I always keenly observe the 'Most Improved' threads to see who DL fans will see coming on for Melbourne this year. What I'm generally finding happens is the conversation remains on Colin Sylvia or another older player not playing to his talent. For this I'd like to try and find a player who's plied his trade in and out of the team who will now move on to a regular spot.

For example, my selection is James Strauss. Think his foot skills will be paramount to our success, from the training reports seems to be holding himself to a high standard and now what 2 years on from his broken leg has no excuses.

My downfall for the year is I think Dan Nicholson will have a down year. Anyone have any predictions for our outside players...

Nev Jetta will do the family proud.

Cale Morton will not.

Big Jake Spencer will be the Dees No.1 ruckman by season's end.

Mick Evans will finish 2013 with an extended contract if his back holds up.

Tapscott will finish the year as a Casey regular

Does one dare put Tapscott and NQR in the same sentence yet

Oops just did lol

  On 08/01/2013 at 10:14, belzebub59 said:

Does one dare put Tapscott and NQR in the same sentence yet

Oops just did lol

bb I am yet to see what the major attribute is he brings to the side besides aggression and I have no idea in what position he should be played.

I have this horrible gut feel that what we have seen so far is all there is.

I will admit this is his first real pre season, other years he has been injured and done little at this time of the year.

My fingers are crossed

  On 08/01/2013 at 09:57, Biffen said:

Nev Jetta will do the family proud.

Cale Morton will not.

#2 for rags to riches

Jetta to find his new spot and be a solid back pocket.

on the other side.

Strauss, Tapscott. I'm hoping rather then seeing.

from all the training reports i'd say Jetta will improve drastically, provided he can stay injury free. Also davey seems to be getting some of his 'mojo' back going by the reports Jake spencer will push jamar all year too i reckon

  On 08/01/2013 at 10:25, old dee said:

bb I am yet to see what the major attribute is he brings to the side besides aggression and I have no idea in what position he should be played.

I have this horrible gut feel that what we have seen so far is all there is.

I will admit this is his first real pre season, other years he has been injured and done little at this time of the year.

My fingers are crossed

I bet you said the same thing od, about Frawley in his first 2 years, not to mention the Jones boy...

Nev Jetta for me too. I think he will find his niche in the back pocket vacated by Barty, and will become an important part of our defence. Hard, courageous, good hands and strong discipline. Fits the Neeld mould very well imo.

  On 08/01/2013 at 11:02, young dee enthusiast said:

from all the training reports i'd say Jetta will improve drastically, provided he can stay injury free. Also davey seems to be getting some of his 'mojo' back going by the reports Jake spencer will push jamar all year too i reckon

I'll go with Nev too. I was very surprised to read that this has been his most complete pre season thus far

  On 08/01/2013 at 11:09, dee-luded said:

I bet you said the same thing od, about Frawley in his first 2 years, not to mention the Jones boy...

Actually I did not dee-luded, if you trawl back through the threads you will see I was a big supporter of Jones when a lot where saying he would not be in our best 22 by around 2013.

As for Frawley don't ever remember making much comment about him.

What do you think of Tapscott?

  On 08/01/2013 at 10:25, old dee said:

bb I am yet to see what the major attribute is he brings to the side besides aggression and I have no idea in what position he should be played.

I have this horrible gut feel that what we have seen so far is all there is.

I will admit this is his first real pre season, other years he has been injured and done little at this time of the year.

My fingers are crossed

I agree, except for the fact you completely missed what a weapon his kicking could be if he was better at finding the footy...

I'm going early with Dunny.If he"s now to be a backman where all premierships are won from then so long as he's clean shaven he'll

bolt it in .

He's 9 years into a career which has only been hampered by " Juice " & Pia's hubby !

This bloke can kick a goal & he reckons he likes it on the backline.

Seriourse danger of beinge called a "uttilitery" player !!

Message to Dunny -stick round mate you could be the next Froggy.

