Who will be the most improved MFC player this year?

[Young Dee 1,303]

Well there is a whole list to choose from ... most improved meaning have to have been on the list last year.

I have tried to create a poll but have never done it before so apologies if it does not work.

My money would be on Jetta as he has always had niggling injuries that have prevented him from consolidating a spot/role.

He has had a full preseason and has the skills, I see him as an aggressive Bennel which would have been something! he has the foot skills, speed, courage, endurance and versatility. I would love to see him beat Nicho for the small rebounding defender/wingman - I remember in the NAB cup he delivered a beautiful low pass to a leading forward after a run through the midfield .... sadly a rare occurrence at our club. Blease and Watts are also ones that I think are destined to improve this year - safe dream team choices.

[Guest]

Jack Watts for sure.

That stretch in the middle of last year gave us a taste of his ability; I think that sweeping half-back role, ala Goddard is absolutely perfect for him - he's a great kick, and a great reader of opponents kicks (rated very highly in intercept marks last year, despite only playing the role part-time). Gun

[Young Dee 1,303]

Jack Watts for sure.

That stretch in the middle of last year gave us a taste of his ability; I think that sweeping half-back role, ala Goddard is absolutely perfect for him - he's a great kick, and a great reader of opponents kicks (rated very highly in intercept marks last year, despite only playing the role part-time). Gun

Yes, I think he will improve but by how much? he did play some good games back there last year (Bombers round 10). I think a player like Jetta has more to show this year though (never really been able to hold down a spot).

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Jack Watts, didn't need the other options

[dpositive 1,663]

Dont want to spoil your enthusiasm YD but we really need to see them all improve.

The most improved will probably be the one starting from the lowest base.

An increase of 100% of 2 is only 4 while an increase from 7 to 14 would be lot more difficult.

However an even small improvement in Watts will result in better opportunities for teammates and therefore may be the most improved for outcomes

[Deeoldfart 8,005]

I reckon you could mount solid arguments for several of them (esp. Watts, Dunn, Evans), but I gave my vote to Blease by a whisker from Jetta. I get the impression that Sammy's work ethic has increased markedly under Neeld (ie. I think he has got the message!), and as his fitness improves, the cameos will become a thing of the past, and he will become an important and consistent play-maker with loads of class. Touch wood the injury gods will start to smile in his direction.

[Guest]

Yes, I think he will improve but by how much? he did play some good games back there last year (Bombers round 10). I think a player like Jetta has more to show this year though (never really been able to hold down a spot).

Honestly, I don't believe Jetta's ceiling is that high. I personally think he's a 23rd-24th man, maybe a soild sub. Granted, he has a lot to play for, but Watts has the potential to be elite, and that alone makes his potential for improvement that much greater

[Little Goffy 14,454]

I've gone with Tom McDonald, but it really highlights how much belief I have in the radical improvement of our defence this year - my shortlist would have been Watts, McDonald, Jetta and a 'return to form' from Frawley which is not quite the point of the poll here, but would count as a huge improvement on 2012.

Cheers to the defence this year.

Hang on... looking at our forward line... it has become something like Clark, Dawes, Howe, Byrnes and Rodan.

Bit different story to getting Rivers to step in to provide any kind of viable target!

And our midfield... perhaps not as immediate a turnaround, but there's some good kids that seem a bit more 'bankable' than our past early selections, and we've added a pile of 'solid workers' to our depth. Hmm...

The only place we haven't made a notable improvement to our best 22 line up would be ruck, where an awful lot hangs off Mark Jamar staying fit, as it did last year. I wonder where the answer to the structural problem will come from?

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Dont want to spoil your enthusiasm YD but we really need to see them all improve.

The most improved will probably be the one starting from the lowest base.

An increase of 100% of 2 is only 4 while an increase from 7 to 14 would be lot more difficult.

However an even small improvement in Watts will result in better opportunities for teammates and therefore may be the most improved for outcomes

huh? an increase of 2-4 should be compared to an increase of 7-9

[CatFishPig 440]

Dunn could be set for a good year.. But Watts will improve the most I reckon..

Would love to see Tapscott and Strauss have big years..

