So who in the AFL will have a year to remember in 2013? Here is one player from each club who is looking to be on the verge of a breakout season.
Adelaide: Josh Jenkins is looking to take the role of Kurt Tippett as the forward/ruckman, which is so pivotal these days with the sub rule. He should play consistently this year and provide a good foil to Walker when up forward.
Brisbane: Claye Beams has been firing on all cylinders this pre-season and with an improved tank should be a regular in the Lions midfield in 2013. If he improves half as much as his brother Dayne the Lions will be wrapt.
Carlton: Carlton will be hoping Jeremy Laidler escapes the injury problems that plagued his 2012 season. He is a vital cog in the Blues defence and will be looking to consolidate his place in the team under Malthouse and help stop the scoring flow which derailed the Blues season last year.
Collingwood: There aren’t too many players who go under the radar at the Pies, but their new recruit Quinten Lynch could improve his output from 2012 by assuming the role previously held by Brown and Dawes as forward/ruck. He’s attacked his first pre-season at Collingwood like a bull and looks set for a big year.
Essendon: Michael Hurley is flying and has slimmed down in an attempt to build his endurance and avoid any more of the injuries which have derailed his career so far. Hurley is important to the Bombers’ structure with his ability to play at both ends of the ground.
Fremantle: New recruit Danyle Pearce will love his new expansive surrounds at Patersons Stadium plus the extra midfield talent will provide him with more freedom then he was afforded at Port Adelaide.
Geelong: They have an abundance of contenders for a breakout year: Steven Motlop, Travis Varcoe, Nathan Vardy, Josh Caddy and George Horlin-Smith. I think Caddy is ready to make the step up.
In an experienced midfield he can add some exuberance and help the Cats to their ‘odd year’ Premiership!
Gold Coast: Kyal Horsley has been impressive in pre-season training and if allowed continuous playing time, this ball magnet can show his true potential and rack up 25 disposals a game.
GWS: Jonathon Patton looks set to stamp his mark on the AFL this year. Last year he showed glimpses, but with a more experienced and hardened body he looks to have left his injury problems behind him and is set for a big 2013.
Hawthorn: Luke Bruest is set to spend more time in the midfield making him an ideal breakout candidate and if he can combine extra possessions with his canny goal knack the Hawks will be more potent then ever.
Melbourne: New recruit Tim Gillies performed well at VFL level for the Cats and his AFL chance has now come via a trade to Melbourne. Could hold down a defensive spot and help the Dees push up the ladder.
North Melbourne: Kieran Harper has shown he’s got the x-factor about him and now with a stronger body and the potential to move up the ground, opposition clubs will find it hard to curtail his influence.
Port Adelaide: They’ve recruited well, but it’s Jasper Pittard who has added to his light frame and could become the general off half-back for the Power if he can string games together.
Richmond: The big man Tyrone Vickery looks to have rectified his shoulder problems and is ready to help Jack Riewoldt and provide another tall marking option for the Tigers.
St Kilda: In an undermanned defence, Dylan Roberton will slip straight into the Saints’ best 22 and will complement Sam Fisher in providing some rebound out of defence.
Sydney: If Jed Lamb can find his way into the Swans’ best 22 he’ll show the AFL world why he was a first round draft pick. Capable of kicking bags of goals, he’ll add to an already potent Swans forward line.
West Coast: Scott Lycett has impressed in the pre-season and could get an early chance if Nic Natanui can’t recover in time for round one.
Western Bulldogs: With a plethora of young talent the Dogs will look to get game time into the lot of them. Tom Campbell could capitalise on their weak forward/second ruck division and make that spot his own, which Ayce Cordy has failed to do so far.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
"I am inevitable" - Thanos, Avengers: Endgame You know that scene at the end of a horror movie where everyone thinks the killer is…
Not often you see Marcus Bontempelli miss a chance like this!
Blues fans were adamant Zac Williams should have received a free kick - but Jason Dunstall and David King weren't impressed with his effort!
Blues fans certainly seemed to be copping a rough run from the umps against Geelong!
"They're not getting a lot of love from the umpires at the moment, the Blues!"
Kicked it like a backman!
