Breakout game gives hint of youngster's potential
It was the last game of the season against the worst team in the competition, but Jordan Gallucci's career-best performance showed what the 20-year-old midfielder-forward is capable of. Gallucci booted four goals to go with 17 disposals and seven inside 50s in the Crows' 104-point thumping of Carlton in Round 23. Gallucci's numbers – 11.6 disposals, 2.6 marks, 0.9 goals and 3.0 inside 50s per game – are almost identical to 235-game veteran Richard Douglas, who turns 32 in February, after their first 17 games. A first-round draft pick in 2016, Gallucci will continue to play mostly as a forward next year, but will likely be eased into the midfield in the next couple of seasons as his endurance develops.
Others to keep an eye on:
- Forward Darcy Fogarty will be better after having 10 games under his belt in his debut season this year.
- Richmond recruit Tyson Stengle could take a small forward role straight away and support veteran goalsneak Eddie Betts.
- Stengle will be competing with Lachlan Murphy and mature-age Sturt excitement machine Shane McAdam for a spot in the Crows' best 22.
- Midfielder-forward Myles Poholke should take another step up.
- Key forward prospect Elliott Himmelberg didn't look out of place when he made his debut in round 23.
