The players at every club that are impressing this pre-season

Adelaide Harry Schoenberg The Crows teenager had a promising debut season in 2020 and has looked to quickly add to his efforts for the upcoming year after a strong start to his pre-season and signing a new two-year extension with the club last week. Schoenberg was one of several new faces at West Lakes last year and will be a key pairing with exciting youngster prospect Lachlan Scholl, who took out the club's 2km time trial, once again in 2021. [caption id="attachment_59787" align="alignnone" width="696"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Schoenberg of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2020 AFL Round 15 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on September 1, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Speaking on his return to training and the opening of his second year in the system, Schoenberg revealed he had developed nicely after 12 months. “I’ve put on some size but also managed to slim down a bit to get my running up to date,” Schoenberg told Crows Media. “That started in the offseason, heaps of the boys stayed around Adelaide to train together. “It’s a great feeling around the Club.” Brisbane Joe Daniher It's no secret the former Bombers star will be one of the most watched this year, with the key questions surrounding his fitness. Speaking to media in the club's return to training, Lions captain Dayne Zorko said Daniher was tracking well and fitting into the club effortlessly. "Since the season finished Joe actually stayed up here … so he's been around the group for the past three months and training with them and has fitted in absolutely seamlessly," Zorko said. "At the moment he looks really fit and healthy and hopefully we can keep him that way. "He's fitted his lifestyle really well. [caption id="attachment_71214" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 02: Joe Daniher talks to the media at press conference at Lion Park on November 02, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. The 26-year-old key forward joined the Lions on a three year deal on Friday, as free agent from Essendon. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)[/caption] "Really glad he can come up here and enjoy his football again." A big opening pre-season with his new club might just be the denominator in returning to his best football. Carlton Zac Fisher The Blues goal-sneak endured a tough start to his 2020 campaign after missing nine straight games in the first-half of the season, but won his place back in the 22 after being one of Carlton's best threats moving forward. Fast-track to this off-season and the 22-year-old has looked to add size and strength to his bow and is hoping to have a greater impact on the scoreboard. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1296759586158866432 Carlton assistant coach Dale Amos told AFL.com.au that Fisher was one of several young players impressing in the early stages of the pre-season. "All the group has been in really good shape, and it's probably just the progression of guys like [Will] Setterfield, [Sam] Walsh, [Jacob] Weitering, [Zac] Fisher and that group who are now at the stage where they're going to be our most influential players moving forward," Amos said. "That group that has been in the system a few years now and now look like they're going to take the next step and really guide the club forward." Collingwood Chris Mayne The Magpies veteran ha evidentially muscled up in his off-season away in Western Australia and is looking to hold his place in Nathan Buckley's side for 2021. Teammate Brayden Maynard said Mayne, along with young gun Tom Wilson, have been the most impressive this pre-season. "Big Tommy Wilson is a really big standout at the moment, Chris Mayne also. Chris Mayne has stayed away in Perth and put on some size," Maynard told the club's website. https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1351014151481683973 Essendon Nik Cox The athletic tall was taken with the eighth overall selection in the 2020 AFL Draft and was the first of the Bombers' three top 10 picks, joining Archie Perkins and Zach Reid in heading to Tullamarine. Cox was heavily-touted as an endurance athlete and didn't let down the Essendon recruiters, taking out the club's 2km time trial. In an interview with The Herald Sun, Cox said he hopes to break into the Bombers best 22 by the opening round of the season. “I’ve definitely got that in my sights … I’m going to work my hardest to put myself in contention to play Round 1,” he said. https://twitter.com/7afl/status/1349115144224210944 “Whether that’s on the wing or half-back flank – I don’t think I’d go into a key position role yet – versatility is a strength of mine and I can run out the game pretty well. “If I can continue to put on size and get to around 97-98kg and then move into the key position role I think I can be a pretty damaging player.” Fremantle Ethan Hughes Despite playing all 17 games for Fremantle in 2020, Hughes understands the pressure and fight he is up against to hold onto a position in Justin Longmuir's back six. The 67-gamer was an incumbent in purple last year, but with the likes of Griffin Logue, Alex Pearce and Hayden Young gunning for a return, the 26-year-old will be looking over his shoulder. Well aware of the pressure that is building, Hughes has put in a big off-season so far and is hoping to see the benefits this year. