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Who will step up in 2019

spirit of norm smith
spirit of norm smith
in Melbourne Demons

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AFL website nominates players to watch in 2019. 

Sam Weideman is rightly the one to have to stand up.  He will be given the role and has to grab the opportunity. I think he will. 

Others noted are Joel Smith and Jayden Hunt both of whom need a good run free of injury.  Oskar Baker and Harrison Petty are the youngsters named. 

I think others really are

- Billy Stretch.  Showed his ability to provide run and delivery but toe injury killed the 2nd half of 2018. He has a wing position there to take. 

- Christian Petracca.  Yes the Trac can still get better and better. He must impact for longer and assert himself.  Looking for A grade in 2019. 

- Jeff Garlett.  Jeffy can be the one to make a difference and take us to the top. There will be the chances if he has the renewed will and desire. Talent is unquestionable.  

- James Harmes. Proved himself in the 2nd half of the season. A full year at that standard would be sensational.

From the injury front, Viney and Vandenburg should be hopefully ready to have full seasons. 

Of course, we should Jake Lever back, if not for Round 1 then by rounds 3-4 onwards. 

Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, Tmcd, Jetta, Melksham all had great years and hope they keep fit and maintain the standard.  

There is still plenty of upside in many others. 

#1 in 2019. 

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    Harmes really is the success story of 2018. Others who are in the 2nd to 3rd tier group of players at the club must be looking at him and thinking ‘if that bloke can do it there’s no reason I can’t’. Harmes and Brayshaw stepping up big time and made such a huge difference to the side. 

    My two picks to step up in ‘19 are

    OMac. Will go into the season as a 23 year old with 60+ games under his belt who should have grown into his 198cm body. Depending on match ups and with Lever and May coming into the backline Oscar may find himself on the likes of Brown, Daniher, Cox and Hipwood or even forward on occasions where he often played as a junior. He has improved every year he has been with us and reckon he can go to another level

    Stretch. It probably is bit of a make or break year for Billy whose star has fallen as best mate’s ANB has risen. Stretch was playing the best footy of his short career before getting injured. Hopefully something had clicked and he will pick up that form again next year. You get the feeling he won’t die wondering and will prove his worth 

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    • Like 7

    Not as much as stepping up but I feel Salem can go to another level. Has managed to play 40 games in the last two seasons and has been very good and why not get better, just look at Harmes. Salem is around the 70 game mark now.

    Classy and tough is a good mix, most of us feel very confident when the ball is in his hands.  I’d be interested to see if he eventually moves out of half back but with Lewis nearing the end I think he stays there as the ‘general’ in the years to come. 

     

    Edited by Dee Zephyr

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    • Like 4
     
    23 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

    Harmes really is the success story of 2018. Others who are in the 2nd to 3rd tier group of players at the club must be looking at him and thinking ‘if that bloke can do it there’s no reason I can’t’. Harmes and Brayshaw stepping up big time and made such a huge difference to the side. 

    My two picks to step up in ‘19 are

    OMac. Will go into the season as a 23 year old with 60+ games under his belt who should have grown into his 198cm body. Depending on match ups and with Lever and May coming into the backline Oscar may find himself on the likes of Brown, Daniher, Cox and Hipwood or even forward on occasions where he often played as a junior. He has improved every year he has been with us and reckon he can go to another level

    Stretch. It probably is bit of a make or break year for Billy whose star has fallen as best mate’s ANB has risen. Stretch was playing the best footy of his short career before getting injured. Hopefully something had clicked and he will pick up that form again next year. You get the feeling he won’t die wondering and will prove his worth 

    I recon Oscar may just be a bit of a sleeping giant.  With all the praise and attention on the rest of our now star studded backline, his steady progress has gone a little under the radar.  His feild kicking is a definite strength compared to his brother.  His continued maturity in strength, confidence and experience could help make our backline near impenetrable.

    If he is to play more forward though, it might help if he could kick his first goal at AFL level.  ...I wounder how long it took Tommy to kick his first.

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    • Like 2

    Could add Baily Freitch to the list of potential players to step-up.  He was great in his first year, but has alot of the tools to go from that to elite after getting his first season at the top level and another preseason under his belt.

    Kade Kolodjashnij is another with potential, not so much to step up, but more to get back to his best.

    Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    8 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    AFL website nominates players to watch in 2019. 

    Sam Weideman is rightly the one to have to stand up.  He will be given the role and has to grab the opportunity. I think he will. 

    Others noted are Joel Smith and Jayden Hunt both of whom need a good run free of injury.  Oskar Baker and Harrison Petty are the youngsters named. 

    I think others really are

    - Billy Stretch.  Showed his ability to provide run and delivery but toe injury killed the 2nd half of 2018. He has a wing position there to take. 

    - Christian Petracca.  Yes the Trac can still get better and better. He must impact for longer and assert himself.  Looking for A grade in 2019. 

    - Jeff Garlett.  Jeffy can be the one to make a difference and take us to the top. There will be the chances if he has the renewed will and desire. Talent is unquestionable.  

    - James Harmes. Proved himself in the 2nd half of the season. A full year at that standard would be sensational.

    From the injury front, Viney and Vandenburg should be hopefully ready to have full seasons. 

    Of course, we should Jake Lever back, if not for Round 1 then by rounds 3-4 onwards. 

    Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, Tmcd, Jetta, Melksham all had great years and hope they keep fit and maintain the standard.  

    There is still plenty of upside in many others. 

    #1 in 2019. 

    good post. i agree with every player listed here. i'd love to see jeffy back in the team.

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    • Like 1
    11 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

    good post. i agree with every player listed here. i'd love to see jeffy back in the team.

    Jeff's problems are off the track don't be surprised if he quits.

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    • Like 1
     

    Joel Smith, Jayden and Harry Petty.

    Sam has already made the step.

  • Quote
    23 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

    Not as much as stepping up but I feel Salem can go to another level. Has managed to play 40 games in the last two seasons and has been very good and why not get better, just look at Harmes. Salem is around the 70 game mark now.

    Classy and tough is a good mix, most of us feel very confident when the ball is in his hands.  I’d be interested to see if he eventually moves out of half back but with Lewis nearing the end I think he stays there as the ‘general’ in the years to come. 

     

    If Salem could build his defensive side and be as reliable and hard to beat 1 on 1 as Jetta, along with skills he already has. He would be phenomenal.

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    • Like 2

    On 11/10/2018 at 4:41 PM, Damo said:

    Joel Smith, Jayden and Harry Petty.

    Sam has already made the step.

    I think it’s a bit premature to say Weid has made it he still has a way to go to be considered a real threat to opposition teams on a regular basis - few nice games but much improvement and consistency needed 

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