Suprise Player Of 2013

[Cobba Stevens]

Yeah would've said Westhoff despite his shocker last week. Hopefully he can get back up there, but yeah at the moment it's probably to early to tell...

 

[Damon_3388]

5 pages in and no one has mentioned Mark Blicavs?

The guys had played 4 games since u/14's prior to this year now he has played 6 reasonable AFL games and has showed that with more time he is going to be an extremely handy player

Not to discount his achievements so far, but he's another example (along with Mike Pyke, Karmichael Hunt and a number of Irish imports) that all you need to be a half-decent footy player is the requisite fitness/athleticism and willingness to "go in hard". Our game is not that difficult to pick up for good athletes (Israel Folau an obvious exception).

 

[blaze036]

Jamie Elliot for me, gone from fringe young kid to big game player

 

[TheKanga]

Neade
Lindsay Thomas
Scott Thompson

 

[Catfish Alley]

Yeah, Stokes has been a big surprise. Always been a handy little goal sneak but he's getting time in the midfield now and he's really lifted his game.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Nick Riewoldt.

Has gone from being on the decline a couple of years ago, to having arguably his best season ever so far this year. The contrast with fellow 2000 Priority Pick Justin Koschitzke is astonishing. Riewoldt has always been the superior player, but Kosi's career is on life support, while Roo is still dominating.

The only surprise is that he is fully fit.

 

[DangerSloane]

I'd say he's been equal to or better than all those players aside from Cox this year.

Better or equal to Kreuzer or Leuey? Yeah nah.

 

[Falchoon]

The only surprise is that he is fully fit.

draining fluid from the knee pre game aside

 

[DangerSloane]

Sam Jacobs for me for the wrong reasons. Had a huge 2012 and i thought he'd build on it and really be a huge force in Adelaide consolidating the gains they made last year. He's been quite disappointing for mine.

Quite disappoitning is an understatement. He has been horrid this year. So much so that we looked infinitely better with McKernan in the centre square taking the tap.

I think there is a niggling injury there because he doesnt seem to be confidently jumping at the ball.

 

[silk]

From Essendon, Baguley has been a bit of a surprise player. He was will behind Hardingham in the pecking order, but has held out on his own all season and been really solid.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

draining fluid from the knee pre game aside

Fully fit is a loose term but cleary he is not troubled by injury when he runs out on teh field, unlike the previous two seasons. What ever he is doing is working, and that in itself is a surprise. Usually theres little or no coming back from degenerative knee conditions.

 

[Johnny Roberts]

Better or equal to Kreuzer or Leuey? Yeah nah.

Whether Pyke has played better or worse is subjective, but the thing that can't be denied is that Pyke has gone from a defensive ruckman to an all rounder that can now go forward and take a grab.

He is right up there this year for contested marks, which is one of the hardest parts of our game to master. The stats don't lie

 

[TheWhiteRhino]

Better or equal to Kreuzer or Leuey? Yeah nah.

Considering neither has played the full season and Pyke was better than Leunberger on the weekend, I'd say yes.

 

[DangerSloane]

Considering neither has played the full season and Pyke was better than Leunberger on the weekend, I'd say yes.

So now missing a game or two means you've played worse?
Kreuzers 3? games this year were all better than any of Pike's

 

[pazza]

Not a lot of joy out of the Dogs but, Will Minson is having one hell of a great year. Came from a long way back.

 

[Righteo]

Not a lot of joy out of the Dogs but, Will Minson is having one hell of a great year. Came from a long way back.

Mentioned this a few weeks ago and although Dogs fans aren't as surprised as neutrals are I'd have him as AA ruckman currently.

 

[Silvagnis]

Kane Lucas!

Zach Tuohy and Andrew Walker (as a defender).

The ex-Gaelic players have the kicking skills and the athleticism to play our game, but few have Tuohy's intensity and build. Tuohy is a beast.

 

[Pie eyed]

We gave up a first round pick for him , why would he be a surprise?

If anybody from Collingwood I'd nominate Marty Clarke for defying predictions of gloom.

5 goals against the filth is always a surprise, a pleasant one.
I assumed that the thread was about new/newish players.

 

[t_bond_legend]

Westhoff, Pyke, Charlie Dixon, Mark Blicavs, Roberton & Lewis Stevenson.

Ryan Lester has only played 2 games this year - but very good ones though.....

Ryan Lester will be a gun. Once he gets his body right and some continuity of games, he'll stand out in the Brisbane side.

 

[pazza]

Some say at Essendon it is Baguley.

It just might be his mate from down at Frankston in Hibberd.

He was already a definite best 22 player - but, he has made one heck of a leap into being arguably the best back pocket in the game currently on form. That was a surprise.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

5 goals against the filth is always a surprise, a pleasant one.
I assumed that the thread was about new/newish players.

Threads about Westhoff if truth be known. I dont think playing well against Carlton is anything extraordinary. Its not as if they are any good or anything.......

 

[forwardflanker]

armfield imo

 

[MowShow]

Relton Roberts, tearing it up at Walla Walla and a McDonalds near you..

 

[Blood Bath]

Jude Bolton. Talks were on post the Grand Final about the doubt that he is going to play on for another year. He delayed the talks for a little while after having a long hard think to himself. He agreed to play another year. He's been outstanding in the first 6 games and dare I say it, is not far away from All-Australian form.

 

[beechy12345]

Cale Hooker deserves a mention for all those years of just being known as the guy that buddy burnt off. Cemented his spot in the side in these last few games