Apologies if this thread has appeared before but I'm interested in people's thoughts on our debutants over the past two years.

Here are the stats.

The class of '06

Clint Bartram

Av. disposals: 11.2

Av marks: 3.9

Av. tackles: 3.9

Games: 22

Goals: 6

Matthew Bate

Av. disposals: 15.8

Av marks: 5.5

Av. tackles: 2.7

Games: 14

Goals: 8

Lynden Dunn

Av. disposals: 9.4

Av marks: 3.8

Av. tackles: 1.2

Games: 11

Goals: 13

Nathan Jones

Av. disposals: 13.9

Av marks: 2.5

Av. tackles: 3.1

Games: 8

Goals: 2

Total

Av. disposals: 12.6

Av marks: 3.9

Av. tackles: 2.7

Games: 55

Goals: 29

The class of '07

Jace Bode

Av. disposals: 6.7

Av marks: 2.0

Av. tackles: 2.3

Games: 3

Goals: 1

Simon Buckley

Av. disposals: 10.3

Av marks: 2.2

Av. tackles: 1.3

Games: 6

Goals: 1

James Frawley

Av. disposals: 7.4

Av marks: 2.3

Av. tackles: 1.7

Games: 9

Goals: 0

Colin Garland

Av. disposals: 4.5

Av marks: 0.5

Av. tackles: 1.5

Games: 2

Goals: 0

Michael Newton

Av. disposals: 9.9

Av marks: 4.0

Av. tackles: 1.6

Games: 9

Goals: 12

Ricky Petterd

Av. disposals: 13.8

Av marks: 5.7

Av. tackles: 2

Games: 9

Goals: 6

Total

Av. disposals: 8.8

Av marks: 2.8

Av. tackles: 1.7

Games: 38

Goals: 20

The stats suggest that Matthew Bate has had the best debut season over the past two years and the class of '06 has the wood over the class of '07*.

Which player do you believe has had the best debut season?

Which group has had the best debut year?

*The class of '07 still has one more game in its debut season

Good post, of the players mentioned i would have thought Bartram was well ahead as the best debut season. Gee we missed him this year and he will play a big role if we are to turn it around next year.

So far i would say the class of 06 is the better year but it is impossible not to judge them knowing what their second season was like rather then a direct comparison as debutants.

Jones, Bate and Dunn have all taken real steps this season to becoming front line demon players.

Hopefully the likes of Petterd Newton and Frawley will do the same next year.

Bartram last year id say played most games was great in the midfield,pity he didnt play much this year, he will be fired up for 08

While Frawley and Newton didn't have as much impact as Bate and Bartram did last year, these two could turn out to be our 'bookends' (FF/FB) for 10 years to come.

IMO their development is the absolute key to our future success, especially with Neita's fast approaching retirement and our lacking defensive unit.

I'd hardly call this years team a "Class". That word has too many positive meanings. maybe "Destruction of '07" is a more suitable name?

interesting that off those players i reckon at least 7 will go on to have long careers, while my jury is still out on buckley, bode and garland...

if we have 7 debutantes in 2 years, all who go on to be best 22 material we will have done well...

While Frawley and Newton didn't have as much impact as Bate and Bartram did last year, these two could turn out to be our 'bookends' (FF/FB) for 10 years to come.

IMO their development is the absolute key to our future success, especially with Neita's fast approaching retirement and our lacking defensive unit.

Very true Jaded, 2006 didn't have any true KPP's so you'd expect them to develop alot quicker.

The quality and health of the experienced players out on the park with the 06 boys compared to the 07 was also much different - surely that played a huge differenece on the stats. Must be hard to look good in your first year when the team itself is looking so bad?

The quality and health of the experienced players out on the park with the 06 boys compared to the 07 was also much different - surely that played a huge differenece on the stats. Must be hard to look good in your first year when the team itself is looking so bad?

A very good point Kryton.

I think many of the debutants this year had a real baptism of fire amongst mounting injuries to senior players, absence of on field leaders and the general lack of team confidence. They deserve special merit for their efforts in a poor side in a difficult situation.

I am enthused about the future for Newton, Buckley, Pettard, Frawley. Garland and Bode got a taste and could be better for the run.

Its interesting that some of the 2006 debutants (Bate and Dunn) went through form troughs in difficult conditions.

All the more reason to celebrate the unerring efforts of Nathan Jones.

A very good point Kryton.

I think many of the debutants this year had a real baptism of fire amongst mounting injuries to senior players, absence of on field leaders and the general lack of team confidence. They deserve special merit for their efforts in a poor side in a difficult situation.

I am enthused about the future for Newton, Buckley, Pettard, Frawley. Garland and Bode got a taste and could be better for the run.

Its interesting that some of the 2006 debutants (Bate and Dunn) went through form troughs in difficult conditions.

All the more reason to celebrate the unerring efforts of Nathan Jones.

Lets not forget Rhino that Bate and Dunn are almost first years again.

Dunn is now being gromed as a Cam Bruce like Midfielder and Bate as a 3rd tall forward.

Tough for Bate to hold down CHF in his second year. some of his games in the first half of the year were sensational

I'm not yet sold on Bate. I know he stands out with the red hair, the long left foot kick and the hard leading, but there are a number of queries on him.

The two main concerns are his toughness and his ball handling. I don't think he attacks the ball hard enough. When there's players around the contest, he doesn't go in with full force. This probably affects his ball handling, especially at ground level, and perhaps he fumbles because of the perceived pressure of what's around him.

He has some fantastic attributes but if he doesn't improve in this area he won't make it. I'll cut him some slack because he's young, but he needs to learn quickly that attack on the footy is non-negotiable.

He has certain tools that will enable him to make it, but he must get better in other areas. The jury is out on him.

I'm not yet sold on Bate. I know he stands out with the red hair, the long left foot kick and the hard leading, but there are a number of queries on him.

The two main concerns are his toughness and his ball handling. I don't think he attacks the ball hard enough. When there's players around the contest, he doesn't go in with full force. This probably affects his ball handling, especially at ground level, and perhaps he fumbles because of the perceived pressure of what's around him.

He has some fantastic attributes but if he doesn't improve in this area he won't make it. I'll cut him some slack because he's young, but he needs to learn quickly that attack on the footy is non-negotiable.

He has certain tools that will enable him to make it, but he must get better in other areas. The jury is out on him.

What frustrates me as i watch Bate is what seems to be his two paced running. He seems to run a lot faster when he has the ball then he does when he is chasing.

However his great kick sticky hands and ability to lead are all big positives.

What frustrates me as i watch Bate is what seems to be his two paced running. He seems to run a lot faster when he has the ball then he does when he is chasing.

However his great kick sticky hands and ability to lead are all big positives.

You forgot to mention the turning circle of a semi.