I have done a compilation of player ratings for the last 2 years and decided to go again. The ratings are based on the player’s effect on the competition, rather than potential etc and every player who gets a game, gets a rating. No games = 0 rating. The ratings given for last year are in brackets for the appropriate players.
1. Andrew Walker – 3 (3 last year)
Injury again robbed AW of the chance to make an impact on the football world. I still believe he is an important player for our structure and has the potential to break out to be a genuine star, rather than a useful contributor. Pace is important to our structure. Sometimes bites off more than he can chew, but adds unpredictability. His rating is affected by the lack of games played, but his form (as it was last year) was a bonus late in the season.
2. Jordan Russell – 6 (6)
I thought he improved last year, stalled earlier this season and then improved again in the second half. I like JR. He has his
moments, but he keeps working. His hardness at the footy and commitment to the contest is excellent. Forward last year, he played his best footy on the half back flank this year, and that was the position he was originally drafted for. Still divides the community on his talent, but the mistake in the Adelaide game in round 22 stands out – the give and go handball and kick, that was smothered by Hentschel, who kicked a goal. I look at the “glass half full” perspective and applaud his courage to take the game on, in a situation where we were lazy and no one presented. The goal was caused by lack of support, not lack of effort. I think JR is good enough to play 150 games. 3. Marc Murphy – 9 (8)
Improved again this year and is a quality on-baller, bordering on competition star. 31 goals is an excellent effort for a centre square player. Two knocks on him: occasionally sloppy by foot and can be lazy defensively, but has the tools to be an out and out champion. Terrific season and deserved of his place in the All-Australian squad, and should poll well in the Brownlow. I believe he is worthy of inclusion in the final All-Australian team.
4. Bryce Gibbs – 8.5 (7)
Again the first half of his year was a bit slower than the second half, where he was magnificent. Sensational user of the ball, and decision maker in traffic. A bit quiet in the final, but he was terrific in close (where he has previously been criticized) and is just a star. Very unlucky not to be rewarded with a place in the All-Australian 40 man squad.
5. Chris Judd – 9 (8)
Better than last year and just unbelieveable in traffic. Only issues with his Carlton form are his occasionally sloppy disposal and his lack of goals, but these are probably more a reflection of his different role as an inside midfielder at the Blues. Some criticism about his defensive play, but not everyone can be a tagger - he is the player you build your team around. Excellent role model for our kids. An absolute privilege to watch him play. Good Brownlow chance.
6. Kade Simpson – 7 (7)
Solid again, but prone to occasional quiet patches. Could kick more goals, but his tackling and body work for a skinny player are excellent. One of the few who breaks lines, and had some standout games during the season.
7. Adam Bentick – 0 (4.5)
Couldn’t get on the park early in the season due to injury and left to languish in the two’s late. No points as he did not play a game. His time at the club would appear to be up. Last season I stated that next year will define his football career, and unfortunately it has.
8. Matthew Kruezer – 6 (5)
Terrific tall player for his age and competes very well in the centre, but I worry that he will not be a “genuine” ruckman. Perhaps could be used forward more, but the inability of Warnock to get on the park robbed us of the chance to explore the option. Wonderful competitor at ground level and could still be anything once he fills out and matures.
9. Chris Johnson – 2.5 (-)
Started ok in the preseason, but the injury in the first Brisbane game (and the four first quarter clangers) cost him dearly. Occasionally sublime by foot and sometimes horrible, his consistency is an issue as is his ability to defend one on one. I like the idea of recruiting him to play as the “designated kicker” from full back (where we desperately need improvement), but he failed to seize his chance. Big year for him next year and it is not beyond him to make the necessary improvements.
10. Richard Hadley – 4 (3)
Struggled for form and fitness. I thought he was hard done by when dropped early on in the season, and he languished in the twos for the majority of the year. He might have been close to having his “papers stamped”, but he had an impact when he came back late and his form in this regard may have sealed Bentick’s fate. Probably not room for both of them in the squad. Good clearance player and solid body, but can go missing and his pace is a concern as a result of his injury problems. Should stay on and hopefully a good pre-season will make a difference.
