IMPROVER

We all knew that Alex Neal-Bullen was an extractor of the football but he surprised by stepping up as a hard working regular of the midfield who from time to time could move forward and kick a goal. The big improver.

Date of Birth: 9 January, 1996

Height: 182cm

Weight: 82kg

Games MFC 2017: 19

Career Total: 34

Goals MFC: 2017 15

Career Total: 23

CDFC Games: 2017 2

CDFC Goals: 2017 2

 

Season 2017 AFL Statistics

Kicks: 204

Handballs: 155

Disposals: 359

Marks: 61

Scores: 15 goals 9 behinds

Goal Assists: 18

Tackles: 87

Hitouts: 0

Clearances: 34

Clangers: 53

Inside 50s: 65

Rebound 50s: 18

Frees For: 9

Frees Against: 7

Nibbler's progress this year was one of the joys of the season for me. That's not making any claim that he's suddenly a superstar, but it is always a pleasure to see a young player with no medals or halo on them push their way from the fringe to being a regular.

I'd say he still needs to improve if he is going to become a 'career regular' in the best 22. Like much of our list the kicking needs to sharpen up a bit. But in his favour is the fact he can play as part of the cycle of mids slipping forward and can help provide that forward pressure.

I'm sure he'd be looking at his 2017 and getting a big confidence boost from the progress he made and that he cracked the senior team, which should have him in a good headspace for attacking 2018.

Finally emerged as a dependable mid that also spent time forward of the footy. Neat skills and a very smart player - gets in the right spots.

There is a lesson for you kids (and big kids) out there; irrational confidence is healthy - 2017 became the year he was able to do all the things he thought he could do all along...

Has a good tank and is a smart footballer. If he can improve his skills he will become a pretty valuable player.

Yes the biggest improver of the year for me. Has to get some of his disposals right and improve kicking to position. He is a real hard nut though.

Did some very smart thing in traffic this year that makes you realise he could develop into a pretty good player.  Always seems to be thinking his way through things and never blazes away.

Needs to show equal improvement in 2018!

One of the big improvers from this season, has footy smarts and knows how to apply pressure. Looking forward to bigger things in 2018.

Prime for a big 2018 ANB.

2 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Did some very smart thing in traffic this year that makes you realise he could develop into a pretty good player.  Always seems to be thinking his way through things and never blazes away.

Needs to show equal improvement in 2018!

Im not quite 100% sold on ANB.. He's a foot soldier all things done. We need soldiers, all teams do. I think to satisfy his own agendas he needs to keep climbing.

17 better than 16.....looking for 18 better than 17..and so on.

Gets a tick ( but only in pencil at this stage for me )

his work rate and work ethic are exemplary - occasionally he'll still make an out there 'where did that come from??' decision that disappoints, but for the most part he looks to have a good head on his shoulders

his kicking is better than it would seem or that reports would have you believe, and what i like about him is that his pace is better than it appears too

he gets himself to the right spots and works and bustles with great energy

i really thought that of the two mates it would be stretch that would emerge as a serious afl-level player in 2017, but instead it was very much anb

14 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Im not quite 100% sold on ANB.. He's a foot soldier all things done. We need soldiers, all teams do. I think to satisfy his own agendas he needs to keep climbing.

17 better than 16.....looking for 18 better than 17..and so on.

Gets a tick ( but only in pencil at this stage for me )

Tend to agree with you there. ANB certainly showed something towards the end of the season but, was it a flash in the pan or a case of genuine improvement.

From what I've seen and heard he appears to be a young man with a sensible attitude to life and to his chosen sport. I would hope for solid improvement over the coming season. 

15 hours ago, DemonAndrew said:

his work rate and work ethic are exemplary - occasionally he'll still make an out there 'where did that come from??' decision that disappoints, but for the most part he looks to have a good head on his shoulders

his kicking is better than it would seem or that reports would have you believe, and what i like about him is that his pace is better than it appears too

he gets himself to the right spots and works and bustles with great energy

i really thought that of the two mates it would be stretch that would emerge as a serious afl-level player in 2017, but instead it was very much anb

I agree with this. Reminds me in this of Steele Sidebottom - regularly seems to get to a spot where he can be found. I noticed his play as the "link man" during the season. Just needs to improve his disposal to ensure he becomes a valuable link rather than an occasional weak link in the chain.

2 hours ago, Dee Dee said:

Tend to agree with you there. ANB certainly showed something towards the end of the season but, was it a flash in the pan or a case of genuine improvement.

From what I've seen and heard he appears to be a young man with a sensible attitude to life and to his chosen sport. I would hope for solid improvement over the coming season. 

This is it. I suppose the same can be said of a vast many really..It'll be about consistency. As noted he does have some serious footy nouse. This in my estimation is something unable to be taught. You either have the brain for it..or not.  Good players...to usurp Kennedy , just DO, they don't think, they DO.  If you have to think its too late. ANB  is tracking ok...its a bit up and down and so to your 'concern'  if it ( inconsistency ) does turn out to be  simply the aberrations along the curve then fine.

There's some serious syncopation of play at times between the likes of Clarry and this LAd...I hope this cements and grows.

I'll watch with interest. Still at pencil stage  

11th in the Bluey - well done young Nibbler!

 I always knew there was something about him I always thought he would make a good footballer