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/1018411741636677632 “I’m absolutely getting to work over the next few weeks to put my hand up and be selected,” Hughes told The West Australian. “But there’s a lot of other guys who are vying for positions as well. It’s a good position to be in for the club. We’ll leave the hard issues up to the coaches to pick the team. “But if we’re all fit and firing by the time the season comes around, it’s going to be competitive for spots.” Geelong Cooper Stephens The 2019 first-round pick is yet to feature at AFL level but has pieced together an impressive 12 months in the system and is now gaining the recognition for his efforts. Stephens told The Herald Sun that while game-time was limited, his access in living next to senior players was a great experience. "Our knowledge and development off-field went through the roof compared to a normal year," Stephens said. “It was obviously a difficult year with the team being at such a high standard so I’m trying to reach that standard myself and break in, hopefully in the midfield or down back if a spot opens up.” Cats captain Joel Selwood told RSN927 that players to "look out for early in the year.. Cooper Stephens & Sam De Koning". https://twitter.com/GeelongCats/status/1266266588832907267 Gold Coast Will Brodie The big-bodied midfielder was taken with the ninth overall selection in 2016 and is yet to capitalise on his time at the Suns, playing just 20 games across four seasons. While there was murmurs of interest from Victorian clubs, Brodie has aimed to wait it out in the Sunshine State and the tide looks to be turning in his favour. Speaking to AFL.com.au last month, Brodie revealed the progression he has made in his fitness after a promising 2km time trial. "I've never been a gifted aerobic runner," Brodie told AFL.com.au. "It's something that's always been on the list to work on. [caption id="attachment_45019" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Will Brodie of the Suns handballs during the round 1 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Port Adelaide Power at Metricon Stadium on March 21, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] "Over the off-season we targeted that and narrowed the focus to get it as good as possible. "We came up with a plan and I cut four or five kilos off. "We ran over the off-season heaps. It was the main focus for me. To come back and get a good result was good reward for that effort." "I feel like I'm able to back up sessions more, I'm able to train at a higher intensity than I could my first few years. Greater Western Sydney Josh Kelly While he may not be the up and coming youngster or the veteran returning to full fitness, several reports suggest the star midfielder is training the house down in preparation for 2021. Speaking to Giants Media, Kelly said he has welcomed the higher intensity in the off-season and is ready to take the next step. “I had a big focus in the off-season to put the work in running-wise and add a bit of strength as well," he said. “I’m always trying to continue to build on those things and see how I can improve my game. [caption id="attachment_14999" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 17 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on July 15, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] “I was able to focus on a few things after an up and down year last year and try and implement them with the longer off-season. “It’s been good to come back fit, I got the right work under my belt and now just need to stay healthy and stay out on the track so touch wood everything’s all good. “We’ve had a few tough sessions at the end of training which have been good little touch-ups; a few push-up circuits and contest sessions just to hone in on those things. “It’s all because we’ve got a quicker build up this season and we want to be raring to go come the end of February/start of March when we start getting into games." Kelly took out the club's 2km time trial ahead of fellow star onballer Tim Taranto. Hawthorn Changkuoth Jiath The Hawks youngster quickly turned heads after taking out the 2km time trial ahead of prolific athlete Finn Maginness. Jiath played five games in 2020 and might just be primed for a role in Alastair Clarkson's best 22 come Round 1 against the Bombers. Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston revealed that Jiath' s progress has gone further than just his aerobic capacities. "I like the look of CJ at the moment," Gunston told the club's website. "He obviously won the time trial but it's everything else - his footy work, his level-headedness with ball in hand - he's looking really good." https://twitter.com/HawthornFC/status/1348509948582502403 Melbourne Fraser Rosman The start to the new year hasn't been too kind to Melbourne players, with the club putting them through four time trials in the opening days of 2021. While many may have fallen behind the eight ball come the final run, draftee Fraser Rosman has impressed his teammates and coaches so far with his fitness, placing himself in the top bracket at the Dees. “The boys and myself are definitely dedicated to making a difference. We know the club is going in a good direction and we’re happy to help," Rosman told the club website. The 193cm rookie looks to be a durable asset to the club and will be eyeing a debut in 2021. https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/1348773313590358020 North Melbourne Phoenix Spicer “He took the three votes out there,” were the words star defender Luke McDonald said of Spicer following a grueling training session this week. Spicer was taken with the 42nd pick in last year's draft and looks to have made an immediate impact at Arden Street. The electrifying goal-sneak was a key performer in the Kangaroos' match simulation and is gaining the respect of his seniors. “He kicked two goals. He’s just so exciting. I’m very happy that I don’t have to play on him in a real game but he’s certainly causing a lot of headaches for the defenders and he just makes things happen," McDonald added. “He’s probably the biggest bolter of anyone.” https://twitter.com/NMFCOfficial/status/1336898474743250945 Port Adelaide Jackson Mead The son of three-time premiership player Darren, Jackson Mead is eyeing a debut for Port Adelaide in 2021 after a progressive opening season in the system last year, despite the setbacks. With no SANFL football and a hamstring injury holding his development back, Mead has placed himself to have a strong pre-season ahead of the new season. https://twitter.com/N_Watson_/status/1146632509477679104 Drafted as a midfielder, Mead will likely look to break into Ken Hinkley's 22 via the forward line given the Power's already stacked engine room. “A second pre-season helps. My first one was a bit interrupted,” Mead told portadelaidefc.com.au. “I was a bit injured at the