The 2011 Bolter - who will it be?

[Mofra]

Every year there is a player who bolts out of the blue, defying expectation and becomes an integral part of the team.

In 2010, Grant went from "the kid who may make it" to "super-freak who is arguably our no 2 forward", seemingly from nowhere.

Special mention to Easton Wood who forced his way into the team and is certainly best 22 material.

So who does the Woof community think is the player to do it in 2011? Will a Wallis or Libba exceed expectations by playing the bulk of the year? Will DFA carry over his finals form into a best 22 contention? Will Sam Reid put his 2010 behind him and become a vital cog in the midfield?

[Throughandthrough]

Christian Howard and his amazing kicking skill!

[LostDoggy]

I don't know if Jones qualifies as a 'bolter' as he has already played a few games this year, but I'll be very surprised if he's not a entrenched part of our 22 by the end of next year.

Ditto Roughead to a lesser degree, and I would be very happy if Cordy and Howard play a few games.

For a surprise factor, one of the two new boys may well become cult figures with their speed, especially Djerk (or alternatively become the new whipping boys if their disposal and hardness come into question...).

[LostDoggy]

Liam Jones has the most upside on our list IMO ...but i would really love a big FULL year from Higgins!!

[LostDoggy]

Josh Hill will have a good hard look at himself, put in the effort and live up to his potential.

[LostDoggy]

Christian Howard and his amazing kicking skill!

I would have agreed with this if we hadn't gone hard at the draft for small quick players.

Still think he may sneak in for a couple of games. Has a great peg on him imo.

You'd think that Jones would be the 'bolter' in terms of establishing himself in the team.

Another is Roughy. Depending on how Will gets through pre season and the early rounds we may see Roughy cement a place alongside Huddo, esp. with the new interchange rules as Roughy appears more mobile and has better agility than Minson from what i've seen.

[Throughandthrough]

agreed with the above, love to see Jones and Roughy have breakout years. And would love even more if Josh Hill proves to me that he does have it in him. He is as talented as anyone at the club. But sadly i doubt he will make it.

[chef]

Jason Tutt, he will grab Eago's vacant wing.

[LostDoggy]

I vote to no.1 with a bullet Andrew "Hoops" Hooper. This is my bandwagon and it starts now. He's giving fat kids hope to play AFL.

[Greystache]

Everitt... Oh wait, that was the tip for the past 3 years. :rolleyes:

Jones for me, I think he can step up and play the bulk of the season and make a significant contribution to our forward line.

[Grantysghost]

Sam Reid if he gets his shoulders right

[Doc26]

Jason Tutt, he will grab Eago's vacant wing.

I like that call Chef although he's still coming from a way back. I'm also hoping Vezpremi will lift and play a part.

[Jasper]

Sam Reid if he gets his shoulders right

I second that motion.
We need his hardness and tackling to lead the way with Picken & Ward

[Daughter of the West]

DFA - his 2010 finals were the first taste of what's to come in 2011. His time to stand up, I reckon.

[Desipura]

After a solid preseason, I expect a big brute of a man to appear at centre half forward for the majority of the year. With his stronger physique, I expect his confidence will grow. As we know his name is Liam Jones.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Aside from Jones, I think Howard may play a few games. Similar to what Wood was able to achieve this season.

I like Reid, but can't see how he will displace Boyd/Cross/Ward/Picken.

[Ghost Dog]

Grant. A breakout year for him this year. Showed the confidence and poise of a veteran up front for us this year. Cool head and a fast pair of legs, can kick a great snap. Had a ball watching him this season.

[Scorlibo]

I think Ayce Cordy will step up if he gets his body right.

[ledge]

I will say Hooper, just because a bolter is someone we dont necessarly expect.
Wallis, Liberatore and Roughead have expectations.

[bulldogsman]

So far all my predictions have been fails. Ok here goes, I predict Pat Veszpremi will come good and become a cult hero.

[comrade]

Aside from Jones, I think Howard may play a few games. Similar to what Wood was able to achieve this season.

I like Reid, but can't see how he will displace Boyd/Cross/Ward/Picken.

I'd love to see Howard improve his fitness to a level where he could play some decent senior game time. His leg cannon has got me excited.

[boydogs]

Mitch Wallis will come in and make an impact from day 1
Less expected I will go with Hooper
Wouldn't be surprised if Sherman makes the AA squad either

[Dry Rot]

Another take on this thread is who (as a bolter) needs to take the next step so that we as a team can get past a ****ing PF and get into a GF and have a crack at a flag?

[lemmon]

Josh Hill to be moved back to a wing and become the force he has the potential to be.

[1eyedog]

Sherman will become the consistent player that we want and win a Brownlow with this club.

[LongWait]

Vezpremi will be the surprise packet I believe. Ward to become an elite midfielder as well.

[cnmin2]

I,m with Lemmon,hopefully Josh will be played on a wing and live up to his potential

[bornadog]

Vezpremi will be the surprise packet I believe. Ward to become an elite midfielder as well.

Agree, Ward to have a sensational year. This kid is all guts and determination and can kick a ball (when not injured).

[Cyberdoggie]

Sam Reid if he gets his shoulders right

I have been keen on Sam for a while, but doing both shoulders bothers me. He's got a long way to go to get fit after missing out on last years pre-season as well, and the 1 game he did play he looked a little over weight.

Hopefully he really focusses and works hard leading up to next year because he is a player that could have an impact if his body holds up.

