Post season review of the players in your team

[Mr Fuller]

Thought it might be an interesting exercise to rate the performance of the players in your team. Who underperformed? Who beat your expectations? Its always interesting reading about the thoughts of other supporters in regards to the team you support. Here are my thoughts on the main players to play league with the eagles this year, giving a rating out of 10 (ex crows/power listed). Post away!

Grieger (9) Arguably our best recruit this year. Rarely got beaten due to his strength, height and speed. If not for his kicking he would be far and away the best FB of the competition.

Cicolella (7) – Had a good season but never set the world on fire in any games. I think this year, more than any other, his age finally caught up with him. His evasiveness, speed and decision making were well down giving cause to greater errors in his game. Still one of the best midfielders at our club, however, but a ready-made replacement needs to be groomed or recruited because if he doesn’t retire this year he will have, at most one more year left.

Geddes (9) – Until he got injured midseason was probably leading our B&F. Last year his career was on the line and I was one of many calling for him to be cut from the playing list. To his credit he turned his game right around and found a niche playing on the HB line where his ability to read the play, take a strong grab and dispose the ball neatly were highly valued.

Cheep (4) – Played 1-2 good games at the beginning of the year and a reasonable finals series. However I’m not convinced he is worth his spot and the majority of the season was spent in the reserves. His decision making is awful, doesn’t have great speed for someone his size and an average kick. He’d be on some decent money coming from Victoria and could now be better spent on someone else.

Thompson (7) – Got better and better as the season progressed until he turned into one of our most valuable players. His ability to play tall or small was extremely useful as was his ability to take on players to provide rebound from the back half. Will likely be put onto the main list by the Crows and will get his chance at AFL level next year.

Welsh (6) – Was a good player when actually playing but never dominated and was frequently injured. The Eagles paid big $$$ for his services which in hindsight could have been put to better use.

J Stewart (5) – Had a disappointing return to the club. Started off well but form dipped and never made it back to the league side for the last two thirds of the season.

Giuffreda (6) – Another surprise packet who made the step up to league level. A solid contributor who rarely got beaten. The only question mark I have against him is his pace.

McKenzie (7) – seemed to play a different role this year, often as a negating midfielder. As a result he didn’t get as much of the ball and was not able to set up play as much this year. Rapidly deteriorating pace becoming a concern.

Treeby (4) – Another poor year from this over-rated midfielder. Injuries played their part but can only be used as an excuse for so long. Rarely gets more than 10 possessions and is one of these players who is ‘built like tarzan and plays like jane’. Wouldn’t be at all unhappy if he retired/moved back to Vic to free up some money for a decent midfielder.

Lewis (10) - Sensational debut season for the eagles. Continuously racked up possessions, delivered the ball well with penetration and precision.

Powell (9) – Up there with Lewis as out best midfielder. Not flashy but got the job done and a regular ballwinner.

Jarrad (8) – Moved to the backlines this year by Godden. Played a damaging role as a rebounding half back but I still thought he could be used better on the wing.

Parry (9) – Was worth the $$ we spent to get him to the club. Tried his heart out, won disposals and took marks over the ground.

Goldsworthy (3) – Not really sure what happened with his form. I thought after last year he’d be setting himself for a big year but for whatever reason it didn’t materialise. Is a good user but needs to find a new string to his bow as is lack of pace has prevented him from taking the next step as either a midfielder or a forward pocket.

Symonds (5) – His days as a midfielder or even as a forward are gone. Moved to the backlines in the last 5 games of the season he played pretty well and this could be his position next year. Is living on the edge with his form though.

Grocke (10) – Best season yet for the club. I think he kicked the most goals of his career this year, took marks over the ground and tried his guts out. His lack of discipline resulting in suspensions were costly during the season.

Polec (7) – classy player and will be a future AFL star next year. His ability to run and carry the ball will be missed next year.

Smith (7) – good solid player who did very well for his age. Not in the same class as Polec but probably more consistent.

Rowntree (7) – Could possibly win the prize of most improved. I didn’t rate him last year but improved out of sight this year and was an important contributor in the midfield. Will be expected to become a major midfielder at the club next year.

Miles (6) – Shouldered the ruck admirably in the early part of the season when Parry was injured and did well. Doesn’t dominate any one position but his versatile and can play as tall in either ruck, defence or attack.

Almond (6) – started off well and finished off the season well. Had a big form slump mid-season. Still yet to consolidate a position and be a consistent contributor. If he could improve his kicking he could develop into a very good player.

Guilhaus (1) – not at the club anymore and probably a good thing. Was a very poor contributor, always falling over and not able to mark the ball.

Hoban (3) – Despite a low rating I thought he wasn’t too bad considering this was his first year of footy. If he sticks with it I think in 2 years he might be decent player given his size.

[Aerie]

Good post Mr Fuller. I'll have a go.

Grieger (9) Fantastic season. Strong, keeps his feet and spoils anything and everything. Kicking not as bad as it looks either. A massive win for us this season.

Cicolella (8) – Thought this was Cicca's best season for a number of years. Played the majority on the ball and I think played every game. Often was leading from the front when the game was on the line.

Geddes (7) – His breakout year until doing his ACL half way through the season. Showed he has what it takes to be very good at this level. His foot skills are awesome. Hopefully takes a leaf out of Giuffreda's book and come back even better.

