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So what will the 2014 season bring. Here is the rundown on my views of the players on our list for season 2013 on what might happen to them in season 2014.
1 Andrew Walker 23 games
Fine season playing as a running defender although he was better earlier on. His run and carry out of defence was exceptional. Exposed a bit when opposition strategists put his opponent deep in defence although I have always thought Walker plays above his weight. With Betts gone may play up forward next year.
2 Troy Menzel 8 games
Obviously has talent but as we all know talent gets you only part of the way especially these days. Excellent mark for his size has good footy smarts but needs to get stronger and fitter to run out games. Hopefully he is dedicated enough to do that.
3 Marc Murphy 23 games
Poor choice as captain and seemed to burdened by it at times and he lacked leadership out on the field. For a midfielder didn't get enough of the pill this year (512 disposals) and found taggers hard to shake at times. He lacks defensive skills and doesn't chase enough and opposition coaches would put a fit running tagger on him and try to exploit this weakness as shown by Taylor Hunt's effort on him this year. This has been my knock on Murphy. He is a fine player who can create really well but doesn't do enough of the grunt defensive stuff. Only laid 79 tackles this year which should be higher for a midfielder playing the amount of time he does. I would have him relinquish the captaincy so he can concentrate on his footy. He needs another 2011 season.
4 Bryce Gibbs 21 games
A better year than 2012 but still disappointing in my view at times. Example. The final against Sydney where he went completely missing in the third quarter. Gibbs as we all know is talented but he simply doesn't have enough intensity when it really matters. Still craps himself too much at times when he has the ball and turns it over too much. Again it will be interesting what roll Malthouse will have for him in 2014. Gibbs will be 25 next year and should be at the peak of his powers like Murphy. I would love to see him step it up but I just don't think he has it in him and he will forever be a handy, reasonable, pretty footballer.
5 Chris Judd 20 games
Will probably be his last year next year. Great second half against the tiggies in that final as we all know but is on a fast downward slide in form because he has put his body through the ringer. I would like to see Malthouse have a new roll for him next year as a forward line player or even do the roll Walker did this year to give him a new lease of life. Only averaged 22 disposals and 3.5 tackles a game so its time to give him a new roll
6 Kade Simpson 24 games
Worthy best and fairest winner who was fantastic in defence this year, never plays a bad game, incredibly courageous and one of the few guys who shows true leadership out on the field and should be captain. Pound for pound one of the best marks in the league and 140 of them this year is testament to this. The only knock on him is when presented with the opportunity misses too many goals (6g 9b) which is unusual because he is a fine kick. The side would be better off if all players had the endeavour that Kade shows week in week out
7 Dylan Buckley (1 game)
Cracked it for a senior game this year kicking a goal straight away then fading into obscurity after that. Loves to take the game on, but sometimes tries too much and makes mistakes. Needs to become stronger and run out games. He faded too frequently too often at VFL level. Third seasons are crucial for players. Just ask McCartney and Mitchell. Boom or bust for Dylan next year.
8 Matthew Kreuzer (17 games)
Courageous, but lacks class. Kreuzer is an interesting footballer. Almost old fashioned. The problem with Kroooz is he isn't quick enough off the mark to play key position so his only position is as a roving ruckman. Problem with this is he struggles with the big strong opposition ruckman because he lacks size. My other criticism of him is for a follower he simply doesn't get enough pill. Kreuzer averaged around 11.5 disposals a game. Worse still he took only 56 marks for the season just a touch over 3 a game. Pathetic numbers for a guy who has a big tank playing on the ball. The only other guys on our list who ruck are Warnock, Casboult and Rowe and Casboult and Rowe are only pinch hitters at best. Next year is the year for Kreuzer to step it up. As a side issue if he has a decent season he would win the Brownlow. When he has a decent game the umps give him 3 votes. They love him.
9 Kane Lucas (17 games)
The man from East Fremantle was Mick's pin up boy for two thirds of the season until Mick decided he had enough. With Daisy arriving in 2014, Lucas better pick up his game otherwise he is a gonski. The guy can run and ocassionally dazzle but lacks consistency and heart. Doesn't exactly put his skinny frame over the ball enough for my liking and his kicking can be woeful. More disturbing was his form at Preston when he was dropped, playing "I have cracked the shits and these guys are inferior to me " football. Lucas needs to eat a bag of concrete.
10 Matthew Watson (5 games)
Seems to play better at senior level than in the twos where I had to shut my eyes a few times whilst watching Aunty. Might be worth trying up forward next year, but in the long run not up to it in my opinion. Lacks pace and mongrel. Big year next year for the man with the big melon head.
