Like everyone i am now getting really excited about the season proper.

The Demons for the first time in a while have a real opportunity to embark on some exciting years, i still think we might be a year ahead of a real finals threat ( the 8 would be great, but 10 wins is my pass mark).

To get some footy chat going i am interested in everyones opinion on who is facing a crunch year. There are several, but identify one/two and give a reason. here is mine

Maric - obvious improvement in fitness and body maintenance has seen him have a couple good games. the kid came with a goal sense reputation and great finishing skills. Its time for him to cement a spot and give us 40 goals this year. He should start the year in front of Austin and hopefully takes the opportunity to become a regular.

On the flip side, crunch year fro Aussue. circumstances far greater than football have put him behind the 8 ball this year, and while i have faith in his ability, i think he now starts the year as a player under the pump and facing competition for the small fwd role. Its great healthy competition, but one of these guys have to become a constant in the team, its time to settle our fwd line and at this stage, Maric has his nose in front.

Interested on your thoughts and your "Crunch year" demons for season 2011.

Bate

Last stop before Millersville

Great topic.

While I agree that Bate is under the pump, I am fairly sure he is contracted to the end of 2012 and therefore will not be delisted.

Of the players who are coming out of contract, I think Stef Martin is the one who needs to lift most. After a promising start to his career as a KPD, he has certainly gone backwards ever since he was taken out of defence. Has had an excellent pre-season by all accounts, and I like him as a back up ruckman to Jamar. With the new substitute rule, I think he'll get a fair few games this year and he needs to take every opportunity he gets and make an impact on some games. If he doesn't, I think this will be his last year.

Of the others, no doubt this year is make or break for Maric. Has been on the list for what, 4 years now? He needs to cement a spot in the 21 and contribute week in week out. Promising start to the year for him - can he keep it up?

I don't think Wona will be cut this year. The circumstances around his personal life have made his pre-season nigh impossible to get right, and as such, I think he'll have a quiet year. I think the Club will give him another year to prove himself yet.

we really need to see something from Jetta this year

I don't think Wona will be cut this year. The circumstances around his personal life have made his pre-season nigh impossible to get right, and as such, I think he'll have a quiet year. I think the Club will give him another year to prove himself yet.

I think Wonna is a great player. He needs a bigger engine and less soft tissue injuries but his kicking, vision is A grade. He would be one player you want kicking into forward 50.

Stef Martin. 25 years old this year. Make or break year.

Its time for him to cement a spot and give us 40 goals this year. He should start the year in front of Austin and hopefully takes the opportunity to become a regular.

Green kicked 55 last year and Dunn was next best with 26. 40 goals from Maric this season is a little unrealistic. Didak scored 41 last year.

Like everyone i am now getting really excited about the season proper.

The Demons for the first time in a while have a real opportunity to embark on some exciting years, i still think we might be a year ahead of a real finals threat ( the 8 would be great, but 10 wins is my pass mark).

To get some footy chat going i am interested in everyones opinion on who is facing a crunch year. There are several, but identify one/two and give a reason. here is mine

Maric - obvious improvement in fitness and body maintenance has seen him have a couple good games. the kid came with a goal sense reputation and great finishing skills. Its time for him to cement a spot and give us 40 goals this year. He should start the year in front of Austin and hopefully takes the opportunity to become a regular.

On the flip side, crunch year fro Aussue. circumstances far greater than football have put him behind the 8 ball this year, and while i have faith in his ability, i think he now starts the year as a player under the pump and facing competition for the small fwd role. Its great healthy competition, but one of these guys have to become a constant in the team, its time to settle our fwd line and at this stage, Maric has his nose in front.

Interested on your thoughts and your "Crunch year" demons for season 2011.

I don't think anyone is under threat, unless they have someone overtaking them. Small forwards,, we need 2 or 3 on the list. At this point Aussie our No 1,,, excluding Davey & Bennell who I see as H/F-Wing types. So I see its Aussie then Maric, then maybe rookie Kelvin Lawrence.

The talls, not this year, but next, 2012, could see some changes. I think the only one in danger the end of this year is rookie McNamara.

Rucks. .....

Back flankers,,, we need some to take a step this year, or there could be a shake up.

Bate

Last stop before Millersville

Completely agree. So much potential but just so frustrating to watch!!!

If we let go of Bate, which could well happen, he'd end up at another club easily. Could be win win by year's end?

The issue with Bate is that is awkwardness (always hunched over and can't seem to straighten his arms, especially with kicking and marking) is catching up with him. In the past he could get away with it, but like a golfer with a flawed golf swing you can only play so well without having to change your whole swing or technique.

If we let go of Bate, which could well happen, he'd end up at another club easily. Could be win win by year's end?

A little hard to know the merits of a hypothetical trade in March...

Depending on his salary, he may be good value in years to come as a periphery player, but yes, I agree that he has been frustrating.

Not the only one who has to deliver soon, or continue to deliver.

Dunn, Petterd, Wonna, Maric, Martin, Jones, Batram, and Warnock are under pressure for various reasons.

