The Pep Talk is back with the next instalment of players who are gearing for a crucial season in their careers.
The first and second instalments caused a lot of healthy debate on The Roar and no doubt the third and final piece should do the same.
This time we round out players from the Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney, Brisbane, Carlton and Melbourne who need to have a career defining year or it may end prematurely.
Western Bulldogs: Jarrad Grant
What hasn’t been said about Grant and his performance over six seasons with the Bulldogs? The pick five of the 2007 AFL Draft has played 62 games for a meagre return of 72 goals and for whatever reason hasn’t taken the next step in his career.
Grant cannot use the excuse that he is the Bulldogs’ only forward as Stewart Crameri and now Matthew Boyd have made their way to the Whitten Oval in the last two years. Grant needs to play more games (only four in 2014) and cement his place as a key target for the Doggies.
Otherwise he could see his career on the slide, be shafted to another club (may not be an AFL one though) in 2016 or put down permanently.
Greater Western Sydney: Matt Buntine
Like Grant, Buntine was a high pick in his draft (pick five) and had not been able to scale the heights as some of his other Giants teammates have. Buntine has only been able to manage 16 games in his three years and if he does not make an impact in 2015 he may forever get lost.
Brisbane Lions: Stefan Martin
Martin can hold his head high for his performance during the 2014 season where he amassed his highest tally of games for three years (16) and a whopping 338 hit outs.
He stood up in the absence of the Lion’s number one ruckman Matthew Leuenberger but now that he will be returning in 2015, the pressure is on Martin to continue his rise or risk falling back into the role of a bit-player. He has the tools but can he do the work on a consistent basis? This question has not yet been answered.
Carlton: Tom Bell
A career high 13 games for the Blues in season 2014 was a highlight for the once rookie listed Bell. His big-bodied frame is well suited for the modern game and his big tank holds him in good stead in the current Carlton midfield.
However, Bell’s place in the starting 18 is not yet set and with Chris Judd (potentially) finishing up at the end of the year there is nothing standing in the way of Bell making it his. But if he doesn’t take the opportunity in front of him there is massive risk of his place in the team getting taken over by the likes of Dylan Buckley, Patrick Cripps and recently drafted Clem Smith.
Melbourne: Jack Fitzpatrick
There were a dozen different players I could have picked for the Demons but Fitzpatrick was the one who stood out as needing to have a big 2015. With Mark Jamar’s position as the number one ruckman for the Demons ending in the next two years, Fitzpatrick needs to increase his five games (19 career) for 2014 and use his big frame to his advantage.
He can take a mark and kick a goal but must do more around the ground when rucking otherwise Maxy Gawn or Jake Spencer will strike and take his spot in the team. This will be Fitzpatrick’s fifth season in the AFL and if he doesn’t make it one to remember it may end up being his last at the Demons.
What do you think? Am I on the mark? Who would you say needs to lift? Leave a comment below.
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