Who will go backwards this year?

We often talk about which players we anticipate will take their games to another level in the coming season. The tendency is to lock in the players who have already demonstrated significant improvement - Rance, Nahas, Vickery, Batchelor - and conclude that if another few step up, and the previous season's players consolidate their efforts, that we will shoot up to the top 8 by September.

But that's not how it works. So who do you think has plateaued; who do you think took their chance when the opposition wasn't paying them much attention; who do you think is lazy or doesn't have the right mental approach to not only consolidate, but go on again?

Who do you think will go backwards this year?

I'm going to nominate King, Grigg and Tuck as players who will fall away.

Incidentally, I have absolute faith that Houli will go on to bigger and better things again.

The Field Umpire!

Bloody good topic BS.....I cannot really think....Of the players you named, I think King and Tuck have probably not got anything more they can produce (I hope to be poven wrong)....I think Grigg will step up a notch this year

Come on Crusher...you can't leave that hanging there...what did you hear recently???

I think Jackson may struggle this year. Although he had a pretty ordinary year in 2011, I can see him slipping further behind the pack, especially under pressure from our new brigade of onballers. I don't necessarily view this as a bad thing however, providing someone steps up to take his place.

White was pretty much a depth player in 2011 already, he only played 12 games for the season I think.

I think McGuane is going to struggle to have a spot in the team. His form isn't great, and with the younger guys pushing for a game and building their strength I just dont see him making any real impact this season. Yes he provides a strong body in defence. But I can see Derickx in defence and rotating into the ruck. And from what I've heard, Derickx makes good decisions, is an excellent mark, he's fast for a big bloke, and a fairly good kick. The only thing I can see McGuane has going for him is his ferocity, with which he keeps giving away free kicks.

Given our young list there should be very few players who are going to go backwards. But inevitably some will.

My picks are McGuane, Tuck, White, Jackson, Miller and Newman as possible candidates.

For me unfortunately I think it may be Foley. Spent last year nearly fully fit but I think that his pace may start to fade after the leg injuries he has had.

Agree with Nightblade as well. Hopefully we are in a position where a player such as McGuane doesn't so much go backwards but is overtaken by others. I see Tuck, White and Jackson in the same basket where they will probably produce as much in previous years but others will overtake them because of their improvement.

I reckon Broady had a ripper season last year (but probably peaked), Duncan is getting a bit long in the 'posting' tooth, Roffie is a great depth poster (but with all these wonderful new posters on board can he keeep his spot?), RichMel is coming back from injury (and can he reclaim the mantle of the post prolific poster?), Blackie appears to have retired and TBR is probably a preseaon hero (flying now but can he continue to perrform?).

Ah yes now that you mention it I do remember White's injuries. It will be interesting to see how he goes this year as it may be one of his last if he plateaus.

I did have a pretty good year last year didn't I.

Nah , just on vacation Jase
I'll confidently nominate Houli

What a horrible pessimistic thread. I'll stick with only the men in white going backwards on the field!