had high hopes for him but didnt think he would impact the team so early the way he has been, for a bloke thats played 20 odd games he is a star

 

[xLeCrAs2x]

I wouldve mentioned Kerr but i never wrote him off in the first place and always thought hes a superstar when hes on, iv always rated him at his best higher than judd and below cousins

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

I think there are a lot of candidates here, and the key thing you can take out of that is that they're all making each other look very, very good.

Would Nicoski be playing as well as he is if the team as a whole was playing like last year? Would Lynch? Would Kerr if he wasn't getting the support he is? Would Shuey if he was the first man opposition teams had to shut down? Would Smith look as good if injuries to other players had forced him to play on better forwards?

I don't mean to talk down any individual performances - quite the contrary - but I think the way the team is going at the moment just proves how insignificant an individual is when you compare their output to that of the team as a whole. And you know what, I'm ****ing glad the whole team is kicking ass right now.

 

[jknothimjustafan]

I think my biggest surprise has been q and the role he is playing at the moment. I think that last year this is the role he wanted to play (lead up CHF) but Worsfold wanted to play him closer to goal ala during 05 06. i think there must have been lots of discussion over the pre season between the 2 and they came to a conclusion that has been working really well so far.

 

[Suma Magic]

1. Masten - thought he was going to be in our best 18 at least
2. Hams - wouldn't have dreamed he'd be languishing in the WAFL
3. Embley - looks young again
4. Strijk - he was so good for us last year
5. Sheppard - is he just lacking size, or did we make a mistake?

 

[gsmiths_s]

1.Darling
A key position first round draft pick (especially at 26) is not expected to play to his level in their first year. (Jack Watts anyone?) Especially as he was a massive draft slider, as it turns out for nothing related to his ability. The jealousy seen in the Victorian press everytime he gets the ball is great as its salt in the wounds that most other teams could have drafted him.

2. Lynch
Has come good again. I thought he did well in 2009 as second ruckman, surprise midfielder and then 2010 WC didn't know where to play him. This year his marking has been brilliant and other then his clumsy reports on the weekend, has been a pivitol link player to the other forwards, while getting a gew goals himself.

3. Embly
He must thinks its 2006 as he has come back from the dead. Over here in the East a couple of pundits (Crawford) has put him in the half year All Australian sides. Well deserved too. That banana he kicked at Subiaco earlier in the year was timeless. In 2010his season was summed up in Subiaco when he went for a bounce vs St Kilda running into an open goal. He coughed it up and it went to the other end for a goal. The contrast is blinding.

4. Kerr, Cox & Glass
Getting them back from injury and then finding that they can more then still play shows what the side missed in 2010. 2008 & 2009 for Kerr. Cox to Kerr in ruck knocks is poetry in motion. Glass is impossible to get around. It's why we are knocking on the top four.

5. Masten & Sheppard
For high draft picks they have never really got going. Masten gets injured everytime he looks like he may arrive and Sheppard is clanger prone. They make good depth however I'm sure we expected them to be challenging for the top 22 more then they are.

 

[Strijkforce]

1. Darling - has to be, astounded we got him and happily surprised with his early impact.
2. Q Lynch - return to 2006 form, great stuff.
3. Kerr - so many doubts over his injuries
4. Nicoski - no one saw his revival coming
5. Hams - has dropped off the radar

Masten I am not surprised about at all.

Strijk has picked up injuries, which happens.

 

[paran]

1. Forward press: never expected us to be as advanced as we are. Saw glimpses last season, but at another level this year.
2. Jack Darling: loved the pick, but didn't think he'd be this good playing HFF and being so integral to our press and attack via his marking.
3. Embley: slowed down a step last year and once that happens to guys his age you don't predict them getting it back. He's adjusted and improved.
4. Ash Smith: stepped up to be our best stopper of those small forwards that always gave us trouble and has settled in well with the rest of our D.
5. Lynch: thought he was done as he didn't show much at FF cast year, but he's finally taking those contested marks that used to bound off his head and is absolutely integral to our success.

 

[INSANE]

1: Jack Darling- I knew how talented and athletic he was from seeing him live at the last two championships in Vic....But, I'm surprised at how quickly (given he's a KPP) he's impacted in any role or position assigned to him. Also, heard from someone at the club that he was on a modified program until the new year and had a few setbacks in the pre-season which makes his form even more impressive.

2: Q-Stick- His marking has really surprised me this year....He never stops leading and presenting and he has rarely played a bad game this year.

