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2022 Player Reviews: #30 Alex Neal-Bullen

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in Melbourne Demons

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Half forward who is sometimes maligned but plays an important role in the Demons’ attacking sector. Known for the territory he covers and the number of selfless acts that often go unnoticed but end up setting up goals, these are the attributes that saw him finish inside the top ten in the club champion awards.

"One of the Demons’ most improved players in their premiership season, Neal-Bullen didn’t have the same level of impact in 2022, kicking nine goals compared to his 15 last year. Contracted until the end of 2023 after signing a two-year extension in May last year." - Herald Sun

Date of Birth: 9 January 1996
Height: 183cm
Weight: 81kg
 
Games MFC 2022: 23
Career Total: 128
 
Goals MFC 2022: 9
Career Total: 88

Ninth Club Best & Fairest: 384 votes

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    Agree Durango his 2021 was his best for the club but he obviously played his role as directed by the coaching team to poll so well. My biggest bugbear was when he looked to pass it off when in range instead of nailing his shot and worse when he missed from 20-30 metres out, they are real momentum killers. However I still love ANB’s stamina, selfless footy, his hardness at the ball and his 2nd and 3rd efforts. Let’s hope that in 2023 he nails those shots and helps us stay at the top of the heap.!!

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    Nibbler is a total enigma to me. His transitional running and positioning I know is really important to our game. In 2021, when he got the ball, he did good things. In 2022 when he got the ball he would often make bad choices or cough it up. There is a bit of me that just thinks we should get rid of him, but I just don’t know how we would fill the hole.

     When he strings it all together the way he did in our 21 campaign he is an absolute lock. I don’t know why the difference between his best and worst is so big but it is very frustrating. The coaches definitely see something I don’t though, there is no way he would have been in my top ten for demon players last year. He’d have been lucky to make my top 20

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    12 hours ago, FlashInThePan said:

    Nibbler is a total enigma to me. His transitional running and positioning I know is really important to our game. In 2021, when he got the ball, he did good things. In 2022 when he got the ball he would often make bad choices or cough it up. There is a bit of me that just thinks we should get rid of him, but I just don’t know how we would fill the hole.

     When he strings it all together the way he did in our 21 campaign he is an absolute lock. I don’t know why the difference between his best and worst is so big but it is very frustrating. The coaches definitely see something I don’t though, there is no way he would have been in my top ten for demon players last year. He’d have been lucky to make my top 20

    Yeah, this aligns very much with my take on Nibbler. There’s no questioning his commitment, passion and athleticism. Needs to balance out that heart and soul with a bit more brain. 

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    I felt like the opposition put some work into him this season, he was previously disregarded but in ‘21 his game put a target on his back. Oppositions seemed to close his space off quicker this season making his disposal more erratic (a bit). He needs to lift a tad as he will never get the same license again. Love him to bits, is selfless as a player, likes a laugh and doesn’t take himself too seriously. But he does need to do better than 9 snags and take his shots when they are there. I can see him being another team’s Daniel Cross down the track in 24/25, bringing some good habits to a struggling club.

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    If the selection policy is fair dinkum Nibbler will have to play his 2021 form in '23 to stay in the team. 
    Love his team first attitude and gut running but his decision making and finishing let him self down this season. 

    Faces a serious challenge from Kade Chandler and possibly JJ for his AFL spot which hopefully brings out his  best including 20 goals or more this season. 

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