- Nov 4, 2019
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I'm real excited for our 2nd year under Dimma. No excuses now, this is our best squad we've ever had. Talent on every line, all entering their prime. I just want to know who is everyone's 5 players they are excited to watch this year?
My 5;
1. Bailey Humphrey
The Bear is at the top of my list, i was super keen on him over Ginbey during his draft year. He has shown a long term commitment to us, with a sporadic role in the Midfield, he has shown he can win the ball. Dimma obviously put alot of pressure on him last year calling him "Our Dusty", so this year i feel he can relax a little bit more and join Sam Flanders as our biggest break out. Bear looks real fit and focused on a big year. I'm hoping he can add some power inside and goals up top. A Personal best of 5 goals against Geelong in Darwin, shows he's got what it takes.
2. Leonardo Lombard
Yes, i love a new toy. Leonardo Lombard, what a name! An absolute terrier, he'll add alot of pace and power in our forward 50. For a rookie to have a similar body profile to our most elite athlete at the club Touk Miller shows he's commitment and dedication to be a professional athlete. With Nick Holman, Ben Long & Tom Berry as our pressure forwards right now, Leo has a good chance to be debuting in Round 0. There could be a nice energy lift with Lombard & Rogers in the same forward line. They may not be sharpshooters but if we lock it in enough, they will get their fair share.
3. Jed Walter
Big Jed, he's scary isn't he? He looks in ripping shape, i can't believe how lucky we are. He was impressing last preseason before he kamikazed the ground and broke his collarbone, which delayed his debut. It is a big ask now to be the 2nd forward already with Jack Lukosius departing, Jed will need to start winning a few more contests. He's career projection may be linear to Nate Caddy from the Bombers, both will get "the keys" from the start. So lets see if Jed can fill a bag, of course Year 2 i'm not expecting much, 30 goals is fine but he looks in ripping shape.
4. Dan Rioli
We finally paid up for a "Big Fish", Rioli is perfect for us. He'll have the license to roam anywhere, think Wil Powell but more fluid. I made a statistical comparsion during the trade period, and in the same period Rioli moved to half back, Powell managed 3 goals off half back while Rioli managed 20. The run and carry is going to add alot, he'll be running past Witts, Rowell, Touk for the hands and lacing our forwards out. I'd be pretty happy for Rioli to be our main guy off half back while Uwland, Powell & Noble cover him as they are better defensively. His MCL injury looks fine on instagram, he should be ready to go when they return.
5. Matthew Rowell/Noah Anderson
My boy's, both A Grade Midfielders. I think it's truly time for both these boys to get an All Australian jacket. Our trajectory is up, we should be playing finals, these two polled in every win we got last year, and most of them were at home. Sprinkle in a few more wins and these guys should be getting some individual accolades. Rowelly looks super hungry, his signature will definately be a big talking point. We need to lock him down asap. Ando looks like 1 more preseason away from truly exploding again, averaging 30 touches a game he may need a forward rotation with Humphrey to give him that extra X factor ceiling. Anderson snagged 13 last year, if he can get to 20-24 a game. He'll be the best player in the game.
My 5;
1. Bailey Humphrey
The Bear is at the top of my list, i was super keen on him over Ginbey during his draft year. He has shown a long term commitment to us, with a sporadic role in the Midfield, he has shown he can win the ball. Dimma obviously put alot of pressure on him last year calling him "Our Dusty", so this year i feel he can relax a little bit more and join Sam Flanders as our biggest break out. Bear looks real fit and focused on a big year. I'm hoping he can add some power inside and goals up top. A Personal best of 5 goals against Geelong in Darwin, shows he's got what it takes.
2. Leonardo Lombard
Yes, i love a new toy. Leonardo Lombard, what a name! An absolute terrier, he'll add alot of pace and power in our forward 50. For a rookie to have a similar body profile to our most elite athlete at the club Touk Miller shows he's commitment and dedication to be a professional athlete. With Nick Holman, Ben Long & Tom Berry as our pressure forwards right now, Leo has a good chance to be debuting in Round 0. There could be a nice energy lift with Lombard & Rogers in the same forward line. They may not be sharpshooters but if we lock it in enough, they will get their fair share.
3. Jed Walter
Big Jed, he's scary isn't he? He looks in ripping shape, i can't believe how lucky we are. He was impressing last preseason before he kamikazed the ground and broke his collarbone, which delayed his debut. It is a big ask now to be the 2nd forward already with Jack Lukosius departing, Jed will need to start winning a few more contests. He's career projection may be linear to Nate Caddy from the Bombers, both will get "the keys" from the start. So lets see if Jed can fill a bag, of course Year 2 i'm not expecting much, 30 goals is fine but he looks in ripping shape.
4. Dan Rioli
We finally paid up for a "Big Fish", Rioli is perfect for us. He'll have the license to roam anywhere, think Wil Powell but more fluid. I made a statistical comparsion during the trade period, and in the same period Rioli moved to half back, Powell managed 3 goals off half back while Rioli managed 20. The run and carry is going to add alot, he'll be running past Witts, Rowell, Touk for the hands and lacing our forwards out. I'd be pretty happy for Rioli to be our main guy off half back while Uwland, Powell & Noble cover him as they are better defensively. His MCL injury looks fine on instagram, he should be ready to go when they return.
5. Matthew Rowell/Noah Anderson
My boy's, both A Grade Midfielders. I think it's truly time for both these boys to get an All Australian jacket. Our trajectory is up, we should be playing finals, these two polled in every win we got last year, and most of them were at home. Sprinkle in a few more wins and these guys should be getting some individual accolades. Rowelly looks super hungry, his signature will definately be a big talking point. We need to lock him down asap. Ando looks like 1 more preseason away from truly exploding again, averaging 30 touches a game he may need a forward rotation with Humphrey to give him that extra X factor ceiling. Anderson snagged 13 last year, if he can get to 20-24 a game. He'll be the best player in the game.
