Player Watch Top 3 'Breakout' Contenders from your Club.

[Eastern Rangers]

1. Oscar Allen
Not sure if it's 2019 due to opportunities. But he's got something a bit freakish about him, he knows how to find the pill and does good things when he's got it. Natural forward who can play deep when needed or get high up the ground with lots of marks. Can push back into defense.

2. Dan Venables
Needs to build his tank and get into the action on the ball more, he's got genuine skill and explosive power. Carried at stages in 2018 but was there because he opens up play.

3. Ah Che
Expecting Callum to benifit from LeCras retirement and play that medium forward who pushes into the middle, hope he finds some consistency in this role.

Others: Ainsworth if he has a big preseason will play more games next year, off a wing or through the guts.

 

[Golumless]

For me:

Gallucci - Played a lot of game last year, and was probably a tad unfortunate to miss out on a R/S. Had some key plays last year, and should be getting more midfield time.

McAdam - Seems like a really good fit for our forward line, plus we were desperate for a + defensive player in our forward line.

Fogarty - Our number 1 prospect coming into this season, and should be able to properly break through and earn a spot somewhere in our lineup.

 

[Vikingnz]

1. Bolton
2. Balta
3. Markov

 

[juss]

Jack Higgins: Reckon his debut year was great, showed a heap of talent and footy intelligence. A harder body and another year in the system will see him flourish as he plays more midfield next year.

Dan Rioli: He had no preseason last year and didnt resume in the AFL until later than expected. Hopefully fully fit and a full preseason sees him become what his talent level suggests. He has been an "almost" player so far, where he almost looks to be ready to break out but just hasn't quite taken that step to the next level.

Connor Menadue: This one is a little left field but good in the VFL and with reduced midfield depth he is very high up the pecking order. Grigg will slowly be phased out of the 22 and I think Menadue is the linking run all day winger that can replace him.

 

[melanChronic]

1. Marshall up forward
2. Powell-Pepper in the guts
3. Burton on a wing

 

[snooplions]

Zac Bailey
Cedric Cox
Cam Rayner

 

[The Warlord]

Will Walker - ultra smooth forward/mid who will benefit from getting the opposition's weakest defender now Hall and Polec are here. Played some games toward the end of this season in his first year, showed he absolutely belongs at the highest level.

Trent Dumont - Blistering end to 2018, playing more outside but is very good on the inside too. Very nice disposal and likes a goal.

Ed Vickers Willias - Started 2018 beautifully before getting hurt. Third tall who can rebound out of defence too. Got a lot of time, nicely composed.

 

[Milanista28]

Like some of the calls by bomber fans, I'd like to add Conor McKenna as I think this guy has levels we haven't seen yet, I think he could kick 15-20 goals from the half back line when he puts it all together.

 

[captain cotch 9]

1. Markov-Could have a year simular to Short this year. Injury ruined his 2018
2. Bolton-Probably the most naturally tallented player on the Tigers list. FREAK. Just hope he gets it all together
3. Balta-Built for the modern game. He will probably only play if there is an injury or he just knocks the door down

 

[SnusCG]

1. Oscar Allen
Not sure if it's 2019 due to opportunities. But he's got something a bit freakish about him, he knows how to find the pill and does good things when he's got it. Natural forward who can play deep when needed or get high up the ground with lots of marks. Can push back into defense.

2. Dan Venables
Needs to build his tank and get into the action on the ball more, he's got genuine skill and explosive power. Carried at stages in 2018 but was there because he opens up play.

3. Ah Che
Expecting Callum to benifit from LeCras retirement and play that medium forward who pushes into the middle, hope he finds some consistency in this role.

Others: Ainsworth if he has a big preseason will play more games next year, off a wing or through the guts.

Probably will find it tough to step into LeCras spot when he’s playing for Gold Coast.

 

[citizen-erased]

1- Marshall
2- Burton
3- Bonner

Big fan of all three of those kids.
Port have done well in recent recruiting. In about 2-3 years as they mature, i can seem them being quite a force. Esp if they net some class SA talent.

For me;
1) Langford. feel there is a lot more to come than what we saw in the back end of 2018
2) Laverde. Fitness is the key, but if he can stay on the park, i reckon we have a good fwd/mid rotator who is a hard match up.
3) Redman. Shame he got injured just as he got back. The 2 games he played were excellent. Will step in and replace Goddard.

