There are different types of ‘big years’ needed, and some overlap: big career year, big comeback year, big year for Dees to succeed, big developmental leap year, etc.

Big years for their career

Howes - with Petty (presumably) coming back, it makes it even harder for Blake to cement a spot but I hope we can keep him around as I think he has a bit to him.

Petty - injuries have ruined him lately but needs to return to form quickly for the sake of his mind not just his body. 

Comeback

Oliver - what is he for the rest of his career? He might never recapture his manic ability to win the footy and distribute and power out of stoppage but can he get back to some sort of form.

Developmental Year

JVR - has the opportunity to make a leap being the focal point. Still won’t have protection from the number 1 defender but maybe our gameplan can make it easier for him to succeed.

Chandler - I hope he can take the leap to being one of the first picked in the forward line in the absence of ANB. He has the talent and the desire, does he have the discipline and the confidence?

Sparrow - now or never Tom. Trent made the leap past you in the middle. Perhaps the door is shut with the influx of midfielders into the frame for 2025…

Big for the Dees

Oliver | Petty | JVR - already mentioned.

Petracca - our best player needs to get back to his best for us to get a sniff to be top 4 again

Gawn - he is the eternal flame, god help us when it gets dark.

May - Petty back will take some pressure off but he is needed to have another great year.

Rivers - is he a better mid than Oliver? If he is then he will be massively important to our fortunes.

Pickett - can he continue a banner year with another? And stay on the park?

Lever - can he help us modernise our gameplan? And get us going?

Its no surprise that these are the best players, but it does get one excited about the possibilities.

 

Players who need a big year…..everyone!

I think we need our A-Graders to play like A-Graders.

But we also need some new blood in that category. JVR, McVee, Windsor, Rivers and maybe Tholstrup have shown that they are capable. It would be nice to see at least 2 of them become A-Grade.

It would also be nice to think that the player occupying positions 16-23 every week will improve. Players like Woewodin, Chin, Sparrow, Bowey and Howes need to become more consistent and damaging to the opposition.

Whilst I am optimistic about 2025, I am realistic as to the amount of improvement and work that needs to be done.

2 hours ago, biggestred said:

yeah i was being a bit silly re trac. but you know the media is gonna talk about it all year lol

Then don't feed the vultures.

1 hour ago, Wodjathefirst said:

Players who need a big year…..everyone!

That was my thought with the "Who replaces ANBs role?" post too.

Everyone!

We need to get back to celebrating every chase down, every spoil, every tackle, every effort made to take space and restrict the opposition from slicing thru us.  It's a healthy collective enjoying their footy that replaces an ANB! And that's where we need a big improvement.

Ok we have to see some speed and fitness to be able to do that two way running as well, but skilled disposal and developing an offensive synergy will eventually lead to less requirement to get back and rely on the defence.

Our D should only be a fall back safety net, not an overall primary strategy of restriction. That's the past. We're too old for that. 

Sydney showed last year in the GF that you can't rely on being a sponge that absorbs attacks and repells. Brisbane murdered them, and put them on the backfoot once the dam wall broke. Geelong did too. 

Edited November 28, 2024Nov 28 by John Demonic

Oliver 

10 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

McAdam’s never had “form”, so he can’t exactly recapture it. And given his age (30 in May next season), a “breakout year” is highly unlikely. 
Obviously agree with Oliver and I think Sparrow needs to take the next step (and have a proper breakout season). 

Sparrow certainly could make a difference - there is still a good deal about him that could erupt, be utilised for 'team' purposes and at the individual level. He has some great skills, a great physique, an excellent kick for distance and a stubbornness to take the knock in possession/handballing/pick-ups. I expected his turn of form from earlier stages, last season ... however, these attributes seldom came together. I still believe that he has hidden explosive, dominant and commendable upsides to his potential .... his confidence needs a boost to really 'go for it' at every opportunity ... possibly a latent and currently hidden asset lies within his 'feeder' roles with team members rather than the long bomb to upfield hopefuls. Come on, Spaz, there is much that you could offer and by now, to exploit in the game plan. 

If our skipper gets injured, massive years for Campbell, Verrall, Fullarton. Could resurrect Campbell's career or make Verrall and Fullarton's.

