Murray MiddletonWho Will Go Gently (Part Two)?
March 5th 2008 13:14
PART TWO
The following list includes eight players for whom season 2008 will be a make or break year:
Melbourne - Colin Sylvia
Sylvia is another top ten draft pick who has thus far failed to deliver. At the end of a dismal 2004 season Melbourne secured two high draft picks. They chose Brock McLean and Colin Sylvia - both big-bodied midfielders. Although a little undisciplined at times, McLean's form has been good. The same cannot be said for Sylvia. His physical resemblance to Nathan Buckley is uncanny, but his performances have fallen well short of the standard set by the former Magpie skipper. Last year Sylvia often played up forward. At times he kicked goals, suggesting that he may have a future at the club. However he must break into Melbourne's midfield in 2008. With the exception of Alan Didak, no team uses a top ten draft pick on a specialist small forward.
North Melbourne - Aaron Edwards
Edwards spent three seasons at the West Coast Eagles before being delisted for his alleged involvement with Perth underworld figures. He spent one season in the VFL with Frankston before the Kangaroos threw him a second life. Last year Edwards played a camea role in North Melbourne's rise up the ladder. In the semi final against Hawthorn he took one of the marks of the season. Edwards showed that he had the ability to play at the highest level. The question is: does he have the hunger? In many respects Edwards 2008 season may shape the Kangraroos' season. If he underperforms, they will struggle for goals. If he delivers on his promise, they may remain in the top eight. Edwards will find it harder to gain a position with Nathan Thompson returning from a knee reconstruction.
Port Adelaide - Damon White
Over the past two seasons White has been touted as trade bait. Last year he was almost traded to the Western Bulldogs. White is a tall forward who has never quite cemented a position in the Power's team. Last year he lost his position to Westoff. It will be difficult for White to dislodge Westoff because he lacks the raw skills and ability to break a game open. Perhaps Darryl Wakelin's retirement might open a door down back? Otherwise, 2008 might be the end for the twenty-four year old.
Richmond - Jarrod Oakley-Nicholls
Oakley-Nicholls is one of many Richmond players for whom 2008 is a make or break year. In his three seasons at the club he has delivered very little. What has been the most disappointing has been his seemingly nonchalent attitude on the field. It remains to be seen what position Terry Wallace has in mind for Oakley-Nicholls. Perhaps a role across the half-back line might teach him some accountability? In their current predicament Richmond can ill afford to waste high draft picks.
St. Kilda - Raphael Clarke
Another top ten draft pick. Clarke has been on St. Kilda's list for four seasons and has offered very little. He has been plagued by injuries and has rarely been able to complete a pre-season. This time around Clarke has got through the pre-season unscathed. The Saints seem to be grooming Clarke for a key defensive role. He will need to be the second man up in most marking contests. While Clarke has the aerial capabilities to perform this role, Saints fans are often worried by his poor decision making. Whether such a flaw can be concealed on the last line of defence remains to be seen.
Sydney - Heath Grundy
Grundy initially broke into the Swans side as a key forward. Over the past two seasons he has engaged in a long-running battle with Luke Vogels to play as Sydney's third tall forward. Neither player has benefited. In the Swans NAB Cup opener against Hawthorn Grundy played at full back. He looked the part. He is a good build for a key position player and has, at times, demonstrated good athleticism. Grundy may play back this year, with the view to eventually moving forward once Michael O'Laughlin retires. With Sydney's window of opportunity in doubt, Grundy will need to perform.
West Coast - Jeremy Graham
Graham's 2007 season was ruined by injury. In spite of this, the Eagles offered him a new contract. Club insiders rate Graham. He first played as a tall defender alongside Glass and Hunter. Last year the Eagles were keen to use Graham as a back-up ruckman to relieve Cox and Seaby. No one doubts Graham's talent. He must prove to the club that he can play for prolonged periods without breaking down. If Josh Kennedy isn't ready, Worsfold might be tempted to play Hunter up forward to allow Graham to take the third tall post in defence.
