WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - ALEX NEAL-BULLEN

[What 18,810]

Just keeps getting better and Ive noticed he learns from his mistakes.  He made some howlers earlier in the season, but now hes making great decisions  ie. kicking to Lewis with 30 seconds left to ice the Carlton game, and the pass to Trac at the top of the square yesterday when he could have had a shot himself from the angle.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Petraccattack

[Little Richard 6,261]

So glad to see his exceptional VFL form last year has translated. It's a luxury we now have, allowing players to tear it up in the seconds for a long period of time before promoting them. Our depth is great, but ANB is now much more than depth.

[Cards13 9,117]

54 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Agreed, Cards.  I'll be the first to say that I wasn't sure he could make it.  It seemed like many were hanging on to his 3 goal game against Geelong in 2015 as a beacon of hope, but I wasn't convinced.  I am now.

His worth to the team was summed up in the first term, when he did the team thing by hitting up Petracca instead of taking the low percentage option of a shot on goal.  He then hit Garlett lace out with a beauty, something he does quite regularly these days.  He's quickly turned himself into an important cog in our side and his development this season has been a joy to watch.

He has become really confident with his kicking. His pass into the centre from the members wing in the second was brilliant and almost cracked the Powah open. Kudos to you Nibbles.

 

[Nasher 33,607]

Well he's definitely upset my list management plans - at the start of season I had him as easy fodder for list turnover. Can't even see him being prised out of the senior team at this stage, let alone off the list. He's been excellent.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

ANB is now a really good player.

I reckon Goodwin can take all the credit for this. He seems to have invested in his development. Some people seem to forget that ANB was an elite junior and was seen to be a lock for a top 25 selection. That we got him at pick 40 was a surprise to many, and he's now displaying the attributes that many thought he would at AFL level.

Stretch is another player in this category IMO.

 

[Sir Why You Little 36,961]

A few of those quality kicks to a team mate, in front of goal during a final can set the tone of a match. 

Early Goals in Finals can be Solid Gold

[Mach5 4,767]

Very impressed with him over the last month.

I recall when he played in the U/18 carnival for SA that they won the champs without any standout stars, but he more than anyone in that side was simply so effective without having any attributes that made him stand out. Reminiscent of Rockliff in that aspect really. I hoped we'd managed a steal when we recruited him, but quickly gave up after it looked like he was just another bog-ordinary plodder.

Happy now to pull on my NFI jumper & grin like an idiot.

[DeeMfc 621]

1 hour ago, Ron Burgundy said:

ANB is now a really good player.

I reckon Goodwin can take all the credit for this. He seems to have invested in his development. Some people seem to forget that ANB was an elite junior and was seen to be a lock for a top 25 selection. That we got him at pick 40 was a surprise to many, and he's now displaying the attributes that many thought he would at AFL level.

Stretch is another player in this category IMO.

 

http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-03-29/goodwins-given-me-belief-nealbullen

[Vineytime 847]

Good decision maker and hard at the footy, love seeing ANB & Harmes develop...

[Young Blood 2,575]

24 minutes ago, Vineytime said:

Good decision maker and hard at the footy, love seeing ANB & Harmes develop...

I think players like Harmes, ANB and Stretch are really vital in that they must keep improving to take the club to the next level. They are the next tier of players that have a really good strong foundation in their competitiveness and are starting to show they belong in the best 22. The best teams have these sorts of guys that play consistently each week to bridge a teams worst and best performances.

I think its terrific how the club has shown persistence with these players, giving them games to develop even when they haven't stood out. They're not the most explosive or skilful but all three are so hard at the contest and are learning to find ways to be effective in their roles.

ANB has definitely taken the next step this season. His vision and creativity with the ball has really stood out to me. He's got a great tank, tackling and contested ball work thanks to playing through the midfield often with Casey and has really carved out a role for himself thanks to hard work and trust/belief from coaches.

Edited July 23, 2017 by mongrel

[faultydet 7,594]

3 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

A few of those quality kicks to a team mate, in front of goal during a final can set the tone of a match. 

Early Goals in Finals can be Solid Gold

Sometimes when you take an envious look at the previous Premier, you wonder how on earth they assembled the talent they have. Some have father/son gifts, while other have just a couple of years in a row where they nailed almost all of their draft picks, and some are lucky enough to have both (Geelong)

Neal-Bullen, Jayden Hunt, Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Neville Jetta, have all been fantastic value for the draft picks used. When combined with a couple of years of nailing our early picks, we are building a list to be feared.

 

Love A.N.Bs vision. He takes the available time to always find someone in a better spot, and doesn.t worry about the flashy stuff. Consummate team player. Love what he is turning into.

[Sir Why You Little 36,961]

1 minute ago, faultydet said:

Sometimes when you take an envious look at the previous Premier, you wonder how on earth they assembled the talent they have. Some have father/son gifts, while other have just a couple of years in a row where they nailed almost all of their draft picks, and some are lucky enough to have both (Geelong)

Neal-Bullen, Jayden Hunt, Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Neville Jetta, have all been fantastic value for the draft picks used. When combined with a couple of years of nailing our early picks, we are building a list to be feared.

