Took some big steps forward particularly the way he competed in big games. His ball use is terrific. He's had some difficulty getting into the gym in recent years because of his arm injury, but if he's able to improve his weight and strength we see him working his way through that backend, particularly with his ball use off half-back.
Nathan Bock (Gold Coast)
It's disappointing to lose a player when you've worked with him so long and in Nathan's case having come off the rookie list, but what it does is allow us to use Phil Davis in that role because he was exceptional during that period when Bocky was out.
Brett Burton (retired)
It was a disappointing way for him to finish. It was a real credit to him the way he was able to get himself back through pre-season to the point where he could compete at the level he wanted to. It was just a real shame he couldn't get over that final injury hurdle. If anyone could have come back from it he would have been the one because his attention to detail was just great and it's a fantastic legacy he's left for the club.
Myke Cook
He played nine games this season. He needs to perform through pre-season like he did last year because he's at a point where he needs to secure a regular game. For the second year in a row he probably just fell away in the last half of the year, so he's got to make sure his focus is clearly on his footy.
James Craig
He's almost like a drafted player for us again because he missed so much footy with his hamstring this year, but he'll be better for the experience knowing what he's in for during the pre-season. With the three interchange and one substitute rule change players like Craigy really come into their own. It's going to be difficult for sides to carry two ruckmen and he's the type of player that could get the opportunity to play a key-position role with a bit of ruck in between.
Patrick Dangerfield
He made some really good inroads particularly in the midfield. Patty's challenge still relates to his capacity to play at a high level consistently without burning himself out. His high energy and physicality is second-to none in the competition for someone of his age. It's scary sometimes, but he's aware he needs to make sure he can maintain a really high level of competition on a more regular basis.
Phil Davis
The composure he showed for a guy his age and with the number of games he played was outstanding. He was the only player to be nominated for the Rising Star award and then be dropped the next week, which was tough but the way he took it was a credit to him. He made the most of his opportunities throughout the year and I'm really excited about how the backline could potentially look with someone like Phil coming through that key-position post.
Brian Donnelly* (retired)
It was a really tough gig for Brian. He worked hard and was a little unlucky with a few injuries here and there. He was well liked and he gave it a real crack, but unfortunately it just didn't work out. He had a good understanding of the concepts we were looking at, but the game from a skill-base level was just a bit beyond him.
Michael Doughty
Sometimes you tend to overlook the senior guys that grow along the way. With Tyson Edwards, Burton, Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod all having severely interrupted years I thought Mick was one of two or three players in the leadership group that grew enormously. I thought he had a ripper second half of the year and it's good to see him getting some rewards towards the end of his career.
Richard Douglas
He won our best and fairest and got a bit more opportunity in the midfield through injuries to other players and really took it with both hands. He won a lot of his own ball; pushed forward to kick a few goals and also worked hard defensively. We see him as a really important part of our team.
Tyson Edwards (retired)
He was just a fantastic champion and we were glad we were able to give him the send off he deserved as one of our four 300-game players. His consistency over a long period of time was just a credit to him.
Simon Goodwin (retired)
Goody has led guys like Scott Stevens, Mick Doughty, Brad Symes and Ben Rutten to develop themselves as leaders and that's why we're in such good shape. He finished his last game against Geelong as one of our top players. It was a shame he couldn't get the fairytale finish, but he's left an enormous legacy for our guys to follow.
Jon Griffin (traded to Fremantle)
It's bittersweet with Griff. We were pleased to be able to help and get him home because it was on compassionate terms, but he grew a lot this year and that's the disappointing part because you are potentially giving up a really good player. He took responsibility for his own actions this year and really grew as a result.
Jack Gunston
Jack's an exciting player. He can play anywhere on the ground. In the SANFL grand final he played at one end of the ground the whole day, switching between back and forward. We liked his competitive nature when we played him forward this year. He reads the ball exceptionally well and is one of those guys that tends to know he's got players around him without having to look. With a strong pre-season under his belt he could surprise a few teams next year with his skills.
Ricky Henderson (promoted to senior list)
Once Ricky took responsibility in determining this was what he wanted to do he was set to go. He's got enormous raw talent as far as speed and athleticism go, but what he's worked on most is his capacity to compete at the highest level. We'd seen flashes of it when he was playing in the SANFL, but this year we saw him work on that and unleash his athleticism. His GPS figures in some games were probably as good as we've got and that's including players, who have been in the game for six years.
