Break out year

[hawkman]

Yeah, as Footy Smarts said, Rankine is there. CD had him in the top 10 in the comp this year in player ratings, and he was on pace for 18 disp/45+ goal campaign. When available, Ranks was destroying worlds this year.

However, I do think you could make a genuine case that what happens to Rankine is one of the more important story lines for 2025. It's hard to see how Adelaide bounces into a good finals run (and save Nicks job) without Rankine converting into a star midfielder.

The problem with Rankine last year was that he only played 15 games and Adelaide were terrible. Was amazing from round 6 until he got injured in the final seconds against Collingwood in round 11. After that 1 great game only the rest really just solid games. If he does that round 6-11 form over a full season then he is nearly the best player in the comp

 

[Golumless]

The problem with Rankine last year was that he only played 15 games and Adelaide were terrible. Was amazing from round 6 until he got injured in the final seconds against Collingwood in round 11. After that 1 great game only the rest really just solid games. If he does that round 6-11 form over a full season then he is nearly the best player in the comp

I completely agree. Rankine just lost enough games to lose an AA spot he had all but sewn up (missed out on being eligible by 1 game) and Adelaide was terrible, so the loss wasn't noticed. After all, team who showed they were terrible continued to be terrible. If Adelaide cratered from, lets say 6th to 15th in that time, the story would be that Rankine is in question for most impactful player in the comp.

The thing to note with Rankine and judging performances, is we was using him as small forward with 4th-5th inside minutes, not as a primary midfielder. So those 15-16 disp/2 goal games are damn good games in their own right. After all, being a small forward just kills your production levels.

 

[BigBreakfast]

Hollands boys to set the comp on fire!

 

[jdstorm]

In terms of Essendon I’d say Nate Caddy, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Roberts are the players to watch.

Tsatas is a top 5 pick whose body is now finally ready to play as an inside midfielder. Should add some real physicality to Essendon’s group.

Caddy and Roberts are now 2nd year players and showed flashes last year without getting consistent games. With more game time you’d hope they can consistently reach their best performance

 

[Giant Pete]

In terms of Essendon I’d say Nate Caddy, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Roberts are the players to watch.

Tsatas is a top 5 pick whose body is now finally ready to play as an inside midfielder. Should add some real physicality to Essendon’s group.

Caddy and Roberts are now 2nd year players and showed flashes last year without getting consistent games. With more game time you’d hope they can consistently reach their best performance

Tsatas can’t kick though.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Tsatas can’t kick though.

I also would have thought physicality was one of the last things he’d be bringing to the table. Perhaps he’s improved them out of sight since but his tackle numbers were appalling in the juniors.

 

[Smithdogmaddog]

I think Weddle has the most up side of any player we’ve had on our list for a long time.

 

[jdstorm]

I also would have thought physicality was one of the last things he’d be bringing to the table. Perhaps he’s improved them out of sight since but his tackle numbers were appalling in the juniors.

I think your vastly underestimating how bad Essendon’s physical presence is and how much having a non “fun sized” AFL standard mid in the mix will improve the team.

Tsatas despite his spotty kicking has been good in the VFL. He was the same draft as Sheezel/Wardlaw and after a couple of preseasons is finally ready to go playing inside.

 

[Sttew]

Max Holmes has topped Shannon Neale to have a break out season in 2025. Arguably Neale has served the ideal apprenticeship.

 

[Matrix10]

In terms of Essendon I’d say Nate Caddy, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Roberts are the players to watch.

Tsatas is a top 5 pick whose body is now finally ready to play as an inside midfielder. Should add some real physicality to Essendon’s group.

Caddy and Roberts are now 2nd year players and showed flashes last year without getting consistent games. With more game time you’d hope they can consistently reach their best performance

Caddy I agree maybe another pre season after this and he will tear the comp apart , needs to work on his goal kicking conversion accuracy. Tsatas is very underwhelming for a high end draft pick , feel he will be a bust , his disposal by foot is just not AFL standard.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Rory Atkins.

 

[Golumless]

Rory Atkins.

About time. He's been teasing it for a decade.

 

[Lars27]

I also would have thought physicality was one of the last things he’d be bringing to the table. Perhaps he’s improved them out of sight since but his tackle numbers were appalling in the juniors.

His tackling was poor, that's true. But he had significant injuries in the juniors and his first year in the AFL, which may have held back his physical development. He is finally putting on some size and his contested and clearance work doesn't look to be an issue in the VFL. He got 14 clearances in one game, and he also managed to average 4 tackles too. Needs more opportunities in the AFL midfield now, he's ready.

 

[Pistol Night]

Ken Hinkley

 

[aussierulesrules]

His tackling was poor, that's true. But he had significant injuries in the juniors and his first year in the AFL, which may have held back his physical development. He is finally putting on some size and his contested and clearance work doesn't look to be an issue in the VFL. He got 14 clearances in one game, and he also managed to average 4 tackles too. Needs more opportunities in the AFL midfield now, he's ready.

That’s good to hear, will be interesting to see how he goes from here.

 

[Milanista28]

I hope Nick Bryan takes the next step for us.

A couple of Saints I want to nominate, Liam Henry has another couple of levels in him and NWM could become a top 10-20 player in the league, he's already top 10 (maybe 5) with ball in hand.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

From other sides:

Mitch Owens
Finn Callaghan
Josh Rachele
George Wardlaw
Bailey Humphrey
Kai Lohmann
Sam Durham

Hardly controversial selections given they are either highly rated top picks, or have already proven to be quality players (Callaghan and Durham in particular, and Lohmann in the finals).

 

[matey]

The way he’s come back from the break Nuke will break out …….. to another level!

 

[tiger_tough]

Jacob Bauer if he can stay fit. Took 5 contested marks on Sicily in one game last year.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Jacob Bauer if he can stay fit. Took 5 contested marks on Sicily in one game last year.

Yeah Sic with a bung shoulder. I think there were several games where he didn't go hard in a marking contest for fear of doing it again.

 

[tiger_tough]

Yeah Sic with a bung shoulder. I think there were several games where he didn't go hard in a marking contest for fear of doing it again.

If you say so. Still a good sign from a 5th gamer.

 

[TheFourPillars]

If you say so. Still a good sign from a 5th gamer.

Mate its well documented in other games as well that he didn't go hard he had to manage his injury in saying that the kid has some attributes. Let's see how he goes

 

[tiger_tough]

Mate its well documented in other games as well that he didn't go hard he had to manage his injury in saying that the kid has some attributes. Let's see how he goes

Yeah....I said if you say so

 

[matey]

If you say so. Still a good sign from a 5th gamer.

Yeah Jacob looked ok but Siss’s shoulder was hanging loosely when he came back from when it popped out …… couldn’t lift it above shoulder height and avoided tackling. Had surgery during the break and is still in the recovery group at training!

 

[tiger_tough]

Yeah Jacob looked ok but Siss’s shoulder was hanging loosely when he came back from when it popped out …… couldn’t lift it above shoulder height and avoided tackling. Had surgery during the break and is still in the recovery group at training!

If you say so.