A new season just around the corner and I wonder who people thought might be the biggest surprise on our list this season. A draftee? someone who has been in the system a season or two?

For me it could be one of three. Spargo, Chandler or Sparrow. Spargo ha put in a couple of good solid pre-seasons and looks to have built his body well as does Chandler. Will not be surprised to see either of them step up But the biggest improver I think will be Sparrow.

We will, of course, need a replacement for Omac as whipping boy. Last season Melky put his hand up and will be in the running for sure. My favorite for the position is Tomlinson.

 

 

 

 

57 minutes ago, CHF said:

A new season just around the corner and I wonder who people thought might be the biggest surprise on our list this season. A draftee? someone who has been in the system a season or two?

For me it could be one of three. Spargo, Chandler or Sparrow. Spargo ha put in a couple of good solid pre-seasons and looks to have built his body well as does Chandler. Will not be surprised to see either of them step up But the biggest improver I think will be Sparrow.

We will, of course, need a replacement for Omac as whipping boy. Last season Melky put his hand up and will be in the running for sure. My favorite for the position is Tomlinson.

 

 

 

 

Interesting choice CHF.

Many would have earmarked Charlie Spargo but the pre season track reporters have been nothing but praiseworthy so far. From a boy into man physique development to getting involved on a new level, greater speed and skill Spargs is not quite out if the woods yet but he looks as though he could even be a fan favourite If he performs as he is training.

Sparrow does not even deserve a nomination as he was cut down with injury just as he was cementing his place last season. Again his training firm and involvement with the mids is nit the form fir a whipping boy favourite.

Nor is Chandler who has let no one down in the Seniors after his 2019 brief stint. He has also developed size bulk and is doing all things to get an early 2021 chance up forward. Let's not ruin a youngster before he has a fair chance.

The same would apply to Aaron Neitshke 

At this stage Jake Melksham is my favourite if he doesn't involve himself in contests with 100% passion and dedication that his career demands. He is IMO not in our best 22 ATM snd I am hopeful Jake will respond and earn his spot not just be selected on previous performance which is way back in 2018 really. A Goody favourite he is in the radar of many Dees fans if he doesn't produce in the practice matches and Intraclub hitouts to earn a spot in Round1.

Jake is not alone either  as AVB ANB Jets Harmes even Gus and Tommy are all in the "Best form recently 2018 " and that is not good enough in 2021 with our list (and very talented but mainly unproven young tyros Training their collective butts off ) to get an easy ride into the team this year.

What about Tommo as suggested. In only one season he did not star as such and On  the wing he disappointed no doubt but partly it's our team plan not kicking to his wing and him not being forceful or creative enough with leads. However his second half of the season at CHB was solid reliable and team orientated. Adam May never be a star player in a team but he is versatile and trustworthy and gives his all. In fact if all players played their role as he did in last half of 2020 we would have made the 8 and as such as he can also play  when needed ruck and fill in up forward. Very handy team man  in our best 22 at this stage of our development I say.

No doubt we will unearth a new Oscar in 2021 but let's not throw a youngster under the bus yet please just to have a dip at some one if the team Disappoints at any stage.

 

 

1 hour ago, 58er said:

Interesting choice CHF.

 

You misinterpreted his post. He's asking two questions:

1) Who is your surprise packet for 2021? - CHF's nominations are Sparrow, Chandler , Spargo

2) Who will be the whipping boy for 2021?  -  CHF likes Tomlinson

 

1) I'll go Spargo although I wouldn't be surprised at all. Chandler, maybe and Nieta if his knee holds up

2) It'll be a big challenge to surpass Melksham for whipping boy, particularly if he has niggles all year, but ANB could challenge if he has a fumbly, get in the way kind of season. His preseason form suggests otherwise and he may find himself with some respect. Tommo shows potential too but seems to be holding down his defensive role inconspicuously.

Surprise - James Jordon

Whipping boy - one of older fellas such as T Mac, Jones or Melksham. Lever’s an outside chance as it’s his 4th season and he hasn’t really lived up to his price tag to date.

I think Spargs could be a surprise this year, he played some games late last season that actually showed he has a bit of poise and looks for good options rather than just blazing. Question mark will always remain around his size and lack of speed. 

Whipping boy, I think TMac will take that mantle while we wait for the BBB to return. If ANB gets games he will definitely be up there too. 

I thought there were enough threads already to bag the players.

Tom McDonald might be either, but not both.

ANB

43 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Tom McDonald might be either, but not both.

Agree with this add in Jetta and Jones as well.  They will be either past it as we should have got rid of them end of last year or fantastic to see them back playing well legends of the club.

For me though Oliver has the potential to be both, if he continues on not kicking the football and picking up 20 flick handballs a game he is my whipping boy. If he gets the kicking to handball ratio right and more importantly start hitting targets by foot I might even consider him a midfielder bordering elite.