[Deeoldfart 8,005]

Honestly, I don't believe Jetta's ceiling is that high. I personally think he's a 23rd-24th man, maybe a soild sub. Granted, he has a lot to play for, but Watts has the potential to be elite, and that alone makes his potential for improvement that much greater

I beg to differ on that one Dof'94. Nev is not 'flashy' but I reckon he has lots going for him including hardness at the ball and man, strength and courage, reasonable pace, good anticipation and awareness, very good hands and a sound kick. Regular injury concerns and the variety of roles he has been asked to perform over his short career have meant that he has never become a regular best 22, but if he can stay fit, I think he can make the back pocket (Barty's old spot) his own during 2013. Coming off a low base, it wouldn't surprise me if he is a strong contender for most improved.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Watts of Sylvia, IMO...

I'll vote for Watts now, as I see him on an upward climb, & with the confidence following that maturity, I imagine he has a lot of room to improve.

[Ouch! 2,258]

I reckon you could mount solid arguments for several of them (esp. Watts, Dunn, Evans), but I gave my vote to Blease by a whisker from Jetta. I get the impression that Sammy's work ethic has increased markedly under Neeld (ie. I think he has got the message!), and as his fitness improves, the cameos will become a thing of the past, and he will become an important and consistent play-maker with loads of class. Touch wood the injury gods will start to smile in his direction.

I think I have to agree here. I think Watts will improve, but it sounds like the penny has dropped for Blease, and he is one of few players on our list that I cannot easily put a ceiling on...

Has pace, the ability to break lines, good skills and loves to get a goal. Endurance and a defensive mindset were the things that he was lacking, but these things can be improved in time. Ideally would love him to play wing rather than forward...

... of course Howe might improve and get a clean dozen or more Mark of the year nominations!

[Satyriconhome 10,724]

Nice to see the love for Nev Jetta, been wearing 39 on my jumper for last 3 years, still think it will be Watts, but if Nev can get a decent run in the team...watch out......as Neeld says in Season preview, "has been able to show his capabilities more because he's is fitter"

[Young Dee 1,303]

Dont want to spoil your enthusiasm YD but we really need to see them all improve.

The most improved will probably be the one starting from the lowest base.

An increase of 100% of 2 is only 4 while an increase from 7 to 14 would be lot more difficult.

However an even small improvement in Watts will result in better opportunities for teammates and therefore may be the most improved for outcomes

I am hardly saying only one needs to or is going to improve... I strongly agree that if we are going to have a good year several-all of these players will need to improve immensely.

As for the most improved, I choose Jetta because he is starting from the 'lowest base' when compared to players like Watts (therefore greater potential to improve - from fringe player to starting 22 or 18).

[Bitter but optimistic 22,218]

Our new forward set up could be of great benefit for Howe. With the main defenders looking elsewhere I think he can do some serious damage.

[old dee 23,781]

Our new forward set up could be of great benefit for Howe. With the main defenders looking elsewhere I think he can do some serious damage.

That would be an excellent result Bbo

[dpositive 1,663]

huh? an increase of 2-4 should be compared to an increase of 7-9

Sorry 2-4 is 100% increase 7-14 is 100% increase harder to achieve when base is higher

I Think???

[old dee 23,781]

Sorry 2-4 is 100% increase 7-14 is 100% increase harder to achieve when base is higher

I Think???

The hole is getting bigger dpositive

[Young Dee 1,303]

Well despite all the Jack Watts bashers on here, he is predicted to improve the most (lucky I have him in my Dream Team then!)

Can anyone make any suggestions for a decent forward for my Dream Team, I plan to replace Clark with someone? He will take a while to get his form back and when he does I will get him again.

My forward line is: Clark, Darling, Hurely, Saad, C Brown, J Kennedy, Vickery, Menzel

Sorry should probs be in the Dream Team thread...

[Young Dee 1,303]

The hole is getting bigger dpositive

You know what he means .... it would be harder for a player like Jones to improve than a player like Jetta or Strauss.

[old dee 23,781]

You know what he means .... it would be harder for a player like Jones to improve than a player like Jetta or Strauss.

Yes Young Dee.

I was just making a small joke about trying to explain your way out of an error

[Pates 9,660]

I gotta go with Watts, I really thinks going to be one of our best players by the end of the year. Don't get too excited, I think he'll still frustrate us sometimes, but not as often.

[Young Dee 1,303]

I gotta go with Watts, I really thinks going to be one of our best players by the end of the year. Don't get too excited, I think he'll still frustrate us sometimes, but not as often.

Haha ... your telling us not to get to excited! ...."Going to be one of our best players by the end of the year"

[ignition. 1,463]

Prior to Trenners injuring himself and having an interupted preseason, he would of been in there for me amongst Watts and Sylvia. I think we may see improvement or him take it to another level from mid-season.