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2021 Player Reviews #30 Alex Neal-Bullen

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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38 minutes ago, Demonland said:

30AlexNealBullen2021.png

The hard at it small forward went from being potential trade bait to a valuable and regular component of the side.

Date of Birth: 9 January, 1996
Height: 183cm
Weight: 80kg

Games MFC 2021: 25
Career Total: 105

Goals MFC 2021: 15
Career Total: 79

Played every game in a Premiership Year….

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    • Like 5

    A real trier, the sort of player I love to watch. And a player who radiates joy and commitment on the field (and no doubt off as well)! Well done Alex on reaching the 100 game milestone and becoming  a premiership player!

     

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    • Like 6
     

    A Bombers mate of mine has for years gotten stuck into me about Nibbler, saying he's a plodder, shouldn't be on an AFL list ect. Yes, he's not particularly talented and isn't a game-breaker but he's one of those glue guys you love to have at the club. Trains the house down, works harder than anyone else out on the ground and demands excellence of his teammates. Some say it is your bottom six that separates pretenders from contenders, Nibbler's output this year played a big role in our rise up the ladder. Nom nom nom.

     

    Also I have this theory that he turns into a gun in wet-weather games, I might pay closer attention next year to see if there's any substance to it

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    Nibbler has always been a very ernest player, He was plagued in his earlier years by fumbles and turnovers. He appears to have ironed out those deficiencies (largely) - perhaps he has become more comfortable with his role and spot in the side. Nonetheless he has turned into a key role player for us that covers more territory than anyone other than Langdon.

    He is super important for us in terms of the pressure he brings to bear and the consistent effort he brings across four quarters.

    His kicking for goal has gone to another level this year and his wet weather banana against Richmond was absolutely outstanding,

    He should be very proud of the footballer he has become. 

    Edited by jnrmac

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    • Like 6

    If you said to me 3 years ANB would be part of Melbourne's next premiership I would have laughed. Im glad I was wrong :)

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    • Thanks 1
    18 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

    If you said to me 3 years ANB would be part of Melbourne's next premiership I would have laughed. Im glad I was wrong :)

    You would have laughed at which bit? That we'd have a Premiership within 3 years or that ANB would be a part of it?

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    • Like 1
     

    A great year from Alex Neil Bullen  Premiership Player, consummate role player and as he mentioned the role players have added a slice of excellence when they get the opportunity. I love his exuberance, team work and celebrations also love that his mum is a member of the cheer squad and team favourite. 💕❤️💙

     

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    He is pretty much my favourite player this year. You can only imagine how hard he has worked this year to get where he is.

    Love, just love his mum with the red wig, in the middle of the cheer squad, is an out and proud Melbourne supporter

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    ANB was far more than a role player. 
    Role Players don’t nail goals 50 metres out on the boundry line. 
    That takes skill under serious pressure 

    Edited by Sir Why You Little

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    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1

    I was going to say one of our most improved players but so many really did step up this year.

    I always thought this guy was a tad fumbly but he has really become quite smooth. Certainly fixed his goal kicking issues to the point where he has kicked some very special goals. Runs all day. Hard as nails. A tackling machine and choc full of passion. Great year from him. Loves his team mates and revs everyone up. Still loving his tigers goal from the boundary line with a wet ball and the following against giants

     

     

    Edited by leave it to deever

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    • Like 3

    I was never the biggest fan, nor his biggest critic. He seemed to be a Brad Sewell, Brandon Ellis type who played a role maybe 4-5 others could play. 

    But he elevated himself way above a role player. His two-way running, really good kicking (can't believe I am typing this next to his name!!) and his team link up play through the middle of the ground were outstanding. I also get the feeling he is a clubman like Gus and Gawn. And he performed in each of the finals.

     

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    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    You would have laughed at which bit? That we'd have a Premiership within 3 years or that ANB would be a part of it?

    the 2nd

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    I admire Alex very much. His performance for the whole season was amazing. He is always hard at it and he can run all day like Ed thanks to his high level of fitness and sheer hard work on the training track. He has the ability to find space and is now feeding the forwards with pin point precision kicking. He is a real team man and has red and blue dyed in his blood.Always encouraging others and egging them on. So glad we kept him. Well done mate on a wonderful season.

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    I think this was his best season of football and after being told to look for a new home at the end of last year.

    He was rejected by other clubs returning to the MFC and embraced challange and rose to the occassion saving his best for the Grand Final with his gut running and precision passes.

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    I think he was in many ways the leader of the forward line. Always doing the talking when the group gathered after a goal. Always looking to bring teammates into the game. 

    Showed great leadership and crucial member of the team.

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    • Like 3
    12 hours ago, dee-tox said:

    I think he was in many ways the leader of the forward line. Always doing the talking when the group gathered after a goal. Always looking to bring teammates into the game. 

    Showed great leadership and crucial member of the team.

    In watching replays of the finals, I noticed this too, Dee-tox. Appears he is the "line manager", and after each goal or opposition goal  brings all the forwards together and resets them. Love it. I would never have thought of him in this light but the other forwards almost gravitate toward him. 

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    • Like 3
    On 10/27/2021 at 10:15 AM, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    You would have laughed at which bit? That we'd have a Premiership within 3 years or that ANB would be a part of it?

    haha

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    I had a friend with the surname of Bullen and they told me it derives from (Anne) Boleyn.

    ANB is MFC royalty and doesn't lose his head.

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    • Haha 2

    Gone from being hit and miss with his kicking to very reliable

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    What a fine example of reward for persistence and hard work is our ANBPP.

    He has come along from being a bits and pieces filler to a vital part of the forward cogwheel. 
     

    Thanks so much ANB for sticking to it when quite a few here wanted you gone. 

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