The 2014/15 crop are just getting going now after some spluttery starts for most of them.
Add Parish and Francis' good end to 2018, and our kids should be dominating the team sheet every week.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Luke McDonald- had a down year expecting him to bounce back, his 2017 was very good and was suprised he didnt break out last year
Mason Wood- Will have more responsibility with Waite gone, looking for a 50+ goal year
Taylor Garner- If he stays fit look out

LDU-Has the highest potential of any of our players

 

[citizen-erased]

1. Petracca - Think he will elevate himself to another level.
2. Weideman - Was very impressed with what I saw when he came back into the side in round 22. Expect him to play close to a full season.
3. Kolodjashnij - Talented ball user. Reckon he will thrive in a new setting and will complement our side well with his ball-use and run.

I'd like to Melbourne pick a spot for Tracc and stick with it.
Personally, i feel he's a gun mid. So the stints forward just take him out of the game.

Gawn Oliver Jones
Brayshaw Tracc Salem

This is how i'd like to see the Dees midfield line up most often.

 

[SnusCG]

For Gold Coast

Brayden Fiorini: 2nd game ever pulled out 32 disposals, 2.1 and 12 tackles against a finals bound Port Adelaide. Averaged 24 disposals this year not including round 6 when he got injured or round 19 which was his first game back. If he's injury free he'll be our best mid next year. Managed 6 brownlow votes in 10 games this year too.

Peter Wright: calf complaint held him back for a good 12 weeks this year and couldn’t get onto the field until after the bye round - showed in the past he could tear oppostion apart like his 20 disposal, 12 mark 5.1 game against brisbane as a 19 year old. Kicked a goal in all bar 3 games in 2017, should bounce back as our no.1 key forward next year provided he's injury free.

Will Brodie: Been developed patiently and finally got a good crack second half of this season. Was leading possession winner in our win against Sydney with the most clearances that game. averaged the 7th most centre clearances of any player in the competition in 8 games this year, and that includes round 21 where he was taken off at Qtr time with a sore hamstring. Will be our starting Centre next year. Good fantasy cash cow option too btw.

Noteable other options: Ben Ainsworth, Jack Bowes, Charlie Ballard, Jack Martin, Touk Miller, Callum Ah Chee

 

[jooce8891]

Tom Williamson

Paddy Dow

Zac Fisher.

Williamson is going to show why he is rated so highly by supporters and internally, just hopefully he can stay on the park and put the injuries of this season behind him for good as our backline was all over the place last season.

i'd say last year was his breakout year before the injury.

 

[Bazza97]

I'd like to Melbourne pick a spot for Tracc and stick with it.
Personally, i feel he's a gun mid. So the stints forward just take him out of the game.

Gawn Oliver Jones
Brayshaw Tracc Salem

This is how i'd like to see the Dees midfield line up most often.

I really like Petracca when he's playing in the midfield but I just find it hard to fit him in with our current midfield mix. All of Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Harmes (has found his niche as a run-with player) should be our predominant on-ballers. Compared to those four, Petracca is the superior player up forward and for that reason I think it's best for our team that we play our natural mids in the midfield and a dual position player like Petracca predominantly up forward with stints on-ball. I don't think it's best for our team that we give less midfield minutes to any of Oliver, Viney, Brayshaw and Harmes at the expense of fitting in Petracca who is effective up forward.

 

[Mofra]

Jarrod Berry
Hugh McCluggage
Eric Hipwood

Scary. Three probable A graders when developed.

 

[dylan93]

1. Weideman - As many of said, with more of an opportunity to play 2nd tall forward he has started to flourish in the last 5 games specifically. If he keeps this form up in 19', he'll be on track for 30-45 goals.

2. Petracca - Everyone thought his breakout year would be this year, but instead we saw the rise of the helmet-wearing hero (who if he keeps it up could probably win the Brownlow in 2019). With some of our elder-statesmen getting on in the likes of Jones and Lewis getting on in their years, slowing down and this season likely to be pushed up further at each end; it's time for Trac to step his game up and become the bull in the midfield that we need him to become.

3. Baker - Probably one of the most solid players at VFL level throughout the year, very surprised he didn't get a debut (however the selectors were probably turned off from blooding new youth after the car crash that was Petty's debut). It'll be the likes of Stretch, KK and Baker gunning for that much needed outside run that we've been lacking in the last few years. Best of luck Ginja Ninja, it's your time to shine.

