The most improved player - 2004

[Andy]

Interesting how nobody has picked Craig Hall.

Is that because he couldn't maintain his outstanding early from of last season due to injury?? Or because you think he'll succumb to second year syndrome and disappear back into the local grades??

 

[Spike]

I went with Ennis for reasons previously mentioned by others. I also expect Matt Kennedy and Todd Lowrie to be big improvers in 2004. Riley Brown is another that could have easily been put on that list. I have little doubt he'll get a taste of first grade before the season is out.

 

[roopy]

Riley Brown is another that could have easily been put on that list. I have little doubt he'll get a taste of first grade before the season is out.

But what position?
He was used in the trial as a centre, and he played his last 4 or 5 games in Premier League last year as a centre.
If he was still a lock forward I'd say he will make firstgrade, but we will have to have a horror run of injuries for him to make firstgrade as a centre.

 

[Doctor]

Michael Young - not mentioned in the poll, or anyone's posts (from what I can see), but don't let his profile fool you - he's a handy footballer.

He will have turned 20 by now, but probably needs time with quality teammates. He's struggled to contain the line-breaks because of an apparent lack of support from his backline.

Furthermore he didn't score many tries last year and has perhaps lost confidence from all this talk of the Knights' new backline recruits - which somehow leave him out.

But it probably won't worry him too much - he seems to have a level head on his shoulders which helps. I think he is in for a re-building year - perhaps not a superstar, but I'm sure he is bound for first grade selection this year.

I'd like to think the Knights have seen the young talent already at the club before buying out other players elsewhere - Mark Sargeant gave him a wrap last year, and I'm sure by seasons end he will have earnt a few more supporters.

 

[BUDERUS]

We have any number of guys who could improve in leaps and bounds this season. I went Kidley.. I think we saw the beginings of something great at the end of last season....I think Ennis will really shine for us this year as well.
:music1:

 

[roopy]

It looks easier to list the players who have peaked;
O'Davis, Matt Gidley, Hughes, Joey, BK, and Parso are the only guys at the club who will be doing well to reach the level of previous seasons - everyone else is on an upward curve.

What a contrast that is to a few seasons ago when we had guys like Marquet, Bailey, O'Brien, O'Doherty, Peden and that reserve grade half back who wouldn't give Kurt Gidley the ball, James Wynn.

I think Michael Hagan and Sarge have done a great job putting the team into a position where almost everyone is either a rep player or on the improve.

 

[keeney]

if richardson doesnt perform, id think itd be stupid of hages to giive him more than two games, especially if carmont continues to fire

 

[socksie]

I went Kidley..i think we saw the beginings of something great at the end of last season....

ditto
i've seen potential in him for a while now and its been annoying me that rudder kept getting 5-8 ahead of him but this is his year to step up and show what he's got

 

[Spike]

Riley Brown is another that could have easily been put on that list. I have little doubt he'll get a taste of first grade before the season is out.

But what position?
He was used in the trial as a centre, and he played his last 4 or 5 games in Premier League last year as a centre.
If he was still a lock forward I'd say he will make firstgrade, but we will have to have a horror run of injuries for him to make firstgrade as a centre.

As a lock, in saying that I do see the problem with both Lowrie and Brown wanting the same position in a year or two and throwing in Abes for good measure. :? We're not short of good lock fowards that's for sure.

 

[Jaime_Koeppe_Is_Hot]

Your right there Risa, I think Witt will be named in the Knights lineup to play Penrith now that Quigley is injured. Having Witt on the bench is a huge bonus considering the player he is, cant wait to see him in action.

 

[roopy]

No one has gone for Worth, which isn't surprizing - but I think the young prop is a real dark horse - he was named in the team for the trial v the Roosters, along with Tolar and Jaques, which makes them the next guys likely for firstgrade - except Worth is several years younger than the other two.

 

[Anonymous]

Quinn and Lowrie, both bolters for the country team in my opinion.

Quinn is exceptionally talented. He has had some rough days, well a lot, but he is young and for his age and size he is incredibly strong. Hagan is an astute judge of talent and there was a reason why he kept Quinn in the side game after game while he learnt, the reason is that he is going to be a brilliant player.

Lowrie is just a workaholic freak who will probably play more 1st grade than BK this year, he is in the mould of Michael Crocker, but with a bit more talent and flair about him. A perfect replacement for Peden.

Josh Perry is also just about ready to become the premiere prop in the game too. Lets hope it is this year.

All of them will play for Australia in the future.

 

[roopy]

I think a few people would change their vote in this after just one game - i voted kidley - but now i would put him third behind seage and woolnough - and i didn't even put woolnough on the original list.