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

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

The real surprise Packet, would be if the team stood up as one and played good winning consistent football

That would really be a surprise packet for us all.

Remember 1 player, does not a team make.

Agreed, that is the nice thing about Tyson, I stir him about becoming a superstar, but he is all about the team, he just wants to play his role as best he can, if he gets rewarded that s because the team is helping him

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,693]

Newton

Salem

Jamar

Almost gave me a heart attack. Thought I'd missed something and Juice was back on the list. The constant promotion of him (was it Picket Fences doing that?) has made me hyper-sensitive to the name.

[Akum 2,660]

Almost gave me a heart attack. Thought I'd missed something and Juice was back on the list. The constant promotion of him (was it Picket Fences doing that?) has made me hyper-sensitive to the name.

Yep, that's a reflex we're all going to have to learn to suppress!

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

Getting the footy. Not actually his improvement but more of an improvement in our ability to get it out to him with more ball winning midfielders.

Once he has it in his hands he is an elite user of the ball.

Yes but unfortunately every now and again it helps if you can get it yourself, not always but sometimes. Did you read the example I gave on page 2 regarding the 2 on 1? If that sort of effort was to cost us a game of importance in the future would people be so forgiving? Edited January 6, 2015 by Al's Demons

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

I can see how it would if you're too young for the captaincy and you're still trying to prove to yourself and others that you are a top-drawer AFL player. I can imagine that the ensuing mental strain would affect your physical performance. I can imagine that the pressure he would've put on himself to perform and set an example while he was captain would have been huge, and basic skill errors would be more likely in that situation. Grimes was never and will never be the best kick in the comp and he will still cough up the footy from time to time, but I'd expect some improvement in his overall performance this year now that he is free of the added mental pressure that the captaincy would've imposed.

I think you make a good point but I'm not sure if I agree. I've got no doubt it affected his decision making at times but as you've alluded to, kicking isn't one of his strengths. Reading training reports about Salem it makes you think you've got it or you haven't. 2015 looms as an interesting year for a few players for different reasons.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

I think the biggest surprise packet will be Rohan Bail, many people have him falling out of the 22, i think he will play 19+ games in a variety of roles and we will significantly benefit from his running capacity.

Yes but unfortunately every now and again it helps if you can get it yourself, not always but sometimes. Did you read the example I gave on page 2 regarding the 2 on 1? If that sort of effort was to cost us a game of importance in the future would people be so forgiving?

I have seen similar instances happen with multiple players, but as a supporter we are more critical of Jack Watts. I think he was a major contributing factor in the games that we won and also the games we were seriously competitive in.

I disagree with pretty much the majority of demonlands sentiments of Jack Watts and would still suggest his contract extension is one of our more important ones after this year.

[Demon_JB 1,376]

I have seen similar instances happen with multiple players, but as a supporter we are more critical of Jack Watts. I think he was a major contributing factor in the games that we won and also the games we were seriously competitive in.

I disagree with pretty much the majority of demonlands sentiments of Jack Watts and would still suggest his contract extension is one of our more important ones after this year.

I think when we are competitive and in the game, Watts shines. He isn't the type of player to stand up when we are getting belted and try to perform. To me that's the definition of being a passenger.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

I think when we are competitive and in the game, Watts shines. He isn't the type of player to stand up when we are getting belted and try to perform. To me that's the definition of being a passenger.

I think when we are getting belted we have very few players that are able to stand up and be counted, let alone a 23 year old. None the less, i think the major thing he would want to work on is his consistency of output, but each year he has shown steady improvement and I still maintain he is one of our most important players for the next 10 years

[TheoX 1,222]

Same for me on Matt Jones. Wildly underrated on here.

Ah yes, was it you that predicted a 'Barlow-esque' 2014 for M. Jones?

[Damo 3,344]

If Watts is the surprise it will mean we are covering the ground better and delivering the ball cleanly. He would shine if that happens and we have Forwards breaking forward and back to create space for him to deliver.

If Fitzy is the surprise it means we have many doing their job and Dawes and Hoges are playing well. He is then in the team on merit (not the Pea) and its possible in that case he could surprise with a few goals.

[Ted Lasso 19,311]

Dom tyson with his first full pre season will be clearly our best player by the end of 2015

[rjay 24,887]

Dom tyson with his first full pre season will be clearly our best player by the end of 2015

What do you think 'P-man'?

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Dom tyson with his first full pre season will be clearly our best player by the end of 2015

Absolutely.

Coming into his fourth season (albeit with some injuries along the way), has played enough good games to have the confidence that he belongs and, to date, hasn't skipped a beat this pre-season.

While he will become more of a target for opposition clubs our midfield in general will improve so hopefully the burden shared.

He will improve the question is by how much.

[rjay 24,887]

Absolutely.

Coming into his fourth season (albeit with some injuries along the way), has played enough good games to have the confidence that he belongs and, to date, hasn't skipped a beat this pre-season.

While he will become more of a target for opposition clubs our midfield in general will improve so hopefully the burden shared.

He will improve the question is by how much.

They started targeting him last year, clubs jumped on him pretty early in the piece when they worked out he was a prime mover. It probably contributed to a flat patch but he seemed to work through it well.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,359]

They started targeting him last year, clubs jumped on him pretty early in the piece when they worked out he was a prime mover. It probably contributed to a flat patch but he seemed to work through it well.

I traded him out during his flat patch only to be burnt.

[FireOath 290]

When he had a serious tag he was shut out of games as you could tag him out with not being used to it. If the tag was on Jones he could break it or still have a positive impact on the game. I think around round 9/10/11 he started getting noticed.

I'm banking on a big year from him too.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Barra17

[Toorak 108]

Hogan is the next Buddy Franklin.

[HEMLOCK 39]

Newton for mine...sorry, for me. mine sounds bloody stupid

[ILLDieADemon 804]

The whole list

Edited January 8, 2015 by ILLDieADemon

[Alcho Dee 269]

Lumumba, I personally think he will be the recruit of the season.

[Left Field 313]

I'm taking this as most improved from disclosed form. Hogan, Newton and others have virtually none.

I'm going with Dean Kent.

Then Viv Michie.

[P-man 13,366]

What do you think 'P-man'?

Jones will still be our best but I expect Tyson to at least be his equal by the conclusion of 2016. He is capable of cementing himself as an A grader (or what I determine to be an A grader) next season.

I don't underrate Tyson my friend. I just don't think he'll be one of the top five players in the league next season. Are you still standing by that btw?

[jazza 1,323]

Hogan is the next Buddy Franklin.

Such a big call for a bloke who hasnt played a game at this level yet.

Has a back injury{worst kind}

And about to debut in a team that has to improve in key areas.

[old dee 23,781]

The hole list

Not quite sure what this is ILDD?

Is it like the hole in a doughnut?

[old dee 23,781]

Such a big call for a bloke who hasnt played a game at this level yet.

Has a back injury{worst kind}

And about to debut in a team that has to improve in key areas.

I agree jazza

Confidence of the highest order