Here are some of the players that I am looking forward to watching in the AFL’s preseason competition in 2014. This is part one in the list, which includes players from all 18 AFL teams.
Adelaide Crows
Matt Crouch
After being drafted by the Crows with their first pick, we’ll finally be able to see how brothers Matthew and Brad play alongside each other.
Sam Jacobs
In 2012 many said that Jacobs was very unlucky to miss out on All-Australian selection. After an average 2013 season, if Jacobs can dominate in the NAB Challenge games it may be the confidence boost he needs to return to 2012 form.
Brisbane Lions
James Aish
The player who I rated most highly in last year’s draft. Aish has a huge future ahead of him if he fulfils his potential and I’m sure all AFL fans are eager to see what he can do in the NAB games.
Lewis Taylor
Taylor was picked up a lot later in the National Draft at pick 28 than some experts expected. If he performs in spectacular fashion during the Challenge games he could leave a few recruiters puzzled on letting him slide.
Carlton
Patrick Cripps
A big bodied midfielder to add extra depth to Carlton’s midfield; it’ll be interesting to see how they use him in the preseason campaign. Cripps will want to prove he was the right man for Carlton’s first pick and not tall forward Cameron McCarthy.
Troy Menzel
Menzel did not crack an AFL debut until round eight against Port Adelaide last year and didn’t have any outstanding matches either. If Menzel can carve up during the preseason he may solidify himself in Carlton’s round one line-up.
Collingwood Magpies
Tim Broomhead
AFL 2012 National Draft – Collingwood’s first round picks Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy… and Tim Broomhead. Broomhead may not be familiar to many people but the pick 20 will want to have a good preseason campaign to crack an AFL debut as soon as possible.
Jesse White
White is one to watch this preseason as it will be interesting to see the different ways the Collingwood coaching panel will use Cloke and White operating in the same forward line.
Geelong Cats
Tom Hawkins
Alongside the Essendon supplement saga, the AFL public heard non-stop about Hawkins’ back issues. It’ll be interesting to see if Hawkins can quiet the critics by kicking bags of goals.
Mitch Duncan
Duncan has the potential of being a round by round star but first he needs to form some consistency and a good foundation for that is by building consistency in the NAB Challenge.
Essendon
Paul Chapman
‘Chappy’ was cruelled with injury during the 2013 season and then was dumped by Geelong but Essendon handed him a lifeline. I’m looking forward to seeing how Chapman will work the in the Essendon team and alongside the likes of Goddard and Heppell.
Joe Daniher
With Bellchambers injured and Crameri gone, Daniher will want to prove to new coach Mark Thompson he can be the focal point of the Bombers forward line.
Fremantle
Anthony Morabito
If Morabito does make a return in the preseason it’ll be interesting to see how he moves. He has been training with the main group but also has had some time away still recuperating from his third knee reconstruction.
Hayden Crozier
Ever since having glandular fever in 2012 the pick 20 in the 2011 Draft has had trouble cracking into a wining Fremantle outfit. He certainly is athletic, he can fly high to take a grab and also find his target in the Docker’s forward half.
Gold Coast Suns
Tim Sumner
Playing as a target up forward, Sumner only kicked 6.12 in 11 games during 2013. I’m looking forward to seeing if coaches have changed his kicking action to improve his accuracy.
Jack Martin
So much hype has surrounded the youngster; I just can’t wait to watch him play!
GWS
Tom Boyd and Josh Kelly
Giant’s first picks in last year’s draft, some say Boyd isn’t in their best 22 yet while Kelly will regularly start as a sub or on the bench. Start the year with a bang and the critics will start to reconsider whether they should start in the first 18 or not.
Hawthorn
Ryan Shoenmakers and Matthew Suckling
If both are fit enough to play some football; alongside Morabito, I’m curious to see how they move especially if Shoenmakers plays up forward as he has been training with the forwards as well as the defenders.
You can check out the full NAB Challenge fixture here.
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