Who is shaping as a surprise packet for Melbourne in 2015?

[CBDees 3,162]

Need to set McKenzie loose, away from defensive roles, reckon he will surprise, if I recall his first few games were quite good before he was sentenced as a tagger.

I think that you have surprised the whole of Demonland by your post Bluey! Of all the players on our list, Jordie was the last that l would expect to have a break- out year!

[Demon 16 176]

Max Gawn.

Will breakout this year.

[Dee Dee 1,046]

Need to set McKenzie loose, away from defensive roles, reckon he will surprise, if I recall his first few games were quite good before he was sentenced as a tagger.

But, to be a good football player you need to kick goals from a set shot 20 meters out, directly in front.

[Jarka 767]

We've probably got about half a dozen who could fit into this category, who are at that right age and experience to start showing at AFL level.

Frost

Newton

Michie

Viney

Kent

Toumpas

JKH

Riley

And then there are the draftees who could produce anything...or nothing.

My guess is Newton or Toumpas to really step it up

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I think we've got quite a few players that are set to break-out in 2015. Kent, Gawn, Hogan and Viney are the four that spring to my mind.

[FireOath 290]

I've got my money on Tyson to breakout.

[daisycutter 28,627]

i don't give a fig who

as long as at least 3-4 are surprise packets

and even then there is a long way to go

[old dee 22,930]

i don't give a fig who

as long as at least 3-4 are surprise packets

and even then there is a long way to go

That covers it for me too dc

[Maldonboy38 5,946]

Liam Jurrah was the last player who got people out of their seats, yelling out his name every time he got the ball, and as brilliant as he could be his form was flaky. Before him we probably have to go back to the Wizard and the Ox.

We need 1-3 players to be crowd pullers, commentator darlings, the kind of player that other supporters wish their club had. It has been far too long between drinks at MFC.

It is possible that Hogan and JKH could be, but it remains potential. We need to see an A-grade breakout season very soon and I hope it happens in 2015.

But apart from the crowd-puller, I reckon Toumpas or Newton will become lock-in starting 22 for mine.Toumpas will be an entry inside 50 specialist delivering with precision. Newton will replace Cross by mid-year and our starting midfield five will become Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney, & Newton. Kent might slot in there as well.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,481]

I'd like to see some of the surprise packets from 2014 step up another notch again. Nev Jetta, Pedo, Kent, even Fitzy showed some promise. Wouldn't it be great for our depth if the more highly rated guys were regularly challenged for a spot in the 22 by these players?

No more passengers.

I think he showed promise in 2013; not so much in 2014. I'd be delighted and very surprised if he's our surprise packet this year.

I'll go with a perennial favourite/whipping boy. I'm hoping Jack Watts will be our surprise packet this year. And it's not just wishful thinking. With more grunt in the midfield, we can stop worrying that Watts isn't getting the hardball and be grateful that he can be used as the distributor of the ball dug out of packs for him by players like Viney and others.

[McQueen 17,864]

Wow.

34 posts into the thread and nobody has mentioned Jack Watts.

[CBDees 3,162]

Liam Jurrah was the last player who got people out of their seats, yelling out his name every time he got the ball, and as brilliant as he could be his form was flaky. Before him we probably have to go back to the Wizard and the Ox.

We need 1-3 players to be crowd pullers, commentator darlings, the kind of player that other supporters wish their club had. It has been far too long between drinks at MFC.

It is possible that Hogan and JKH could be, but it remains potential. We need to see an A-grade breakout season very soon and I hope it happens in 2015.

But apart from the crowd-puller, I reckon Toumpas or Newton will become lock-in starting 22 for mine.Toumpas will be an entry inside 50 specialist delivering with precision. Newton will replace Cross by mid-year and our starting midfield five will become Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney, & Newton. Kent might slot in there as well.

I think that both Salem and Toumpas will be "entry inside 50 specialists, delivery with precision. "!

[Bitter but optimistic 21,343]

Wow.

