Pre-season superstars

[samthemanlonergan]

Every club has a number of players who have 'a massive pre-season' and more often than not it tutns into a big season. In a supercoach context this means bargain buys. So who are these players at each respective club?

Essendon:

Information coming out of Essendon has been scarce with every training session being closed. However from what we have heard apart from the perenially good (Stanton, Watson etc)..

Jake Melksham has put on a decent amount of size and appears a lot fitter. Would expect him to up his SC output significantly.

Travis Colyer basically ditto. Looking for a regular spot in the 22 and appears he might have earned it.

David Hille has been a standout if you believe the coaching staff. Second season back after a knee reco is usually better than the first.

Brendan Lee hasn't missed a beat since being rookied. Could be a handy alternative pickup for bargain basement price. Especially after we have just moved 2 players onto the LTI list.

Who are these players from your club?

 

[Eth]

Matthew Bate and Nathan Jones from the Dees.

 

[Double the Fist]

Ash Smith has improved greatly in fitness from WCE.

 

[KingJames23]

Van Berlo is training the house down again. Under Sando, may become a genuine midfielder instead of a run-with guy.

Dangerfield has increased his endurance and will spend more time in midfield.

Sloane, Brodie Smith and Mackay have put on size and all training well.

Luke Brown apparently training very well - seems to be a coach favourite.

Jacobs having a good preseason. Porps is also having a ripping preseason and hasnt missed a beat. Looking solid, strong and skilful. Let's hope those shoulders hold up.

 

[Frrost11]

Sounds like Adelaide are going for the cup!

From Carlton, aside from what is red on Afl.com.au that anyone can see in a flash...

B.Gibbs has bulked up, no more push n shove... He will be the big improver this year for SCers like Murph last year will be consistant and I think boost his average up 10.

M.Kreuzer is the best/fittest he has ever been (coming from his own mouth!) and also demanding more time in the middle with rest in fwd line.

good luck to the young blokes just recruited, tough going pushing for spot in the side. I would say the only bloke who will notch 3+ games will be Rowe.

 

[asiansensation]

With North Melbourne, Shaun Atley has impressed everyone and everyone you ask at North are saying Atley's improving a lot.

Also, players are impressed by Brad McKenzie's kicking skills and will get a game this year due to North's lack of effective kicks.

 

[Double the Fist]

I forgot to mention that Koby Stevens is tearing it up.
Not sure if it means he will get games but I think he will. Nab will tell us.

 

[lamaros]

From the Bombers it is as has been said.

Melksham is fitter and bigger, and was best 22 already. Both of these are very important for Jake, as he struggled to run out games before and he plays a style of game that gets better when you have physical presence.

Hille is fitter and 'gets' the gameplan and is best 22. Rumors are he was struggling with injury after round one last year (where he was BOG) and failing to really grasp what the coaches wanted him to do. Could mean he is back to his best, but is a risky choice.

Colyer is bigger and fitter, but he was only fringe 22 last season and is competing for spots that others might not give up. I'd watch his pre-season form closely, because unless he tears it up he won't be playing every week.

Kavanagh is impressing with his skills, but it's hard to say if this is just the usual "pump up the highest pick from the draft" stuff.

Heppell is a touch bigger and fitter. Jetta is training well. Lee is impressing as a rookie, but is a 'nuts-and-bolts' mid competing for a role with established players like Hocking, Howlett, Watson and Lonergan, so is only an outside chance of playing many games.

Dempsey and Winderlich also put on a bit of size in their recovery from knee recos, and will very likely get a run in the NAB cup. Dempsey might be at a stage where he can step up, so I'd watch him to see how he comes back.