3: Kerr- I'm one of those people that thought he was gone for good, maybe capable of the odd very good game but not likely to play the consistent week in week out 4 qtr footy which he has. Didn't think we'd see the explosive speed and quick reactions at stoppages that made him brilliant around 03-07, but we have.

4: Glass- Similar to Kerr, I thought he was physically wrecked and had lost it a little. I was wrong, he is the rock once more and is clearly having a very positive effect on MacKenzie and Schofield. He's invaluable.

5: Sheppard- I thought he would be cemented in the team and a vital part of the back line. Unlike some here though I'm not questioning his first round selection. We saw last year when he was smaller, lighter and less experienced how well he can play in a dreadful team so this is just a 2nd year blues thing and nothing at all to be concerned about....He's played what....15 games?

 

[Belltower]

Lynch - clearly biggest resurrection since Lazarus, even in 2005/2006 wasn't taking contested grabs like this year.
Nicoski - Thought he was done, has made defensive/crumbing forward his own
Embley - Clanger king last year and in the preseason, thought he should start in the WAFL and earn his spot, I was wrong, Kudos coaches
Strijk/Hams - not in best 22, thought they were locks on last years great form
Schofield - Early year he was still shite but in the last 6 weeks has been outstanding and now has the confidence to kick a goal, want to see more of that.

Smith hasn't surprised me, I thought he looked good last year. I hadn't given up on Kerr but I wasn't sure he'd return to form so quickly. Cox,Glass champions no doubts on their output.

9-4 definitely surprised, a spot in the finals is there for us to lose. If we can maintain the same focus and form we have had this year 5th spot beckons.

 

[lecras#2]

1. Darling - What a gun, never expected him to proform this while in season one as KPP. We have the next Pavlich in our hands i think

2. Kerr, Embley, Glass, Cox - All had injury riddled seasons last year and was not sure if they would have much impact this season but they have all blitzed it and a big reason we are 5th on the ladder

3. Nickoski, Lynch - Looked nothing more then depth players but now lynch is one of our most important players and nicko has been playing so good that Hams, Weedon, Stryke ect cant even get a game

4. Shuey - We no he had potential but has exceded expectations by miles this year. how can we nail Shuey and Darling at picks 18 and 26 but cant pick a gun player with picks 3 and 7????

5. Whoosha - Under fire all last year, many thought this would be his last year but he has managed to get all the old troops up and firing as well as educating the younger players

 

[ndot]

1. nicoski - looked like a waste of list space, but has proven crucial to the press and is keeping the likes of strijk, weedon and hams in the WAFL

2. embley - played some hideous, atrocious football last year and looked completely done as a footballer. still has a tendency to drop his bundle and when the team's not "on", but has improved light years on last year

3. butler - he's better than i ever gave him credit for, and now that he's stringing games together he's vital to our side. hopefully waters' return doesn't offset this.

4. smith - his pace is crucial to us as we have traditionally (at least over the past few years) been torn to shreds by quick small forwards. kicking is still suspect but his potential replacement (waters) is probably worse in that regard

5. lynch - has been reborn as forward now that he doesn't have to be the main key forward. has always given it his all, depsite being poor last year, and he's delivered massively this year.

kerr and cox are both proven, elite GUNS, so anyone who has them on their lists should slap themselves for ever doubting them

 

[The Dodger]

Lynch - clearly biggest resurrection since Lazarus, even in 2005/2006 wasn't taking contested grabs like this year.

5. Lynch - Agree on above. IMO it is career best form. Seems to have gelled a role further up the ground '09 with his good forward work from the '06 era. Thought he was gone, couldn't think of a position on the field for him and at the start of this year would have preferred CWilson getting the go. Was happy to hear GO EAGLES training reports saying that he was one of the best performed, and happy that he is playing well.

4. Kerr - Hadn't given up but did not expect much based on everything I kept hearing. When he came back thought it might be year of average footy just to get confidence back in his body, and hopefully next year see that acceleration, but here we are.

3. Rosa - Improved last year but I think the improvement this year has not just been a steady curve. A lot of the knocks I had on him about his game are disappearing.

2. Butler - Maybe my ignorance but was unaware of just how much impact this guy has being involved in bringing the ball out of defence. Was the part of the ground that was fraught with peril last year as teams could really man up on Bunger and our sure avenue out of defence was stopped. Harder when they wax between themselves until they can find someone in a good position.

1. Darling - Heard that he was an undersized KPF that still moved like a KPF so he was not going to make it at the top level. Have to say was happy hearing that we got him draft day and his arrogance has been a big positive to a team that was badly beaten last year and down on confidence.