Smokey: Corey Maynard - The 27 year old former basketballer had a brilliant debut against GWS in 2017, however looked a touch more one dimensional round 1 this year. Otherwise been cruelled by injuries. Now with Vince retiring, can Corey burst onto the scene to add to the engine room?

 

[liz]

How did ling and stoddart look this year? Really liked stoddart his draft year.

Ling was out of action for almost the entire year with a foot injury. Stoddart had a bit of a stop start year with some minor injuries but played some decent NEAFL football in between. Both will hopefully play a few senior games next year but they are both still quite slight and are unlikely to have a huge impact in 2019.

 

[kangaspurs]

Trent Dumont

His last month or so was genuinely elite and he finished the year with a deserved spot in the top 5 of the BnF. Another pre-season where he can further improve his running capacity can hopefully see him replicate his late season form over a whole year. If he does that then the sky really is the limit for him.

Paul Ahern

Showed the talent he has this year and should be primed for a breakout year next year if he can get his fitness to AFL standard. I mean, two knee recos will obviously affect a player's fitness levels, but with Paul it's really noticeable in his defensive game, which admittedly does need improvement. He's gt all the attacking weapons a mid needs though and should be an important player for us next year.

Jy Simpkin

Simpkin's first two years have been fairly consistent with the odd flash of brilliance or great game indicating the player that he could become.It's important to remember that he's pretty much only done one full preseason at AFL level given he was recovering from a broken leg in his draft year, and he's only played abut 35 games in his last three years of footy. As is a common theme with our three candidates, another pre-season which improves his fitness base should give him a great chance at a proper breakout year in 2019.

 

[Coaster2012]

1.) Pick 20 will become the next Chris Judd and dominate the competition from game 1 (unlucky Geelong).
2.) Pick 22 will become the next Dustin Martin and dominate the competition from game 1 (unlucky Geelong).
3.) Oscar Allen: Showed a lot of promise in 2018 and can see him being a permanent fixture with the retirement of Lecras.

 

[Mofra]

May as well add my Bulldogs picks:

1. Tim English. Internally, as hyped as any kid since the Bont. Freak ruck with the skills of a mid due to his unique developing years.

2. Bailey Williams. Was in the top handful for metres gained as a rebounding defender in the first half last year, made the transition into the midfield for a few games. Prototype for the modern midfielder - tall, good sidestep, good by foot.

3. Josh Schache. Earned his best 22 spot last year but improved as the season wore on. A soldi pre-season and he'll become that high leading marking option that we desperately need.

 

[KermitJagger]

Depends on your definition of break-out, but in terms of having a career best year:

Worpel - Pretty special player with some explosive strength, may not get enough midfield time but is capable.
O'Meara - Has been a very good player for a few years, but with another pre-season and hopefully a clear run with injury he can be freed up to be that Dusty mid/fwd. He could get to averaging 25 disposals + 2 goals a game.
Nash - Left field, but he's got all of the athletic ability, the physique - he just needs to add some more nous to his game.

 

[KermitJagger]

May as well add my Bulldogs picks:

1. Tim English. Internally, as hyped as any kid since the Bont. Freak ruck with the skills of a mid due to his unique developing years.

2. Bailey Williams. Was in the top handful for metres gained as a rebounding defender in the first half last year, made the transition into the midfield for a few games. Prototype for the modern midfielder - tall, good sidestep, good by foot.

3. Josh Schache. Earned his best 22 spot last year but improved as the season wore on. A soldi pre-season and he'll become that high leading marking option that we desperately need.

English looks like a baby giraffe but is the next Grundy/(Dean) Cox-esque ruck.

 

[MagicGnome97]

Won't put them in any sort of order but...

De Goey - Has the potential to go from already a very good player to an elite level, sort of like what Grundy has done this year (he really went up a level).

Phillips - Has gone up a level virtually every season he has been on the list, I think he could maybe do what he was doing for the first half of last season (people had him as an AA contender around then) for the whole season in 2019, rather than dropping off a fair bit after then like he did this year after his injury.

Stephenson - I genuinely think this guy is a freak and has Judd-level potential so I could see him already becoming one of the competition's better players (say top 50-100 in the comp) in only his second season. Of course it's possible (touch wood) that he could have second-year blues. Hopefully not.