Will any of these 3 guys step up in 2010?

I'll be watching their progress with interest. All will be 21 y.o. when the season starts, and all have shown glimpses of promise without being able to establish themselves in our best 22....

I must admit, I'm not confident that any of them will be 100+ gamers for us. However, I hope at least one them proves me wrong and has a breakout year...

Browne - I think small players need to have above average pace, endurance, and/or skill to make it in the AFL. I would say Browne is just average in each category. He's hard at it and strong overhead (for his size), but I'm not sure what his spot will be in our side. I fear he's not quick or accountable enough to play as a small defender in the AFL. Does he have enough 'tricks' to play forward/midfield? Not sure. He'll end up being a very good player at VFL/WAFL level, but will he make it as a bona fide AFL player? From the little training I've seen this summer, he's looking fitter and determined to make up for a disappointing 2009, so fingers crossed he does.

Grigg - After a promising 2008, and a strong NAB Cup performance, he was also disappointing in 2009. Not sure he has the tricks to sustain a long AFL career either. I would say he's got a few other things in common with Browne - hard at it, but not quick, not always accountable enough, and skills only average by AFL standard. Has a bit of size about him now, so that could make him more versatile in terms of the roles he can play. Needs to get his fitness to elite levels, IMO.

Joey - Courageous, determined competitor....but is he good enough to beome a regular for us? Like Grigg, has enough size and mobility about him to make him versatile and able to play on different types of opponents. His disposal continues to be the major issue, IMO.

The good thing is that about 5 years ago, guys like these would be getting more AFL games than they should. We have developed decent depth now, so 'fringe' players like these are now really under pressure to perform so as to keep their spot on the list...

I'll be interested to know what others think. Who out of these 3 do you think is the most likely to 'make it'? It might be a cliche, but is 2010 a "make or break" year for these 3 guys...?

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

In all honesty, the only one out of that lot that I can see playing 100 games for us is Shaun Grigg. His 2008 season makes me feel this way. Browne and Anderson haven't stood out enough for me as yet.

_________________
Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

+1

Grigg is way ahead of the other 2.

_________________
I see you watching me watching you.

I thought they were all guns?

_________________
STURDYISM!!

..out of those three, i'd rank Browne a little ahead of Grigg, with Joey some way behind them both.. ..Grigg really needs to develop at least half a right side, and those long hail mary bombs of his are too dangerous these days..

_________________
..if you can't be good, be good at it..

+2

Grigg is a goodun.
Browne maybe.
Anderson unlikely to make it.

_________________
There is no footy god

Grigg and Browne could play 100 games for Carlton, but we appear to have some depth on paper, so that is what could stop them in their tracks.

Prismall struggled for games at the Cats, but is a lovely kick and an effective outside midfielder for Essendon*.

They're as fast as Murphy, so I wouldn't call them "not quick".

I would like to keep Grigg and play him as a sweeper off HBF who pushes into the midfield and onto a wing.

Scotland won't last forever.

Pendlebury doesn't have a right foot, but survives.

Browne might have more tricks than Carrazzo who started as a backpocket.

No to Joey who has the speed, but not the talent of the other two.

I'd like see Browne make it.
Grigg needs to pull his head out of his clacker and grow up. He might have it all on a plate, but it can disappear just as quickly.

_________________
Gaga and The Hoff party hard in London

Grigg will develop into a high possession winning footballer I reckon.

I think Grigg has it. He goes where the ball is going and can get possies. He's just a kid and this year will see him improve a lot. I just wish he had a right foot. I wish Simmo had one as well. Hasn't stopped him though.

_________________
Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Forget the right side...Grigg needs to get his left side sorted out first. His ball drop onto the boot is still technically flawed. All three will want to impress in the NAB Cup where they'll all get a good run.

I really want to see Joey step up this year. He has qualities we need in the backline, pace, courage and application to the team game. Obviously his disposal need to lift a notch or two. I think he can make it.

Grigg has loads of talent but last year was a backwards step for him when I had him slated to make a big step forward. If this year isn't a big one for him, I can see him as trade bait next year.