11 Robbie Warnock (12 games)
Our best tap ruckman . Problem is there isn't much else. His final series was ok, but not out of this world as some posters have alluded to. Face the facts. Warnock averaged 9 possessions a game and took wait for it 15 marks for the @#$%&! season. When Robbie was playing in the twos he was played at full forward and Meese played in the ruck, obviously with the intention of sending a message to him that a humungous number of tapouts and nothing else wont cut the mustard. A lack of physical presence doesn't help either. Simply must get better.
12 Mitch Robinson (21 games)
Easy to categorise this guy. Tries his guts out and has no fear, but has huge brain fades and makes too many crap decisions. Not a bad tackle count with 82 tackles for the season. Managed around 20 disposals a game but is just a player who hasn't improved a lot since he debuted. In fact his game has gone down hill from a few years ago.
13 Chris Yarran (21 games)
Does this guy need to eat concrete. In fact a whole slab would do. When dropped he played crapola footy at VFL level and in my opinion didn't deserve to be recalled. Improved a bit as the season progressed but lacks the intensity to be a regular contributor. With the exception of a few cameo performances a disappointing player. Needs to improve his goal kicking as well (26g 25b). I am not convinced he has the tank and ticker to be a consistent midfield performer which is what you need to do to achieve the ultimate for a guy his size.
14 Brock McLean (22 games)
Another solid year of footy. Consistent. The Brockster can be proud of his last 18 months. Good inside mid. We all know what his limitations are but he plays well enough within these limitations. He lacks depth with his kicking, but nearly 50% of his disposals were handballs where he makes good decisions. Needs to improve his tackling count which was a 3.5 a game, a low figure for an inside mid. Like others in the team misses too many goals but showed he can be handy in attack.
15 Jeremy Laidler (1 game)
Mick wasn't a rap for this guy as he spent nearly the whole year as a magoos forward. Bizarre to say the least. Now at the Swans who have a history of turning shit into strawberry jam. Thing is I reckon Laidler can play and the way he was treated by the club in his tenure there was ordinary in relation to injury treatment and not been given a chance to play in defence this year where he reads it so well. The guy is also a decent kick. Reckon the club [REDACTED] up here. Time will prove me right or wrong depending on how Laidler goes in Harbour Town.
17 Sam Rowe (10 games)
Showed a bit. Strong mark and can play as a pinch ruckman but in my opinion isn't quite good enough in the mobility stakes to make it as regular marking forward come second ruckman. Is at his footy age peak so next year its boom or bust. Bust would mean more flags at Norwood which wouldn't be a bad thing.
18 Tom Temay ( 0 games)
In the games I saw he showed little to suggest he will be a player. Small in size he didn't get enough of the pill for my liking and isn't a very good kick. Could go down as another draft tragic. Time will tell.
19 Eddie Betts (18 games)
Now a Crow
21 Josh Bootsma (9 games)
Given opportunities in his second season, Bootsma went backwards in my opinion. McInnes became Mick's preferred third tall. Just doesn't find the footy enough and the lack of body strength with this guy is a concern. Didn't do enough in the VFL either. Occasionally you see glimpses of his talent. Talk of a trade a few weeks ago wasn't great either. The dreaded third year awaits.
22 Shaun Hampson ( 6 games)
Now a Tiger. It can be argued that Hampson had more to offer than Kreuzer because he can play up forward better and Warnock because he is more mobile around the ground. Pointless arguments now.
23 Lachlan Henderson (24 games)
Our best key position player. A breakout season for Hendo. The question is where do you play him, forward or back and my answer is forward with Waite nearing the end. Hendo deserves the opportunity to play at one end of the ground for an extended period of time. Needs to improve his goal kicking with less than 50% accuracy, but love how he gets the ball. Good hands and a solid player. Also a future captain judging by how he speaks. A great pickup in the Fevola deal.
24 Pat McCartney (0 games)
Gone 1 game career. Could hardly get it at VFL level
25 Luke Mitchell (0 games)
Ditto. Were these 2 picks a waste of time
26 Andrew McInnes (8 games)
Returned after knee surgery and to play 8 games was a fine achievement. has the makings of a handy 3rd tall defender. Needs to develop the attacking side of his game and no be afraid in going for marks instead of spoiling when the opportunity arises. This is a confidence issue that needs to be addressed. Hopefully we will see improvement in this area in 2014.
27 Dennis Armfield (24 games)
Played every game this year. Not a bad achievement at all and played mainly as a tagger come small forward. Seventeen goals was not a bad return from dangles and unlike most of his teammates converted better when the opportunity arose( 9 behinds). To improve needs to get more pill. Only 340 disposals at an average of 14 a game isn't good enough and like nearly every player on the list doesn't lay enough tackles. His assests are his pace and intensity but disposal around the ground can be poor and like Robinson makes poor decisions with ball in hand at times. Still not a bad return for a player who was a bi-product of the Judd trade. Obviously like most of his generation doesn't mind the tatts.