Aidan Johnson needs to step up. Offered nothing last year…

 

… and smash BM on KB 😍

Edited November 28, 2024Nov 28 by PaulRB

Bowey because of the huge rapts on him as a junior. Injury and being played out of position is his problem. He needs to be wing or half forward in my mind. He is the connection we need. He has more potential silk than all but 3/4.

6 hours ago, biggestred said:

Howes will get another contract regardless. has shown plenty imho, and is still very young.

mcadam obviously needs to set the world on fire if he is to get another contract

jefferson will have a year like roo's first year where he comes into the team and takes a few marks and shows promise. 2025 is jeffos breakout year.

sparrow spent most of last preseason doing run throughs. a big preseason will set him right.

if we are goign to go top 4 we need oliver to return to his best but even getting 90% of the way there would be a big help.

trac needs a career best season if we are goign to make the pies give us 3x top 10 picks and a player for him at the end of the year.

Petracca will turn 30 before the 2026 season starts. The days of getting a huge bounty for him if he leaves are sadly over.

Big year for Dees to be competitive again? Or big year to keep their career on track?

If it's big year for Dees to be competitive, then it's our A graders and core leaders like Trac, Clarry, Gawn, May, Lever, Viney. Pretty self explanatory. We saw what happened when most of them were injured or not firing this year, and it will continue to happen if they don't perform and lead again like 2021-2023.

If it's a big year for their own careers, we have a fair few but here are the ones that stand out to me:

Petty - Obviously struggled with injury in 2024, but his season was poor and for position and experience he was rated one of the worst players in the league. He's not a natural forward. Send him back to defence.

Bowey - Not convinced he makes it longer term without a position change. He started his career well, but has regressed in the years since, to the point where IMO he has minimal impact on games. We rarely see his supposedly elite kicking, and he doesn't have the speed or skillset to be made into a pure lockdown small defender either. He should be tried at half forward and used similar to how Spargo was a few years back in an attempt to improve our forward connection issues. I respect his bravery in attacking the ball, but he needs to impact games or he's wasting a crucial spot in the team as a rebounder off half back that doesn't actually rebound.

Sparrow - Regressed and isn't up to AFL midfielder standard on output. Coming into his seventh season now and career best is averaging 17 touches. He needs a big season or he'll no longer be best 22 as other youngsters pass him. He had a big opportunity to step up in 2024 as he was fit and ready to step into a core midfield role with the loss of Trac and other depth, but he didn't step up and looks likely to be overtaken and be depth/delisted. Had decent success off half back as a junior, could potentially be trialled there.

Laurie - Coming into his fifth year he needs to establish himself in the team or he's delist material (despite inexplicably being given a contract extension). Appears one of JT's biggest misses.

Salem - I rate him highly and don't feel his 2021 season is given credit or kudos. He's constantly injured though, and when he returns from injury he struggles. His impact on games this past few years has been minimal, and at 30 years old next year he needs to fire and lead. OOC 2026, so he's likely only got two seasons left before he's cooked if he can't get himself fit and performing.

McAdam - 30 year old who battled injury and form. Given we essentially traded ANB for him, we need him best 22 and playing his role. Likely will be delisted end of 2025.

7 hours ago, Left Foot Snap said:

My vote is for Turner to have a Waterman like year and get the AFL world talking. Would give our fortunes a real boost.

I think he will - good vibes about the way he goes about it. 

Biggest thing is across the board buy in on team first 

It was evident in 2021 needs to get back to that fine balance between me/we - do your job for the team

Our fitness and medical teams need a breakout year, because since Burgo left our 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons have all had problems.

From the start of 2021 to mid 2022 (when we had the 30w-4l run) we were in unbelievable condition.  Since then we have run players into the ground so they are about 75% by season end, played them injured and aggravating injuries - missing big stretches of games, or some players have just not put in the same level of work as 2021 for various reasons and look unfit.  

It will probably be the biggest factor in our 2025 performance.

 

The obvious ones are Clarry, Trac and Kozzie. 

Ideally we'd love to keep all three long term, but if we can't, it's in our best interests for all 3 to have massive years, help us win a flag and then put their trade currency at an absolute premium either way

From the lesser known players, we really need Van Rooyen to take a big step and become a premier power forward in the league, Jefferson to push into the team and play a big role and guys like Sparrow, Chandler, Howes, Spargo to go from being role players to the next level up in their respective roles.