Trent Hentschel (retired)
I've never seen more resilience in one individual. It was a credit to Trent the way he was able to finish off. He's a great character and was a great talent. As a result of this he'll be a good football person for a long period of time.
Jarrhan Jacky (delisted)
He played a few games early in his career and showed a bit. Was probably a bit unlucky with a few injuries and struggled to recapture that form. Jarrhan was a popular character around the place and we wish him the best for his future.
Matthew Jaensch (promoted to senior list)
He played some good footy at both ends of the ground and he crumbed really well in some games. He's one of the best users and kickers we've got and that's always a great asset. He'll need to have another good pre-season to set himself up again.
Graham Johncock
Played some of the best footy I've seen him play and hopefully he can reproduce the preparation and maturity he showed in the second half of the year. We were impressed with his leadership developing and we hope that it continues because he has a great footy head. He has great knowledge and we're hoping we can make use of that from the back line to the forward line because he could play both ends next year.
Chris Knights
Had a really frustrating year and probably no one gets more frustrated with injury at our club than Knights. We're extremely glad that he stayed and we'd like to see him get back to the levels he had as that high half-forward last year because we lost a fair bit of that long-range goalkicking power with him out of the side.
David Mackay
Performed extremely well under some adversity body-wise in the last six or seven weeks. His attention to detail is exceptional. He's a real quiet achiever and we'd be looking for him to continue working on his leadership. We want to provide him with some more break-the-lines run because we were a little bit limited in that area with Knights out, hence the recruitment of Richard Tambling.
Ivan Maric
He had a great growing year. He learned a lot and took on a great deal of responsibility both on and off the field. He was elevated to the leadership group, which was a credit to him and we think he's only going to continue to grow in that area. With Sam Jacobs coming in, Ivan's going to have a big year ahead but he's had that with Griff in the past and we know he's not frightened of competition.
Brodie Martin
A lot of guys in their first few games back from a knee reconstruction tend to be a bit safe, but Brodie's last game against St Kilda was outstanding. We were back to the point we were at 12 months ago - excited by what he might be able to contribute. The loss of Goodwin off half-back might be covered by Brodie to some extent.
Shaun McKernan
He was unlucky to miss out in the last four or five weeks because his training was exceptional. He really put a lot of pressure on us as a match committee and we'd like to think coming back through the pre-season next year he'd be one you'd hope would take that next step forward. He's had a little bit of a taste of it and the intensity he showed in the last part of the year is a great indicator to us that he's on the right path. He's got midfield-range qualities, but he runs around at 196cm and 100kg so we're really excited about him as part of our mix up forward.
Andrew McLeod (retired)
An out-and-out legend who gave himself every chance to play that last game and could have pinched a spot, but understood the value of the contribution you need to make to the team and put the team first. He is a genuine star.
Brad Moran
Brad had a real up-and-down year. He needs to manage his body through pre-season because he needs to get into the mix with Maric, Jacobs, McKernan, Sellar, Craig etc.
Andy Otten
We're really excited to get him back. The only thing he'll be restricted in now is his competitive work. He's eager and has done quite a bit of work on his leadership.
Jared Petrenko
The defensive side of his game and his attack on the ball is second-to none, but he probably wasn't able to complete enough offensive work and get enough shots on goal and that got him out of the side. We're a little bit undecided where his best position is. It might be the back pocket or through that half-back line. He runs and carries really well and is super competitive and there's always room for those guys in your side.
Jason Porplyzia
Had a debilitating injury through pre-season and couldn't get it right. What he went through in the mid-part of the year where he really had to take stock of where he was at and his fitness…he really took a lot of that onboard himself. The last six games were a real key result for him given the way he had to work his backside off through the year. He'll be a much harder competitor to play against for that experience.
Brent Reilly
Stamped his quality on our side with the jobs he was given throughout the year. His leadership has taken off and as a result his footy has also really improved. He became a real key element of our midfield this year.
Aidan Riley*
Aidan was a real surprise packet. Some of his footy with Sturt this year was quite exhilarating. He has the ability to go and get the ball and is a pretty good user of it. We're really excited as to where he might take us.
Ben Rutten
Truck doesn't tend to flinch too much down back. It was quite noticeable the way he was able to marshal the troops in the back end when Simon Goodwin wasn't there and he played pretty consistently throughout the year.
Chris Schmidt*
He had an interesting year, playing a few games and then missing out a bit. He got his way back into the side late in the year and is unlucky to still be on the rookie list. He's very determined and we’re pleased he's decided to stay because we've seen that he can play. He's got a few things to improve, but we think he can fit into that half-back role.
