2015 Player Review - # 30 Alex Neal-Bullen

[Demonland 66,372]

Noted as an extractor of the football and an elite runner in his junior career, Neale-Bullen worked his way up into the senior team by midway through the year and is developing nicely under the Paul Roos style of coaching. Has re-signed for an extra year which ties him to the club until at least 2017.

Games MFC 2015 11

Career Total 11

Goals MFC 2015 6

Career Total 6

Games CSFC 2015 6

Goals CSFC 2015 0

Games CSFC DL 2015 2

Goals CSFC 2015 DL 1

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 31 votes

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Love his work. He was fantastic in our win at Mordor.

[CBDees 3,162]

Another preseason and we will have a handy player!

[dazzledavey36 49,207]

Reminds me alot of Rory Sloane

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I like him.

[Ted Lasso 17,084]

I think I mentioned at the time, when he was drafted we rated him a late first round pick, fair to say we were pretty shocked when he dropped to pick 40 odd.

[What 18,810]

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

not sold on him yet. will wait this one out a little while longer.

[Nasher 33,166]

not sold on him yet. will wait this one out a little while longer.

Watch the second goal in the vid HH linked. It's more than just a "Joe the Goose" - he started on the HBF behind Lumumba and worked in to be an option in every step of the play.

Agree that he's got a way to go and like his best mate Billy, has a truckload of physical development to do before he's true AFL threat. I'm bullish though, he has the tank, ethic and desire to make it. I think he will.

[beelzebub 22,282]

Whats not to like about the kid.

Another summer he'll be better. Some more games..better...another summer...

Seems like he can play.

Got a way to go...should get there.

Edited September 27, 2015 by beelzebub

[Earl Hood 5,811]

He obviously knows where the goals are and moves very well. I think he will develop into a very smart half forward, part time midfielder.

[monoccular 16,381]

Great footage from a great game....unfortunately his first goal was subjected to Derwayne's inane commentary.

He loves to use the expression "the biggest moment of his career!" Inanely.

[Redleg 38,009]

Has a funny characteristic, always has his mouth open on the field, sucking in air.

[monoccular 16,381]

Has a funny characteristic, always has his mouth open on the field, sucking in air.

The Scott twins look like that even in their sedentary position in the coaching box :-) Edited September 27, 2015 by monoccular

[dazzledavey36 49,207]

Lets not forget this mid missed all the pre season due to dislocating his knee twice. So to come out and play 11 games is a credit to him and our medical staff.

[Moonshadow 16,385]

That interview he did with Burgs (I think) after his first game was a ripper. Very well spoken, good head on his shoulders. I'm going to enjoy watching some of our late picks develop over the next few years. Good start ANB.

[poita 3,681]

To play as many games as he did after so little preseason was a good effort, but his performances after the Geelong game were pretty ordinary for the most part. We should have a better idea of his true ability by the mid point of next season. I wonder whether he will develop a true point of difference to become an elite player, or if he'll just be a decent all rounder.

[beelzebub 22,282]

I'll take 3 goals of a player as 'ordinary" any day of the week

[Earl Hood 5,811]

To play as many games as he did after so little preseason was a good effort, but his performances after the Geelong game were pretty ordinary for the most part. We should have a better idea of his true ability by the mid point of next season. I wonder whether he will develop a true point of difference to become an elite player, or if he'll just be a decent all rounder.

I think he was the sub a number of times in games, so his stats wouldn't be great.

[Webber 10,180]

I'm as bullish about Nibbler as any of the new boys. Loves the contest, reads the play very well, neat disposal and has excellent goal sense. After an interrupted preseason, he showed AFL quality and desire pretty much every time he got a show. An integral part of the new era is ANB.

[P-man 13,276]

Kudos to bjDee for helping try and get "Biz" off the ground as a nickname.

We tried mate. It didn't work. We can only try.

"Nibbler" he shall be.

[DemonDave 1,078]

I think he was the sub a number of times in games, so his stats wouldn't be great.

ANB started as the sub 5 times this year, 2 more than anyone else

[Lucifers Hero 37,323]

Some interviews with Alex on mfc website: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-10-30/nealbullen-relishes-first-year-with-dees

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-10-30/great-to-share-journey-with-billy-anb

This comment caught my eye: “It’s a great bunch boys this year that came in and even the second and third year are all rippers in that we’ve all got our mind set on the one thing and that’s taking this club to the top.”

A number of our young brigade have made similar comments at eos interviews. I have no sense they are platitudes and really sense passion and desire in the comments. Could it be that they have made their own pact to stay together and make it happen? Young players, young coach-in-waiting, the steady development of McCartney and the wisdom of Roos! All add up to the making of a new culture!

Anyone else get the feeling that our young brigade will be pushing 'senior' players to show the right attitude and perform rather than the other way round?

Bring it on!

Edited November 1, 2015 by Lucifer's Hero

[whatwhat say what 19,633]

He looks a natural reader of the play, and he runs hard.

He and Stretch showed really encouraging signs in their first year, alongside Brayshaw and VDB last year. Looks like we might've done okay based on first year appearances in last year's draft - plus Petracca to come.

[Return to Glory 7,787]

I'm as bullish about Nibbler as any of the new boys. Loves the contest, reads the play very well, neat disposal and has excellent goal sense. After an interrupted preseason, he showed AFL quality and desire pretty much every time he got a show. An integral part of the new era is ANB.

Agree completely Webber. Really looking forward to ANB lifting another notch with a full pre season. Good reader of the play.