Murray MiddletonWho Will Go Gently Into That Good Night?
February 29th 2008 02:04
PART ONE
I have compiled a list of players - one from every team - for whom 2008 will be a make or break year. It is a talented list. Some of the players have been unlucky, either starved of opportunities or ravaged by injury. Others have promised greatness but haven't delivered. Many of the players were taken early in the draft. The one quality that they have in common is that none of them have consistently proven that they are capable of performing at the highest level. For the following list of players, 2008 will be about proving to experts, supporters, and - above all else - themselves that they belong:
Adelaide - Ivan Maric
With Ben Hudson leaving the club and Rhett Biglands suffering a career-threatening knee injury, the onus is on Maric to hold down the Crows number one ruck position. He has displayed strong form in the SANFL over the past two seasons, but has been unable to produce the goods in the seniors. Maric has a great opportunity to cement his position in the team above the unfancied Griffin and Moran.
Brisbane - Justin Sherman
Sherman burst onto the scene three seasons ago as an eighteen year-old, playing every game for the struggling Lions. He immediately became a crowd favourite at the Gabba. Sherman had broad shoulders, pace, good foot skills and possessed the ability to break the game open with his tireless running. Sherman was earmarked as a future star at the Lions. Halfway through 2007 Sherman fell off the face of the earth. He was dropped to the reserves, barely to be sighted again. The reasons for Sherman's poor form remain a mystery.
Carlton - Cameron Cloke
Cloke was delisted after three years at Collingwood. He was drafted by Carlton to assist Cain Ackland in the ruck in 2007. Cloke suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at the beginning of the season. Ackland was terrible in his absence. Cloke was given a one year contract at the start of this year. This is his last chance. Question marks remain over his fitness and severe lack of pace. Cloke should be hungry, but with Kreuzer in the wings, will have to perform to gain another contract.
Collingwood - Sean Rusling
Rusling is very talented. His 2007 season was ruined by injury. He returned in round 20 and had an immediate impact against the Swans. At his best, Rusling forms a formidable forward line alongside the likes of Rocca, Cloke and Didak. He is fast and good on the lead. His kicking can be erratic. Rusling must learn to play below his feet. In the semi-final against West Coast Rusling looked disinterested and was soundly beaten by Daniel Chick. Thus far Rusling has promised a lot, but delivered little. His performances have been affected by injuries. Rusling must kick 30-40 goals for this season to be considered a success.
Essendon - Courtney Johns
Johns was held in high regard as a youngster. He drew comparisons with Jonathon Brown. A chronic hip injury plagued Johns for several years. Kevin Sheedy took a chance and was patient, stating that he would wait as long as it took to ensure Johns one day wore the Essendon jumper. Unfortunately, Johns has been unable to peform consisently at the highest level. Last year Matthew Knights played Johns at centre half back in the VFL. The move had varied success. Johns must cement his position this year. With Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher and Michael, it will be difficult to find a position in the team. Who knows what might have been?
Fremantle - Byron Shammer
A native South Australian, many were surprised when Shammer was overlooked by Adelaide and Port in the draft. He was selected at pick 14 by Fremantle five years ago. In his first few seasons Shammer showed glimpses of talent and was earmarked as a future star. Like his club in recent years, Shammer has failed to deliver. He is a good second tier player, but Shammer will this year audition for Peter Bell's role in the midfield for 2009. If he fails to deliver he could be traded to one of the Adelaide teams on the cheap.
Geelong - Kane Tenace
Tenace is entering his fifth season in 2008. Like other top ten draft picks of his year - Bradley, R.Clarke, Dunne - he has been a dissappointment. Tenace initially burst onto the scene at Geelong with his dashing runs down the wing. Last year Tenace played the first half of the year before succumbing to injury. It will be difficult to break into the Cat's line-up this year (he is fighting with Wodjinski for the half-back flank role). Those at Geelong believe Tenace is too soft. His name was mentioned during trade week. The Cats kept him. There must have been a reason.
Hawthorn - Zac Dawson
In 2006 Zac Dawson became famous for all the wrong reasons. Alastair Clarkson refused to move Dawson off a rampant Anthony Rocca as Collingwood overhaluded Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome. Rocca finished with eight goals. Dawson played the majority of that season, but struggled to contain the competition's best forwards on a weekly basis. Last year he was replaced by Gilham at full back. Hawthorn's back line looked solid without Dawson. It will be difficult for Dawson to break back into the team in 2008.