James Sellar
The next six months are important for James as we're still not sure how we're going to run that structure with three players and one sub off the bench, so it's important James gives himself the best chance. He's matured and he knows what his game components are, so we're expecting him to take a step forward and really stamp his authority as the second ruckman, as well as a key forward or backman.
Sam Shaw
Sam is one player we've been dying to get back on the track. His back injury should be right now, but he's had injury after injury since he got here. He's a great size and we've been really impressed with his awareness and vision. We think he could step forward in our team really quickly next year.
Rory Sloane
He's just your classical midfield player that you love to have around. He has great vision and is clean off the deck. He has good hands and is great to play with from what the other players say. His voice and encouragement is unbelievable for a guy with limited AFL experience. We hope he continues to improve and pushes his way forward as a regular midfielder next year.
Scott Stevens
I saw some of the best footy I've ever seen Stevo play this year. There was some pressure in the second half of the year when we had Bock, Rutten, Stevens and Davis going for three spots and we felt that for most of the back end of the year. Stevo was playing the most consistent footy out of all four of them. His leadership has continued to grow and progress strongly and he's been able to translate that into his footy.
Brad Symes
Symes had an interrupted pre-season, but was able to work his way back into the side. He played some good footy without being outstanding. Recovery became really important for him to make sure he stayed on top of his injury. Brad understands and reads our game plan as well as anyone and we missed that when he wasn't in the side.
Daniel Talia
He's a big strong, powerful, athletic defender or forward. We're just hoping his injuries settle down and we can get a clean run with what he needs to do. His preparation, attention to detail and motivation as a young person is equal to anything we've had. We've been really impressed with how he's handled himself and he should be good to go from the start of pre-season.
Luke Thompson (promoted to senior list)
He has a strong, competitive nature. His kick looks a bit awkward, but is better than it looks and is quite efficient. He's got the ability to play tall and small. He's had his foot in the door for 12 months and there's no reason why he can't challenge for a spot in that defence if a Rutten or a Davis is injured.
Scott Thompson
It's been a pleasure to watch him grow and perform and he's becoming important in our midfield. As a coaching group you need to know you have got players that always deliver an 8/10-ish performance and Thommo is certainly one of those.
Kurt Tippett
Kurt had a learning year and it was important for him to finish the season strongly. The capacity for Kurt to continue to compete with two or three guys going against him is amazing and he adds so much energy to the forward end because they know he's going to compete regardless of the odds. He probably didn't kick as many goals as he would have liked, but the number of contests he was involved in it was about the same number as last year, so he was a massive component of our forward line.
Nathan van Berlo
VB tackled his own form head on. He was really strong in the way he wanted to deliver his own performances and it didn't matter where he played - he's one of those guys that says, 'put me out there and I'll play at a level that I know is going to beat my opponent and add to the team'. He's unconditional in the way he goes about his performance and that's just VB in a nutshell.
Bernie Vince
Bernie had a learning year. He learned what it's all about when you come off a B&F win and are more recognised for what you can do. Those guys need to go through that. It's difficult to try and pass on that knowledge or experience without them actually experiencing it. I would like to think he'll be a more mature player for it.
Taylor Walker
Tex set his year up through his pre-season. Between November and March I thought he was one of our most consistent trainers and up forward he led the way in terms of how he went about his training. He really started to get on top of the issues we'd been concerned with, like his contested ball. His defence was fine and he got his tackle numbers up. He matured really well in his footy this year.
Matt Wright*
Matt had a slow start to the season because of injury. We weren't sure fitness-wise what we were going to get out of him, but what we did see was someone who was prepared to go and get the ball under some real heat. He has great hands and is a pretty good user of the ball by foot too. Getting him back on the rookie list means we'll have another pre-season to bring his fitness levels up.
Will Young
Will's got some real natural competitive juices and we've seen that in his footy since he arrived here. He played most of his junior footy as a forward, but learned a fair bit about the defensive side of the game with his roles at Norwood. In his first AFL game he played as a defender and probably struggled with the speed of the game and the ball coming down to his guy in that manner. Through the year we played him a bit as a forward at training and then the opportunity arose for him to play as a defensive forward. He could be one that pops up as a strong leading forward. We're pretty excited about what the future holds. It's just a pity he copped that shoulder injury, which will set him back a few months in pre-season training.
*Denotes rookie-listed player
