Viney and T Mac to be our first AA's for 6 years.

If Viney plays 22+ games, watch out AFL. he was our best player in the last month of two of this season

smokey: Newton to work on his tank and defensive game and become a regular in the 22.

Viney and T Mac to be our first AA's for 6 years.

If Viney plays 22+ games, watch out AFL. he was our best player in the last month of two of this season

smokey: Newton to work on his tank and defensive game and become a regular in the 22.

Newton is an interesting one. He has the build and good awareness in close but seemed to play an outside role last season. He kicked some goals and looked a likely type at times.

If it's his defensive game and tank that kept him out of a regular senior game then he's every chance of becoming a much better player.

A potential standout, I'm not so convinced.

a part of me thinks we will just be like we are every other year after all the excitement from the off season here's hoping though

a part of me thinks we will just be like we are every other year after all the excitement from the off season here's hoping though

That's reasonably justified given the last 9 seasons.

a part of me thinks we will just be like we are every other year after all the excitement from the off season here's hoping though

it's a tough emotional hurdle for me to jump also

as illustrated in the 'confessions' thread, we all thought 5 years ago that we had the cattle, who would naturally improve to get us back on the radar

i'm finding it hard to be optimistic that our current paradigm is any different

we shall see

Viney and T Mac to be our first AA's for 6 years.

If Viney plays 22+ games, watch out AFL. he was our best player in the last month of two of this season

smokey: Newton to work on his tank and defensive game and become a regular in the 22.

I think a lot of the AFL underrate Viney so, so much. The kid will be an out and out gun and will be for years to come. I agree, since coming back from a leg fracture, he has been a beast. I surely wouldn't want to get in the way of him.

I believe Salem is ear marked to move into the midfield this year, where I think he will thrive.....watch out for a huge year from him as well.

I believe Salem is ear marked to move into the midfield this year, where I think he will thrive.....watch out for a huge year from him as well.

You would say that he has been perfectly developed. Imagine if could've got it "right" like this around 6 years ago?

Surprise packet for mine - ANB.

You would say that he has been perfectly developed. Imagine if could've got it "right" like this around 6 years ago?

Surprise packet for mine - ANB.

Exactly, development is just as important as recruiting , even more perhaps.

I like we way we are going about it , by protecting the young guys playing them in the pockets and flanks untill they are developed for more game game in the middle or key positions.

Hogan being an exception as he is such a beast.

Viney is my smokey.

His disposal this year improved out of site.

Obviously not being coached by his old man.

From what I have seen so far, his running is a big plus.

Viney will be the talk of the town.

Not really sure players like Viney, Salem, TMac etc really classify as being "surprise packets" guys...

petracca will no doubt be a good player, but im not expecting him to assert himself to the extent that say brayshaw did.

Admitedly ive not seen him train this off season, bt i did see him last year and he was generally up the back of packs, even trailing some distances, when he gets tired his running posture really deteriorates, his shoulder role and his feet kick out.

Theres no doubt he will show some explosive play and be strong, but remember that he is a very large frame for his height, I think his stats from last year might have said 94kg and 186cm or something, which is a big boy. Im 180 and 75kg.... and Im relatively normal.

And hes come off a knee, so he may not have a massive tank. hopefully he can rest forward at times.

Mine is kent, the bloke is seriously strong. The game where he did his hammy, he was trearing them to shreds.

Salem could also do very well.

These are exciting times and like everybody, i get excited like this every year, but this group does look more handy than any we have had for a long time.

go dees

Chris Dawes to have a break-out season with 26 goals.

What odds are you giving me?

Watts! I maintain that with decent vision and disposal from our midfield Watts will be a ten mark a game better player.

Sorry, I just felt that I needed to get that off my chest.

Watts! I maintain that with decent vision and disposal from our midfield Watts will be a ten mark a game better player.

Sorry, I just felt that I needed to get that off my chest.

There are rehab facilities for people like you RM.

Harmes at CHF & Forward Pocket

Our midfield with a few more depth players

Viney to rip them apart, attitude, talent and he wants it!

Not really sure players like Viney, Salem, TMac etc really classify as being "surprise packets" guys...

Thanks.. atleast someone gets it..

Van Demon is my tip for this year.

Who are they planning to pick for the remaining rookie spot.

Assuming Michie is a given.

My smoky surprise packet for 2016 is Harmes.

Smoky...packet - wouldn't it have to be Salem?

Image from http://www.cheap-menthol-cigarettes.com/img/cigarette-salem-menthol.jpg.

(Sorry. Don't know how to add an image.)

Jimmy Toumpas for Port Adelaide. #imabelieber

Smoky...packet - wouldn't it have to be Salem?

Image from http://www.cheap-menthol-cigarettes.com/img/cigarette-salem-menthol.jpg.

(Sorry. Don't know how to add an image.)

ugh..what a mess.

Simon Goodwin - I expect that by about round 18 he'll be senior coach in all aspects except title and pay packet. At least, that's how I hope the succession plan plays out.

Frost is already being said as a defender, but I think he will continue to play that ruck forward role and see him using his athletiscism to cause damage forward of the ball.

Its hard to say who the surprise packet would be because its all relative to expectations, I think Hunt will end up breaking into the side at some stage and hope that he can use his pace to be a line breaker that our side sorely lacks. He would be spewing the sub rule has been thrown out, because that would have been his perfect opportunity mid next year.

If surprise packet means good form from a player that was not expected, then if Trenners gets up and plays better than ever then i will be pleasantly surprised.

I do not understand how the question can be seen any other way, most here are just stating who the expect to improve not who has improved beyond expectations.