Jumpers 21 - 30 Snapshot for 2014.

January 08, 2014, 10:06:08 am

21 – Josh Bootsma – Games 14. Turns 21 in February.

Boots gets a bum wrap, he is a skinny kid, mainly because I think he was still growing when he got to the club. I doubt if he still is 191, my guess is he’s pushing the 195cm mark. Combine that with his long arms and decent closing speed and we have a very good prospect for the third tall defender, in a couple of years. Sure he is light but the kid was only 20 last season and was asked to man up on resting rucks and premier full forwards.

Things to improve – Here is a kid that needs to be told he will have 10 games at Northern Blues level at CHB, it doesn’t matter how many time he gets pushed out of the way by bigger opponents, we are going to back you in cause we rate what we know you can become.
2015 – A bigger version of Boots, he is never going to be a huge man but he needs to learn this year how to play without being 95kgs.

23 – Lachie Henderson – Games 84. Turns 25 in December

All Bootsma needs to do is look beside him at the lockers and see how this boy became a man. It took time and strength, but think back to when we first got Henderson and how excited we were that we got ourselves a forward prospect, then think of how average he was when the season started, it took almost two seasons to Lachie to emerge and now he’s a future Captain for the club.

Things to improve – Demanding the ball, and leading, plus disposal. Sometimes you get laser passes from half back, other times the ball misses by 10 meters.
2015 – Settle down forward and the an AA CHF.

26 – Andrew McInnes – Games 16 – Turns 22 in March.

Cruelled by his knee at the end of 2012, which basically stuffed his pre season and then made Macca look a different player to what we saw on debut. General thinking is that a knee takes a full year to mend properly, add that to a pre season and hopefully we get Andy circa 2012 back. No nonsense defender who can stay at home and gives that release kick to a running defender while beating his man and being third man up.

Things to improve – Strength and Fitness. I’m basing this on 2012 but there were few holes to Andy’s game.
2015 – After a year of 20 + games and regaining form, he should be an automatic selection down back each game.

27 – Dennis Armfield – Games 105 – Turns 28 in December.

Right at the peak of his career now, we have a speed machine that when given a job can be brilliant. When left to his own devices ..... meh. A Strong, fast and aggressive foot soldier, yes please. He has his limitations and won’t be polling well come Brownlow time, but a good Dennis is important to the structure.

Things to Improve – Kicking at goal, his opponent will want to get away from him so on the rebound he could be left alone a bit which leads to uncontested marks inside 50. Simply has to kick them.
2015 – Still here and pushing for 150 games.

28 – Tom Bell – Games 16 – Turns 23.

Had a bit of a sook, from a couple of reports, when he wasn’t promoted and looked elsewhere at the end of 2012, but got his head back in the game by mid season and played a few games. Trimmed down a bit and looks in great nick, so hopefully he’s 100% committed and a first 22 inclusion round 1 as we need his size around the ball. Would like to see him used a bit up forward swapping with Judd.

Things to improve – Decision making, too often gets caught with the ball or tries to do it himself and ends up with the wrong kick forward. A bit selfish needs to be brought back into the team way of doing things.
2015 – An automatic selection every week after showing the coaches what his capable of this year.

30 Jarrad Waite – Games 168. Turns 31 in February.

What injury will stop Jarrad from playing this year? Or what stupid suspension? These, unfortunately are the first things thought of when going into a fresh season and Waite is discussed. Waite is athletically gifted, tall and strong. When on song no one can stop him, but again how often does he start singing? 3-5 games per year then he’s either struggling with an injury or getting over one. If he can have an injury and suspension free year, and he’s due, then look out AFL.

Things to improve – Brain Snaps just don’t need them and the club showed its frustration last season when it fine Jarrad the maximum amount for a stupid suspension.
2015 – Hopefully still running around. We don’t have a ready made replacement unless Henderson comes forward full time.

Much improvement can come from this bunch. Bootsma, McInnes and Bell you expect to improve just through age but all three have a big upside and Henderson can become a Carlton great. Armfield and Waite are two who are so important to the side that these guys all have a big say in what happens this season.