Advertiser journalist Jesper Fjeldstad rates Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s list for 2015
THE combatants of 2015 have been named, with the AFL clubs this week finalising their lists. Jesper Fjeldstad runs his expert eye over the Crows and Power, and rates the 45-man rosters.
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AND so, the combatants of 2015 have been named, with the AFL clubs this week finalising their lists. JESPER FJELDSTAD ran his expert eye over the Crows and Power, and rates the 45-man rosters
THE CATEGORIES
TOP SHELF: Players who would be expected to get a game for any club in the competition.
FIRST XVIII: Players who should be expected to become regular contributors for their clubs.
ASPIRATIONALS: Fringe players who are in a hurry to advance up the pecking order.
FUTURES: An AFL game in 2015 would be a bonus but they are expected to be regulars in the long term.
ADELAIDE
21 Rory Atkins, 184cm 80kg
((F)) - Good-sized midfielder who has been with the Crows for two seasons without breaking in. Left-footer who impressed in the SANFL but needs to take the next step this year.
18 Eddie Betts, 173cm 73kg
((TS)) - Now has his own little area of Adelaide Oval, The Eddie Betts Pocket, and he’s everything you can ask for from a small forward. Exciting, good for goals and adds defensive pressure.
16 Luke Brown, 172cm 89kg
((18)) - After 46 games, he is reaching the second phase of his career. A measure of composure when he has the ball will take him to another level.
23 Charlie Cameron, 183cm 72kg
((18)) - Fun player to watch, one with a bit of dash and daring and ready to make a senior spot his own after being upgraded from the rookie list.
13 Kyle Cheney, 186cm 90kg
((A)) Former bush footballer who is now at his third club after spending time at Melbourne and Hawthorn. Has a crack but will have to work for a regular spot.
2 Brad Crouch, 185cm 84kg
((18)) - Only injuries can stop him from joining elite company in the next couple of years, because he knows how to find the ball and dispatches it well.
44 Matt Crouch, 181cm 79kg
((A)) - Younger brother of Matt who was a rising star nominee for Round 5. Midfielder with good hands who is in a scrum of players fighting for a regular spot.
32 Patrick Dangerfield, 185cm 91kg
((TS)) - The debate over whether he stays or goes will last all season after Geelong announced his interest as he becomes a free agent. Enjoy his season as if it is his last, because he’s an impact player who is a treat to watch.
38 Harry Dear, 197cm 98kg
((F)) - The son of 1991 Norm Smith Medallist Paul has the height to be a foil for Sam Jacobs or become a regular key forward.
26 Richard Douglas, 180cm 80kg
((18)) - Former best and fairest Douglast is one of the Crows most bankable and on the cusp of being part of the elite group. Invaluable both in the midfield and in attack, where he has a bit of flair about him.
28 Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, 188cm 89kg
((F))- They’ve been talking up Ellis-Yolmen for years at West Lakes, and there is no doubt of his talent. Still a lot of players to pass for a regular spot.
38 Mitchell Grigg, 182cm 82kg
((18)) - Has shown glimpses that suggest he is closer to becoming a regular player but is still hanging out for more opportunities.
41 Kyle Hartigan, 194cm 92kg
((18)) - Upgraded on this list because of the departure of Ben Rutten, and he is seen as an ideal replacement. His marking allows for an attacking game from defence.
45 Ricky Henderson, 188cm 91kg
((18)) - Has been wracked by injury and needs to be in a hurry to establish himself. Versatile and one who looks comfortable carrying the ball.
24 Sam Jacobs, 202cm 105kg
((TS)) - Few do it better than Sam Jacobs, who by now ought to have at least a couple of all-Australian gongs. Fine ruckman who is tireless in his work around the ground.
10 Matthew Jaensch, 180cm 83kg
((18)) - One of the best kicks at West Lakes and one with a bit of enterprise and flair. Consistency will make him a first-choice player every week.
4 Josh Jenkins, 198cm 106kg
((18)) - Has been a bankable foil for Jacobs in the ruck and is an honest, hardworking forward who leaves nothing in the locker room. On his day, he can rip games apart.
17 Sam Kerridge, 188cm 86kg
((18)) - Emerging as the club’s obvious run-with player to succeed Nathan van Berlo. Elite runner who can both be accountable and drift forward for to kick goals.
39 Riley Knight, 180cm 72kg
((F)) - Midfielder-forward who is yet to play a senior game. One who should be banging on the door for at least one senior appearance this year.
29 Rory Laird, 178cm 76kg
((18)) - Honest-as-they-come player who can both shut down dangerous forwards or move into the midfield and attack. Hard-nosed player worth his salt.
