Just as important to Port are the existing young players on the list. Who are the most promising of those?
I think Sam De Bruin has the makings of being a regular senior player next year, certainly finished the season in the seniors and I thought handled it well. I like the way he plays.
People like Jarrod Plymin who played a game should also be good enough to push into the seniors reularly.
I'll let the Port fans talk up the others. And while your at it, how about naming a few of the 2006 disappointments.
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2006 dissapointments s lawrence,my mate shagger dave sleeping at the pub in sth melb after the frankston game wanted to take him outside and give him a hiding.dave never said a word to him. [EDITED POST-ons]
I have no idea what this means!!?!!
Difficult to just say 'disapointing' footyman, but I will name a couple who I think had the potential to play a bigger role this season, but patchy form or injury impacted on that.
Rowan Nayna had a very good start to the season, despite missing most of the pre-season with injury. When running through the lines was brilliant in a couple of games early on... I thought Nayna had a poor second half of the year, including a couple of patches where I thought he showed indecisiveness when in possession or a slight lack of awareness. A piece of play where he got run down at Skillied Stadium comes to mind. Injury affected, so hopefully will be back to his best next year.
I thought Kurt McGlynn had a promising pre-season, but didn't have the same level of impact during the season. Again, I think an injury in the last week of practice matches came as a big setback (from memory).
Mikal Bloom.. where did he go? Can only assume he was a long-term injury, as he was no where to be seen in the latter half of the season. A player I thought might be a chance to play senior football in 2006.
Billy Morrison, dropped on a few occasions back to the reserves. 2007 is a huge year for Billy to improve in.
Luke Peel, picked up from Port Adelaide, Peel was unable to get more than a handful of senior games. Capable footballer..look for improvement.
Andrew Gilham, had a very good season in 2005 at Reserves level, finishing with about 70 goals, but 2006 is probably a season Gilly would like to forget. Had a couple of chances at Senior level when the club was experimenting with the list, but didn't have the impact he would have wanted. Still big hopes with Gilham for 2007.
Nick Thomas looked like a possible CHB for the club in 2006, but hardly got on the field.
On the plus side...
I felt Gary Johnstone despite being well beaten in one of his first couple of games (against Williamstown I think) played some terrific football in patches, and looked like he belonged, with hard running and some strong tackling. Good to see a player who has been good at Reserves level get a chance.
Marcus Carroll continued in development, turning on a couple of match-winning burts at reserves level, kicking 3 important goals in a game against a Senior-stacked Preston side. 2007 should see Carroll push for a regular senior spot. Just not quite sure where his best position may be.
Toby Pinwill stepped up into a senior defensive role and made a big impact. Form tapered off a little bit at seasons end, with him being dropped to the two's but his big build and physical style of footy was excellent from the backline.
Nick Raines improved as the season went on, playing some very good football that will keep him on the 'watch' list of a few AFL clubs. If fit, should have a massive 2007.
Sam DeBruin (my tip for the two's B&F) had a good season, and should play some senior football next season.
hmm.. I could go on, but ill shorten it down.. other positives:
Brayden Shaw, Robin Nahas, Shayne Allen (thought he was really putting pressure on for a senior game). Tom Langford, injury restricted his season, but pre-season was very good before doing his knee. Brad Sutcliffe will be a very good footballer, just needs to get some weight on!
I thought you would have mentioned Sam Dwyer, Onslaught. He looks a fair player chief. Disappointments? I thought Robert Alexander would thrive in a stand-alone environment but from what I saw he never got going.
A good season from Dwyer no doubt about that, but he was also a good player in 2005. Still only (by my reckoning) played in a handful of Senior games. He would have hoped for more than that.
Robbie Alexander popped up for flashes of brilliance, with long running goals from outside 50m, but yes didn't have the impact I thought he might have had either. Injury or form? Dunno. Still one of the core group of players at the club though.
Alexander would need a big 2007 to stay in the ``core group'', wouldn't he? If Port recruit as well as they want or need to, I'd imagine Alexander could struggle for senior games. Steve Brewer will be a good player for Port, a lovely kick coming off a back flank.
Good analysis Ons.
I guess Morrison, Nayna and Peel were the three I was thinking of when I posed that question. They came from AFL environments and probably with expectation and offered very little.
You're right, if the Borough continue to recruit well, there will be a lot of pressure on guys like Alexander.
Really good signing, wonder what made him elect to leave the Seagulls?