Who will take the next step in 2007?

[hird_is_king]

Just wondering who every one thinks will be the players from each club that will take that next step up in 2007 and take the AFL by the scruff of the neck?

In my opinion these are the players for each club that will step up another level.

Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia- found it hard to pick one from the crows but then i remembered back to his game in the prelim. This guy does not believe in 2nd and 3rd efforts. He belives in 5th and 6th efforts. Star on the rise.
Brisbane: Justin Sherman- excitment machine, has the ability be the new Aker.
Carlton: Marc Murphy- may take another year before he starts to dominate, but is Carltons most exciting prospect, and i think if he can play a full season, will go close to being Carltons B&F.
Collingwood: Josh Fraser- injury free, he could start to dominate some games.
Essendon: Brent Stanton- if he can improve his disposal a bit over the summer, Stants can be one of the leading midfielders in the game. He finds the footy so well and has the rare ability of knowing where to run to get it.
Fremantle: Ryan Crowley- love the way he goes about his footy. I think he could become one of the best midfielders in the league.
Geelong: Gary Ablett- already quite a good player, but can he improve? I think if he works on his aerobic fitness he can go up another notch and be more damaging rather than just playing cameos, he will start to turn games.
Hawthorn: Lance Franklin- 07, is the year for Buddy to shine. If he backs himself, and the Hawks play resonable footy he could be the next big thing.
Melbourne: Brock McLean- I love this bloke. I wish he was at Bomberland, as he reminds me alot of JJ circa 2000/2001. Watching his game in the QF against the Saints, he was by far and away the best player on the ground, and i think in 07 he will be doing that alot more. Brownlow smokey.
Kangaroos: Nathan Thompson- hard to pick one from the roos, not alot on offer. Although some may argue Tommo is already a good player, i am a big wrap for him and think he will become one of the best FF at the moment with Lloyd and Fev.
Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert- this guy is a little dynamo. He is the best over head mark for his size along with Mark Johnson. Choco should play him as a leading Forward pocket and i believe he can kick over 50 goals for the year.
Richmond: Brett Deledio- with 2 years in the system its time for him to stand up. Has Judd like acceleration and if he backs himself he is sure to excite.
St. Kilda: Jason Gram- i hope Ross Lyon plays him as a winger, because i think he isn't to dis similar to Peter Matera in the way he plays. Capable of kicking goals on the run from 55.
Sydney: Ted Richards- may not be the flashiest player, but ******** me he has a crack. Single handedly dragged Sydney back into the GF this year. Can play as a key defender, floating half back or can go forward and take a grab and kick a couple of goals in as many minutes. Was sad to see him leave Windy Hill.
West Coast: Beau Waters- with all the superstars in the WCE midfield it is easy to forget this tuff as nails young fella. Goes at it hard but isn't afraid to put his head over the footy when its his turn.
Western Bulldogs: Ryan Griffen- watch out world. Give this kid the footy within 100m of goal and he is a fair chance of carrying 60m then dobbing it comfortably from 40m. Another Brownlow smokey.

 

[Oh When the Saints]

From the Saints:

Andrew McQualter. The kid is raring to get a real crack and with retirements he will have his opportunity. Will develop into a very good midfielder, and next year will be the first step.

Look for many of the 2004 draftees to have good years ... the third year tends to be one where good players show big improvement.

 

[hird_is_king]

From the Saints:

Andrew McQualter. The kid is raring to get a real crack and with retirements he will have his opportunity. Will develop into a very good midfielder, and next year will be the first step.

Look for many of the 2004 draftees to have good years ... the third year tends to be one where good players show big improvement.

Yeah agree with you there. What do you think of playing Gram on the wing?

 

[#1 Dogs Fan]

for the DOGGIES i recon griffen, cooooonnneeeyyy,Cross and hopefully
Tom Williams

 

[Quigley]

For Brisbane I think Merrett will surprise a lot of non-Brisbane people next year. Was moved to defence for the last three games and played fantastically well for the those games on the likes of Hall and Reiwoldt. Once he gets some more experience down back and some support hopefully might well be considered among the top half dozen at his position at this time next year.

 

[hird_is_king]

for the DOGGIES i recon griffen, cooooonnneeeyyy,Cross and hopefully
Tom Williams

Whats the go with this Tom Williams dude? Is he still injured? I remember when the dogs took him with such an early draft pick i thought it was bit of a gamble. I ve never seen him play a game of footy is he any good?

 

[Silvagnis]

For Carlton, Andrew Walker and Kade Simpson.

In general, Brendan Goddard.

 

[Lynch drops a mark]

The 3 SA boys for west coast should start to step up

Hurn

Waters

Butler

 

[almqvist]

Port: Ebert,Pearce,Willits

 

[Silvagnis]

The 3 SA boys for west coast should start to step up

Hurn

Waters

Butler

What's happening with Morton?

He was one name that I was considering yet you've named Hurn as a player who will step up.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Collingwood: Josh Fraser
Essendon: Brent Stanton
Geelong: Gary Ablett
[Melbourne: Brock McLean
Kangaroos: Nathan Thompson
St. Kilda: Jason Gram-

I would have thought the above blokes already have stepped up?

At Tigerland, Andrew Raines and Troy Simmonds stepped up this season, and I would expect (hope?) that Jay Schulz is on the verge.

Blokes like Murphy, Deledio and Griffen and just too good not to step up. It's just that we have developed higher expectations of them due to their high draft positions.

 

[hird_is_king]

I would have thought the above blokes already have stepped up?