6 Jake Lever, 193cm 84kg
((F)) - Depending on his progress, could quickly move through the categories. Snapped up to add steel to the backline but missed last year to injury.
30 Luke Lowden, 204cm 102kg
((A)) - In contention for the No. 2 ruck spot behind Sam Jacobs and also one who can play forward. Being a left-footer is a bonus.
27 Tom Lynch, 191cm 88kg
((A)) - Versatile and has the ability to kick a big bag of goals. A regular once he creates his own niche.
31 Jarryd Lyons, 184cm 82kg
((A)) - Has been on the fringe for a while and has impressed with stints as the club’s sub. Needs to find more of his own ball.
14 David MacKay, 181cm 79kg
((18)) - Lightning quick with nice skills, but form has been up and down. Has the potential to be an A-grader.
36 Brodie Martin, 180cm 83kg
((A)) -Need to string together some consistent form but has shown enough to earn his spot on the list.
41 Mitch McGovern, 191cm 84kg
((F)) - Mature-age recruit who can fill a forward role and has an impressive leap. Has played senior football with Claremont.
22 Andy Otten, 192cm 90kg
((F)) - Another knee reconstruction will keep Otten out for most of the year.
1 James Podsiadly, 193cm 100kg
((18)) - Has the smarts and class honed in Geelong’s premiership sides but may be managed as he is coming towards the end of his career.
3 Brent Reilly, 183cm 86kg
((18)) - Spent time in the reserves last season and is in the final year of his contract. Needs to return to his rebounding best this season.
34 Sam Shaw, 193cm 88kg
((A)) - Has had a horror run with hamstring injuries and has had more surgery to get himself ready for 2015.
20 Sam Siggins, 195cm 85kg
((F)) - Tall defender who is yet to play his first senior game.
9 Rory Sloane, 183cm 85kg
((TS)) - Tireless and fearless midfielder who runs from contest to contest and co-captained the side last year.
33 Brodie Smith, 194cm 86kg
((TS)) - Damagin player who is equally effective in the midfield and defence.
12 Daniel Talia, 195cm 95kg
((TS)) - One of the best old-fashioned backmen in the competition. Rarely beaten.
5 Scott Thompson, 184cm 87kg
((18)) - Veteran whose ability to win the ball and hardness around the packs are invaluable to the Crows.
7 Nathan Van Berlo, 184cm 84kg
((18)) - Missed the season due to a snapped Achilles tendon. Has outstanding running capacity, tags well and is a top onestep kick.
13 Taylor Walker, 192cm 100kg
((TS)) - Sparked celebrations when he signed another deal, because he is the Crows’ genuine key forward that straightens up the side.
35 Harrison Wigg, 179cm 74kg
((A)) - Defender who reads the game well and has a sense of composure about him. All-Australian in junior ranks.
11 Matthew Wright, 178cm 81kg
((18)) - Honest player who can play a range of positions.
ROOKIES
43 Reilly O’Brien, 201cm 98kg
F — Tall half-back who can ruck.
46 Keenan Ramsey, 192cm 86kg
F- Key defender
42 Anthony Wilson, 179cm 62kg
F- Quick as they come. Ex-Norwood.
47 Jake Kelly, 189cm 84kg
F — Son of Collingwood great Craig and equally fearless.
30 Jack Osborn, 205cm 107kg
F — Athletic ex-basketballer.
PORT ADELAIDE
41 Brendon Ah Chee, 188cm 88kg
((F)) - Talented midfidler with good hands who will push to play his first senior game this season.
43 Karl Amon, 182cm 71kg
((F)) - Midfielder-forward with a good left-foot kick.
— Austin Logan 194cm 86kg
((F)) - Tall defender who can also play forward.
1 Travis Boak, 183cm 85kg
((TS)) - Has had two outstanding years as captain, a role that made him better. Port’s most likely player to turn around a game.
5 Matthew Broadbent, 189cm 89kg
((18)) - Great rebounder and one with the smarts and daring to intercept opposition attacks.
11 John Butcher, 197cm 93kg
((F)) - Athletic but one whose kicking has let him down.
33 Darcy Byrne-Jones, 182cm 69kg
((F)) - Medium-sized defender who has turn of foot and runs all day.
27 Alipate Carlile, 192cm 96kg
((TS)) - A knockabout full-back who can stand the best and continues to improve.
17 Tom Clurey, 193cm 88kg
((A)) - Has stood St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt and is a key defender who is knocking on the door.
30 Sam Colquhoun, 179cm 72kg
((A)) - Slick defender-midfielder who has been set back by injuries but has spark about him.
