Its the end of the year, so Toby looks back on the AFL Dream Team and SuperCoach season thats been – who shone, who disappointed and who is in his sites for 2012? Featuring Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Melbourne

Gold Coast:

2011 Biggest Superstars and Improvers:

  • Gary Ablett’s year will undoubtedly go down as a success, despite somewhat of a slow start. We didn’t get to see Gaz in the Sun’s gear until round 2 thanks to a persistent hamstring injury that kept him out of the pre-season – then, after averaging 92 DT and 102 SC points for the first five rounds, Ablett reverted to the form we knew he was capable of producing, averaging a fantastic 128 DT and 146 SC points for the rest of the year. There had been some concern over what sort of scores he could produce without the Geelong midfield around him, so it was hugely impressive to see such a dominant year from him
  • Zac Smith has surely been the most impressive first-year ruckman we have seen in the AFL in well over a decade, averaging 13 disposals, 17 hitouts and 4.5 marks a game – very impressive numbers for any first-year player, but simply outstanding for a first-year ruckman, considering young rucks typically don’t start showing great signs a few more years into their career. He proved to be an ever-reliable third ruck option for so many coaches this year, as he was even forced to take the field on many occasions with the likes of Cox and Sandilands having some time of the sidelines.
  • Danny Stanley proved to be one of the most reliable and consistent defence options in both DT and SC, despite starting the year as one of the cheapest. He averaged over 20 disposals a game, playing mainly across half-forward and through the midfield. He really improved as the year went on, becoming much more consistent – he also only dropped below 80 points on three occasions from round 8 onwards, proving just how reliable he became.

 

2011 Biggest Disappointments:

  • Daniel Harris actually started the year pretty well, featuring in plenty of teams as he averaged 77 DT and 87 SC points in his first six games before going down with injury. Unfortunately, he only made it back to play five more games for an average of 49 DT and 47 SC points before retiring at the end of the year. Whilst if you cashed him in at the right time he could have been a success, if you held on that little too long he would have burned you pretty bad.
  • Nathan Krakouer was definitely the most disappointing of all the mature-aged players that Gold Coast poached, playing just 13 games for an average of 44 DT and 47 SC points. He continually looked disinterested and unwilling to go for the hard ball, causing him to continually find himself dropped from the side. He did play one great game against Brisbane Lions though, when he lead them to a famous victory with 5.1 as an exciting small forward.
  • Nathan Ablett was never really expected to have much of a year, considering his poor form in the VFL for Gold Coast in 2011. Still, they gave him a crack at senior level and it’s pretty safe to say it didn’t work. He managed to play just three games at the end of the year and looked pretty lost in all of them. He has since been delisted.

 

2012 Prospects:

  • Dion Prestia took a while to warm into the season, constantly being given the sub vest in his earlier games as he averaged just 54 DT and 54 SC in his first nine games of the year. Fortunately his junior form started to show later in the season as he started to win more of the ball and show some really impressive signs around the clearances. His continual growth as a player this year certainly bodes well for more of the same in 2012. He will likely be at an awkward mid-price, but if you see him continuing his development at a similar rate, then you’d certainly have to consider him.
  • Josh Caddy managed to play just the last two games of the year as injuries prevented the top-10 draft pick from making his debut earlier. Some believed he was even rushed back from injury early, just to give him a taste of senior AFL football, yet despite this he still averaged 72 DT and 58 SC across the two games, including a 16 disposal, 6 tackle game against Hawthorn in round 24. He was a great ball winner and super tackler as a junior, and should attract a reasonable discount for 2012, making him an awfully tempting option as a cash-cow in your midfield.
  • Brandon Matera had a super start to the year, averaging 60 DT and 67 SC points in his first 7 games before going down with injury. He then spent the majority of the season on sidelines, only playing five more games. His last game of the season was a ripper though, and also the best of his short career as he picked up 26 disposals, 9 marks and kicked 3.1 against the Hawks. He has shown an ability to win the ball, but just need to spend a summer in the gym – monitor his pre-season next year as he could be another set for some substantial improvement.

