Mitch Clark

Jesse Hogan

Dom Tyson

Bernie Vince

Sam Blease

Viv Michie

Jimmy Toumpas

and a fit Jack Trengove

Tyson - We are desperate for a big bodied mid and this guy has all of the tools. He came back from injury at the end of the season and showed a bit in the rd 23 game against GC. I am hoping that he becomes the deal of the draft

Watts - Will we finally see Watts dominate games? I am hoping that Roos give him the confidence to use his athletic abilities and become an elite inside receiver and use his pace and skills to set up plays.

Fitz - The big man could become anything. I am a huge fan and I believe he could be the biggest improver of the current players. I have really enjoyed watching his progress in 2013.

I haven't bought into the Hogan hype. The kid will be a gun however we should not expect big things for a couple of years. It was stated in one of the training threads that Dunn was beating him in 1:1s so let's control the hype.

Tyson - We are desperate for a big bodied mid and this guy has all of the tools. He came back from injury at the end of the season and showed a bit in the rd 23 game against GC. I am hoping that he becomes the deal of the draft

Watts - Will we finally see Watts dominate games? I am hoping that Roos give him the confidence to use his athletic abilities and become an elite inside receiver and use his pace and skills to set up plays.

Fitz - The big man could become anything. I am a huge fan and I believe he could be the biggest improver of the current players. I have really enjoyed watching his progress in 2013.

I haven't bought into the Hogan hype. The kid will be a gun however we should not expect big things for a couple of years. It was stated in one of the training threads that Dunn was beating him in 1:1s so let's control the hype.

don't believe everything you read and who knows what the drill was???

Hogan will be like Darling + more in year one, he will have an impact.

Thought that might get a response. Fair point regarding the intent of that drill as I would not know. Dunn is good 1:1 so it is possible that he is beating Hogan at this stage of his development. Am hoping that you are right obviously.

Dunn's going in to his 10th season, you would hope he can handle an 18 year old

Dean Kent

Dom Barry

Jayden Hunt

Because I like seeing how 'speccy' picks turn out and whether they can 'make it'.

These three seem to have either some 'X-factor' or speed that may turn into something.

Some good choices from the MFC list there. In the broader AFL:

1. Franklin - duh!,
2. Jack Martin - could he really be better than O'Meara?,
3. Joel Tippett - if he makes it he's a rare commodity we could have had.

Do those that don't mention Hogan know he has yet to play an AFL match yet?

How can you not have him as the number 1 in the terms of this thread?

Hogan will be the first genuine star since Flower. And he'll be a significant force very early in his career. He'll dominate quarters of footy in his first year. In fact, he's my only "untouchable".

I didn't mention him in my 3, because I'm interpreting the thread perhaps differently to others and perhaps differently to the way it was intended. There's no-one I'm more excited about seeing next year than Hogan, but I listed my 3 players based on their importance to produce for us to become a significant footy team again.

Im going a little left field.

We sort of know what the likes of Hogan , Clark and some others have to offer. Im simply expecting them to do mainly what they are capable of.

if I have to choose only three as some form of litmus:

Viv Michie

Highly respected at his last club he I think may emerge as a very solid steadying mid with a hint of dare-to- do flair. I dont think he'll be alone but am intrigues to see how he goes.

Jack Watts

So much said and expected of Jackie but maybe a move into the middle is that panacea and the wick for lighting up his game. I've lauded him, I've maligned him but he has the elements to make an incredible impact if he can muster them together. Here's hoping.

Jeremy Howe

Had a lot placed on his shoulders in 13 and this stiffled his natural game a far bit I feel. With more in support up forward he might be the 'pizaz' we all clammer

lots of others to choose from...

Hogan will be the first genuine star since Flower. And he'll be a significant force very early in his career. He'll dominate quarters of footy in his first year. In fact, he's my only "untouchable".

I didn't mention him in my 3, because I'm interpreting the thread perhaps differently to others and perhaps differently to the way it was intended. There's no-one I'm more excited about seeing next year than Hogan, but I listed my 3 players based on their importance to produce for us to become a significant footy team again.

I think a number of people interpreted it like you have. I just find it funny that so many are 'keener to see' players not named Hogan.

I just wonder whether some are projecting their own nervousness about having so much excitment and hype surrounding a player - and attempting to dial back their own hopes and expectations...

It's ok, people. He will be good. Very good.

For mine it's:

Hogan based on the very brief preview we had in the NAB Cup and the fact that he will have had a year in the system at Casey and a full pre-season under the tutelage of Paul Roos - however, I hope the weight of expectations doesn't hold him back.

Watts - I am really looking forward to see what the new coaching team can extract from him...he was obviously inspired enough to sign a new contract and remain at the club when he could easily have walked, so hopefully this will show in his match day performances.

Toumpas - from all reports he is looking a lot slicker at training and given a full pre-season with more freedom of movement and no lingering affects from his hip surgery, I look forward to seeing him playing with more confidence.

Of course I always look forward to seeing how our new recruits perform, but my main interest lies in seeing what improvements have been made in players from our pre draft/trade list; players that we know have ability but for whatever reason haven't translated that into consistent quality on-field performance.

