Port Adelaide's Sam Gray (not to be confused with Robbie Gray) came from out of almost nowhere towards the end of 2015 to become a vital component of his team's lineup in the midfield.

Three years ago at the age of 21 and a member of the Port Adelaide Magpies, Gray was runner up in the SANFL Magery Medal. He was rookie listed by Port Adelaide AFL and made his debut in round 4 of 2014 after being elevated to the senior list to fill a long term injury vacancy and managed 7 games. 

Retained on the rookie list last year, Gray didn't play his first game of the season until round 8 where he played in 4 consecutive games as a small forward before being dropped back to the SANFL Magpies. 

With Port Adelaide's spate of midfield injuries late in the season, he regained selection for the last six games in which he was a prolific possession gatherer, averaging 35 disposals in the last three games as his team stormed home to finish with four wins on end including decisive victories over Hawthorn and Fremantle. The 176cm Gray polled Brownlow votes in each of last three games of 2015 finishing with a total of five and was elevated onto Port's senior list.

Gray has maintained the momentum in this year's NAB Challenge series and was among his team's best in every game.

There are many instances of players at clubs coming from virtually out of the woodwork to become star players. 

Is there one such player on Melbourne's list who could do the same in 2016?

Though I can't see him being a prolific ball getter like Sam Gray, I think that James Harmes could be our bolter. He's got some X factor about him with his marking, and he's hard at the ball. 

I'd like to see him play as a wingman who can push forward and kick a goal. I rate him ahead of our new recruits Bugg and Kennedy, and also Grimes and M.Jones. Based on our last game against GWS last year and the NAB Cup to date, Harmes should be a lock for round 1.

I would have said Mitch White but because he has vanished of the face of the earth I'll rule him out now..

Alex Neal Bullen maybe?? Ball magnet at VFL level (40 disposal in one game) who reminds me alot of Rory Sloane. Tough in and under who is a gut runner.

based on his preseason, matt jones would seem to be the obvious answer.

14 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

based on his preseason, matt jones would seem to be the obvious answer.

I agree. Our new, more attacking style of football suits Jones's speed, whereas he struggled over the past couple of years when our game was largely focused on stoppages and contested footy. He's the type of player that will work hard to spread and create space, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him cement a place in the team this year. 

This is all coming from someone who has been a Jones detractor over the years, BTW.

Prime candidate for me would be:

Alex Neal- Bullen

Chomp.

Ben Kennedy has a lot of similar traits to Sam Gray, albeit a high draft pick not a guy who had to fight through the system. 

Pedersen, Grimes and Matt Jones look like 3 guys who are fighting off the canvas to get in to the round 1 team. I'm not sure if they will last that way but we can hope they can all fill spots effectively.

I think both Viv Michie and Ben Newton have skills to offer the team, just a matter of them getting the opportunity to show they've done the work over summer. Obviously harder for Newton giving the injury set back.

And I'm still super keen to see Max King play some regular footy, impress in the VFL and get a chance. For us to improve we really need someone like him but it sounds like he hasn't made the leap over preseason yet which is unfortunate.

58 minutes ago, Good Times Grimes said:

I agree. Our new, more attacking style of football suits Jones's speed, whereas he struggled over the past couple of years when our game was largely focused on stoppages and contested footy. He's the type of player that will work hard to spread and create space, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him cement a place in the team this year. 

This is all coming from someone who has been a Jones detractor over the years, BTW.

One of Jones' problems has been his kicking. When you play on the outside like he does, your skills need to be top notch. To his credit, he seems to have worked on this over the pre-season. Hopefully the improvement is evident when the real stuff begins. 

Edited March 12, 20169 yr by Mickey 'O'

56 minutes ago, Peter Griffen said:

Prime candidate for me would be:

Alex Neal- Bullen

I like  preface my predictions by admitting I thought Lucas Cook would be great (I think he designs T shirts and may well be great at that) but I've rated Alex Neal -Bullen for a while. Has a bag of tricks and has an air of confidence about him. Hoping he plays in the last NAB challenge but noted someone said he was injured.

Terlich: Jack Oatey medalist who can find the ball. I really don't like the spate-of-midfield-injuries premise of this hypothetical thread.

James Harmes obviously

AVB...

9 minutes ago, rjay said:

AVB...

Sam Gray will be hoping he can be our Aaron vandenBerg. 

Harmes for me

and the continued improvement of AVB

although both these players are "known"

Hulett is the one with real X Factor...

5 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Hulett is the one with real X Factor...

What knowledge are you basing this comment on, SWYL?

5 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Harmes for me

and the continued improvement of AVB

although both these players are "known"

Hulett is the one with real X Factor...

Have you seen Hulett play personally or just saying that without any real evidence.

Purely looking at the size of Hulett right now. 

He is one well proporsioned young athlete

he could anything. 

I suppose it is because we are used to seeing 18 year olds that weigh about 55 kg's in the last decade!!

Don't understand the fascination with guessing at who will be the next version of a player totally irrelevant to us.

We have the first Jack Viney, the first Jesse Hogan, the first Angus Brayshaw... Why do we need the "next" anyone?

 

3 hours ago, stuie said:

Don't understand the fascination with guessing at who will be the next version of a player totally irrelevant to us.

We have the first Jack Viney, the first Jesse Hogan, the first Angus Brayshaw... Why do we need the "next" anyone?

 

Because it's not about the next 176cm midfielder who averages 30 possessions but rather, about the next unheralded player who lifts his game to new heights.

On that basis, it might be Max King.

10 minutes ago, Elwood 3184 said:

Because it's not about the next 176cm midfielder who averages 30 possessions but rather, about the next unheralded player who lifts his game to new heights.

On that basis, it might be Max King.

Pretty long and specific original post to write when the question is really: "Who might lift their game this year?" (Which there's already 738 threads about...)

Anyways....

 

Pedo will have a breakout year! Give him 6-8 consecultive senior games and watch him grow into a kpf.

Unlike some Negative Nancy's, I think it's a good hypothetical to ponder WJ. 

16 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Purely looking at the size of Hulett right now. 

He is one well proporsioned young athlete

he could anything. 

I suppose it is because we are used to seeing 18 year olds that weigh about 55 kg's in the last decade!!

So was Luke Tapscott.  Just saying.

16 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Purely looking at the size of Hulett right now. 

He is one well proporsioned young athlete

he could anything. 

I suppose it is because we are used to seeing 18 year olds that weigh about 55 kg's in the last decade!!

 

1 minute ago, McQueen said:

 

Is that Shane Warne crossed with Sam Newman?