Hawthorn:

2011 Biggest Superstars and Improvers:

  • Sam Mitchell had what was easily the best season of his career, seemingly flicking a switch in round 10, from when he only scored under 100 points once in DT (a 96 in round 23) and twice in SC (a 92 and 91). He was so often the first to the ball in Hawthorn’s midfield, picking up 30 disposals or more on 14 occasions. His consistency and high scoring were massive features to his game in 2012, making him a fantastic acquisition at any time of the year.
  • Matt Suckling had a true breakout season, playing 20 games after coming into the season with just 6 games to his name. He played off half-back, with his sublime foot skills a real asset to the Hawks. Their game-style of chipping the ball around the backline also greatly helped his DT and SC scoring, with him averaging 6.5 marks and 24 disposals a game. He is still quite young, so expect this form to continue into 2012.
  • Liam Shiels had a highly unheralded season – after showing some good signs in 2010 with an average of 53 DT and 47 SC, Shiels nearly doubled that in 2012, with averages of 103 DT and 92 SC points a game. He won plenty of his own ball, despite his small frame, but also impressed with his ability to spread and make use of himself outside of the contests. He was also a tackling machine, averaging 6 per game.

 

2011 Biggest Disappointments:

  • Cameron Bruce spoke pre-season about the possibility of playing through the midfield at his new club, sucking in plenty of coaches. Many thought back to his hey-day at Melbourne when he was one of the best DT and SC players running around, which included an average of 102 DT points in 2006. Unfortunately, this form, nor a move to the midfield, was ever seen in 2012 – instead he played in a back pocket for just 9 games as he fought with form and injury.
  • Xavier Ellis probably doesn’t deserve to be in the ‘disappointing’ section, as to be quite honest, I think it’s now gotten to the stage where very little is expected of him. But still, it can be hard not to think back to his first couple of seasons and the great form he showed, which included a starring role in Hawthorn’s 2008 Grand Final win. Again in 2012 he battled injury and form issues – when he did play he looked OK, but was often criticized for his inability to win a contested ball.
  • Clinton Young was a player Hawthorn had been desperate to get back into their lineup after over 12 months of persistent injuries. They finally got him back playing footy each week in 2011, but unfortunately only 10 of those were in the seniors as he battled some pretty bad form. Once a prodigious kick, Young just couldn’t get anywhere near the ball in 2011 and never seemed to use it as well as he once did. Will be interesting to see whether he is still at the club next year or if they see if they can shop him off to the highest bigger – surely he would still have some value on the trade table.

 

2012 Prospects:

  • Shaun Burgoyne had a good year of football, playing mainly out of the backline – unfortunately though, this wasn’t fantastic for either his DT or SC scoring. It will be interesting to see where he plays next year – Hawks are probably a tall defender or two short this year, but with Gilham and Stratton back next year, and they may even look to trade in some height for their backline, Burgoyne may find himself back in the midfield. He is really a SC only pick due to his beautiful ball use, so keep a very close eye on him in the pre-season, as well as Hawthorn’s draft and trade strategy.
  • Shane Savage had a real breakout year in 2011, averaging 17.5 disposals a game. Whilst his form was a little up and down at times, his good games were typically very good, including a 33 disposals, 3 goal game against the Suns and a 26 touch game against the Saints that will likely attract him 3 Brownlow votes. Clarkson likes to trust his youngsters, so keep a close eye on him next year – we know he can produce some massive scores, so the trick will be whether he can do it more consistently.
  • Isaac Smith had a great debut season for the Hawks, managing just two games before round 13, before then not missing a game for the rest of the year. He has really begun to show some consistency at the back end of the year too, including two very good finals games. He has no trouble finding the ball and is able to run all day, so has the attributes to make him a great Dream Teamer. Of all the mid-priced options, Smith looks one of the most capable of pumping out a 100+ average in 2012.