 

Love A.N.Bs vision. He takes the available time to always find someone in a better spot, and doesn.t worry about the flashy stuff. Consummate team player. Love what he is turning into.

I remember his first interview outside the MCG

He is a smart boy. I am not at all suprised he is playing that way, now that he has experience and confidence

[ding 5,126]

I purchased his stocks early.... get off the bandwagon you Jonny-come-lately's

(Did i mention i have an ANB badge?) 

Go you good thing !!!!

[bjDee 1,249]

5 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Just keeps getting better and Ive noticed he learns from his mistakes.  He made some howlers earlier in the season, but now hes making great decisions  ie. kicking to Lewis with 30 seconds left to ice the Carlton game, and the pass to Trac at the top of the square yesterday when he could have had a shot himself from the angle.

 

5 hours ago, Luther said:

So glad to see his exceptional VFL form last year has translated. It's a luxury we now have, allowing players to tear it up in the seconds for a long period of time before promoting them. Our depth is great, but ANB is now much more than depth.

When he first stepped up from VFL I was very happy for him - and for us.  He showed such great intensity in the Scorps as an in-and-under midfielder.  His ability to provide quick release by hand (especially) and also by foot with short passes to players in the clear showed his great awareness, and clean skills.

But step up to AFL, and his skills seemed to go missing under the extra intensity at the higher level.  I still wince at some of the missed passes and crucial turnovers he did even earlier this year, but I am SO SO glad to see those becoming far less common as he becomes far more prolific with possessions.  Finally, he is looking comfortable on the big stage.  And he is still a very young bloke.  It bodes very well for his future.

[dazzledavey36 54,229]

When he was drafted I made comparisons to one Rory Sloane. I have stood by that all along and still do.

Early on the season I thought some of his decision making and foot skills were horrific, but now he's improved those out of sight!

This is why I have confidence JKH will make it and become an important member of our side. It takes time, but with the right development then anything is possible.

[Guest]

Plus, he is a sledger extraordinaire.

If he drags anyone down, it's London to a brick he will give them a Jack Viney style bollocking to let them know how big a mug of concrete they need to drink.

[Return to Glory 8,411]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I remember his first interview outside the MCG

He is a smart boy. I am not at all suprised he is playing that way, now that he has experience and confidence

I remember that too. He's a very smart footballer and, in our wildest dreams, we have a budding Sam Mitchell on our hands.

[DeeZone 9,644]

53 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

I remember that too. He's a very smart footballer and, in our wildest dreams, we have a budding Sam Mitchell on our hands.

How good would that be!!!

[Mach5 4,767]

2 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

Plus, he is a sledger extraordinaire.

If he drags anyone down, it's London to a brick he will give them a Jack Viney style bollocking to let them know how big a mug of concrete they need to drink.

Is he now?

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

2 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

Plus, he is a sledger extraordinaire.

If he drags anyone down, it's London to a brick he will give them a Jack Viney style bollocking to let them know how big a mug of concrete they need to drink.

How does his sledging help his decision making and kicking and already potential to impose himself? ?

Also @Colin B. Flaubert - do you have a selection of his finest reparté?

[binman 42,625]

7 hours ago, Nasher said:

Well he's definitely upset my list management plans - at the start of season I had him as easy fodder for list turnover. Can't even see him being prised out of the senior team at this stage, let alone off the list. He's been excellent.

I have to say that i have always rated ANB  but  had similar thoughts about Harmes. But he is proving me wrong and like you with ANB i am finding it hard to imagine him being dropped form the seniors. He has cleaned up his decision making, is a very reliable kick for goals, is very flexible in terms of his role and plays super hard. 

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,222]

I like the boy!!!

 

[Adzman 2,154]

I was suprised so many had him down as a delist candidate. His VFL form has always stood up, and he hasn't had too many howlers at AFL level. Really pleased to see him playing good footy. 

[jacey 333]

21 minutes ago, Adzman said:

I was suprised so many had him down as a delist candidate. His VFL form has always stood up, and he hasn't had too many howlers at AFL level. Really pleased to see him playing good footy. 

he had some brain fades earlier in the year but he has tightened his game up.

With increased confidence he has shown he has Skills and a good decision making. 

Trending up.  Great 16-22 player

Edited July 23, 2017 by jacey

[McQueen 17,864]

3 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

Plus, he is a sledger extraordinaire.

If he drags anyone down, it's London to a brick he will give them a Jack Viney style bollocking to let them know how big a mug of concrete they need to drink.

I think it's a part of his game he should move away from. He's not exactly a Jonathan Brown type who has the physical intimidation ready to back up a few smart arse comments.

He's doing fine by letting his footy do the talking right now.