11. Robert Warnock – 0 (-)
Injury stopped him playing a game, but he is young and hopefully will give us the tall centre square dominant option that we need. Encouraging that he managed to put on weight during the year (as he needed to), but worrying that he has had stress fracture-related injuries. Hopefully next year will justify the wait, but he will likely take some time to fit in.
12. Mitch Robinson – 3 (-)
Was the talk of the town after his league debut in round 1, but never quite hit the same heights again. Paid a heavy price for his mid-season magoos suspension, when the form of some players in the seniors was ordinary. Love his attack on the footy and there is a lot to like about him in general. Interesting that the club rated him the 9th best player in last year’s draft – either we are really good at identifying talent, or the recruiters missed something, but we should hopefully find out in the next 2-3 years. Looks like a player that will play a bit of senior footy.
13. Chris Yarran – 2 (-)
The pre-season wraps were that he might be the next Cyril Rioli in terms of immediate impact, but his season was hampered by extraneous family factors and possibly a lack of general fitness. Showed enough to suggest he will be a player of high quality – the goal against the Swans was a highlight – but his desire and ability to extract the best out of himself will be the test. Not unlike Didak in his ability and potential and it should be remembered that Didak looked a so-so player for his first 3 seasons. May take some time to adjust, and I hope that we have the patience and that he has the determination.
14. Brad Fisher – 2 (5)
Really poor season from Fish. Terrible beneath his knees and with his kicking. Second efforts and defensive pressure is also a lowlight. A two-year contract signed last year is fortunate as he might have had a problem with maintaining his spot. Still marks well, but just doesn’t impact on games enough. Maybe a full, injury-free preseason will help, but the papers may have been stamped. If interest is shown by another club (and I doubt it), it would not surprise if he was moved on.
15. Steven Browne – 3 (4)
Treaded water a bit this year. Needs to improve next year and it will be a big one for him. Like him as a player, but disposal and decision making can occasionally be ordinary. Has plenty of fans amongst the faithful and I hope he can take the next step in 2010. Reminds me a bit of Campbell Brown.
16. Shaun Grigg – 4.5 (6)
Injury cut him down this year and his form suffered as a result. Some handy games, but plenty of time in the magoos for him as well. I believe he should be a part of the best 22 if fit, but the kicking shanks need to be remedied quickly. Did some handy jobs as a stopper, but it is important that players like Grigg step up next year for us to improve again.
17. Setanta O’hAilpin – 5 (4)
Started poorly after the Cloke fiasco and had struggled with leg problems. Found some form in the middle of the year and looked ok as a hit up forward. Occasionally mercurial and equally frustrating. I wrote him off early in the year and saw him as a discard at season’s end, but I think he has done enough for another contract. The worry is that he will be 27 soon and is still yet to cement his place in the team. If this year sorted out anything, I think that it is that he is not a defender and should be used as a forward.
18. Paul Bower – 6.5 (6)
Was fantastic in the early part of the season and arguably on All-Australian pace. Probably struggled more than most with the loss of Jamison and played some very ordinary football in the latter part of the season. Maybe he was injured, I am not sure. Was pantsed by Bradshaw in the final, which was a disappointing end. Still unpredictable, but his confidence to take the game on is a highlight.
19. Eddie Betts – 6.5 (6)
Similar to Bower, he was sensational early and on All-Australian pace, before being “sorted out” by the opposition. Eddie’s ability as a “hit up” forward was diminished when Fremantle worked out that a tall, fast defender was the way to go on him. For a short guy, Eddie plays almost like a key forward at times, but his lack of height was exploited by Fremantle and other teams cottoned on. His second half of the year was disappointing. 38 goals was a fair effort, but he was on target for 50-plus early on.
20. Rhys O’Keeffe – 0 (-)
Didn’t play a game and his season was prematurely ended by injury, but he is a good size with a raking left foot kick. Lots of potential to kick on next year and is a job for the development coaches to ensure that he can be a senior player.