 

Melbourne:

2011 Biggest Superstars and Improvers:

  • Jack Trengove was probably Melbourne’s best for the season, developing along nicely from his debut year in 2010. He works so hard through the midfield and manages to drop forward with great effect too, making him a dangerous opponent for opposition teams. He still has a lot of developing to do, but presents himself as a good leader of the club and capable of taking his game to another level.
  • Stefan Martin was one of the more maligned players in the competition up til this year, so it was good to see him take an opportunity with both hands when Jamar was injured early in the year. With no other ruckmen in the side, Martin lead Melbourne’s ruck division for the majority of the year. He was a very mobile ruckman, doing well enough in the air, but it was his versatility and athleticism around the ground that proved to be his strength.
  • Jack Watts continues to be criticised for his lack of development to date, but he took some really positive steps forward in 2011, as he was given far more latitude by the coach as to where he could play. He wasn’t simply plonked up forward, but played a lot of time behind the ball, acting as a third man up in defence. Whilst he still had the odd quiet game, there were far less of them in 2011 – plus he showed some very positive signs that he may reach the level originally expected of him.

 

2011 Biggest Disappointments:

  • Brad Green had one of the most disappointing years of anyone in the AFL in 2011. Despite being given the captaincy, Green really struggled to lead his side, constantly being dogged by his own form issues. He often looked uninterested or frustrated as he spent most of the year in the goalsquare, spending far less time through the midfield than he has in previous seasons. Perhaps he will perform better under a new coach, but the form shown by him in 2011 would do anything but make you confident for his chances of making your team in 2012.
  • Jack Grimes was again put in thousands of teams in round one, as so many coaches were again sucked into his good pre-season form. Unfortunately, he went down with a season-ending injury (again…) in round 7, not only burning coaches with his early exit to the season, but also the fact he left them with just 8 DT points in that final game. Surely no one will be silly enough to choose him again in 2012…
  • Cale Morton was a man we had high hopes for in 2012 – a former top-5 draft pick who had shown some good form in 2010 – but unfortunately he had a shocker of a season, managing just 14 games for an average of 16 disposals – a career low. He has plenty of potential, but just needs to work on his inside game – could be very cheap next year, so if the form is there you may have to consider him.

 

2012 Prospects:

  • Jack Watts, as I already noted, was a big improver in 2011, so the expectation is there that he will continue to grow and improve in 2012. He showed us this year that he is capable of winning plenty of ball when played in the right positions, but it will be interesting to see where he is played by Mark Neeld, Melbourne’s new coach – will he be played behind the ball and on a wing again, or will he spend more time up forward? If he continues on a wing he could be a great option, although it doesn’t look nearly as tantalising if he is lining up out of the square.
  • Matthew Bate could be a good option, although a very speculative one. It’s fair to say his 2011 season was a poor one – in and out of the side all year as he struggled for form. In fact, his 2010 wasn’t a whole heap better. However, all that said, he can actually play a very good DT/SC game, as shown back in 2008 and 2009 when he averaged around 80 DT and 75 SC points a game. If played across half-forward – his natural position – he can actually win a fair amount of ball and deliver it well. This year Bailey tried to play him as a defensive forward – this just didn’t work, clearly. So again, watch where Neeld plays him – you never know, he could be one of the real smokies of 2012.
  • Colin Sylvia had another frustrating year, being dropped and then suspended late in the year for DT/SC finals. He started the year well, but as soon as Scully returned to the side, Sylvia was moved into the forward line, killing his scoring – an eight game run that resulted in an average of 83 DT and 85 SC – a massive drop from the 103 DT and 108 SC he was averaging whist in the midfield up until then. Now with Scully gone and a new coach, you would have to suspect Sylvia will be back running through the midfield in 2012, which should mean he is going to be pretty underpriced. I guess we can also be thankful that all these games in the forward line will likely mean we can pick him as a forward again next year!