Cheep (3) – Looked sharp early in the year and had one very good final. Spent most of his time in reserves though which is disappointing for a recruit.

Thompson (7) – Looks great in the back line. Fantastic first season and looks a deifinite AFL player of the future.

Welsh (4) – Did some good things, but never ended up firing like expected. His influence on the group is hard to tell from outside and I expect his value is more than what many give credit for.

J Stewart (4) – Can't seem to get the body right to achieve consistently at this level. Showed in his first few games how good he can be, but just can't get any consistency.

Giuffreda (8) – Outstanding. Most improved player in my opinion. Has improved his disposal significantly since coming back from a knee reconstruction. His attack on body and ball is as good as it gets.

McKenzie (5) – still a very valuable contributor, but I would say his quietest season since at the Eagles. Stepped up when needed in the prelim final and played multiple positions all year, but not a match winner like years past.

Treeby (4) – Played his best games in the two finals. Another who is suffering from injuries robbing him of consistency.

Lewis (9) - Sensational debut season for the eagles. Continuously racked up possessions, delivered the ball well with penetration and precision. (I'll just use Mr Fuller's for this one)

Powell (9) – A great season after injury last year. Showed again how good he is. Consistent, hard at the ball, always at the bottom of packs, great skills - a brilliant player for the Eagles.

Jarrad (9) – A switch on roles to the back line. Improved the defensive aspect of his game and maintained the attacking aspect. Beautiful long left foot kick. In other years his body language in some games looked poor, but he seemed be up for every game this year in his best season to date with the club.

Parry (9) – Injured early in the season, but didn't miss a beat as soon as he returned. A great pick up and our most dominant ruckman since Lindsay. Stepped up in finals which was a great sign, given he wouldn't have played a lot of finals previously.

Goldsworthy (5) – Faded as the season went on. One of the hardest positions to play is the small forward position. If he can increase fitness and strength to play more in the midfield, it may help his consistency.

Symmons (3) – One of the few not to improve under Godden. Played ok as the 6th man in defence towards the end of the season, but hasn't shown much improvement since he first started IMO.

Grocke (9) – Our most important player. I thought if he could get a bit closer to goal and kick more he would be the complete player at this level. This year he did that.

Polec (7) – was a very valuable player once he returned from Under 18's and was a pleasure to watch before he goes on to be a star at AFL level.

Smith (7) – same can be said as Polec. His last round and finals series showed snippets of just how good he will be. Didn't storm on the scene at SANFL level as quickly as Polec did, but was every bit as good by the end. Another that will be followed by all Eagles supporters as he steps in to the AFL.

Rowntree (8) – played like a seasoned veteran from beginning to end. Was consistent and a valuable member of the midfield. May have done enough to earn interest from some AFL clubs. If he stays at the Eagles, could be a club champion for many years to come.

Miles (8) – Terrific season by Miles. We recruited back up ruckman for Parry, but it became very clear, very early, that Miles was a class above those guys. Unfortunate the way his season ended and had no impact in the Prelim which was disappointing.

Allmond (6) – a hard worker no doubt, but his skills really let him down often this year. Needs to improve his kicking or he will be overtaken by those with more class.

Hill (2) - disappointing season for him. Had high hopes he could be the answer as CHB, but was overtaken by Day and then Thompson and played mostly reserves.

Day (5) - he got a taste at league level and needs to work on his deficiencies which mainly centres around intensity and work rate. Has good skills, but needs to work harder to keep the ball forward if he is to develop as a league key forward.

Rimington (7) - his rating goes up a few places due to his finals series which again was outstanding. Now just to get a consistent season out of him from the start. Could be one of our best if he brings his big game attitude to the hard slog of the normal season.

Staple (3) - got a chance early in the season. A little similar to Hill and Day, needs to work on his deficiencies to become a regular league player. Perhaps has the biggest upside of all three and hopefully can make his mark next season.

[Columbo]

Wont reinvent the wheel - some pretty good summary's there from both of you. So many of the guys had their seasons wrecked by injury so hard to judge them to some degree.

Ill just add the following

Welsh - (6) Think he has been far more important than many have given him credit for, whilst he didnt kick the bags that everyone thought he might there was always a possibility that he could which would have made him an interesting match up for the opposition, think he got a few other blokes into the games to with the work he was doing that would have been unnoticed my many.

Cheep (5) Had a BOG game at Unley early in the season but on the same day got injured and missed quite a few games, was good in the finals after probably being a surprise selection, if he can bottle the form of those 4 games will be valuable next season.

Cicca / Powell (9) Best season for a while for both, having the pressure off in the midfield with guys like Lewis around to help they were both back to their best

Thompson (7) Slow start, but got better by the round, don't think we will see as much of him next year

Greiger / Lewis /Parry (9) Senstational year from all 3, great pick ups.

[Mr Fuller]

I thought overall Godden's recruiting turned out very well

I can't think of any other side who had 3 recruits come into hte side and be dominant players. Parry, Lewis and Grieger were fantastic. As already stated, Welsh was a good player but not worth the money. Day and Guilhaus weren't great but then again, we wouldn't have given up much for them.

If, as has been stated, Powell decides to retire we definitely need to recruit an onballer. We still need one regardless of what happens. Someone with quick acceleration like a Callinan or a Phillips would really add to the team. I suppose they might try to get Hall back to the club given he was delisted from Freo.