With four rounds of the 2014 AFL season now completed, we are getting an idea of which clubs have recruited wisely in the off-season.
New Adelaide forwards Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly are slowly settling in. Betts will continue to improve if the Crows’ midfield can deliver the ball into the forward 50 the same way they did against St Kilda.
Podsiadly’s first two rounds weren’t inspiring, but he gained form in the last two games with 23 disposals against Sydney and three goals against the Saints.
Trent West’s move from Geelong to Brisbane has proven to be invaluable to the Lions, especially now that Matthew Leunberger has sustained a long term injury.
Sam Docherty has not played a game for Carlton after moving from Brisbane, while Dale Thomas’ and Andres Everitt’s form has reflected the Blues’ poor start to the season. For Carlton to lift, they’ll certainly need to raise the bar.
Taylor Adams was a bright light for Collingwood in Round 1, when he earned 15 disposals against Fremantle, before being named substitute against Sydney and Geelong. Jesse White has played every game since coming back from injury in Round 2, scoring no goals in his first outing before two and three in subsequent games as he settles into the Magpies’ line-up.
Patrick Karnezis is another Lion who moved clubs and has not played a game due to injury. Former Crow and Swan Tony Armstrong has not cracked into Nathan Buckley’s side.
Paul Chapman is quickly establishing himself as recruit of the year, kicking nine goals in three games on his way to new cult-hero status at the Bombers.
Colin Sylvia has not managed to get a game for Fremantle, and Scott Gumbleton has also been kept out of the side with a hamstring injury.
GWS gun recruits Heath Shaw and Shane Mumford have proven worthy additions to the youthful side, although Mumford has hit a road block with a short-term knee injury. Dylan Addison played the first three games of the seasons but must not have done enough as he was dropped for Round 4. Josh Hunt’s Geelong experience would be vital to the young GWS team when it comes to game-day leadership.
Ben McEvoy impressed in the first two games of the season for Hawthorn after making the switch from St Kilda, though calf soreness has kept him out of their past two games.
Other than Viv Michie, all of Melbourne’s recruits have cemented themselves into the Demons’ line-up. Daniel Cross has reinvented himself at a new club while Bernie Vince has shown signs of being a game breaker. Mick Malthouse even placed a Carlton tagger on Dom Tyson after he started the season in exciting form.
Nick Dal Santo is a strong challenger for best recruit of 2014, averaging 28 disposals at North Melbourne. Robin Nahas made his debut in Kangaroo colours on the weekend, scoring a goal and gathering 17 disposals in slippery conditions.
Former Lion Jared Polec has become one of Port Adelaide’s most important midfielders, with his outside run creating plenty of scoring opportunities. There were question marks over Matt White’s first three performances for the Power, but his game against Brisbane was a career best performance: 26 possessions, 3 goals and 2 assists.
Shaun Hampson is Richmond’s current first ruckman with Ivan Maric out. Matt Thomas has revived his career at Punt Road, being the ‘human wrecking ball’ that coach Hardwick needed last year in the midfield.
Shane Savage is yet to impress with the Saints, while Billy Longer is behind Tom Hickey for the No. 1 ruck spot.
Expensive recruit Lance Franklin is yet to convince the AFL world of his worth, scoring one, two, four and zero goals in the first four rounds. Kurt Tippett may be the trigger for ‘Buddy’ to become the potent goal scorer he is known to be. Jeremy Laidler has played three out of a possible four games for the Swans.
Xaiver Ellis and Elliot Yeo have given West Coast the extra zip and dash which was missing from the Eagles midfield last year. There are big things to come from this duo.
New Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri is turning into an incredible asset for Brendan McCartney, kicking four goals against the Giants including the sealer. Crameri has kicked a total of nine goals for the season.
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