Big improvers in 2014

[Greystache]

With so many promising young players on the list who do you expect to be the 3 biggest improvers this season? For me last year it was Roughead and Libba

This year I'm predicting

Stringer

Showed signs of what he can do at AFL level in a few games last season coming off a limited preseason. He also totally dominated a couple of VFL games. Word coming out of the club is he's lost weight, has improved his fitness quite a bit, and has looked excellent in the match simulation drills. I'm expecting him to play around 15 games, kick 20-30 goals, and establish himself as a regular senior player.

Hunter

The real bolter from last season. Hunter started the season in Williamstown's 2nds and by the end of the year was a regular in the Bulldogs team. He has looked a class player on all occasions combining elite smarts with incredible vision. He has finished in the top few players in all the fitness tests in the latter part of the preseason and looks ready to take a big step in 2014. I expect to see him pushing through the midfield quite a bit which should provide fans with a few "how did he do that" moments.

Campbell

Showed some tantalising signs in the backend of last season as the 2nd ruck/forward where his ability to impact a contest and influence it in our favour was a big reason for our late season improvement. His fitness and athleticism seemed to improve dramatically during the course of the season and if that trends continues he could be in for a huge year. He is a good mark, nice kick for goal, and showed real aggression when attacking the contest, which when combined with his enormous size and smarts, he could be a real handful for some of the AFL's defenders.

[Go_Dogs]

For mine, I'm really looking forward to seeing:-

Johannisen

Had a good year last year, but is ready to take another step up and become a very good running defender. I'd love to see him get some midfield opportunities too as I think his pace and kicking skill moving the ball into the forward half would add a bit to our mix.

Young

Thought he had a good year last year too, but it seems his fitness has really improved a lot over the course of the pre-season. He's composed, he's versatile and can become a consistent, no fuss defender for us. I'm expecting him to really find his feet at AFL level this year.

Stevens

I'm not sure if Koby played through some injuries last year, because his speed seemed to decrease a bit over the course of the season. I think he can become a pretty handy AFL player as he goes hard and whilst he has some areas he needs to continue to work on, including his disposal, I think he's going to be an important part of our midfield rotations this year. I'm hopeful he's a big improver.

[bulldogtragic]

Wish List:

Tutty: it's make or break. He can run, no doubts about that, but putting it all together at AFL level has evaded him to date. If he can take it to the next level, we will be a better side.

Ayce: I think it's time to ruck him off. Playing a game with no marks and no kicks against GWS is a seriously bad thing to have on your resume. Minson needs a back up if Campbell continues develop as a forward, so let's see what he can do!

Foster: had a shocking year with injury. Played a cracker game, albeit against the QLD team, but then had a shocking foot injury. Came back again showed glimpses with a great semi final in the TAC Cup. Playing under the tutorlidge of Maple and Jones, let's see how he goes. I'm pretty excited to see him running around in the VFL if it's been decided the Calder door is shut.


Actual:

Macrae: with his growth spurt he's starting to get the frame to play both inside and outside. The calls of the next Pendulbury, or next anything for that matter, I take with a grain of salt, but I can see why he has attracted them. If he can two thirds of the year, at a minimum, then I'm very happy with that.

Hunter: like Libba before him, a father/son that slipped in the eyes of the industry recruiters, and boy are we lucky that they did. He is a natural footballer as I've seen, footballer first, athlete second. We can, and most likely have made him fitter. There is a lot of competition for the midfield so I expect him to play more forward than midfield, but good exposure to the midfield will continue to develop our options. I'm expecting a good highlight reel at his review at seasons end.

Crameri: I'm excited by how he develops our forward line next year, and more excited to see what he can do as a massive midfielder. Walked in the door, committed to bleeding red, white and blue and then showed the boys how fit you need to be to compete with a player as dedicated to the craft as he is. Watch this space.

[GVGjr]

I'm really aiming high here:

Roughead
The experiment of moving Roughy to the back line that I constantly questioned has been a huge success and the experiences he has gained should set him up for further improvement.
2014 might be the last year with the ever reliable Morris anchoring some of the big defensive assignments so it's now on Roughead to answer the challenge.

