Our most improved player from last year?

[GVGjr]

So many players have taken a giant leap forward this year compared to their 2014 form so I'd thought it would be interesting to hear which players have improved the most in the last 12 months.

Lets put our thoughts forward in a 3, 2 and 1 vote.

I think there is about 8 genuine candidates.

[bornadog]

We had a thread for this question:

http://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?14807-Most-Improved-Player-2015&highlight=most+improved

[Hotdog60]

Here goes:

3: Dahlhaus, Luke
With Luke moving more into the midfield and averaging 25 disposals a game has given a lot of drive around the ball he only needs to polish off his goal kicking. This year he put 100% effort on the field.

2: Picken, Liam
Given a new role under a new coach has seen Liam take his game to another level. Not so much the negating player but a ball magnet with much improved disposal skills. Averaging 23 disposal a game Liam is having his best season at the Bulldogs.

1: Wallis, Mitch
Mitch has possibly been hiding under Libba's shadow since coming to the club, but with the unfortunate knee to Libba Mitch has stepped up and has blossomed as the seasons rolled on. Mitch is the current highest contested passion winner and centre clearance player at the club.

[GVGjr]

We had a thread for this question:

http://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?14807-Most-Improved-Player-2015&highlight=most+improved

Lets put it in a 3, 2 and 1 format.

[LostDoggy]

3. Easton Wood.
2. Mitch Wallis.
1. Lachie Hunter.

[LostDoggy]

3.Easton Wood
2.Wally
1.JJ

[bulldogtragic]

3. Grant
2. Grant
1. Grant

[Rocket Science]

3/ Wallis
2/ Wood
1/ Picken

Honourable mention: Hunter. His metamorphosis over the past 8 weeks has been astonishing.

[Ghost Dog]

3/ Wallis
2/ Wood
1/ Picken

Honourable mention: Hunter. His metamorphosis over the past 8 weeks has been astonishing.

3/ Matty Boyd. I mean, he had a news article written about him. His accuracy and reading of the play have been incredible. Taking hangers over Harry O'Lamumba hahahahaha ( evil laugh)

2/ Picken. Taking marks, getting 30+ possessions a game. I think people are just used to having him in the team and forgetting how good he has become. He's always been a good tagger, but was tried before in other roles and really wasn't that good.

1/ Jake Stringer - He has improved his kicking, decision making, is stronger and faster. When it is kicked high in the square I have certainty he can bring it down. At the foot of a pack, he is waiting, so clever, ready to pounce. People weren't putting together highlight reels on youtube of him last season. He was missing easy goals and wasn't nearly as good.

Easton Wood, maybe he has always been that good, but was never freed up? Apologies to Easton however.
Hunter, would like to see him string 5-6 games together as he has.
MacRae, kicking is better, much better.

[boydogs]

3. Wood
2. Wallis
1. Hunter

Done over the balance of the season. Hunter would be #1 if it was current form

[Greystache]

3. Wallis
2. Wood
1. Stringer

[Doc26]

Now to then

3. Wallis
2. Hunter
1. Wood

[Ozza]

3. Mitch Wallis - will prob win the B&F. Has gone from striving to be a best 22 player - to one of the first picked.
2. Easton Wood - showed signs last season, but was still making his way in the game...but this year will be All Australian.
1. Lachie Punter - has gone from flighty forward flanker, to a ball magnet.

[chef]

Mitch Wallis
Easton Wood
Lauchie Hunter

For mine.

Wally is showing great leadership and should be nailed on as our next captain.

Wood is now one of the best defenders in the league.

Who would have seen this coming from Lauchie, such a ball magnet and is going to end up an elite player IMO.

[F'scary]

3. Hunter - I had no inkling that he was going to do what he has done. Thought he was just a fringe forward.
2. Dahlhaus - there were signs last year when he started doing midfield rotations but, again, I have been stunned by his transformation into a gun on-baller and he is still kicking a few too.
1. Biggs - I was hopeful that we had picked up an undervalued player for pretty much nix but I never thought he was going to play like he has, to the extent that he is now pretty much an automatic first 22 choice.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

3. Wood
2. Wallis
1. Picken

The common thread for mine between all three is that I had no expectation that these guys could or would elevate themselves to elite, which is exactly what their performances this year say they are.

[boydogs]

Lachie Punter

:D:D

[angelopetraglia]

3. Wood - showed glimpses, but has done it consistently well this year, best intercept mark in the AFL
2. Wallis - a new man under the freedom given to him from Bevo
1. Hunter - wasn't too sure about him, but the last few weeks hew has been enormous

[azabob]

3. Mitch Wallis
2. Luke Dahlhaus
1. Easton Wood

[BulldogBelle]

It is hard to pick when there has been so much improvement in the team.

3. Wallis
2. Wood
1. Hunter

[Go_Dogs]

3. Dahlhaus - now a genuinely good midfielder
2. Wood - now a consistently good defender who intercepts and creates
1. Wallis - now a consistent inside beast who takes big marks and kicks clutch goals

[Go_Dogs]

I almost squeezed Bont in, too. Despite having a few quiet weeks his second year has been massive overall. Not many players are as important and impact games the way he does. He had such a great first year and a lot of hype behind him which has meant his improvement this year has either gone under the radar or simply been expected and therefore not gushed over as much as some of our less certain players having breakout years.

[Torpedo]

Tory Dickson - 44 goals from a flanker. A lot of people didn't think he was first 22 even early in this season.

