Kane Cornes has challenged five players to put in a big pre-season looking ahead to 2022.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade, Cornes thinks the quintet require huge off-seasons for a multitude of reasons.
“Everyone’s different, it’s not necessarily someone who needs to get fitter, but who can take their game to the next level by having a big pre-season,” Cornes said.
See the five players who need a big pre-season below:
5. Nick Blakey (Sydney)
“He could be anything if he has a big pre-season and adapts to being an AFL player.
“Coming into his fourth season, often that fourth year is where players can really take off and explode.
“He was taken in 2018 in that super draft with the Academy pick at pick No.10 – can he compete with the likes of (Sam) Walsh, the King twins and Bailey Smith? I think he can be in that category.
“This season he was subbed for a game, he’s been dropped and his highest disposals ever in one game is 20, that’s got to get up to 30 or 35 because he’s an absolute weapon and he showed that in the last portion of the season.
“He’s 195cm … but he’s 80kg, so he could easily put on six or seven kilos through a pre-season. Sydney have got a weapon there if he decided that he wants to be great.”
4. Jake Stringer (Essendon)
“People may argue with this … Jake Stringer for me.
“He finished fifth in Essendon’s best and fairest, we saw what a player he can be, he just signed a three-year contract, he could be a top 10 player in the game.
“Now that he’s comfortable, now that he knows that he’s good, now that he’s got the security of that three-year contract – does he want to be great, does he want to be a top 10 player, and does he want to do it year on year?
“There’s no reason why Jake Stringer shouldn’t absolutely be one of the best players in the comp next year.”
3. Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
“I reckon he owes the club. They’ve been exceptionally good to him. How seriously does he want to make a career?
“Observing him lately, I reckon the penny has dropped and he understands that time is running out a little bit.
“He’s been on massive money. He’s played 15 games in three years … I’ll never forget Round 13 of 2019 where he kicked seven goals – I’ve never seen a performance like that off little preparation.
“The upside for Curnow and Carlton is huge. He’s still young enough to have an amazing five years at AFL level. He could be one of the better forwards in the game if he can get it right.”
2. Michael Walters (Fremantle)
“Do we forget this guy?
“All-Australian in 2019, he kicked 40 goals and averaged 22 disposals as a small forward. He’s a five-time leading goalkicker at Fremantle – what has happened to Michael Walters?
“I don’t know what the reasons are, is he a player who wants to play midfield and he’s not happy with the role that he’s being asked to do?
“He’s only 30 years of age, so if he buys in and he understands the role he wants to play, everyone is looking for an elite small forward, he is that.
“Michael Walters could be out of the system in a year, or he could play for another four or five years. He’s kicked 29 goals in the last two season, it’s not good enough.”
1. Jeremy McGovern (West Coast)
“This one could be harsh as well because he’s a four-time All-Australian.
“Jeremy McGovern needs the biggest pre-season of his life. He’s overweight for me. He’s carrying too much weight and he was at times I thought uncompetitive this year.
“He’s a brilliant player, but the game’s hard and you’ve got prepare yourself the best you possibly can. I reckon it would be huge for his teammates if he walked in looking lean, he’s been in the gym and he’s ready to go.
“He’s missed 12 games in the last two years, he’s turning 30, life becomes a little bit harder at AFL level when you become above the age of 30.
“He’s been earning $1 million and will continue to do that for at least a couple of seasons. I think he’s a player that needs to set to the tone for his Eagles teammates and come back after a big off-season and a massive pre-season.”
Special mentions: Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide), Darcy Fogarty (Adelaide), Jack Billings (St Kilda), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Tim English (Western Bulldogs) and Izak Rankine (Gold Coast).