*PART TWO to appear in the next edition.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
I have compiled a list of players - one from every team - for whom 2008 will be a make or break year. It is a talented list. Some of the players have been unlucky, either starved of opportunities or ravaged by injury. Others have promised greatness but haven't delivered. Many of the players were taken early in the draft. The one quality that they have in common is that none of them have consistently proven that they are capable of performing at the highest level. For the following list of players, 2008 will be about proving to experts, supporters, and - above all else - themselves that they belong:
Adelaide - Ivan Maric
With Ben Hudson leaving the club and Rhett Biglands suffering a career-threatening knee injury, the onus is on Maric to hold down the Crows number one ruck position. He has displayed strong form in the SANFL over the past two seasons, but has been unable to produce the goods in the seniors. Maric has a great opportunity to cement his position in the team above the unfancied Griffin and Moran.
Brisbane - Justin Sherman
Sherman burst onto the scene three seasons ago as an eighteen year-old, playing every game for the struggling Lions. He immediately became a crowd favourite at the Gabba. Sherman had broad shoulders, pace, good foot skills and possessed the ability to break the game open with his tireless running. Sherman was earmarked as a future star at the Lions. Halfway through 2007 Sherman fell off the face of the earth. He was dropped to the reserves, barely to be sighted again. The reasons for Sherman's poor form remain a mystery.
Carlton - Cameron Cloke
Cloke was delisted after three years at Collingwood. He was drafted by Carlton to assist Cain Ackland in the ruck in 2007. Cloke suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at the beginning of the season. Ackland was terrible in his absence. Cloke was given a one year contract at the start of this year. This is his last chance. Question marks remain over his fitness and severe lack of pace. Cloke should be hungry, but with Kreuzer in the wings, will have to perform to gain another contract.
Collingwood - Sean Rusling
Rusling is very talented. His 2007 season was ruined by injury. He returned in round 20 and had an immediate impact against the Swans. At his best, Rusling forms a formidable forward line alongside the likes of Rocca, Cloke and Didak. He is fast and good on the lead. His kicking can be erratic. Rusling must learn to play below his feet. In the semi-final against West Coast Rusling looked disinterested and was soundly beaten by Daniel Chick. Thus far Rusling has promised a lot, but delivered little. His performances have been affected by injuries. Rusling must kick 30-40 goals for this season to be considered a success.
Essendon - Courtney Johns
Johns was held in high regard as a youngster. He drew comparisons with Jonathon Brown. A chronic hip injury plagued Johns for several years. Kevin Sheedy took a chance and was patient, stating that he would wait as long as it took to ensure Johns one day wore the Essendon jumper. Unfortunately, Johns has been unable to peform consisently at the highest level. Last year Matthew Knights played Johns at centre half back in the VFL. The move had varied success. Johns must cement his position this year. With Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher and Michael, it will be difficult to find a position in the team. Who knows what might have been?
Fremantle - Byron Shammer
A native South Australian, many were surprised when Shammer was overlooked by Adelaide and Port in the draft. He was selected at pick 14 by Fremantle five years ago. In his first few seasons Shammer showed glimpses of talent and was earmarked as a future star. Like his club in recent years, Shammer has failed to deliver. He is a good second tier player, but Shammer will this year audition for Peter Bell's role in the midfield for 2009. If he fails to deliver he could be traded to one of the Adelaide teams on the cheap.
Geelong - Kane Tenace
Tenace is entering his fifth season in 2008. Like other top ten draft picks of his year - Bradley, R.Clarke, Dunne - he has been a dissappointment. Tenace initially burst onto the scene at Geelong with his dashing runs down the wing. Last year Tenace played the first half of the year before succumbing to injury. It will be difficult to break into the Cat's line-up this year (he is fighting with Wodjinski for the half-back flank role). Those at Geelong believe Tenace is too soft. His name was mentioned during trade week. The Cats kept him. There must have been a reason.
Hawthorn - Zac Dawson
In 2006 Zac Dawson became famous for all the wrong reasons. Alastair Clarkson refused to move Dawson off a rampant Anthony Rocca as Collingwood overhaluded Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome. Rocca finished with eight goals. Dawson played the majority of that season, but struggled to contain the competition's best forwards on a weekly basis. Last year he was replaced by Gilham at full back. Hawthorn's back line looked solid without Dawson. It will be difficult for Dawson to break back into the team in 2008.
*PART TWO to appear in the next edition.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
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