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As one year ends, a new year dawns and so does the pressure of achieving the high expectations of the fans and media.
Whether 2015 was filled with off field issues, a change of club, a new contract or form slumps, there will be all sorts of key challenges and hurdles for players to overcome.
Below I break down the AFL players under the most pressure in 2016.
Dustin Martin
When Dustin Martin was drafted by Richmond at pick two in the 2009 draft it was clear he possessed undoubtable talent.
On the field Martin’s career has improved each season from his debut in 2010. He has almost never missed a game through injury and had a career-best season in 2015 averaging 26 disposals and one goal a game.
So why is Martin under pressure? Although Martin has been consistently durable on the field, the pressure going into 2016 derives from off field controversies in the form of his recent drunken debacle in which he threatened to stab a woman in the face with chopsticks.
It was also attitude problems back in 2012 missing training that followed with two weeks on the side lines for Martin. At the age of 24 and 131 games under his belt Martin is a bonafide star. It would be a shame if his off-field controversies take over of his career and prevent him from reaching his full potential.
Dale Thomas
To the joy of Collingwood fans and the dismay of Carlton fans, it’s safe to say Dale Thomas has offered little service in his two season stint at the Carlton football club.
Thomas signed a four-year, multi-million dollar deal at the Blues back in 2013 but has been plagued by injuries, playing just five games in 2015.
Still at 28 years of age and years of experience under his belt the pressure is on for Thomas to help out a young Carlton outfit and show some much needed leadership in 2016. He must prove to the football club they aren’t paying nearly $700,000 a year for nothing.
Harley Bennell
Taken at pick two in the 2010 national draft, Harley Bennell has shown talent for the Gold Coast Suns averaging 22 disposals and more that a goal per game throughout his career.
However Bennell was pictured in 2015 with lines of illicit drugs, leading to considerable controversy. Bennell’s misdemeanours continued, with the man causing havoc at a nightclub months later in September of this year. Luckily for Bennell, Fremantle has given his career a new lease on life and the pressure is on to stand up and prove to be an added asset to the Dockers.
Jake Carlisle
The footage released of Jake Carlisle appearing to snort a line of white powder could not have been timed any worse. On that the same day Carlisle had just begun a potentially fresh start with the Saints, however that ultimately went down in flames.
The incident has embarrassed Carlisle and shamed his reputation. To top of it, the incident cost Carlisle thousands of dollars in marketing money and the punishment of sitting the opening two rounds of 2016 on the sidelines. At the ripe age of 24 the pressure is on for Carlisle to repay the faith to the St. Kilda football club.
Chris Yarran
Yarran was drafted at pick 6 in the 2008 national draft and racked up a total of 119 games for the Blues. However Yarran’s main downfall at the Blues was his inconsistency.
Yarran has demonstrated the capacity to change the momentum of games and it’s important that he offer the Tigers the spark they need to reach further than the first week of September. The pressure is on for Yarran, at the age of 25 it’s now or never to turn his career around and provide some consistency and quality output for the Richmond football club.
Nick Malceski
With over 10 years of AFL experience including a premiership at the Sydney Swans, Nick Malceski crossed borders at the end of 2014 to add some much needed experience to a young Gold Coast outfit.
To say Malceski’s first season at the suns was a disappointment is an understatement, suffering on going knee problems as part of the Suns never ending injury list. In 2016 Malceski must find the urge to provide leadership in the backline and use his experience to help develop the Suns up and coming line up.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment on who you feel is under pressure heading into 2016
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