Alex Neal-Bullen

[Deeko2 699]

This bloke just continues proving me wrong after writing him off big time over the years.... and Nibbler, I love it.

Played a cracker last night and has been super important 

[Little Goffy 12,788]

Finished the H&A season with the most tackles inside 50 of any player.

Pretty sure he also has the most 'first to reach a goalkicker to celebrate' stats of any player. Always gets there. This is a player who loves his teammates' successes.

According to the Gus&Gawny podcast after the Geelong game, he was running in to celebrate before the kick had even gone through.

[Redleg 38,092]

11 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

This bloke just continues proving me wrong after writing him off big time over the years.... and Nibbler, I love it.

Played a cracker last night and has been super important 

You are not alone. I wanted him delisted. Possibly his best game for the Dees yesterday and also possibly the most improved trophy winner 🏆this year.

[BAMF 3,812]

He has been great. Such a turnaround from 2019 where he had the majority of us tearing our hair out.

I thought his game against West Coast was his best, but this was a fantastic game and is elevated due to the opposition and the occasion (Carlton and Gold Coast games were great too). 

. I think he still has the potential to overthink his decisions on occasion when he has time to think but he also has been nailing the majority instead of blazing away into forward 50 like he used to.

There are still a few posters who view him as a bit of a whipping boy. They need to understand that form is temporary and players can change. You don't have to keep the same opinion that you did 3 years ago.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

Seems to have recognised his limitations and keeps his kicks reasonably short (eg, 30-40 metres) so that they more regularly hit targets. Thought he was one of our best last night.

[Webber 10,181]

22 minutes ago, BAMF said:

You don't have to keep the same opinion that you did 3 years ago.

What?!

[jnrmac 19,328]

35 minutes ago, BAMF said:

He has been great. Such a turnaround from 2019 where he had the majority of us tearing our hair out.

I thought his game against West Coast was his best, but this was a fantastic game and is elevated due to the opposition and the occasion (Carlton and Gold Coast games were great too). 

. I think he still has the potential to overthink his decisions on occasion when he has time to think but he also has been nailing the majority instead of blazing away into forward 50 like he used to.

There are still a few posters who view him as a bit of a whipping boy. They need to understand that form is temporary and players can change. You don't have to keep the same opinion that you did 3 years ago.

A few posters?

Do you count Goodwin amongst them? He tried to offload ANB at the end of last season along with TMac,

So many are wise after the event

 

 

[chook fowler 18,392]

He’s become a real leader and made the transition from athlete to footballer. And he no longer is a turnover king but very reliable with ball in hand and in front of goal. One of my favourites.

[maximum bob 462]

As Goody would say, "he's playing his role".

[Deestroy All 14,262]

The old cliche is you keep working hard and it’ll eventually happen for you. 
I doubt anyone works harder and it’s definitely happening for him. 
 

He was brilliant last night. 

[Lord Travis 10,278]

He was brilliant last night, one of our best and a strong leader out there. Well liked by his teammates too for the standards he sets. 

It’s testament to him that’s he’s worked so hard on his game that he’s gone from fringe player to integral cog of the best team in the league.

Keep up the good work Nibbler!

[Demon Dynasty 16,011]

Has to be one of his top three to five games i reckon.  Ranked 3rd on the night (weighted stats) behind Clarry & Viney.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,208]

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

You are not alone. I wanted him delisted. Possibly his best game for the Dees yesterday and also possibly the most improved trophy winner 🏆this year.

Not POSSIBLY most improved, has to be THE most improved. He is fast becoming a favourite of mine. A real demon goer thats for sure. Love his running, fitness, tackling and team man. I am sure he is highly rated by his peers. Well done Alex.

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,392]

1 hour ago, maximum bob said:

As Goody would say, "he's playing his role".

His role is as crucial as our intercept backs IMHO

Without 15kms of hard 2 way run, our system would fall apart

[Tom Dyson 1,532]

Copped a big hit into the side fence last night, I presume though because goody didnt mention it that he's all good?

[Demonstone 19,706]

I've heard some serious damage was caused and the fence will need to be replaced.

[Engorged Onion 9,518]

Just a little post to  acknowledge, that I love that when I think about Alex now, he is forever a premiership player. I get a warm little glow.

Edited March 28, 2022 by Engorged Onion

[hemingway 7,608]

Agree with most of the comments here. He is one of our most improved and consistent players. A real team player. 

In fairness, he has always had potential. In his first few games, he showed talent. I remember thinking he had a few tricks but they were not on display often enough. From memory, he was dropped after a couple of games. 

It shows how coaching and player development together with team success and the confidence shared with team mates improves a players own game. When a team is playing poorly and losing, it’s very hard for a player to shine. And skills suffer. 

All of those who have played team sport have been there. 

Support of the coach is so critical to player self esteem and confidence. At the same time, the player has to grab the bull by the horns and ANB and others have done that. 

[Cards13 9,117]

Reliable, relentless and resilient are words I think when thinking of ANB. Ultra consistent now, relentlessly runs up and down the field and no matter how gasping for air he is he will go again and again and again. Kudos to him and the coaches, you wouldn’t trade him for many now.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

46 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Just a little post to  acknowledge, that I love that when I think about Alex now, he is forever a premiership player. I get a warm little glow.

Methinks that's your onion being engorged.

[Jaded No More 59,177]

I think it’s fair to say not a single member of Demonland saw that one coming… well done ANB on not just resurrecting a career but cementing a spot in the best 22 of the reigning premiers. A magnificent turnaround. 

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

Definitely potted him over the journey but he has developed into a seriously reliable role player who is now uber consistent. 

Not only that, is a man of substance and you can see how invested in the club he is. A fabric player now and hope he ends up a 200+ gamer for this club. 

Edited March 28, 2022 by JimmyGadson

[Engorged Onion 9,518]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Methinks that's your onion being engorged.

🍆

[binman 39,108]

59 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I think it’s fair to say not a single member of Demonland saw that one coming… well done ANB 

Not sure that's true.

At the risk of being accused of blowing my own trumpet, I have been a big fan for a long time.

I thought he was one of our most important players in 2020, in large because of the running he did and how important that sort of running is to our game plan. Was really surprised we suggested he explore his options.

That said, he has gone up a couple of levels and really improved, particularly his decision making and kicking.

He is now one of most reliable kicks and forwards must love leading to him.

Such improvement at his stage in his career is rare.

[tiers 2,785]

Several years ago ANB discovered the short attacking pass and became a more valuable player.

Whilst his running ability is properly lauded it is his ability to use the ball to advantage that makes him so good. I now expect each kick to be deliberate and damaging, a skill that is now being adopted by Spargo in the forward line and by Jake Bowey in the backline.

Instead of counting possessions and metres gained, I watch for their clever little "dinky" passes to advantage.

GO GOODY GO DEES