At Tigerland, Andrew Raines and Troy Simmonds stepped up this season, and I would expect (hope?) that Jay Schulz is on the verge.

Blokes like Murphy, Deledio and Griffen and just too good not to step up. It's just that we have developed higher expectations of them due to their high draft positions.

When i say step up i mean that they can take their game to another level. Alot of the guys i mentioned are already high quality AFL players, but i think they could really come out next year and be some of the leading players in the game.

 

[Hugshawks]

Clinton Young from the Hawks.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

When i say step up i mean that they can take their game to another level. Alot of the guys i mentioned are already high quality AFL players, but i think they could really come out next year and be some of the leading players in the game.

Yeah, fair enough. I'm with ya.

(But the day when Ted Richards becomes one of the game's leading players, it's time I gave it away)

 

[hird_is_king]

Yeah, fair enough. I'm with ya.

(But the day when Ted Richards becomes one of the game's leading players, it's time I gave it away)

Yeah i no its a big call on Teddy and to be honest i found it hard to pick someone from the Swnnies as they are all pretty established. However i think the change in environment has been good for him and i think it will be interesting to see how he goes next year. When he was with the dons he only played every 2nd week(which used 2 ******** me up the wall). But now that hes playing consistent footy, i rekon he has grown so much in confidence, and that there will be bigger things to come for Ted.

 

[Grimreepah]

Brisbane: Justin Sherman- excitment machine, has the ability be the new Aker.

I'd be pretty happy if Sherman can just continue how well he already is going. I agree with Quigley that Merrett has shown signs that he may gain a lot of respect this year, and the person everyone at the Lions is hoping will step up is Jared Brennan.

 

[hird_is_king]

I'd be pretty happy if Sherman can just continue how well he already is going. I agree with Quigley that Merrett has shown signs that he may gain a lot of respect this year, and the person everyone at the Lions is hoping will step up is Jared Brennan.

Yeah to be honest with you i was a big wrap for Brennan before this season and thought this time last year that it was going to be the year that he set the AFL alight.

But now i just dont know, i mean the guys got talent coming out of his ass hole but does he have the work ethic or footy brain to be a consistent player?

 

[Quigley]

Yeah to be honest with you i was a big wrap for Brennan before this season and thought this time last year that it was going to be the year that he set the AFL alight.

But now i just dont know, i mean the guys got talent coming out of his ass hole but does he have the work ethic or footy brain to be a consistent player?

I agree with all of that.

The other player who might get some more attention this year might be Stiller. Promoted off the rookie list half through this year and averaged 23 possessions per game for the rest of the way. He is an athletic ball magnet and if he can improve his disposal (same with Sherman) he might as you said take the next step.

 

[year of the roo]

North - Jesse Smith. Will be a forgotten name to many after injury ruined 2006 and only getting a brief taste of it in 2005, but he is set to rip it up in 2007. The promise he was showing pre-season in 2006 was unlike anything I've seen at North in years. Definitely one to watch.

 

[Independent Observer]

Farren Ray

 

[Heropsychodreamer]

North - Jesse Smith. Will be a forgotten name to many after injury ruined 2006 and only getting a brief taste of it in 2005, but he is set to rip it up in 2007. The promise he was showing pre-season in 2006 was unlike anything I've seen at North in years. Definitely one to watch.

I agree with this one... i have heard so many good things about this kid.
I also reckon Merrett from Brisbane, and Polo from Richmond.

From Hawthorn... i think Roughead... especially if they let him settle down in the fwd line. He has the potential, and if he fires, can make life a lot easier for Franklin, Williams, Croad, Dowler etc

Also, keep an eye out for a kid named Muston... pick 21 in 2005 draft... they were saying he could have easily been top 5 but had a knee reco... word is he is ripping through the early hawthorn trainings!

 

[Lynch drops a mark]

What's happening with Morton?

He was one name that I was considering yet you've named Hurn as a player who will step up.

If Hurn can get a full pre season then I have no doubt at all he will play 16+ games next year, he averaged about 9 disposals in the SANFL in 04 and about 23 in the WAFL after a very modified pre season. It was absolutely scary just how much he's improved after his first pre season, 2nd or 3rd in the Peel B&F, racking up clearances and slotting goals on the run from 70m on a fairly regular basis.

If he can get down to about 89-92 kg's (around 98kg's atm) he will no doubt improve his pace (which is already much better than given credit for) and his stamina.

Morton - Way too skinny still (only 19 tho)

is yet to have a real preseason (injuries) and is pretty incosistant at WAFL level. Really needs to develop the body strength to play in the midfield as well.

Every thing about him says 'elite' but I just think he's one of those guys who will take until 22-23 to show it on a regular basis. watching him late in the crows match (his only game I think) just showed how much he oozes quality.

kind of like kerr, was always pretty good but it really wasnt until about 23 that he has started to show his true quality on a regular basis

Waters & Butler have already been very consistant for their age but I don't see quite as much up side for them, waters I don't think will be as good as this year with Nicoski coming back (unless he moves to the wing full time)

He would need to move to the midfield (Ricciuto style) if he was going to make a real improvement

 

[Dave The Man]

Dale Thomas!

 

[legitimatic]

I hope most of our youngsters in Peake, Crowely, Murphy, Johnno, Drum and so on...

 

[sum0005]

looking forward to seeing Porplyzia for the Crows getting alot more game time then he did this season, we have found a handy pick up, and said wants to spend more time in the midfield, which is good because our midfielders are againg, Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Ricciuto and Burton.... with Porplyzia, Reilly and Thompson the next pregade in, the midfileld looks strong just like Melbournes