Macca’s player pre-season critique by guernsey number, 21-30

Ciaran Sheehan – “It’s been a case of onwards and upwards for Ciaran. He got senior games under his belt last year, which is remarkable when you consider he’d only ever played a dozen games or so ever. We’ll be looking forward to seeing him running off the half-back line in 2015.”
 
Jason Tutt – “Jason’s got through the pre-season without a hitch and we’ll be looking to him to be that player coming off the wing with that penetrating kick into the forward line.”
 
Lachie Henderson – “Lachie’s been solid this pre-season. He’s obviously one of those types who could play at either end. He provides a forward target for us or can deliver in a key defensive role. He’s been very good, and his place in the leadership group has brought with it further responsibility, which he’s embraced.”
 
Mark Whiley – “Mark has suffered some achilles soreness throughout pre-season. He had a minor procedure done a couple of weeks ago to free up the sheath around the tendon. He’s building up to full training as we speak and he’ll be fit for Round One.”

Clem Smith – “Clem’s going well. He’s another of our new boys so he too is obviously on a 75 per cent workload. It’s a big step from Under 18s to our regime, but Clem’s got his bodyfat down enormously which is great, and he’s done a very good job. I think he might be an important player for us up forward. He’s got some tricks. He’s an exciting player.”
 
Jayden Foster – “Jayden experienced a stress reaction in his foot a number of weeks ago, but he’s back in training now. He won’t play in the intra-club Friday, but may get an opportunity later in the NAB Challenge series. Jayden’s a leading, marking full-forward-type and a very nice kick.”
 
Dennis Armfield – “Dennis got through pre-season unscathed – a far cry from his pre-season of 2014 where he had knee issues and really couldn’t get going. We didn’t see the best of him last season but we look forward to him having a better one this time around.”
 
Tom Bell – “Tom experienced thumb problems last year which caused us some headaches with an infection in that wound that kept him out longer than we would have liked. But he’s trained well through the pre-season, and there’s been no sign of any recurring problems with the thumb.”
 
Bill Gowers – “Another new boy, the son of Hawthorn’s and Brisbane’s Andy Gowers, Billy’s looked quite lively. He’s a running defender and as a rookie he’s unlikely to be a chance at senior level for a while unless someone ends up on the long-term injury list. In saying that, we’re still likely to see him in the NAB Challenge.”
 
Blaine Johnson – “Having been elevated from the rookie list last year, Blaine did pretty well. His pre-season has been fine and he’s another will be looking to for further improvement.”