start with a few hamstring issues at the start of pre-season but the team was going really well. “I already feel better with my running capability and I reckon I still have room to improve. “I think everyone’s goal is to play round 1, and I’m no different.” Richmond Bigoa Nyuon A shoulder injury handed Nyuon a cruel setback, but within his recovery the 19-year-old has impressed his teammates and will be eyeing the difficult task of breaking into the Tigers' best 22. Speaking to Richmond Media, Tigers' Physical Performance Manager Peter Burge revealed the teenager was impressing in the off-season. “Shoulder is great, he is back to pretty much full training. His conditioning at the moment is outstanding, he has returned and done some things that we have seen in the last week which is really pleasing," Burge said. “He has taken a couple of steps forward in some areas and it’s actually really exciting to see him out here training with the boys and he is doing some good stuff at the moment, it’s really good.” https://twitter.com/NABLeague/status/1180308437902622720 St Kilda Brad Hill The three-time premiership player endure a poor first season in the red, white and black and will be hoping to return to his best as the Saints eye another promising finals campaign. And while Hill will look to focus on his own game, it seems like new recruit Brad Crouch is giving the former Hawks and Fremantle speedster plenty of attention this pre-season. “I knew he (Hill) was a good player, but I think he’ll be ready for a big year,” Crouch told SEN Breakfast. “He looks really fit and is an amazing runner. He definitely stands out to me.” [caption id="attachment_36689" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Bradley Hill poses for a photograph during a St Kilda Saints AFL media opportunity at RSEA Park on October 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Crouch was also impressed by veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder and young gun forward Max King. “The other one I’m going to enjoy playing with is Paddy Ryder because he can jump up and hit it wherever he wants,” Crouch added. When speaking on King, Crouch said: "I didn’t realise is how big he is. He is huge". “I don’t want to talk him up too much because he’s still so young but at training he looks unbelievable.” Sydney Will Gould A big improver in the 2km time trial, young Swans defender Will Gould is hoping to take major strides this year and earn his first call-up to John Longmire's side. Gould admitted there was plenty of room for improvement following his first yea in the system and is excited about his progress and development. "I had a few areas I needed to work on and I was wrapped to come back and run a better time than last year," he told Swans Media. The obvious goal for the 20-year-old is to make his debut for the Swans this year. "It would mean everything, especially if we can get some crowds back," he added. "When that comes I dont know. [caption id="attachment_36132" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Will Gould of South Australia handpasses the ball during the AFL 2019 U18 Championships match between South Australia and the Allies at Marvel Stadium on July 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] "It's just session by session and just improving, getting my fitness up learning the new defensive structure and then the games will look after themselves. Gould added he has thrived in his position in defense and is enjoying his start to 2021 preparations. "Loving defending at the moment, love the development side of things," he said. West Coast Dom Sheed Sheed has already made a name for himself in the royal blue and gold, but according to teammate Josh Kennedy the midfielder is ready to take the next big step this season. The 25-year-old claimed the 2km time trial two week's ago and has caught the attention of his star forward and fellow teammates ahead of 2021. “He has always been a quality (trainer) but he’s gone to a whole new level and he’s really excelling above a lot of the rest this off-season,” champion forward Josh Kennedy said of Sheed on 6PR. “He’s definitely put in some real good work over that (Christmas) break and he’s come back firing. “It’s exciting to see when you’ve got a kid of that calibre come through and that age gap now where he’s really coming into being one of the better players in our team. "It’s good to see him rise to that this pre-season.” [caption id="attachment_24743" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Dom Sheed of the Eagles celebrates after kicking a goal late in the final term during the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs Rhylee West Bulldogs fans know just how good a West can be in the red, blue and white and they will be hoping to see some more out of Rhylee West this year. The 20-year-old's development was riddled with knee and groin complaints last year and is now looking ahead to Round 1 against the Magpies in March. West has looked to revolutionise how he has gone about his game, both on and off the field ahead of his third season at Whitten Oval. [caption id="attachment_32490" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Rhylee West, son of Bulldogs legend Scott West, looks upfield during the Western Bulldogs Training Session at Whitten Oval on February 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] “I had the groin injury at the end of last year, but I’ve worked with the medical team to manage that pretty well. I’m back into pretty much full training which is good and getting some kilometres under my belt,” he told westernbulldogs.com.au. “I tried to focus on my diet and my training routine over the off-season, which I guess helped me come back in better shape than I have the last couple of years. “I’m setting weekly goals – what I want to do from our first main training on a Monday to the last main training on a Friday. There’s little things you always want to improve on, or weights sessions you want to push hard in. “Everyone’s goal is to play round one, and that’s my goal.”

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

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