Browne, I really haven't watched that closely, seems to have some class but maybe doesn't have the physical tools.

In terms of positional opportunites I thnik Joey has the biggest chance of making an impact this year.

Murphy (& Gibbs, for that matter) doesn't have great leg speed for an AFL midfielder, but makes up for it another ways. I'm not saying all players need blistering pace, but Grigg and Browne could do with finding a yard IMO. Particularly Browne (who hasn't shown the same consistent ball winning ability that Carrots had at the same stage of his career).

And I wouldn't describe Joey has having speed. I would say he's got OK pace for a player of his type but nothing special in terms of leg speed/acceleration by AFL standards.

As Doc said, I think these 3 guys will really need to impress in the pre-season games to break into the side. Armfield, AJ & JR overtook them last year. Proving themselves to be consistently good ball users, getting their fitness levels right up, and improved game awareness is what we're looking for from them in 2010 (and if they can run a little faster, that might help too ).

_________________
It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

I think Browne is the most promising of the three. Is developing the stamina, but has decent speed, very neat skills, fantastic aerial ability that should see him play any small role forward of HB.

If he has genuinely improved his pace as has been reported, then that's only going to boost his stocks. Not far out of the 22 IMO.

Grigg has a lot of work to do with his disposal, as has been noted. Away from that he's quick off the mark, can play just about any midfield role and loves a goal.

Ando is definitely the weakest link, but none of them are terrible players by any stretch. He is definitely quick enough for a defensive role, capable against a wide range of opponents but lacks the nous and skills to really take the game on once he has won the ball. Make or break year for him.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Honestly....I love the 3 of them.

Have a good look at our list. It's damn good.

There's too much traffic ahead of the 3 of them imo, and can't see any of them cementing a spot in the 22. Sure they will get a run, but that will happen if injuries plague the team as they did in 2002 and 2009.

In 2008 I had the 3 of them in my top 25 players on our list: I was living in hope. I don't even have them in my top 30 let alone my top 25 at this stage of 2010.

Browny would be my pick of the 3. Grigg isn't reliable on either side of his body. If he can get that organised (and I doubt it), he could make it. He was born in the game (and that means a lot to the Setanta doubters), ao that means he should have it. If he doesn't, when her should, well where does that leave him?

I can see Wiggins, Fisher and Johnson delisted before them. However, if we happen to promote lest say Garlett and Ellard from the rookie list and want a couple more picks, then the at least Grigga dn Ando are vulnerable imo.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Good thread.

But (whatever their faults) both Grigg and Anderson are genuinely quick. In their year at the draft camp:
Shaun Grigg - 2.92 sec (quickest over 5m and 10m at draft camp, 6th fastest over 20m)
Joe Anderson – 2.98 sec

Most likely to make it for mine are Grigg, then Browne. Ando fairly unlikely.

Definitely Browne for me - he has all the attributes but lacks consistency.
Grigg has the consistency and I am hoping he has plenty of game time this year. Needs to improve his positioning and off the ball running.
Joey lacks anticipation, composure and decisions. But has loads of aggression, bravery and determination.

I like all three but Joey lacks some key attributes.

i would have to say grigg will make it, the coaching staff love him, 2008 he won a special coaches award for all his 1%ers and hard ball gets shepperds etc etc, last year injury got him i think he is going to have a big 2010

i do hope joey and browne make it,

_________________
WALKERRRR!!!! LEGEND

Anderson showed some great ball carrying qualities in the Bullants finals series, something I hadn't seen much of in his few AFL games. I think he was BOG in one of the finals.

Grigg is more talented out of the 3 but needs to display more determination and grunt. A few comments have made reference to him being hard at it but I honestly think that is one of his downfalls. He needs to impose himself more physically in a contest and I am hoping he does it this year.

I also would like to see Grigg gut run alot more. Needs to up the tempo for mine and if he does then he would be a definate starter.

Browne is a hard nugget and does have some skill. I think we will persist with him and if he gets his chance will grab it by the throat. I can see him playing any of the pockets with a run in the middle.

Anderson - lacks the polish. Has great courage but makes poor decisions and doesnt hit the target often enough. I think will be delisted at years.