The five players you want to have an impact in 2021

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

4. ANB. It will be easy to see him overtaken by Koz, Spargo and Laurie but I get the sense he's got another level that he might just be ready to go to now it's finally been made clear he has to play with more skill and composure. And be an aggressive tackler not just a prolific one. He's not a fashionable player and I've been as down on him as most but we aren't going to achieve consistent defensive pressure unless we've got someone with his physical capabilities in the side.

For a player who played the majority of his underage footy as an inside mid, he is the least physical player I've seen.

As a half forward, the only reason he knocks up decent tackle numbers is because an opposition player nearly always lunges at a loose ball with more ferocity and desperation and ANB has the opportunity to wrap that player up in a tackle.

Now some of that may be by design given Goodwin's game plan has always relied upon outnumbering at the contest but if you look across the AFL at the really good half forwards, they all offer a whole lot more than just being able to provide an extra number at contests.

ANB offers very little other than his elite running ability and I've always maintained the sooner Goodwin makes a fookin upgrade to that position, the better.

But it is Goodwin. So naturally I expect to see him lining up at half forward come round 1.

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by JimmyGadson

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,498]

I was flabbergasted to find out that ANB once kicked 27 goals in a season.

Also came home with a wet sail in 2020 with 4 goals in the last 4 games.....three more than Weideman during that period.

 

[DeeSpencer 24,952]

2 hours ago, JimmyGadson said:

For a player who played the majority of his underage footy as an inside mid, he is the least physical player I've seen.

As a half forward, the only reason he knocks up decent tackle numbers is because an opposition player nearly always lunges at a loose ball with more ferocity and desperation and ANB has the opportunity to wrap that player up in a tackle.

Now some of that may be by design given Goodwin's game plan has always relied upon outnumbering at the contest but if you look across the AFL at the really good half forwards, they all offer a whole lot more than just being able to provide an extra number at contests.

ANB offers very little other than his elite running ability and I've always maintained the sooner Goodwin makes a fookin upgrade to that position, the better.

But it is Goodwin. So naturally I expect to see him lining up at half forward come round 1.

 

I agree with that and maybe I should just want Pickett, Laurie and Spargo to come on really quickly. Expecting our young players to all play well isn’t realistic though. 

I look at Richmond with Castagna, Rioli and Lambert and just how important those elite running and pressure players are. They all offer more than ANB but Rioli and Castagna particularly don’t have much more skill. Lesser players than ANB have come good before, certainly if he discovers some physicality it will make a huge difference.   

[4_Kent_Watts 864]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I was flabbergasted to find out that ANB once kicked 27 goals in a season.

Also came home with a wet sail in 2020 with 4 goals in the last 4 games.....three more than Weideman during that period.

 

There's plenty of hate for ANB. He aint our worst 

[Little Goffy 14,147]

In the spirit of looking for new and inspiring I'll set aside the likes of Petracca, Gawn and May and focus on players who can have a big difference between current and possible.

Headlining that would be McDonald, Brayshaw, Harmes, Melksham and Lever, who have all already shown they can be much better than their recent form.  Credit to Lever though for showing very good signs of working his way back to it.

But the ones that would bring me real joy to see lift their game -

Brayshaw - I believe that an in-form Brayshaw is an uncannily effective midfielder, especially when play is not quite at a stoppage but still in chaos.  I'm convinced he has great, intuitive situational awareness once the ball is in hand but isn't so great at working into the correct positions.  Put him in as a true center midfielder and let the play naturally come to and through him.

Fritsch - The best of Fritsch is the best of medium marking forwards playing at the time and going back some years too.  A dangerous forward in his own right who also makes the priceless contribution of wisdom in drawing defenders away from the other forwards. 

Pickett - I love the way he plays and the more impact he is having on a game the more fun everyone will be having.

Weidemann - The forward line's beleaguered garrison.  No wonder he looks so serious.  The poor guy is weidely underrated and with a little help from Brown I'd be really hoping his effort will see more rewards.

Langdon - Yep, he's been excellent.  And there are not many things I like better in football than a player who succeeds with humility, hard work that is also smart use of that effort.  Would only take a little slice extra to become a huge player, AA wingman and all that jazz.  

[Every Game in '64 25]

ANB.

Many love to hate him but I believe he has still more to offer : he has smarts and, above all else  HE KICKS GOALS.

(see Bring Back Powell, above).

Bust a gut style footy is all very well but in my view Viney is so fully extended all the time that he has nothing left for the time and space to deliver the ball well. I wouldn't play him at al- sorry Demons fans, but it had to be said.

I'm not dropping Clarrie but ditto last few seasons for him - plenty of ball getting but no composure at the disposal end of the process.  And he can kick beautifully.

Harmes should be back in there doing the dirty work with Clarrie on the outside more.

Maybe Rivers in the guts this season and Lockhart takes his spot  : both are good young players.

[buck_nekkid 5,831]

Brown - he kicks bags we are difficult to beat.

Brayshaw - becomes the elite inside mid, working with Clayton in the middle and sending Viney to HF.

Kossie- showed glimpses, could be a terror for opposition teams if he gets his radar right, tackles like a beast and runs like a demented squirrel.

Jacko - An elite big man that plays like he has the ball on a string? Mark of the year. Impossible matchup.

Bradtke- need to know if he will make it or not.   Does he step up to a level that suggests he gets onto the list, or is he done?  Important for our post max planning, which is not so far away