Below afc.com.au previews some of the Crows to consider in your 2012 Dream Team.
First year players
Luke Brown ($98,700) Def/Mid: Looks like he fits in at AFL level, possessing fantastic skills, good speed and a great temperament. Has looked the goods during the pre-season and with a year of SANFL league football behind him is on track to push for senior selection in 2012. Dream Teamer’s love a dual-position player, and priced under $100, 000 it will be hard not to pick Brown in your side.
Mitch Grigg ($98,700) Mid: Another first year player who looks right at home at AFL level, having also played against bigger bodies in the SANFL. Was awarded South Australia’s most valuable player award at the State Under-18 Championships competition last year. The only question mark is whether he will break into the senior team in only his first season at the Club.
Sam Kerridge ($98,700) Fwd/Mid: Kerridge has been a standout on the training track since being selected by the Crows with their first pick (No.27) in the AFL Draft. A strong endurance runner, the 18-year-old has a mature physique and could certainly break through and play regular senior footy in his debut season.
Tim McIntyre ($85,800) Fwd/Mid: a mature-age recruit from Sturt, who was selected in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Has turned heads in the pre-season matching it with some of the team’s best athletes, including van Berlo and Dangerfield. McIntyre plays tall and has strong hands, but can also play as a midfielder.
Bargain Buys
Jason Porplyzia ($202,500) Fwd: after spending last season on the sidelines, Porplyzia’s price tag has been slashed in 2012. The small forward is in peak physical condition having completed more than a full pre-season and already appears to have a big fan in new coach Brenton Sanderson.
Hot Tips
David Mackay ($307,300) Mid: has been one of the standouts on the track throughout the summer and could explode in 2012. Mackay has hit the gym hard during the pre-season adding 3kg to his frame, which he hopes will improve his durability. Played some great footy in 2011, despite being interrupted by injury. Mackay knows how to find the ball and is a lock for the midfield if he stays fit.
Rory Sloane ($429,500) Mid: Sloane was super impressive in season 2011 averaging 86.83 DT points per game. Like Mackay, the 21-year-old has bulked up over the summer and will only get better with experience. Sloane’s 137-point performance in Rd 21 against Geelong suggests he’s well on his way to becoming a top-line midfielder in the AFL competition.
