Jump to content

Most Improved Player This Season


WERRIDEE

Recommended Posts

It has to be T.Mac he's been something special this year and considering he was on the scrapheap last year it's a credit to him.

Spargo has to be the next most improved player this year. I've been one of his harshest critics he has been unbelievable a credit to him.

Neal-Bullen has to be next he has lifted to another level.

Rivers has really come on too rising star receiver. I wonder what demonlanders thoughts on him being All Australian I think the half back flank spot is up for grabs and he has been as good as anyone.

What a year it has been we could have 10 All Australian nominees in Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, May, Lever, Salem, Langdon, McDonald, Fritsch and Rivers.

All we need now is for either Weideman or Big Ben Brown to clunk a few and that would be the icing on the cake. I can almost smell that elusive premioership.  

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it somewhat depends what you define as improvement.  My take is that pretty much all of those mentioned have more or less recovered form to be playing as what is similar to their previous peak levels of performance.

The real improvement has come in the across the board collective belief, maturity and consistentcy of the team. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

JJ - gone from depth to so dependable and reliable.

welcome to the wingers club! What a game playing  Ed Langdon’s role. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is why we are so good this year, we have so many guys playing career best footy, even our best players have improved.
 

Spargo comes to mind but it’s hard to go past TMac. We tried to shop him off and pay some of his salary yet nobody was interested such was his performances for 2 years.

He has turned several games this year,  and been a match winner, could not be happier for him.

  • Like 5
  • Love 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could make a case for almost every player who played last night , but we are playing so well as a team. Every player is contributing. no Langdon last night , Hunt had one of his quieter games up stepped Brayshaw and Sparrow have no doubts this is why we are top of the ladder. 

Purely based on numbers I’d imagine Gawn and melksham down on last year. Everyone else hitting career highs or close to it.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


That Spargo and Nibbler are making the ‘whipping boy’ brigade look like the mugs they’ve always been brings joy to my heart. They are serious, professional footballers dedicated to playing to their potential in a team that understands the value of such an attitude. Never deserved the garbage so many dish up to them, and last night was the perfect vindication of that. Considering his size, the number of times Spargo not only halves contests he shouldn’t, but does the deft tap, the block, the tackle, and creates opportunity for others, not to mention his vision and ball use, is just special. And yet, just watch the knockers come back when he has a quiet one. ANB just goes and goes, always has, and for someone who has no flash and no tricks, to have found an extra skill level 6 years into his career should impress everyone. And yet......

  • Like 11
  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ANB was this good in 2018.

Spargo has absolutely found another level.

Tmac is the most improved from 2020, but probably not from his previous best. 

I’d almost argue Oliver. Sure he got lot of touches over the last few years but he is utterly dominating games and providing huge drive and damage. Could mount an argument on the same lines for Trac.

Most improved doesn’t always have to be the fringe players. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

It has to be T.Mac he's been something special this year and considering he was on the scrapheap last year it's a credit to him.

Spargo has to be the next most improved player this year. I've been one of his harshest critics he has been unbelievable a credit to him.

Neal-Bullen has to be next he has lifted to another level.

Rivers has really come on too rising star receiver. I wonder what demonlanders thoughts on him being All Australian I think the half back flank spot is up for grabs and he has been as good as anyone.

What a year it has been we could have 10 All Australian nominees in Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, May, Lever, Salem, Langdon, McDonald, Fritsch and Rivers.

All we need now is for either Weideman or Big Ben Brown to clunk a few and that would be the icing on the cake. I can almost smell that elusive premioership.  

I’m really pleased for TMac I remember him being interviewed a few years back and I thought at that time he would captain and achieve so much

He has obviously worked incredibly hard over the off season to address areas of his game that weren’t working

He was a critical factor in turning the game around last night - keep up the great work Tom 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

TMac has played great footy before so his improvement is more like returning to his best, rather than discovering his best.

Spargo for mine. I have always liked his footy brain, but he just couldn't impact enough. Now he is a serious problem for opposition because of his gut running, in-close skills, precision kicking and off-the-ball defensive stuff. He is everywhere, and continually makes things happen.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tmac has to win this. He went from “he’s awful we need to recruit a tall forward stat and trade him out” to “sorry tall forward we recruited, you can’t get a game now”. 
Given his foot issues and his age, his form turnaround is remarkable. 
 

Honorable mentions to ANB who I had in the trash pile and couldn’t wait to see delisted. Proved me wrong. 
 

Spargo always had it in him and just needed to find consistency. He is still really inexperienced and had a strong 2018 so I knew he could do it. 

Edited by Jaded
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


No doubt in my mind, those three ANB, Tmac and Spargo. Stands out they are all now taking First choices pretty well all the time.

