Austin Wonaeamirri – 'Aussie' had a horrendous year with injury. He played the first NAB Cup game and did his hamstring and then came back and did a cartilage in his knee which we couldn't get right. At the moment, he is spending a lot of time on the bike and is on a strengthening program. He'll be really determined to get out there and play with the likes of Davey, Jurrah and Jetta, because they are a really tight bunch. It was disappointing for 'Aussie' because he showed so much in his first year. It should make him hungrier. He's got to make sure he prepares himself well because he is going to be a really important player for us and he was really missed in the forward line. He is a really good inside 50 kick and decision-maker, plus he adds forward pressure with his chasing and tackling – Sean Wellman on Melbournefc.com.au

Get your body right Aussie and we can't wait to see you out on the field again. One of many players that will be essentially like a new recruit come 2010.

Get your body right Aussie and we can't wait to see you out on the field again. One of many players that will be essentially like a new recruit come 2010.

Agree KoD. It will be very interesting to know when he is expected to join his teamates in full scale pre-season work.

I'd donate my hamstrings...

But that ain't gonna help him.

Good luck in 2010 because 09 was a write-off.

Wonna turned up looking heavier than at this time last year. The first task is to get him in shape again. Its a fine line between pushing too hard and looking half-hearted for Aussie. Time will tell. He certainly has goal kicking, assists, and defensive pressure skills that we need come round 1.

Wonna turned up looking heavier than at this time last year. The first task is to get him in shape again. Its a fine line between pushing too hard and looking half-hearted for Aussie. Time will tell. He certainly has goal kicking, assists, and defensive pressure skills that we need come round 1.

He came back last year absolutely ripped and had a blinder in the Indigenous All-Stars game and looked set for a big season. So let's hope he can put in close to a full pre-season and have a big year this year.

It was a shame 2009 was a write-off.

Hopefully he can get fit and bring a little more speed to the table than he did in 2008.

looking forward to seeing Wonna and Jurrah in the same team will be big, like Scully,Trengrove n Watts

Another player who'll be sort of reborn in 010.. Looking forward to seeing his excitement again :D

Cant work out what 2010 will bring with Wonna.

Needs to develop on his 2008 showing.

Endurance and Pace is essential. Hopefully keeps fit and in condition.

Looking forward to a good 2010.

Hopefully he can get back to, if not improve on, how he was looking last pre season.

Was looking lean, strong and fit.

Hopefully he can get back to, if not improve on, how he was looking last pre season.

Was looking lean, strong and fit.

Just want to reiterate that he is not looking lean at the moment

Aussie have a good pre-season, Jurrah and yourself will dominate next season together.

Also keep off the turtle!

damn turtles !!!!!

apparently very close to Davey, who you would think would never allow him to apply anything less than 100% in his training and playing

I wonder if the kid midfielders will eventually end up justifying a move back to the forward line for Davey, and he and the wiz and wonna ill cause absolute mayhem down there with Watts amongst it all. Augers very well for mine

Cant work out what 2010 will bring with Wonna.

Needs to develop on his 2008 showing.

Endurance and Pace is essential. Hopefully keeps fit and in condition.

Looking forward to a good 2010.

Wonna has reallly grown on me in his absence because I think he brings something we lack.

His enthusiasm is team lifting and infectious. Much in the way that the Wiz was and Robbo when he was on.

Footy is natural and fun to him, and he behaves on the field like a winner.

Wonna has reallly grown on me in his absence because I think he brings something we lack.

His enthusiasm is team lifting and infectious. Much in the way that the Wiz was and Robbo when he was on.

Footy is natural and fun to him, and he behaves on the field like a winner.

good call

players are going to start to emerge as the real team lifters, Grimes you'd reckon would be another one to bring others up when the game is there to be won

Wonna has reallly grown on me in his absence because I think he brings something we lack.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

It may also mean you overlook some of his shortcomings more easily - to call upon another old chestnut, 'out of sight, out of mind'.

I can't remember whether this bloke can play or not.

Clean slate in 2010 as far as I'm concerned.

He kicked a bunch of goals as a rookie with bugger all preseason in a shocking team.

He can play, but the question is how high for how long?

I've no idea, but will look forward to seeing the turtle front and centre next year.

He kicked a bunch of goals as a rookie with bugger all preseason in a shocking team.

He can play, but the question is how high for how long?

I've no idea, but will look forward to seeing the turtle front and centre next year.

If by "bunch of goals" you mean 24 goals over 18 games (1.3 / game) then I guess so.

He was ok but pretty overhyped in my opinion. People got carried away by the enthusiasm and the story.

He had a very good game against Freo which was a very memorable game itself.

Can't kick more than 35-40m either which is a shame, but has been very accurate over shorter distances. Contrary to what you will sometimes hear, he is a slowish player (not all aboriginal footballers are "flashy" with "blinding pace").

He seems to have a knack for getting in the right spot which is a fantastic attribute for a small forward. It might also help to explain his impressive tackling rate.

I'm still holding out hope for Maric personally (although admittedly, Austin has looked more comfotable in the red and blue so far).

Edited October 14, 200915 yr by Hazyshadeofgrinter

Hopefully he can get back to, if not improve on, how he was looking last pre season.

Was looking lean, strong and fit.

He looked raring to go at the Family Day. Stripped fit and did look lean. I've almost forgotten how he played. Agree with Nasher's post.

If by "bunch of goals" you mean 24 goals over 18 games (1.3 / game) then I guess so.

He was ok but pretty overhyped in my opinion. People got carried away by the enthusiasm and the story.

He had a very good game against Freo which was a very memorable game itself.

Can't kick more than 35-40m either which is a shame, but has been very accurate over shorter distances. Contrary to what you will sometimes hear, he is a slowish player (not all aboriginal footballers are "flashy" with "blinding pace").

He seems to have a knack for getting in the right spot which is a fantastic attribute for a small forward. It might also help to explain his impressive tackling rate.

I'm still holding out hope for Maric personally (although admittedly, Austin has looked more comfotable in the red and blue so far).

I'm not sure where you get this idea from. In that very game he kicked a goal from 55m out in the second quarter.

I'm not sure where you get this idea from. In that very game he kicked a goal from 55m out in the second quarter.

Hmmm. Maybe 35-40 is a little harsh - I don't ever remember him kicking it more than 50 though. Are you sure?

edit: I think I might remember that goal now - it almost bounced on the goal line, was it more than 50m out? It was definitely extreme range for him and the longest kick I can recall him making.

Edited October 14, 200915 yr by Hazyshadeofgrinter

Hmmm. Maybe 35-40 is a little harsh - I don't ever remember him kicking it more than 50 though. Are you sure?

edit: I think I might remember that goal now - it almost bounced on the goal line, was it more than 50m out? It was definitely extreme range for him and the longest kick I can recall him making.

about 31 seconds into that video.