18 Kane Cornes, 183cm 81kg
((TS)) - Four-time best and fairest who can run with the opposition’s best and find his own ball.
7 Brad Ebert, 189cm 90kg
((TS)) - Super dependent midfielder who covers every corner of the ground.
— Frampton, Billy 199cm 85kg
((F)) - Ruckman for the future.
9 Robbie Gray, 183cm 84kg
((TS)) - Outstanding midfielder-forward who had a break-out year to win All-Australian selection.
8 Hamish Hartlett, 185cm 83kg
((TS)) - Skilful midfielder who is a treat to watch after finally putting his injury woes behind him.
31 Mitchell Harvey, 196cm 96kg
((A)) - Tall forward with a good mark and a knockabout presence.
36 Jack Hombsch, 193cm 89kg
((18)) - Classy and bankable defender who highly rated around Alberton.
— Dougal Howard, 195cm 88kg
((F)) - Key forward who loves a goal and has played some senior bush football.
24 Jarman Impey, 178cm 76kg
((18)) - Watchable small player with smooth skills who is rapidly improving
42 Thomas Jonas, 188cm 89kg
((18)) - Reliable defender who doesn’t tack a backward step and has good defensive skills.
23 Matthew Lobbe, 200cm 99kg
((TS)) - Ruckman with good second and third efforts who has become one of the club’s most important players.
37 Kane Mitchell, 174cm 75kg
((18)) - Quick and enterprising player who has been upgraded after impressive as a mature rookie
6 Angus Monfries, 185cm 81kg
((18)) - Midfielder-forward with great goal sense but who has been hampered by injuries.
26 Andrew Moore, 189cm 90kg
((A)) - Finished the year well after struggling with injuries for much of last season. Good pace for a tall.
32 Jake Neade, 170cm 67kg
((18)) - Exciting little forward with all watch-this skills and also tremendous defensive efforts.
13 Cam O’Shea, 193cm 89kg
((A)) - Defender who’s had a bad run with injuries but has good endurance and versatility.
— Jesse Palmer, 188cm 81kg
((F)) - Draftee who’s expected to kick bags of goals in the SANFL as he matures into a senior player
29 Jasper Pittard, 186cm 84kg
((18)) - Defender who’s unafraid to take risks and likes to start attacks from the backline
21 Jared Polec, 188cm 85kg
((18)) - Outside midfielder with a sense of time and class
34 Jarrad Redden, 205cm 101kg
((A)) - Ruckman who has struggled with injuries but has done little wrong in previous appearances
30 Patrick Ryder, 197cm 94kg
((TS)) - The deal of the trading period: a ruckman-forward who will fill two crucial roles for the Power as they chase the 2015 premiership
28 Jay Schulz, 193cm 95kg
((TS)) - Key forward who keeps being the Power’s most prolific goal kicker and one with a beautiful kick for goal
22 Mason Shaw, 197cm 89kg
((A)) - Forward who also moves well around the ground, much in the mould of Justin Westhoff
14 Paul Stewart, 191cm 91kg
((18)) - Big and athletic and can play a range of positions.
12 Jackson Trengove, 197cm 96kg
((TS)) - Vocal and inspirational brick and mortar of the backline with who attacks as well as he defends.
39 Justin Westhoff, 199cm 96kg
((TS)) - Plays best when he has no fixed address and is difficult to match up on because of his height and agility. Also good for goals.
19 Matthew White, 180cm 84kg
((28)) - Important midfielder for his pace and creativity. Ex-Richmond.
16 Ollie Wines, 187cm 89kg
((TS)) - Standout first-round draft pick whose physicality was recognised from his first season.
20 Chad Wingard, 181cm 81kg
((TS)) - Top midfielder-forward with one of the best grabs in the competition and ice-cool in his delivery.
40 Aaron Young, 188cm 80kg
((18)) - Talented and cool player who has been on the brink and is ready to make a regular spot his own.
ROOKIE LIST
45 Daniel Flynn, 190cm 92kg
((F)) - Irish recruit whose skills are improving.
14 Nathan Krakouer, 182cm 78kg
((A)) - Returns to the fold after a good year with the Magpies. Talented and an Ideal insurance policy.
44 Tom Logan, 183cm 84kg
((A)) - Top-shelf at SANFL level, for his leadership and passion for the club.
47 Sam Russell, 181cm 75kg
((F)) - Small defender who hits the ball hard.
— Wagner, Johann
((F)) - Forward recruited from reality show and Central Districts.
46 Sam Gray, 176cm 75kg
((F)) - Small forward-midfielder for the future.
Originally published as Advertiser journalist Jesper Fjeldstad rates Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s list for 2015
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