Hawthorn star Lance Franklin has failed to kick a goal in his past two games. Source: Getty Images
IN TODAY'S edition of his weekly Please Explain column, Glenn McFarlane turns the blowtorch on the player at your club who needs to lift.
To whom it may concern,
Last week we took a look at the AFL players who have surprised us so far this season. This week, we've gone to the flip side.
Here are the players who need to lift for the sake of their teams, and for some of them at least, for the sake of themselves.
Some are superstars who we expect will bounce back soon, such as Lance Franklin and Tom Hawkins. Others need to kick-start careers that have stagnated for one reason or another.
All of them are capable of making a difference to their clubs if they can turn their form around in the coming weeks and months.
We know they are capable of doing this. Now they have to make it happen.
SAM JACOBS (Adelaide)
Stiff to miss out on All-Australian selection last year but is struggling so far this season. Even his coach publicly suggested a few weeks ago that Jacobs needed to find some form - and fast.
DAYNE ZORKO (Brisbane Lions)
Brisbane's rookie of the year in 2012 has found the going a little tougher this season. Has had some solid games, notably against Gold Coast, but hasn't yet had the same effectiveness this season.
NICK DUIGAN (Carlton)
Was considered as an outside chance to be captain at Carlton earlier this year, according to his coach, but just can't seem to break into the side now. What's gone wrong in such a short time?
JORDAN RUSSELL (Collingwood)
The former Carlton defender had a horror Anzac Day and paid the penalty by being dropped last week. Is a chance to return this week, but the Magpies need him to be more composed under pressure.
TAYTE PEARS (Essendon)
Hard to find a Bomber out of form, but the defender, who was rated so highly just a few years ago before suffering a serious injury, is struggling. Was taken apart by Jeremy Cameron last week.
DANYLE PEARCE (Fremantle)
Kicked two breathtaking goals in the Round 1 game against West Coast, but hasn't kicked one since. Needs to find a more consistent base for the Dockers to get full value out of him.
TOM HAWKINS (Geelong)
Admittedly, this is a harsh assessment for a bloke who can cut a team apart in a matter of minutes. And coach Chris Scott said this week he was still troubled by a back problem that forced him to pull out of the Cats' clash against the Bulldogs two weeks ago. Still, the "Tomahawk" has kicked only 13 goals this year from five games. Surely, last year's best-and-fairest winner will strike his 2012 form soon. It could be tomorrow night against the Bombers.
Tom Hawkins kick a long goal during the 3rd quarter of the Hawthorn vs Geelong match at the MCG. April 1, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun
MICHAEL RISCHITELLI (Gold Coast)
Just doesn't look the same player as the one who won the best-and-fairest in his last year at Brisbane. Injuries cruelled him last year. But his impact has only been minimal so far this season.
TOBY GREENE (Greater Western Sydney)
Getting more attention than last year, which is understandable given his second placing in the best-and-fairest. Averaged 28 touches per game last year. This year he is tracking at 20.
LANCE FRANKLIN (Hawthorn)
Arguably the best player in the game at his peak, Buddy has gone the past two weeks without a goal - the first time that has happened since 2005. He's never gone three games without a goal. That could be bad news for Sydney this week. His manager insists he has not been distracted by the fact that his contract talks are on hold.
JACK WATTS (Melbourne)
An easy target, admittedly, but Watts has struggled with poor form and injuries so far this season. Changed a few perceptions in the middle part of last year and when he returns, Watts needs to find a position and a mindset that can see him become the player he should be.
Everyone has high expectations on Jack Watts. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
KIERAN HARPER (North Melbourne)
After 23 games last season in his most productive season, Harper was primed to explode. But he has played only three this season - averaging five possessions per game.
JOHN BUTCHER (Port Adelaide)
Not sure where the one-time No.8 draft pick is at with his footy at the moment. He was the hottest property in footy at the end of 2011. Now he's playing in the SANFL and unable to break into the strong Power line-up. Needs to get more out of himself.
SHAUN GRIGG (Richmond)
Finished fifth in the best-and-fairest last season, but hasn't had the same impact this year. Was better at stages last week, but needs to start getting his hands dirty again.
NICK DAL SANTO (St Kilda)
Scott Watters hasn't missed the 29-year-old for his modest start to 2013, putting the pressure on him leading into the Collingwood match. But Brent Macaffer completely shut him out of the game. Has had a great career, but now needs to lift for the sake of his side.
St Kilda veteran Nick Dal Santo is prepared to forego immediate success as the club looks to the future. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
SHANE MUMFORD (Sydney)
Hasn't taken the game by the scruff of the neck as we know he can. Has had more than his fair share of injuries over the past 18 months, but probably needs to lift a little as well. Mike Pyke is the Swans' best-formed ruckman this season.
ANDREW GAFF (West Coast)
Big things were expected in 2013 from the No.4 draft pick who had elite stats in his second season last year, but he has gone backwards. Needs to cope better with a tag.
JARRAD GRANT (Western Bulldogs)
We're stating the bleeding obvious, but when you are a one-time No.5 draft pick and still playing VFL footy in your sixth season, there is something wrong. Grant is fast running out of time.
Looking forward to the turnaround, particularly from Buddy and Tomahawk.
Yours Sincerely,
Glenn McFarlane
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