I could go on and on... and I will

As someone said above Lecras in the midfield - thought he could do it but thought it was robbing Peter to pay Paul as he would get bogged down in the stats game of possessions but no goals. But has worked a treat as he really knows when to cheat forward of the play to be on the end of plays and still have scoring opportunities when playing up the ground.

Nicoski - I'm still not sold completely but he has surprised me so far. He really likes getting into it and the other players seem to really like him.

Naitanui - I keep thinking that one day he will go bang and the league will sit up and take notice. But am very happy that his improvement is more solid than flashy. He is impacting games at stoppages at ground level as well as becoming a great tap ruckman. Also his tackling is a treat to watch.

Not sure why I did 5,4,3...must have thought giving out votes for improvement this year

 

[Strijkforce]

kerr and cox are both proven, elite GUNS, so anyone who has them on their lists should slap themselves for ever doubting them

Surely we can be pleasantly surprised on how well Kerr has returned from injury.*

*Touching wood as I type this.

 

[AnyDanger]

5. Lynch - career best form didnt see it coming
4. Darling - knew hed be good, but never this good this early
3. Rosa - surprised us all
2. Nico - Hard to admit but no saw him playin every game for the first half of the year
1. Sheppard - Dishonourable mention, hopefully just second year blues :/

Expected masten to be sh!t, was hopeful Kerr would still be a gun. Embers has surprised a bit too. Everyone else whos performed i expected - Cox Priddas JK Lecras NUII and even Shuey

 

[Mattman93]

1. The whole team

So much this.

 

[UpForGrabs]

For me, it's all about Nicoski.

I'd written him off ages ago. There's posts by me on this forum where I slag him repeatedly.

I was wrong and I'm glad I get to admit that. I never mind being proven wrong when it means that the result is someone playing great footy.

 

[Anjahads]

1.Darlingid not think he was this good or would have this much impact.

2.Q Stick:Thought the big fella would struggle but now deserves to see his career out at this club

3.Rosa and Priddis:Liked there consistently good form.

4.Mckenzie and Schofield:Even though both have not played all games I have been very impressed with how good they look.

5.Masten:Still hope Masten will develop into a soild player ,needs to improve alot.

High mentions toCox,Glass and Kerr.I salute these soldiers

 

[flyinghi64]

Kerr, Shuey and Woosh I say have had great years and surprised many but I honestly already rated them and thought they would be good.

Embley - New he stil had it in him but didn't think he would turn it on like he has. Great year, prob best form turnaround of the older group.

Smitty - thought there was 6-10 guys in front of him, now there's 6-10 guys in line behind him. Now pretty much cemented in our back 6-8.

Q-Stick - has he ever marked this well???? Thought he would come good as the team did but not this good.

Schoefield - Though he was a bit of a turnover dud and would only be a fill in player, proved me wrong.

Darling - to play every game to date, hold his spot and be a key forward as an 18 yr old first year player, ridiculous.

 

[Trouto]

So much love for the Eagles atm, especially for the old firm who we wrote off. None of us wanted to, it was mainly born out of frustration seeing our favorite players turn to shit. Great to see legends like Lynch, Kerr, Nico, Embers etc turning it on

 

[DivideandMultiply]

I reckon we are doing this year what many expected last year.

I posted a prediction thread before the '10 season that we could/should make the finals with the list we had.

That Kennedy had A-Grade potential, Kerr if fit would make a huge difference if he regained his fitness, Nicoski would impact and prove doubters wrong etc.

Gee how wrong was I (2010 season).

But a season on many of the things we had hopes for or speculated about may come to fruition (by seasons end). So I think in a way going by our players potential it is not a huge surprise that many of the listed players have done what they have done and yet going by recent results (2010) I couldn't pick 5, so instead would nominate the whole squad.

Regardless I still plan to remain pessimistic till the season is over.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

1. Masten - thought he was going to be in our best 18 at least
2. Hams - wouldn't have dreamed he'd be languishing in the WAFL
3. Embley - looks young again
4. Strijk - he was so good for us last year
5. Sheppard - is he just lacking size, or did we make a mistake?

You can tell who the pessimistic supporters are, can't you? Really, 4 out of 5 as negatives?

For me...pretty much the same as everyone else.

1. Lynch = obvious. How are the dukes!
2. Nicoski = been great as a crumbing forward/flanker.
3. Kerr = getting back to playing some damn good footy.
4. Darling = has had an immediate impact.
5. Priddis = added a few more strings to his bow, well picked GOEAGLES!