Western Bulldogs - Farren Ray
Ray was taken at pick four in the same draft that saw the Bulldogs secure Adam Cooney. Four years later, Ray has failed to deliver. He is fast and generally has good foot skills, but Ray is still too physically weak. Whereas Cooney has built a strong upper body, Ray remains strikingly similar to his initial playing weight. Rodney Eade has tended to play numbers behind the ball in the hope of running down the field at great speed. Ray should be suited to this style of football. Last year the Bulldogs traded McMahon and Power - a move that suggested their priorities might have changed. Any player with pace has a role in the modern game.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
The following list includes eight players for whom season 2008 will be a make or break year:
Melbourne - Colin Sylvia
Sylvia is another top ten draft pick who has thus far failed to deliver. At the end of a dismal 2004 season Melbourne secured two high draft picks. They chose Brock McLean and Colin Sylvia - both big-bodied midfielders. Although a little undisciplined at times, McLean's form has been good. The same cannot be said for Sylvia. His physical resemblance to Nathan Buckley is uncanny, but his performances have fallen well short of the standard set by the former Magpie skipper. Last year Sylvia often played up forward. At times he kicked goals, suggesting that he may have a future at the club. However he must break into Melbourne's midfield in 2008. With the exception of Alan Didak, no team uses a top ten draft pick on a specialist small forward.
North Melbourne - Aaron Edwards
Edwards spent three seasons at the West Coast Eagles before being delisted for his alleged involvement with Perth underworld figures. He spent one season in the VFL with Frankston before the Kangaroos threw him a second life. Last year Edwards played a camea role in North Melbourne's rise up the ladder. In the semi final against Hawthorn he took one of the marks of the season. Edwards showed that he had the ability to play at the highest level. The question is: does he have the hunger? In many respects Edwards 2008 season may shape the Kangraroos' season. If he underperforms, they will struggle for goals. If he delivers on his promise, they may remain in the top eight. Edwards will find it harder to gain a position with Nathan Thompson returning from a knee reconstruction.
Port Adelaide - Damon White
Richmond - Jarrod Oakley-Nicholls
Oakley-Nicholls is one of many Richmond players for whom 2008 is a make or break year. In his three seasons at the club he has delivered very little. What has been the most disappointing has been his seemingly nonchalent attitude on the field. It remains to be seen what position Terry Wallace has in mind for Oakley-Nicholls. Perhaps a role across the half-back line might teach him some accountability? In their current predicament Richmond can ill afford to waste high draft picks.
St. Kilda - Raphael Clarke
Another top ten draft pick. Clarke has been on St. Kilda's list for four seasons and has offered very little. He has been plagued by injuries and has rarely been able to complete a pre-season. This time around Clarke has got through the pre-season unscathed. The Saints seem to be grooming Clarke for a key defensive role. He will need to be the second man up in most marking contests. While Clarke has the aerial capabilities to perform this role, Saints fans are often worried by his poor decision making. Whether such a flaw can be concealed on the last line of defence remains to be seen.
Sydney - Heath Grundy
Grundy initially broke into the Swans side as a key forward. Over the past two seasons he has engaged in a long-running battle with Luke Vogels to play as Sydney's third tall forward. Neither player has benefited. In the Swans NAB Cup opener against Hawthorn Grundy played at full back. He looked the part. He is a good build for a key position player and has, at times, demonstrated good athleticism. Grundy may play back this year, with the view to eventually moving forward once Michael O'Laughlin retires. With Sydney's window of opportunity in doubt, Grundy will need to perform.
West Coast - Jeremy Graham
Graham's 2007 season was ruined by injury. In spite of this, the Eagles offered him a new contract. Club insiders rate Graham. He first played as a tall defender alongside Glass and Hunter. Last year the Eagles were keen to use Graham as a back-up ruckman to relieve Cox and Seaby. No one doubts Graham's talent. He must prove to the club that he can play for prolonged periods without breaking down. If Josh Kennedy isn't ready, Worsfold might be tempted to play Hunter up forward to allow Graham to take the third tall post in defence.
Western Bulldogs - Farren Ray
Ray was taken at pick four in the same draft that saw the Bulldogs secure Adam Cooney. Four years later, Ray has failed to deliver. He is fast and generally has good foot skills, but Ray is still too physically weak. Whereas Cooney has built a strong upper body, Ray remains strikingly similar to his initial playing weight. Rodney Eade has tended to play numbers behind the ball in the hope of running down the field at great speed. Ray should be suited to this style of football. Last year the Bulldogs traded McMahon and Power - a move that suggested their priorities might have changed. Any player with pace has a role in the modern game.
Thankyou for reading.
-MM
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