[Go_Dogs]

Tory Dickson - 44 goals from a flanker. A lot of people didn't think he was first 22 even early in this season.

Good call, he's had a great year.

[F'scary]

Tory Dickson - 44 goals from a flanker. A lot of people didn't think he was first 22 even early in this season.

Yeah, I missed him in my 3. But I like your thinking and think it is along the lines I was thinking with Hunter, Dahlhaus and Biggs. The most improved are the ones who have really done the unexpected. With players like Matt Boyd and Wallis, for example, for mine, they had already shown their credentials. With guys like Dickson, Hunter and Biggs they have gone to the first rank from being players that many of us thought would only manage a game or two at best, not being able to hold a spot in the side or being able to force their way in. Bevo's selection policy has certainly helped to uncover the hidden gems.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I'd like to put Koby Stevens in too he really improved this year

[Torpedo]

Tory is seriously under recognised. Has only played 55 games in total. He is currently sitting 12th on goal kicking list for 2015 and is one goal behind Luke Bruest who gets gushed over as a champion. He has shown great durability in 2015 with 21 outings after only 4 games last year Tory is also slightly more accurate than Breust. Like a lot of dogs players, he would get more plaudits if he played for one of the bigger clubs.
2 goals a game from a flanker over an entire season and slightly less than 2 per game over his career at this stage is just a fantastic result.

[Twodogs]

3 Wallis
2 Wood
1 Dalhaus.

Spoiled for choice though. I could have easily gone Stringer, Hunter, Picken or M. Boyd, Biggs, Dickson or Roberts..

[F'scary]

Tory is seriously under recognised. Has only played 55 games in total. He is currently sitting 12th on goal kicking list for 2015 and is one goal behind Luke Bruest who gets gushed over as a champion. He has shown great durability in 2015 with 21 outings after only 4 games last year Tory is also slightly more accurate than Breust. Like a lot of dogs players, he would get more plaudits if he played for one of the bigger clubs.
2 goals a game from a flanker over an entire season and slightly less than 2 per game over his career at this stage is just a fantastic result.

and he is not just a goal sneak.

[Bulldog Revolution]

3. Wood
2. Wallis
1. Hunter

[KT31]

3. Wood
2. Wallis
1. Dickson

Hunter has had a brilliant few weeks but these blokes have led from the front all season.

[Bulldog4life]

A very difficult decision. There are arguments for many players but looking at the season as a whole:

1. Wood
2. Picken
3. Wallis

[LostDoggy]

3. Wood
2. Wallis
1. Picken

[LostDoggy]

Stringer has really gone up a level.

[Torpedo]

Think Tory provided the definitive answer! The Iceman.

[Ozza]

Think Tory provided the definitive answer! The Iceman.

Finished with 50.12 for the year. (98.32 now for his career).
Fantastic return

[Bulldog4life]

Finished with 50.12 for the year. (98.32 now for his career).
Fantastic return

Yes 5 kicks 5 goals If only.........

[bornadog]

Finished with 50.12 for the year. (98.32 now for his career).
Fantastic return

Stringer and Dickson 106 goals. Plus add Crameri with 32 goals from 18 games.

[SlimPickens]

Stringer and Dickson 106 goals. Plus add Crameri with 32 goals from 18 games.

Plus Boyd/Redpath combining for 35 for the year. Plenty of fire power up forward.

[LostDoggy]

And that's with a limited Crameri preseason, Stringer a 30 game player at the start of the year and Boyd a 200 cm,100 kg teenager.

What could next year bring?

[w3design]

3.Wallis. Seemed to be playing in Toms shadow last year. Rose to the occasion this year and took his opportunities.
2.Wood. Played with confidence and prepared to back himself.
1.Hunter. Put betting controversy behind him and proved he can really play.

[merantau]

1. Wallis - has really done some heavy lifting this year. Seriously courageous he goes hard from first bounce to final siren. Kicking has improved, over head marking has improved and his ability to win the hard ball is elite.
2. Picken. Kicking much better, he's now hitting targets. Has become a strong overhead mark and his tackling is elite. He van run all day.
3. Hunter - a ball magnet. He's grabbed his opportunity and ran with it. Has been consistently excellent since his return to the team.
Many players have improved this year. The task now is to work hard and improve further.

[Mantis]

It's a tough field, but here goes:

3/ Dahlhaus - Went from a bit part mid to a 1st choicer this season.. Brings a high level intensity every week.

2/ Wood - His first half of the season was good as you will see from a HBF, his form tapered off a little in the 2nd half of the season, but still an outstanding year.

1/ Wallis - There had to be serious question marks over his ability to play as a ball winning mid, but he answered the challenge and then some... Will only benefit when he gets Libba back next year.

[Ozza]

It's a tough field, but here goes:

3/ Dahlhaus - Went from a bit part mid to a 1st choicer this season.. Brings a high level intensity every week.

2/ Wood - His first half of the season was good as you will see from a HBF, his form tapered off a little in the 2nd half of the season, but still an outstanding year.

1/ Wallis - There had to be serious question marks over his ability to play as a ball winning mid, but he answered the challenge and then some... Will only benefit when he gets Libba back next year.

Centre square with Bont, Libba, Wallis & (say) Stefan Martin - would be handy next season. With Dahlhaus, Stevens & Macrae some of the next choice to go inside throughout games. If they can gel together - its a mighty clearance team.