Opportunities are always available on the Banner

  On 08/01/2013 at 11:15, old dee said:

Actually I did not dee-luded, if you trawl back through the threads you will see I was a big supporter of Jones when a lot where saying he would not be in our best 22 by around 2013.

As for Frawley don't ever remember making much comment about him.

What do you think of Tapscott?

Tappy,, a big kick, strong, ferocious attack at the ball carrier & to support his teamates.

As far as his footy he's been inconsistent as would be expected.

IMO he's an in between because of his build & they often take a while to find they're feet in the team, especially a team so disjointed.

So in all that, I reckon he hasn't had long enough to prove anything either way.

I think he'll be a player. Its important to have a coach who knows how to get the best from all types of egos & players. Neeld may suit?

  On 08/01/2013 at 10:25, old dee said:

bb I am yet to see what the major attribute is he brings to the side besides aggression and I have no idea in what position he should be played.

I have this horrible gut feel that what we have seen so far is all there is.

I will admit this is his first real pre season, other years he has been injured and done little at this time of the year.

My fingers are crossed

Think you're writing him off too soon. Still comparatively young, and has yet to complete a pre-season (touch wood that he'll make it through this one). Thought in a couple of games later last year he was starting to show something.

Still too early to say for mine.

As for who'll step up ... the two main contenders in Strauss and Jetta have already earned a couple of posts. I also wonder what Sellar might be able to do, with another year under his belt, and a bit more pressure for his place, and you would think that a year in the system and a full pre-season won't hurt Magner's chances either.

  On 08/01/2013 at 11:42, puntkick said:

I'm going early with Dunny.If he"s now to be a backman where all premierships are won from then so long as he's clean shaven he'll

bolt it in .

He's 9 years into a career which has only been hampered by " Juice " & Pia's hubby !

This bloke can kick a goal & he reckons he likes it on the backline.

Seriourse danger of beinge called a "uttilitery" player !!

Message to Dunny -stick round mate you could be the next Froggy.

Opportunities are always available on the Banner

I think they tried him years ago off the HB Flank briefly. I was calling for it to.

He didn't do much, but Neeld has set roles for players/athletes, this may suit dunn.

OK OD, I'll nominate Tappy.

Strong and very brave, quick enough and a good kick (long and short). He'll play "taller" than he is as a flanker (maybe like a faster, fitter, better Campbell Brown). He'll also make some others walk a bit taller as well (if we have any of THOSE types left).

Bail fail, McKenzie sail.

  On 08/01/2013 at 11:09, dee-luded said:

I bet you said the same thing od, about Frawley in his first 2 years, not to mention the Jones boy...

you may well be right.

His report card reads as so-so.

He seemed like a bull at a gate but seemed to stall on the line. Injuries are cruel no doubt.

Good point I thought Chunk was limited and happy to have that blow up in my face Jonesy always had determination and hindsight suggests footy nouse and the ability (rare) to self critique and apply himself.

Tippy seems one of a handful who've been round a few seasons now and still leave us in the dark

Howe to benefit from 2 mobile gorillas in the forward line, he is not the type of third forward you want your weakest backman on and he will also benefit from being fitter.

Not going to nominate anyone for a down year want to see competition everywhere

  dee-luded said:

I think they tried him years ago off the HB Flank briefly. I was calling for it to.

He didn't do much, but Neeld has set roles for players/athletes, this may suit dunn.

I'll defer to your 1050 posts but just keep your eye on the old bloke

  SloonieMcFloonieloone said:

Bail fail, McKenzie sail.

Don't wanta make an enemy , but are all your posts so uncromprehensible ??

Evans, barring further injury, will have a wonderfully productive year.

Sammy Blease to go elite

Maybe Tommy Mac to have a bit of a down year after the stella season he just had. More responsibility and bigger opponents now Rivers has gone might bring him down or he could thrive and make even more improvement.

Michael Evans.