34 posts into the thread and nobody has mentioned Jack Watts.

Probably because we are either (due to previous disappointment) over pumping Jack up .. Or we accept the fact that what you see is what you are likely to get ( and are disappointed) .... Or.. we quietly hope that Jack will have a "breakout year" but don't say anything (because we don't want to be disappointed ...again).

[djr 1,071]

Max Gawn.

Will breakout this year.

If he gives up the smokes

[deeflog 679]

I think it's high time that the law of averages operated in this area because over the past decade or so, Melbourne simply hasn't produced it's share of surprise packages.

I think Lynden Dunn last year was one of the few surprises we've produced in that time. He really did lift his game to a level I certainly didn't expect. There may have been a few others in this time but our record has been that we've produced too many players who simply haven't come near the expected level. Our surprise packets have mainly been the ones who have surprisingly not produced the standards expected of them when they were recruited and that's one of the reasons we've stayed down for so long.

Time for that to change.

you werent surprised by Nev Jetta last season?

[Moonshadow 16,296]

Probably because we are either (due to previous disappointment) over pumping Jack up .. Or we accept the fact that what you see is what you are likely to get ( and are disappointed) .... Or.. we quietly hope that Jack will have a "breakout year" but don't say anything (because we don't want to be disappointed ...again).

What about your boy Spencil BBO? Any love for him as a surprise packet in season 2015?

[Demon 16 176]

If he gives up the smokes

Really?

Gee that's surprising, given the running sessions I've seen him complete.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,941]

Wow.

34 posts into the thread and nobody has mentioned Jack Watts.

And why would they? Jack Watts has elite disposal, has great footy smarts, lost track of how many times last year I've thought "who the f##k is that to" only for him to hit someone on the chest in heavy traffic or put the ball out in front of someone and into space. His work ethic at times is pathetic, was it last year Dawes has to sprint 30 odd metres past Watts to man up his man, we are all aware of these types of examples. I understand the difference positions but Watts takes outside to a new level. I've seen Watts in a two in one going for a loose ball, he was in perfect position to hit the jets grab the ball and sprint away, but because of the chance of contact he pulled up and waited for his teammate(can't remember who it was) to get the ball out to him, his teammate got the ball but also got tackled resulting in a ball up and everyone flooding back. People will argue he is playing his role but I think he is the exception to some of these "non negotiables". Struggles to lay an effective tackle. He has the potential to become elite but while he continues to search for kicks in the carpark of the MCG he will continue to cop flack here and at the game as an unfulfilled talent and his name will be brought up as we near each trade week. Just remember it wasn't that long ago Trengove was untouchable. Edited January 4, 2015 by Al's Demons

[McQueen 17,864]

Probably because we are either (due to previous disappointment) over pumping Jack up .. Or we accept the fact that what you see is what you are likely to get ( and are disappointed) .... Or.. we quietly hope that Jack will have a "breakout year" but don't say anything (because we don't want to be disappointed ...again).

Thank you for completing what I couldn't be effed posting.

[Moonshadow 16,296]

Don't really mind who the surprise packet is, so long as they all earn their pay packets.

[Tyson4Brownlow 154]

The surprise packet will be the competition remembering again how good Jeff Garlett is! 30+ goals and plenty of spark up front.

Also think that Matt Jones has another level and will remain best 22 despite the critics

[KingDingAling 3,613]

Salem will be the surprise packet, has it all.

Most complete young player we've drafted in a long while.

[Bombay Airconditioning 5,941]

Salem will be the surprise packet, has it all.

Most complete young player we've drafted in a long while.

He seems so composed, very much looks the goods.

[What 18,810]

Viv Michie

[Bitter but optimistic 21,343]

What about your boy Spencil BBO? Any love for him as a surprise packet in season 2015?

I haven't commented on Jake because I'm uncertain of where he is at fitness wise atm. However, I remain confident that he will be an important player in Melbourne's future.