Liberatore
He had a terrific year in 2013 but I feel he has another two levels he can attain. 2014 will be the next step for him. I think he is going to be the biggest improver for us this season.

Jones
He has been disappointing because he hasn't reached his potential but with a reinvigorated forward line that would normally push someone like Jones out of the mix I fully expect him to start the climb of reaching his potential. If he holds his marks he is going to be a handful for opposition sides.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Hrovat:
Somewhat forgotten, given Stringer's hype and Macrae/Hunter's impressive first season. Hrovat suffered 3 quad injuries from memory, all at awkward times of the year. I believe one was late in the pre-season, one mid season and I can't think of when the other was but it certainly held him back from showcasing how good he could be. Strikes me as the ultra consistent Sam Mitchell type player and given his physical attributes I see him having a strong season, despite it only being his second year. Has leadership already too.

JJ
Griff highlighted it well, not much more to add. I'm a big fan, have been from the start. His injury was unlucky and came at a bad time as he missed our late run of good form. Up to that point I felt he was one of the few shining lights with his ball use, pace and decision making. Still needs to work on his defensive craft if he's going to man the real top shelf quality small forwards, but he's exciting, and like Griff I think he can push up into the midfield at times too.

Campbell
I've watched him closely at training and he's impressive in most facets of the game. I love his competitiveness on the ground and in the air - he has aggression and isn't easy to move out of the way. He actually reads the flight of the ball well, better than our other bigs (Crameri excluded) and he's a neat kick. He is in absolutely ripping physical condition, I'm extremely confident and upbeat about his 2014 prospects.

[bornadog]

The player that will take the next step will be Mcrae. The kid is now putting on some strength and has grown to 190cm. He will cement himself in our best 22.

[Maddog37]

In my mind he already had.

[Dazza]

Wallis - I am hoping he won't be dropped all year. He really started to shine in a defensive role last year. . I am hoping he will be firmly entrenched in the best 22 all year.

Campbell - As with Wallis I hope he can play all 22 games. Is rock solid in a marking contest and is very hard to stop from at the very least bringing the ball to the ground front and centre.

Hrovat - I have a feeling he will be too talented to leave out of the side next year. Shows great poise with ball in hand.

[bornadog]

Bulldog Liberatore to add outside polishWESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Tom Liberatore is set to add more outside polish to his brilliant inside game after a pre-season that has been lauded at Whitten Oval.
Liberatore led the AFL for clearances in 2013 and ranked No.2 for contested possessions, but it could be his outside game that receives a boost this season after a summer of running gains.
The 21-year-old said his pre-season load had been lifted significantly compared to last year. However, he wasn't feeling any pressure to step up and match the game's elite onballers.
"It's been made pretty clear that the coach expects nothing less but nothing more than the same level [as last season]," Liberatore said on Monday.
"It's more [about] consolidation and establishing another year of consistency.
"I've still got to be making improvements to my game and trying to be a stronger leader as well.
"I don't really want to force anything, I just keep it as natural as possible."
While Liberatore was understated about his own pre-season, Daniel Giansiracusa said the midfielder had become a player his teammates looked to at training for direction.
"He had a fantastic year last year, but he's come back in great nick and he's stepped up as a leader and really led the way," Giansiracusa said.
"I think he's probably going to take another step forward with his footy and hopefully a lot of guys can follow him and do the same."
Having laid the foundations for a strong contested game style under coach Brendan McCartney, Liberatore said the Bulldogs needed to be a stronger defensive team in 2014.
He said playing finals this year was something the players thought about, despite winning just 13 games across the last two seasons.
"We have stronger expectations of ourselves internally and that's a confidence thing," he said.
"If we want to improve we've got to believe in ourselves, so we definitely do internally.
"You're only as good as your 22nd player so [improvement] has got to be a whole team thing."
Liberatore, Giansiracusa, Will Minson and Jake Stringer launched the Bulldogs' annual 'West Community Blitz' in Footscray on Monday, handing out free tickets to the club's first home game, against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in round two.

Link: http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2014-02-10/liberatore-to-add-polish

[Ghost Dog]

well, this is a good point - we are only as good as the 22nd player. Who is our 22nd player at the moment?

[ledge]

I hope it's liberatore as our 22nd player :-)