And executing it quickly and with confidence.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From an individual perspective it has to TMac. Phenomenal what he has done. 

Collectively our team defense starting with May and Lever through to Spargo, ANB and Kozzie in the forward half has been a revelation for me this year.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Petty.

Loving his work.  I have been really happy and impressed by Petty's efforts to step up and into the role played by Tomlinson.  He's not quite a Tomlinson clone, just because of their differing physical attributes, but still contributing to the backline/team defense that's allowed us to maintain such good stability down back.

He looked a little shaky for a few weeks and still has the odd brain faid moment where he shanks it out on the full or something, but overall I think he's brought himself back up to backman at AFL level.

Starting to take some big strong intercept/contested marks and get involved in good chains of play as well.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spargo struggled to kick over 35 meters a few years back. ANB put up for trade, T Mac put up for trade. What a turn-around. We often talk about first to be selected players, the selectors must take it in turns to put the first name on the board. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, DaveyJones'sLocker said:

You could make a case for almost every player who played last night , but we are playing so well as a team. Every player is contributing. no Langdon last night , Hunt had one of his quieter games up stepped Brayshaw and Sparrow have no doubts this is why we are top of the ladder. 

Purely based on numbers I’d imagine Gawn and melksham down on last year. Everyone else hitting career highs or close to 

No Gawny is playing a much more rounded game in as team orientsted plus handball shirt padding and defending and attacking.

At the moment he is down a little on marks but more up on the 1% ers and his field kicking has improved.

He is a more rounded player and as such useful ( valuable) to  the team.

Brayshaw  is having his most consistent year since 2018 in a reprised defensive wing role so valuable to the team.

And our selfless ethos and team unity are the glue sticking all of it together. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #8 Jake Lever

    The Demon’s key defender and backline leader had his share of injuries and niggles throughout the season which prevented him from performing at his peak.  Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2024: 18 Career Total: 178 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1

    2024 Player Reviews: #13 Clayton Oliver

    Lack of preparation after a problematic preseason prevented Oliver from reaching the high standards set before last year’s hamstring woes. He carried injury right through the back half of the season and was controversially involved in a potential move during the trade period that was ultimately shut down by the club. Date of Birth:  22 July 1997 Height:  189cm Games MFC 2024:  21 Career Total: 183 Goals MFC 2024: 3 Career Total: 54 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    BLOODY BLUES by Meggs

    The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues  who meekly capitulated to the Bombers.   The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage.     As we strode confidently through the gates of Prin

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    2024 Player Reviews: #5 Christian Petracca

    Melbourne’s most important player who dominated the first half of the season until his untimely injury in the Kings Birthday clash put an end to his season. At the time, he was on his way to many personal honours and the club in strong finals contention. When the season did end for Melbourne and Petracca was slowly recovering, he was engulfed in controversy about a possible move of clubs amid claims about his treatment by the club in the immediate aftermath of his injury. Date of Birth: 4 J

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 21

    2024 Player Reviews: #2 Jacob van Rooyen

    Strong marking youngster who plays forward and relief ruck, continued to make significant strides forward in his career path. The Demons have high hopes for van Rooyen as he stakes his claim to become an elite attacking forward. Date of Birth: 16 April 2003 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 41 Goals MFC 2024: 30 Career Total: 58 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 26

    LIVE AND LET DIE by Meggs

    The Demons’ impressive late season charge to finals will most likely come unstuck this Saturday evening when the Bombers blow up the also-ran Blues in the Ikon Park double-header.   To mangle McCartney, what does it matter to ya? To have any chance to play next week Narrm has got a job to do and needs to do it well.  We’ve got to give the Pie sheilas hell, say live and let die! It’s Indigenous Round for this game and the chance to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #32 Tom Sparrow

    Had to shoulder more responsibility as the club’s injury concerns deepened but needs to step up more as he closes in on 100 games. Date of Birth: 31 May 2000 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 95 Goals MFC 2024: 6 Career Total: 34 Games CDFC: 1 Goals CDFL: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 24

    2024 Player Reviews: #35 Harry Petty

    Date of Birth: 12 November 1999 Height: 197cm Games MFC 2024: 20 Career Total: 82 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 28 Brownlow Medal Votes 3 Failed to fulfill the promise of his breakout six goal effort against the Tigers in 2023 and was generally disappointing as a key forward. It remains to be seen whether Simon Goodwin will persevere with him in attack or return him to the backline where he was an important cog in the club’s 2021 premiership success.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 18

    2024 Player Reviews: #22 Blake Howes

    After a bright start to the season, playing mostly in defence, Howes seemed to lose his way in midseason but fought back with some good performances at Casey and finished the year back at AFL level. One to watch in 2024. Date of Birth: 7 March 2003 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total:  15 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total:  0 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...