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With the VFL season upon us, I thought I'd try and rank the top 5 fringe and developing Bulldogs players playing at Williamstown, based on the 4 pre-season practice matches I've seen.
Note: I haven't included Tiller, Everitt, Welsh, Picken or Callan as they have played a lot of game time for the Bulldogs over the pre-season and this is based on Willy games.
1. Wayde Skipper. No suprise here, big Wayde's work rate has been really high across each of the 4 games I've seen him play. His work around the ground and in the ruck has been ultra impressive and he has also been amongst the goals. I'm really happy that he's trying to make every post a winner and keeping the pressure on the 2 incumbent ruckmen, Minson especially. Could easily drop his head but has decided to give it a real crack.
2. Sam Reid. For mine, he's been amongst the best in each of the four games I've seen. He does his best work in close, but also has great acceleration - he looks Judd-like at times when he's bursting away from a pack. His disposal still needs polish, especially his kicking - if he can improve that by 5-10% he'll be knocking the door down for a seniors berth. He has also moved forward at times and kicked goals - his overhead marking is quite good.
3. Guy O'Keefe. Rocket has stated publicly that Guy's workrate is suspect, but he seems a class above at VFL level. At times he has been absolutely dominant as a midfielder/small forward. His disposal is generally good, but his tackling is a weakness - he seems to crack the sads when he misses a tackle rather than have another crack. If he can improve his fitness and attitude, he might make it. The problem is who's spot does he take? At AFL level I can see him playing as a forward flanker - in this day and age you need to be able to move into the midfield and if his fitness is suspect he'll struggle. Definitely an interesting one to watch this year.
4. Jarrad Boumann. I've been very impressed with Boumann's work as a key defender. His standout game was against Sandringham where he held the veteran Sauntner to a couple of goals that no one would've prevented. He has shown good nous to know when to spoil and when to peel back and act as a link man or run it out of defence. His disposal by foot has been good too. He needs to develop physically and also has to learn when to give his teammates a chop out by leaving his man - at times he has been so focused on stopping his opponent, he hasn't gone to help out in a contest. This should improve with more and more game time. I really hope he starts in the seniors and maintains his form all year, as I think he could develop into a real player.
5. Jarrad Grant. He started the season with a bang against Essendon playing for the Dogs, his work at Williamstown has been impressive, culminating in 4 goals in last weeks game against North Ballarat. He has worked up and down the ground as a roaming CHF (although that position is now almost obsolete), showing a good work ethic, he has also taken some strong marks deep in the forward line. His 5 minute patch last week that netted him 3 goals was blistering. His field kicking has been fine and his goal kicking, something that's been questioned, as been ok - not Fev like but definitely better than what we saw against the Bombers. Similar to Boumann, he needs to develop physically, both in muscle and fitness, before he'll have a big impact, but Rocket has name checked him this week, indicating that he is on the radar. Would love for him to dominate a few games at VFL level and kick some bags.
Special mention to Jamason Daniels. JD has been great in the games I've seen him this pre-season. Blessed with a strong build, he breaks the lines and kicks long. Nice and clean hands in close, he is quick and wins his share of contested ball. Would love to see him playing Willy seniors for the whole year as it'll do his development wonders - another bargain rookie pick.
I'm sure other Willy Watchers will have differing opinions - I'd love to hear them.
Note: I haven't included Tiller, Everitt, Welsh, Picken or Callan as they have played a lot of game time for the Bulldogs over the pre-season and this is based on Willy games.
1. Wayde Skipper. No suprise here, big Wayde's work rate has been really high across each of the 4 games I've seen him play. His work around the ground and in the ruck has been ultra impressive and he has also been amongst the goals. I'm really happy that he's trying to make every post a winner and keeping the pressure on the 2 incumbent ruckmen, Minson especially. Could easily drop his head but has decided to give it a real crack.
2. Sam Reid. For mine, he's been amongst the best in each of the four games I've seen. He does his best work in close, but also has great acceleration - he looks Judd-like at times when he's bursting away from a pack. His disposal still needs polish, especially his kicking - if he can improve that by 5-10% he'll be knocking the door down for a seniors berth. He has also moved forward at times and kicked goals - his overhead marking is quite good.
3. Guy O'Keefe. Rocket has stated publicly that Guy's workrate is suspect, but he seems a class above at VFL level. At times he has been absolutely dominant as a midfielder/small forward. His disposal is generally good, but his tackling is a weakness - he seems to crack the sads when he misses a tackle rather than have another crack. If he can improve his fitness and attitude, he might make it. The problem is who's spot does he take? At AFL level I can see him playing as a forward flanker - in this day and age you need to be able to move into the midfield and if his fitness is suspect he'll struggle. Definitely an interesting one to watch this year.
4. Jarrad Boumann. I've been very impressed with Boumann's work as a key defender. His standout game was against Sandringham where he held the veteran Sauntner to a couple of goals that no one would've prevented. He has shown good nous to know when to spoil and when to peel back and act as a link man or run it out of defence. His disposal by foot has been good too. He needs to develop physically and also has to learn when to give his teammates a chop out by leaving his man - at times he has been so focused on stopping his opponent, he hasn't gone to help out in a contest. This should improve with more and more game time. I really hope he starts in the seniors and maintains his form all year, as I think he could develop into a real player.
5. Jarrad Grant. He started the season with a bang against Essendon playing for the Dogs, his work at Williamstown has been impressive, culminating in 4 goals in last weeks game against North Ballarat. He has worked up and down the ground as a roaming CHF (although that position is now almost obsolete), showing a good work ethic, he has also taken some strong marks deep in the forward line. His 5 minute patch last week that netted him 3 goals was blistering. His field kicking has been fine and his goal kicking, something that's been questioned, as been ok - not Fev like but definitely better than what we saw against the Bombers. Similar to Boumann, he needs to develop physically, both in muscle and fitness, before he'll have a big impact, but Rocket has name checked him this week, indicating that he is on the radar. Would love for him to dominate a few games at VFL level and kick some bags.
Special mention to Jamason Daniels. JD has been great in the games I've seen him this pre-season. Blessed with a strong build, he breaks the lines and kicks long. Nice and clean hands in close, he is quick and wins his share of contested ball. Would love to see him playing Willy seniors for the whole year as it'll do his development wonders - another bargain rookie pick.
I'm sure other Willy Watchers will have differing opinions - I'd love to hear them.
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