Maric. Would be a very, VERY handy player if he can find some form and become a regular in the side. Has been talked up (lately anyway) and written off, but he reads the game well and has a reputation for being a good user of the ball. Personally I get the impression that he's very much a 'confidence' player, and hope that the solid form over the pre-season translates into good form throughout the H&A season.

Green kicked 55 last year and Dunn was next best with 26. 40 goals from Maric this season is a little unrealistic. Didak scored 41 last year.

Good post.

Dunn, Petterd, Wonna, Maric, Martin, Jones, Batram, and Warnock are under pressure for various reasons.

You are so wrong about Petterd, Dunn, Bartram and Jones.

WHy he is rpfc so wrong about those players? It is his opinion and you should at least give an explanation as to why you think he is wrong.

To be honest, Petterd looks like a good player, but is injured too often. Dunn has played 1/2 a good year out of 5 and Bartram and Jones have suspect delivery.

If we want these so-called young guns to come in, they need to replace someone. I am not saying we should delist the above players, but at least explain your position.

I think we need to have players of the calibre of Dunn, Bartram etc. as our last 5 picked or depth players in order for our club to be near the top of the ladder and hope that our early draft picks kick on.

I would welcome Cale Morton delivering on his evident talent on a more consistent basis. Another mediocre year, while probably not putting him in the hot seat, would lower our expectations and put him on the periphery of the 22.

You are so wrong about Petterd, Dunn, Bartram and Jones.

I said for various reasons.

As Y said - Petterd has been injured more than he has been fit, Dunn has played half a season of good footy, Batram has to continue his good form because of his deficiencies when he has the ball, and Jones needs to find a place in our best 22 that doesn't leave him vulnerable to one of Blease, Gysberts et al.

They all have their plusses but none have established themselves in the 4, 6, 5, and 5 years they have been at the club.

crunch year for jetta, have my doubts were he will fit and think he will get cut if he does not get a regular game.

I would welcome Cale Morton delivering on his evident talent on a more consistent basis. Another mediocre year, while probably not putting him in the hot seat, would lower our expectations and put him on the periphery of the 22.

I think that's fair

Is not within a bull's roar of being the player we thought we were getting originally which was an athletic, versatile ball magnet with excellent skills. I would like to meet this Cale Morton.

They all have their plusses but none have established themselves in the 4, 6, 5, and 5 years they have been at the club.

So Jones was promoted to the leadership group purely on a whim?

i agree with people regarding morton...he needs to lift...he came to the club as a #4 draft pick.

I think the footy public will put alot of pressure on Jack Watts to deliver this year, it'll be interesting to see if he can/does

there are'nt many players who i'd say arent about to embark on a "crunch year"

Guys like Silvia, Davey, Jamar, Green etc are expected to continue to deliver the goods.

Guys like scully, trengove, Jordie Mac are expected to improve on a promising year last year

Batram, Dunn, Petterd showed some of their best form at the club but the they need to back up their form this eyar to prove they are worthy of a decent wrap

Martin, Jetta, Maric and a host of others have been on the list for a while without playing much senior footy - you'd expect them to have to show something sooner or later?

A little hard to know the merits of a hypothetical trade in March...

Depending on his salary, he may be good value in years to come as a periphery player, but yes, I agree that he has been frustrating.

Not the only one who has to deliver soon, or continue to deliver.

Dunn, Petterd, Wonna, Maric, Martin, Jones, Batram, and Warnock are under pressure for various reasons.

Petterd along with Green were easily the most potent forwards before Jurrah returned last year. In no way is it a 'crunch' year for him unless he just goes backwards. Aussie is one of the best users of the ball in our forward line and also one of the few who provides genuine forward pressure. I'd take him before Maric any day. Dunne proved very useful last year and we would expect further improvement. We need Jones around the stoppages and he showed real improvement in his kicking last year. Warnock and Martin are the ones in the gun. I think Martin may yet be a useful player but Warnock's limitations are fairly obvious. Tommy Mac also. I suspect Jetta is one of those that coaches love because he is such a goer. If he continues to improve he should be OK.

I don't know what to think about Bate. He just confuses me. A strange style of player. Feet anchored to the ground. Seemingly slow but deceptively quick when the goals are open. No overhead skills. An ugly but efective kick. The fact is, when we are up and going, he is usually there. I give up.

Green kicked 55 last year and Dunn was next best with 26. 40 goals from Maric this season is a little unrealistic. Didak scored 41 last year.

40 might be unrealistic, your right mate, but 30-40 is achievable. average 1.5 per game, play 18-22 games, which a small fwd should do at a minimum.

Agree with all who say that Bate, Martin, and Maric all have to show something this year.

I strongly believe, though, that Warnock is an important part of this team. We need someone who is capable of coming in when a player like Frawley or Rivers is injured, and I can't think of many people on our list who would be a more suitable replacement for them than Warnock. His performance in the first few games without Frawley in the side will show his true worth to the Dees.