29 Heath Scotland (20 games)
Up and down year began with inhouse suspension for the assault. Still knows how to get the footy and a superbly balanced player. One more year. Wouldn't mind see him play in attack next year. Reads the play well and is capable of kicking goals.
30 Jarrad Waite (14 games)
We all know. His best is fantastic ( 7 out of 10 team goals against the drug cheats). But as usual some ordinary games with some undisciplined acts thrown in to boot. Still possess great athleticism for a guy his size, but he is 31 next year and wont get any better. Still think we wasn't worth a 3 year contract. Could be his last year in 2014. Despite all this will have some golden moments in 2014. No doubt about Jarrad. You get the entrée, main and dessert all in one when he plays.
31 Marcus Davies ( 2 games)
Played 2 then Mick put the whiteboard marker through him. Great build but had very little else. Terrible decision maker. What was Hughes thinking. Was on the list for a very long time something the club should learn from.
32 Nicholas Graham (2 games)
This kid has a lot of footy smarts about him. Like him. A few pre seasons and look out. Needs to get rid of the Duran Duran haircut.
34 Nick Duigan (6 games)
One game saved him. Really love his attitude and hardness but really is just a player. In my opinion for us to go forward, guys like Duigan need to be delisted. Tough call, but the reality is he played 6 games for the season, averaged under 10 disposals a game, turns it over too often and is 28. In my opinion an incorrect decision to retain him.
38 Jeff Gartlett (22 games)
Mister Excitement had a blistering start, but fizzled a bit towards the end. Still won the goal kicking with 43, but like his former partner in crime(Betts) needs to take the next step and join the midfield rotation. In his fleeting moments up the ground was brushed off the ball too easily too often and couldn't stick the tackles very well. At 23 its time to take the next step Jeffery.
40 Michael Jamison (24 games)
Played every game which is an incredible achievement for a guy with a [REDACTED] shoulder. Gutsy effort. Still our best defender with great closing speed and a good head on his shoulders. Would like him to attack a bit more because he is a good distributer of the aggot when he takes them on.
41 Levi Casboult (7 games)
A big year for Levi next year. Simply must become more aerobically fitter so he gets to more contests. A lot has been said about his kicking. The thing is his conversion rate was good( 11 g 7 b). Best contested mark in the squad( possibly in the league) but must work hard on his deficiencies. Being 23 next year, the youth excuse doesn't apply anymore. Just handy as a second ruckman.
42 Zach Tuohy (24 games)
Played every game and has made steady improvement every year. Decision making in defence has improved and his overhead marking which was a major weakness has got better. A beautiful kick as we all know, its time for Zach to move into the midfield where his disposal forward of centre could be a devastating weapon.
43 Simon White (9 games)
Played as the third sometimes the second tall. Improved on previous year and whilst I like his aggression at the contest ultimately comes up short in the class stakes. A handy backup defender who suffered a serious neck injury. The injury came in a reserves game. Couldn't get a senior birth due to McInnes' return. Would have to improve next year to avoid the cut and at 25 unlikely to avoid the sword.
44 Andrew Carrazzo (10 games)
Suffered the old man's injury of the dreaded calf strain which he couldn't shake. Been a loyal servant for the Blues, but his time is almost up. Did miss his inside work this year around the contest.
45 Aaron Joseph (4 games)
In the end others were better. Its that simple. Did get the most out of his limited ability.
46 David Ellard (3 games)
Leg injuries stuffed his season. Always had time for this bloke but ultimately lucky to survive the chop and would need a good run at it in 2014 to escape a delisting. Curnow and Cachia have moved ahead of him.
16 Andrew Collins ( 0 games)
Gone
20 Rhys O'Keefe ( 0 games)
Never got his body right.
28 Tom Bell ( 9 games)
Has the talent to become a regular midfielder. Tough big bodied boy who tackles better than some of his more fabled teammates. At 22 will only get better. Is a nice kick, but needs to improve his decision making.
35 Ed Curnow (21 games)
Most improved player. Laid 99 tackles at a tad under 5 a game which is heading towards the top echelon of stats for this category. Our number one tagger who claimed some of the games biggest names along the way. A superb runner his skills have improved as well. To finish 4th in the B and F despite missing 3 games is an excellent achievement. More of the same next year
37 Jaryd Cachia (14 games)
14 games is a fitting reward for persistence. Great season for Norwood including best on the ground in the SANFL GF saw him given a second crack. Didn't disappoint. In fact in my opinion was unlucky to be dropped. Attacks the footy and a reasonable kick. Averaging 5 tackles a game shows how this guy goes about his footy. Obviously needs to improve his disposal count and become more productive around the big sticks( one goal is pretty ordinary).
39 Frazer Dale (0 games)
Gone
THATS IT FOLKS
DONT FORGET DAISY EVERITT AND DOHERTY
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