Cain Ackland
Cain probably had an average year and I think he would also admit that. He was fairly inconsistent with his attack and the way he went at the footy. We needed someone at the centre bounces to create a bit of crash bang in the middle and he was just a little bit inconsistent with in that area, so I think he will be fired up for a pretty big preseason.

Joe Anderson
One thing we are lacking in our team is a small defender to really nail down those Jeff Farmer types, and Joey was earmarked for that role. Then he had trouble with his hamstrings and so forth. He struggled a bit to come to terms with the tempo and training of AFL footy in his first year and only played five games. In saying that, in the games he played in he was quite good. The Western Bulldogs game stands out, where he played on Nathan Eagleton and really cut him out. Next year, with a big pre-season to get his body and his legs right, you would hope that he will really help us go forward.

Mark Austin
‘Aussie’ took a little bit to get going. He is a very laconic type of guy. One of the things the coaches were on him all year about was his intensity, not just with his footy but in general. He played some games with the Bullants and got a game with Carlton at the end, however Aussie is more of a long-term project.

Jordan Bannister
‘Banno’ has been on the list for a few years, but has not completely consolidated his position. In the first half of the year he played a couple of good games with the Bullants but didn’t really show anything. He does make decision-making errors here and there, and from my point of view, and I’ve told him this, he was all but gone. However, he got his opportunity at senior level and played very well in negating-type roles. The game against the Bulldogs where he ran with Brad Johnson stands out, as did his job on Port’s Chad Cornes. It really showed to me and the other coaches that he is still very capable of playing senior footy.

Clinton Benjamin
Benji is from Broome, so it has taken it a while for him to acclimatise to Melbourne and AFL footy.

He didn’t really grab a hold at VFL level, but showed glimpses of his ability and athleticism early on in the year. Again, he is another long-term prospect.

Adam Bentick
I think he had an above average year. He is probably the best tackler we’ve got and wins a lot of the hard footy. Ratts (coach Brett Ratten) dropped him later in the year to give a couple of the other guys a go, which gave him a bit of a shake-up. He promptly went back to the seconds and piled on 155 possessions and slammed the door down to get back in the seniors. I think AB still needs to keep improving in most areas, get sharper with his hands, because getting in close is one of his strengths. The quicker and sharper he gets the better he will be.

Eddie Betts
Despite playing four fewer games than he did last year, Eddie outscored his 2006 effort by one goal with a total of 21 goals. Eddie is very important to the team; he is our only small crumbing forward player, besides ‘skinny’ Lappin. He showed this year he can go into the midfield in bursts and he gave us some real spark and pace around stoppages – which adds another string to his bow. Hopefully, this pre-season, he can get a little bit more fitness behind him so he can play up forward and the midfield next year.

Luke Blackwell
Works his backside off. He is an in and under player who dominated at VFL level, averaging 30-odd possessions.

Paul Bower
Had a good pre-season, but lacked confidence and self belief at the start of the year. Eventually he worked his way through it and at the end of the year did a few courageous things which should have given him some confidence. He is a half-back/wing type and a good carrier of the footy, so hopefully, he is going to be a big part of the future here at the Blues.

Andrew Carrazzo
Obviously won the best and fairest and, after coming from the rookie list, showed what hard work can bring you if you really keep your head down and backside up. This year he has done the Daryn Cresswell thing and gone from being a tagger to a ball-winner. Again, it is a good result for a kid that’s come from nowhere. Hopefully now he can see a bit of an AFL future for himself and drag a few of his teammates with him.

Cameron Cloke
Cam showed enough, before he was injured, to say he was going to be good enough to provide good support to Cain Ackland in the ruck and then push forward.  It was disappointing for him to have his season wrecked by a shoulder injury, but he’s back training now and should be right for next year.