Dark horses for 2013

[Dry Rot]

There's been a lot of attention on forums on players such as Jones, Vez, Grant, and perhaps even Wood and their prospects for 2013. Fair enough, they've been in system a while now.

But what about these guys? Could there be some pleasant surprises for us in 2013 among them?

- Roberts

- Tutt

- Howard

- Pearce

- JJ

- Young

EDIT: Let's include these two too

- Stevens

- Lower

2nd EDIT: Due to popular demand

- Talia

3rd EDIT: good suggestion by Pedro Sanchez

- Goodes

[GVGjr]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

I have a hunch that Stevens will impress us along with the continual development of Johannisen
I'm not sure if Steven is the definition of the dark horse but he's a player that fell a bit short at West Coast but might have found a good home with us.

Good thread DR, I'll be interested to read everyone's views.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

I have a hunch that Stevens will impress us along with the continual development of Johannisen
I'm not sure if Steven is the definition of the dark horse but he's a player that fell a bit short at West Coast but might have found a good home with us.

Good thread DR, I'll be interested to read everyone's views.

Yes, I thought of including both Stevens and Lower and I probably should have, as neither had a stellar season last year and both have both a point to prove and arguably a question mark over them at AFL level.

[The Underdog]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

I think we'll be surprised how much football Pearce plays this year. While the addition of Lower probably adds competition in the back half I think Pearce will get some solid games in defence.
I also think JJ could be something special. His couple of senior games last year added something to the team that was sorely missing, pace and skill coming from the back half.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

JJ is my predicted bolter to really emerge as an exciting player in 2013. He covers the ground really well, has great speed and agility but more importantly knows when to use these attributes to his advantage, and uses the footy well.

Might be a bit early for the likes of Pearce and Roberts, who do have plenty to work with and showed some good glimpses last season, but will still be pretty raw. Both could be important in 2 years time though.

I expect that Stevens and Lower will add quite a bit, without being players who significantly impact the result of matches (if that makes sense).

I am still concerned about Howard and even more so in regards to Tutt.

[The Underdog]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Anyone else with a JJ man crush?

[GVGjr]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Anyone else with a JJ man crush?

Hey, I sponsored him first

[always right]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

I can see Talia coming on quicker than many may have thought. Strikes me as a real competitor.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Personally I'm looking forward to Stevens and especially Lower. Can't wait to see what they can add to the team.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Great post DR, quite a bit to look forward to with a lot of the names mentioned. Lower, Stevens and JJ should all be looking forward to big years. I'm not sold on Young yet but don't really know enough about him and like most, have a few concerns for Howard and Tutt, massive year for both of those guys who really need to start becoming consistent senior performers or else they are at risk of being moved on at years end.

I'm quite excited about Roberts too based on what he did in his brief showing last year. He's going to take another year or two to really develop his body, but I think we can expect him to get a few more games this year and hopefully just have a full year of development with no injuries.

Clay Smith must be the guy I'm most excited about right at this moment. (Not really a dark horse though)

[Dry Rot]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Personally I'm looking forward to Stevens and especially Lower. Can't wait to see what they can add to the team.

From what I've seen, Lower might add some biff.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Great post DR, quite a bit to look forward to with a lot of the names mentioned. Lower, Stevens and JJ should all be looking forward to big years. I'm not sold on Young yet but don't really know enough about him and like most, have a few concerns for Howard and Tutt, massive year for both of those guys who really need to start becoming consistent senior performers or else they are at risk of being moved on at years end.

I'm quite excited about Roberts too based on what he did in his brief showing last year. He's going to take another year or two to really develop his body, but I think we can expect him to get a few more games this year and hopefully just have a full year of development with no injuries.

Clay Smith must be the guy I'm most excited about right at this moment. (Not really a dark horse though)

Thanks.

For me, Roberts is the really interesting one from the first bracket. I'm far from sold on Cordy and Jones, so I'd like to see what he can do up forward. IIRC, I read somewhere that he really stood up in the VFL finals as a forward?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Yep . Wouldn't it be great to have a feared midfield pack like we used to. Here's hoping!

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Nice thread. Impressed by Roberts' poise. I think he'll do well, along with JJ, who has a bit of Harbow about him.
Lower has nothing to lose. Stevens is a quality player. No surprises if either does well.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Dark horses for 2013

Thanks.

For me, Roberts is the really interesting one from the first bracket. I'm far from sold on Cordy and Jones, so I'd like to see what he can do up forward. IIRC, I read somewhere that he really stood up in the VFL finals as a forward?

That's right, and also as a forward in the TAC Cup too.

Definitely agree with your assessment that if Jones and Cordy don't come on I think the focus will move to Roberts to become that key forward for us. Think he'll play forward in the VFL this year because we have a number of back men who look capable, with Markovic, Talia and Austin all likely to play down there. Hope it happens, but I'm not putting too much expectation on him as far as senior performance this year as he continue to grow into his body.