Which players must step up or step out this year ??

[footyhead]

for mine it is Nicks, Warfe, Ablette, Fosdick (probabley), and James.

[liz]

Re: Which players must step up or step out this year ??

Originally posted by footyhead
for mine it is Nicks, Warfe, Ablette, Fosdick (probabley), and James.

You'd have to think this is Warfe's final year, unless he finds some extraordinary reversal of health / form. Agree also that Ablett needs to prove he has what it takes this year.

Nicks is a hard one. He still has something to offer but you have to wonder how the body is holding up. He's reportedly had back problems for a few years now but needs to be at peak fitness to really offer something to the team. He's good enough to keep going beyond this year if fitness isn't an issue.

Not sure what they'll be looking for from James. He's not in the best 22 at the start of the season so may be dependent on injuries to get his chance. Mostly he needs a full season himself and a dozen or so sound senior games may be enough.

We've done the Fosdike debate on this board many times and don't want to re-open it particularly, but he doesn't fit within this group IMO. He's clearly in our best 22, and while I think he can improve, I hardly think he's "playing for his career" next season.

[robbieando]

I think Ablett has to step up and at least make himself a regular in the starting 22. He showed good form in the finals and if he can take that on he should be fine.

James has to show something to repay the faith shown in him, so I would say if he doesn't play senior footy next season or has an injury or 2 he won't be back. But all he has to do is prove he has a long term future, stay fit and keep working as hard off the field as he has been the last few season trying to get back to full fitness.

Warfe will be gone come this time next season unless he does something no one expects him to - play senior footy and play well offen.

Sundqvist will want to stand up next season otherwise he could become the Buchanan of next year. Has the talent, but just can't hold down a senior spot. If he can get more game time I'm sure he'll do well.

Ben Fixter, he showed in 2002 what he can do and he should come back well from the nightmare 2003. But if he has another run of injuries like this season, his spot on the list would be a risk.

Nicks, he better stand up or he'll be gone, just like Warfe

[RogueSwan]

It is a compliment to the team that so few players are being asked this question by RWO'ers.

[CureTheSane]

Re: Which players must step up or step out this year ??

Originally posted by footyhead
for mine it is Nicks, Warfe, Ablette, Fosdick (probabley), and James.

I'd agree but without Ablett.

He is coming along quite nicely for mine.

Nicks and Warfe are dead ducks unless they star this season, James, need to be able to walk into the side on any given day, and Fosdike is almost in the Nicks and Warfe category IMO