[Mitcha]

I have been keen on Sam for a while, but doing both shoulders bothers me. He's got a long way to go to get fit after missing out on last years pre-season as well, and the 1 game he did play he looked a little over weight.

Hopefully he really focusses and works hard leading up to next year because he is a player that could have an impact if his body holds up.
Sam's weight issues were caused in part by his battle with Diabetes. Here's hoping the boy gets a better run at things in 2011.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Jason Tutt for me he will come from so far back and cement Harbrows spot allowing Sherman to play midfield.

Bring on 2011,

[Mantis]

Jason Tutt for me he will come from so far back and cement Harbrows spot allowing Sherman to play midfield.

Bring on 2011,

Sherman was never going to fill Harbrow's role.... Sherman will play forward of centre/ wing, Harbrow primarily played in a BP.

From what I saw this year it would be a minor miracle if Tutt received a game next year on merit.

[EasternWest]

Sherman was never going to fill Harbrow's role.... Sherman will play forward of centre/ wing, Harbrow primarily played in a BP.

From what I saw this year it would be a minor miracle if Tutt received a game next year on merit.

Like Jarrad Grant last year?

[Mantis]

Like Jarrad Grant last year?

Grant had at least been in the system for a few more years and had shown signs that he was a capable player via some cameo's in the Willi 1's. He just needed to improve his fitness, which he did and to get his confidence going.

Tutt hasn't yet shown the ability to play at Willi senior level and I think it would be an excellent result if he could play consistent footy at this level with an eye on pushing for selection in the WB team in 2012.

[Sedat]

For no reason other than nobody else has mentioned him, I'll go with Ayce. Already been in the system 2 years, body filling out and starting to get ready for the constant rigours of AFL football, very talented. If J Grant can go from Williamstown Reserves to senior AFL virtually in the space of one strong pre-season, Ayce probably can as well.

[Doc26]

Tutt hasn't yet shown the ability to play at Willi senior level and I think it would be an excellent result if he could play consistent footy at this level with an eye on pushing for selection in the WB team in 2012.

I don't disagree with this view and he is coming from a fair way back. With that said, like positions will be up for grabs with the list turnover and a question mark on Gilbee and on Harbrow's replacement and even on our new small brigade. His speed and carry does work with the ever increasing pace and shape of the game. More than many of our less accomplished players on the list, I will be very interested to see how Jason develops over the next 12 months. Hopefully we end up with a player and not another discard. Although I do suspect Jason will spend most of his time at Williamstown I wont be too surprised if he is given a senior opportunity at some stage and from there ........ ?

[Mantis]

I don't disagree with this view and he is coming from a fair way back. With that said, like positions will be up for grabs with the list turnover and a question mark on Gilbee and on Harbrow's replacement and even on our new small brigade. His speed and carry does work with the ever increasing pace and shape of the game. More than many of our less accomplished players on the list, I will be very interested to see how Jason develops over the next 12 months. Hopefully we end up with a player and not another discard. Although I do suspect Jason will spend most of his time at Williamstown I wont be too surprised if he is given a senior opportunity at some stage and from there ........ ?

Agree that we could perhaps be a little thin in defence if the likes of Gilbee, Hargrave or perhaps Wood don't have good years/ cop injuries, but would suspect that Howard would be next in line for one of these roles if we were to go down this path based on 2010 form..... Tutt would probably be a fair way back and I would think we may shift others around still before we looked at Tutt.

Having given up a 2nd rd pick in a draft that has already uncovered some likely prospects soon after (see Freo boys & Stratton) we would hope that Jason can show some good improvement to give us confidence that we haven't wasted this pick.

[LostDoggy]

I vote to no.1 with a bullet Andrew "Hoops" Hooper. This is my bandwagon and it starts now. He's giving fat kids hope to play AFL.

That wagontrain hitched up and pulled out the night Sydney realised that they had just lost a final from 5 goals up. ;) IMO. Had his number in the hair, tracked down his family (know them from down Burbank) and crongratulated them on their son's baptism into the AFL and goal in 1st half.

Hoops! There he is!

[LostDoggy]

Besides the obvious players who were injured this year I believe Panos will be a bolter. I expect him to play mostly senior VFL and debut for the dogs next year. Will kick some big bags for Willi.

[NoName]

For no reason other than nobody else has mentioned him, I'll go with Ayce. Already been in the system 2 years, body filling out and starting to get ready for the constant rigours of AFL football, very talented. If J Grant can go from Williamstown Reserves to senior AFL virtually in the space of one strong pre-season, Ayce probably can as well.

Agree, I also think that next year is the year that Cal Ward steps up to another level.

[LostDoggy]

Josh Hill to be moved back to a wing and become the force he has the potential to be.

Me thinks JH just needs to grow a pair :mad:

[always right]

Forget the bolters.....just imagine if Ward, Higgins and Reid had injury free years and realised their potential. We'd see a 10%+ improvement in the team straight away.

[LostDoggy]

I vote to no.1 with a bullet Andrew "Hoops" Hooper. This is my bandwagon and it starts now. He's giving fat kids hope to play AFL.


Hell yes, the 4X4 ( 4 feet by 4 feet ) is one worth watching, but I,m going bring something in from left field, Andrew Hooper - Midfielder , he has the speed, agility and strength to be a future " hard ball specialist " , think along the lines of a Midfield version of Brad hardie

I can just hear Dennis Cometti " Well , that was something special from SooperDooperHooper "

.