Surprise Packet

I'm a +1 for Spargo, but not sure I'd say technically 'surprise packet' as such. I've come around to him a bit as I think he's actually a fairly effective player, especially in the forward half, but he gets harshly judged, even incorrectly judged, due to his height and him not being an 'attractive' footballer. He's not a smooth mover, he doesn't do anything flashy, he's not super quick, but he just manages to get things done. I think this could be the year all of us fans start to genuinely notice him properly.

Whipping Boy(s)

There's always a ton for us. I can see it happening to Oliver if he doesn't re-sign by mid-year. Kozzy if he doesn't kick more goals. Jones if he gets picked to play. Viney if he keeps just being Viney. But I think the most unfair one is ANB. Not a great player obviously, but I think he's often more effective (particularly within the confines of our game style) than he gets credit for. Bloke was even dropped after having 2 goals and 5 score involvements in a low scoring win against the Blues. Has his obvious weaknesses, but think they get over emphasized, particularly when you compare him to players like vandenBerg.

Tomlinson turns like a cruise ship, has no physicality or intensity in his game. He’s a lock.

After that we have any number of frustrating players all the way from Gawn, Viney, Oliver, Lever to Brayshaw, T Mc, ANB, Smith and Fritsch. 

I wonder how long it will take for fans to be less impressed with Langdon’s great running and frustrated with his horrendous kicking.

 

Ah, Whippet, Schnippet. Fans will always love and hate, they love to hate, hate to love. I remember when all of Hawthorn hated James Sicily - for good reason. Hawthorn fans will have amnesia about that now.

I've found it difficult to 'whip' players: there but for my wonky knees would I like to have gone.

Let us praise would be Caesars on this site, they'll be buried when they're ready.

45 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Tomlinson turns like a cruise ship, has no physicality or intensity in his game. He’s a lock.

After that we have any number of frustrating players all the way from Gawn, Viney, Oliver, Lever to Brayshaw, T Mc, ANB, Smith and Fritsch. 

I wonder how long it will take for fans to be less impressed with Langdon’s great running and frustrated with his horrendous kicking.

 

i think Tomlinsons saving grace is his disposal which is elite.

If Hunt is moving back as suggested, he is a strong chance to be one of either.

I think with our dire forward situation, T-Mac will have the biggest target on his back.

Would like Jordon to be the surprise, he seems to be attracting plenty of attention already through club commentary (Gus and Gawny) or track watchers

 

Oskar is the new Oscar!

I think it will be Gawn.

16 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

i think Tomlinsons saving grace is his disposal which is elite.

No it’s not. Decent handballer on both sides  and can chip the ball in uncontested situations. But he struggles to hit targets kicking on the run 

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I wonder how long it will take for fans to be less impressed with Langdon’s great running and frustrated with his horrendous kicking.

 

I really like Langdon as a player but he certainly had his honeymoon period of "Demonland whipping boy" immunity in terms of his kicking.

Kicked about 2.8 last year. Needs to kick 10 to 12 goals as a full time winger this year.

 

5 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

I think it will be Gawn.

I think it will be if we continue to have games like the Doggies loss last year where they kicked 7 in a row and put the game to bed in one quarter, or the Cairns debacles where he couldn't steady the ship and get the boys focused against two poorish sides.

Gawn's nailed the off filed component of being a captain but the on field is up for debate.

Surprise packet I am going to say Baker.

Whipping boy you can take your pick. We have too many ordinary players ( about 6 ) in our side. Mine is Melksham. 

SP (book this in)

Really stepping out on a limb here. After some careful consideration of the coffee grounds.

Toby Bedford "outside run and creativity is the new imperative"  SG

 

WB (Jack Watts Perpetual Trophy)

To be closely contested between two already 'popular' crowd favourites on the DL boards.

J. Milkshake and Gussyshaw

Edited February 23, 20214 yr by Tarax Club
None given both are terrific players on their day!

58 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I really like Langdon as a player but he certainly had his honeymoon period of "Demonland whipping boy" immunity in terms of his kicking.

Kicked about 2.8 last year. Needs to kick 10 to 12 goals as a full time winger this year.

It’s his field kicking too. His team mates have to be aware of his limitations, but he also has to back himself to hit up some leads. Doesn’t have to be pretty but has to give the forward a chance. Especially if Ben Brown gets up and going. In an ideal world we’d have more wing options and could rotate him to half forward to play a pressure and spread role, especially on the long and thin grounds where there’s less space for the wings. 
 

 

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Gawn's nailed the off filed component of being a captain but the on field is up for debate.

I’d still like to see less joking around and promotion of brand Max and more talk about the team from Max off field. 

Less of the Hollywood stuff on field should be the main aim. Playing for frees and kicking when he should handball. Like most big guys his best footy is when he’s aggressive at the contest.

It might be asking a bit much of the lad to nominate him as a surprise packet but , given some of the very positive training reports, I’ll be watching Rosman’s development with keen interest.

Even though I’m well qualified to comment on whipping boys , I shall decline to do so and thus save the mods the effort of deleting my post 

goody will be one or the other!

Tom McDonald and Kozzie Pickett as whipping boys for me. 

18 minutes ago, spalding said:

goody will be one or the other!

Agree. Most likely the latter, regardless of what happens other than a Flag this year.