Naming three is hard. Hogan is going to be number one on the watch list because.. well we all know why. But other than that it's a hodge podge of players that seem to have talent but have looked lost over the last couple of years. Hopefully a coach with a clue can un-lost them. The mids will be my primary focus - with them breaking even or winning in more games than they don't then we should look a much better team given our forwards look very strong, and our backs pretty solid.

Edited December 8, 201311 yr by Carrot Top

Jesse Hogan - No need to elaborate!

Daniel Cross - Will add plenty to our side, likley to be a bad move by the doggies to let him go

Dom Tyson - Looking forward to seeing what he has to offer, highlights look slick.

Plenty of others Barry, Michie, Vince etc

I'm quite keen to see Riley poleaxe someone but the big 3 for me are:

Tyson

Hogan

Watts (the Roos version)

Oh and Michie

Hogan - he is a power forward and i can't wait to see him rag dolling some opponents in the next few years!

Tyson - I haven't really seen what he can do apart from a few highlight.

Michie - I think he is very under-rated and given time could be something special (Kennedy esk deal aka hawks to swans.. ).

This for me too.

There are heaps of players I'm eager to see as the season progresses (Trenners, Toumpas, Vince etc) but those three tick important boxes for a curious fan leading into round one: performance, young quality and a possible coup pick up.

I think a number of people interpreted it like you have. I just find it funny that so many are 'keener to see' players not named Hogan.

I just wonder whether some are projecting their own nervousness about having so much excitment and hype surrounding a player - and attempting to dial back their own hopes and expectations...

It's ok, people. He will be good. Very good.

It's not out "nervousness", it's about not expecting a superstar from day dot.

Perhaps some are intrigued by the unknown quantities in our list, of which there are many. Not to mention that the midfield is the area of the ground that was in intensive care and thus will be of chief interest next season to see how much we have improved. It will largely be what determines improvement as a whole. It naturally follows that for some, midfielders are of more interest.

Viney, Toumpas, Tyson - the new engine room

It's not out "nervousness", it's about not expecting a superstar from day dot.

Perhaps some are intrigued by the unknown quantities in our list, of which there are many. Not to mention that the midfield is the area of the ground that was in intensive care and thus will be of chief interest next season to see how much we have improved. It will largely be what determines improvement as a whole. It naturally follows that for some, midfielders are of more interest.

What do you mean by 'expecting a superstar?' - the OP just says 'keen to see in 2014.'

I think, to a man (or woman), all Dees fans are most keen to see number 1 running around.

That's just my opinion.

...of others opinions.

What do you mean by 'expecting a superstar?' - the OP just says 'keen to see in 2014.'

I think, to a man (or woman), all Dees fans are most keen to see number 1 running around.

That's just my opinion.

...of others opinions.

The expectations around Hogan are similar to those that existed around Watts. That's not for me.

My focus is on the trashed talent of the past two years. If that talent flourishes we will be a significantly better team at no cost. Trengove, Watts and Strauss for me.

I'm keen to see if Clisby can take the next step. His progress so far has been good, but this is the year that will show if he has a future.

Fitzy - use him or lose him.

Jakey H to have an impact in the second half of the season.

Three players I'm eager to see in 2014:

Pederson - To see if he can live up to that 2:36 youtube clip from 2011

Nicholson - To see if he can eliminate those Divison 4 Suburban league clangers

Bail - See Nicholson

I just want one or two of the new boys to really stand up and give us some serious drive out of the midfield.

Edited December 9, 201311 yr by DeeZee

The expectations around Hogan are similar to those that existed around Watts. That's not for me.

My focus is on the trashed talent of the past two years. If that talent flourishes we will be a significantly better team at no cost. Trengove, Watts and Strauss for me.

I'm with you - it comes down to this age old argument - recruiting vs development and I am keen to see if Roos and co can develop some "lost talent" into good footballers.

In no particular order;

1. Matt Jones - had a promosong debut year at AFL level. First saw him "live" at Southport, thought he could become a best 18 player. Interested to know where his ceiling is.

2. Jake Spencer - I have never been a fan of Pencil, but I saw things in him in the games he played in 2013 that showed he had improved. Given his age and the position he plays, I will be interested to see if he wants it more than Gawn (I do love Maxy, so hope he responds if there is a challenge).

3. Jesse Hogan - just cos!

*Matt Jones: because his story to get to the AFL, play a full season, finish top 5 B n F, and yet be largely discarded in the minds of so many supporters on here when looking at 2014 is very odd to me. Fascinated to see how his ready made durability and work rate are going to go in a better team with a great coach. All upside.

*Dean Terlich : as for Matt Jones, has been downgraded in talks about next year. Defensively loose, Roos doesn't like him, will be passed by others........blah blah.....we'll see! And for all that, presented himself as a dedicated, gutsy, ball finding nugget who will surely improve under the 'expected' better 2014.

*Jimmy Toumpas : showed signs for me of having a lethal combination of skill, creativity, personal ethic and ambition. Fitter, with confidence and in a better on field environment, my crystal ball tells me he's Brownlow material by 25 years of age.