Disco Turner 40 goal year, take it to the bank

3 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Big year for Dees to be competitive again? Or big year to keep their career on track?

If it's big year for Dees to be competitive, then it's our A graders and core leaders like Trac, Clarry, Gawn, May, Lever, Viney. Pretty self explanatory. We saw what happened when most of them were injured or not firing this year, and it will continue to happen if they don't perform and lead again like 2021-2023.

If it's a big year for their own careers, we have a fair few but here are the ones that stand out to me:

Petty - Obviously struggled with injury in 2024, but his season was poor and for position and experience he was rated one of the worst players in the league. He's not a natural forward. Send him back to defence.

Bowey - Not convinced he makes it longer term without a position change. He started his career well, but has regressed in the years since, to the point where IMO he has minimal impact on games. We rarely see his supposedly elite kicking, and he doesn't have the speed or skillset to be made into a pure lockdown small defender either. He should be tried at half forward and used similar to how Spargo was a few years back in an attempt to improve our forward connection issues. I respect his bravery in attacking the ball, but he needs to impact games or he's wasting a crucial spot in the team as a rebounder off half back that doesn't actually rebound.

Sparrow - Regressed and isn't up to AFL midfielder standard on output. Coming into his seventh season now and career best is averaging 17 touches. He needs a big season or he'll no longer be best 22 as other youngsters pass him. He had a big opportunity to step up in 2024 as he was fit and ready to step into a core midfield role with the loss of Trac and other depth, but he didn't step up and looks likely to be overtaken and be depth/delisted. Had decent success off half back as a junior, could potentially be trialled there.

Laurie - Coming into his fifth year he needs to establish himself in the team or he's delist material (despite inexplicably being given a contract extension). Appears one of JT's biggest misses.

Salem - I rate him highly and don't feel his 2021 season is given credit or kudos. He's constantly injured though, and when he returns from injury he struggles. His impact on games this past few years has been minimal, and at 30 years old next year he needs to fire and lead. OOC 2026, so he's likely only got two seasons left before he's cooked if he can't get himself fit and performing.

McAdam - 30 year old who battled injury and form. Given we essentially traded ANB for him, we need him best 22 and playing his role. Likely will be delisted end of 2025.

I’m with you down to Petty we need some real depth and I believe we now have it, we ran out of forwards in 22-23 and mids in ‘24. We have increased and improved our team heading into ‘25, you need 26-32 players to get through a 23 game season. Our game plan has to match our ability to play it, we have improved our list, it is now as you mentioned up to our high performance team and coaches to provide the level of fitness and the game plan that our boys can execute week in week out. Some of our team are parts players so when they get their chance they must play their part or suffer the consequences.

22 minutes ago, adonski said:

Disco Turner 40 goal year, take it to the bank

The coaches must agree with your sentiments on Disco Turner to award him with the No.10 guernsey. High praise indeed but I am in earnest agreement with you.

An aside:

Now that ANB has gone, which player becomes the biggest whipping boy if they fail to have a big year!?

Edited November 28, 2024Nov 28 by Engorged Onion

26 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

An aside:

Now that ANB has gone, which player becomes the biggest whipping boy if they fail to have a big year!?

My guess would be Bill, Spaz, Petts and Full Cream if he gets a run. Lol.!!!

Disco - got the number 10 jumper. Big shoes to fill

37 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

An aside:

Now that ANB has gone, which player becomes the biggest whipping boy if they fail to have a big year!?

Some will be booing our best player??

So there’s that

6 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Some will be booing our best player??

So there’s that

Big year ahead for 

1. Steven May
2. Jacob van Rooyen
3. Christian Salem
5. Christian Petracca
8. Jake Lever
9. Charlie Spargo
10. Daniel Turner
13. Clayton Oliver
14. Jack Billings
16. Bailey Laurie
17. Jake Bowey
21. Matt Jefferson
22. Blake Howes
23. Shane McAdam
26. Jed Adams
28. Will Verrall
32. Tom Sparrow
33. Tom Fullarton
35. Harry Petty
36. Kysaiah Pickett
38. Oliver Sestan
40. Taj Woewodin
44. Luker Kentfield
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield