Opinion
Here’s how Geelong, Gold Coast and the Greater Western Sydney Giants are shaping up ahead of the restart.
The five most talented players
5. Gary Ablett Jr may be past his best, but he is still an extremely capable player.
4. Tom Hawkins still has the capability to kick goals, despite arguably being past his best.
3. Mitch Duncan is a player that is naturally talented. Duncan just doesn’t get the credit that he deserves, regarding how effective he can be when performing to his optimum level.
2. Tom Stewart is a vital player for Geelong as he provides plenty of run out of defence.
1. Patrick Dangerfield is the undisputed player with the most ability at the Geelong Cats as it stands in season 2020.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Most adaptable player
Mark Blicavs is probably the most well known utility in the competition. He normally plays as a key defender, but has the capability to play on the wing and even in other roles if given the opportunity and responsibility.
Who needs to lift?
Joel Selwood needs to improve in order for Geelong to be in the reckoning when it comes to being in the conversation for a top-eight finish in season 2020.
What has to alter?
A lot, based on Geelong’s Round 1 performance in season 2020. Gary Ablett Jr needs a rest occasionally and should get less game time. The same applies for Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor. Mark Blicavs should play as a tagger and a second ruck. Rhys Stanley should be Geelong’s number one ruckman. Stanley is in Geelong’s best 22. Sam Menegola should play every game that he is fit and available for. Mitch Duncan should take over from Joel Selwood as captain, if Round 1 is any indication as Duncan leads by example.
The five most talented players
5. Hugh Greenwood was recruited for a reason. Greenwood has the capability to be a highly respected player for the Gold Coast.
4. David Swallow is fairly talented, but needs to be more consistent for his true talent to shine through.
3. Brandon Ellis is only the third most talented player in the team. Ellis usually manages to play to his optimum level.
2. Lachie Weller is a player that’s immensely talented. Weller needs to be given a good run of games to play in the midfield to show his true potential.
1. Jarrod Witts is a high quality player and his talent has been shown, despite his team being last on the AFL ladder in season 2019.
Most adaptable player
Brandon Ellis has plenty of ability. Ellis can play multiple roles, whether it be on the wing or on a halfback flank.
Who needs to lift?
Touk Miller needs to improve if Miller is to prove that he deserves to be a permanent part of the Gold Coast midfield.
What has to alter?
Touk Miller should play as a forward pocket and tag the opposition’s most dangerous running defender. Everything else has to change as well based on the Gold Coast Suns’ Round 1 decapitation at the hands of Port Adelaide. Anthony Miles should be a permanent part of the Gold Coast best 22.
The five most talented players
5. Nick Haynes is a mid-sized defender that has a lot of ability as he was one of two Greater Western Sydney Giants named in the season 2019 AFL All Australian squad of 40.
4. Toby Greene has a gift when it comes to kicking goals as he showed in Round 1 of season 2020 when he kicked four goals.
3. Lachie Whitfield is extremely talented and he has the capacity to be regarded as an elite player of the competition if he plays to his potential in season 2020.
2. Jeremy Cameron has the capability to win the Coleman Medal in season 2020, as Cameron did in season 2019. He is a player that is naturally gifted as a key forward.
1. Josh Kelly is one of the most talented footballers in the competition. Kelly is a player that may not get the recognition of his teammates.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Honourable mention
Tim Taranto won the Greater Western Sydney 2019 best and fairest so he deserves an honourable mention as far as picking the top five most talented players on the Giants’ list is concerned. Hopefully, Taranto will be back from injury soon.
Most adaptable player
Lachie Whitfield has the capability to play on the halfback flank or on the wing.
Who needs to lift?
Heath Shaw needs to prove that he still belongs at AFL level. Shaw is no doubt nearing the end of his career, but he needs to substantiate why he is in the Greater Western Sydney best 22.
What has to alter?
Based on their 2019 AFL grand final performance, Greater Western Sydney were very disappointing. However, in Round 1 they were outstanding, which makes any prospective alterations difficult to implement. Having said that, Josh Kelly should be captain as his character warrants it, or at the very least a co-captain. Greater Western Sydney must use being obliterated in last year’s grand final as motivation. Sam Jacobs showed that he should own the number one ruck position for season 2020 if his Round 1 display is any indication.
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