HOW TASSIE GUNS FARED
AFTER a season like no other, the Mercury Sports desk has run the rule over Tasmania’s AFL stocks and, across the next two days, assesses their status heading into season 2021.
Chayce Jones ( Adelaide) 2020 games: 15 2020 goals: 6 Total games: 23 Total goals: 9 Jones statistically went backwards in 2020 from his 2019 campaign which saw him win the club’s Mark Bickley Award for emerging talent but did play 15 of 17 games in a side that underperformed. The Longford lad will be expected to make steps forward as the club rebuilds.
2021 forecast: Jones is inked with the Crows until 2023 and is in position to be a big improver as they rebuild.
Grant Birchall ( Brisbane) 2020 games: 16 2020 goals: 6 Total games: 264 Total goals: 34
Birchall headed north to Brisbane to fill the “Luke Hodge” role as a battle- hardened exHawk among the emerging Pride of Lions. The move paid off as he shrugged off the injury bug and top brass at the Gabba were rapt with his efforts.
2021 forecast: Birchall has reportedly met clauses to trigger another year at the Lions and according to his agent is keen to play on. The Devonport product can sniff a fifth flag to put him in elite company.
Mitch Robinson ( Brisbane) 2020 games: 19 2020 goals: 5 Total games: 210 Total goals: 113
Robinson’s renaissance under Chris Fagan continued in 2020 as the ex- Lauderdale star cemented his spot as one of the Lions’ leaders. Never far from the headlines.
2021 forecast: Robinson is contracted for another year and will be chomping at the bit to start a 2021 campaign where the Lions look to improve on their preliminary finals exit.
Liam Jones ( Carlton) 2020 games: 17 2020 goals: 0 Total games: 142 Total goals:
84
A season of consistency in the Navy Blue for Jones, playing in every game as he rewarded the faith the club has shown in the North Hobart product. 2021 forecast: The 29- yearold is contracted until the end of 2022 so his primary focus will be to maintain his lock on a spot in the side’s best 22 as the club continues to rebuild.
Jeremy Howe ( Collingwood) 2020 games: 4 2020 goals: 0 Total games: 187 Total goals:
89
What might have been for a season that began with an AllStar selection for the bushfire charity relief match and ended with just four games played. The former Dodges Ferry and Hobart star had played at least 20 games for the previous eight seasons. 2021 forecast: Putting aside the injuries which sidelined him will be the focus for Howe this summer. He is contracted until the end of 2021.
Brody Mihocek ( Collingwood) 2020 games: 18 2020 goals: 25 Total games: 58 Total goals:
90
Mihocek continued his AFL fairytale, which started with the Burnie Dockers, with another solid campaign up forward for the Magpies. His sure hands in marking contests and above average accuracy in front of goal made him a Magpie mainstay.
2021 forecast: Uncertainty surrounds Mihocek’s status at the Pies. While President Eddie McGuire says he’s “very valued”, the Melbourne media jungle drums are beating ahead of trade week.
Tom Bellchambers ( Essendon) 2020 games: 2020 goals: 1 Total games: Total goals:
7
136 77 Persistent knee injuries in a compacted fixture hobbled Bellchambers’ final season in the red sash. He announced his retirement during the season but some observers criticised the Dons for not giving him a farewell match. 2021 forecast: The former Northern Launceston player farewelled Essendon saying: ” My body is telling my time is up and I go out knowing that I couldn’t have given any more to this great club.”
Andrew Phillips ( Essendon) 2020 games: 2020 goals: 0 Total games: Total goals: 15
5
46
The former Lauderdale Bomber filled a depth position for the Dons’ ruck stocks, playing five games. 2021 forecast: Out of contract at his third club, Phillips’ status will depend on new Bombers coach Ben Rutten’s assessment of the list and the club’s options in the trade and draft periods.
Mitch Hibberd ( Essendon) 2020 games: 5 2020 goals: 9 Total games: 0 Total goals: 0 Thrown a lifeline by the Dons after leaving North Melbourne, the former Clarence Roo managed five games but could not cement a spot in a disappointing Essendon side. 2021 forecast: Hibberd was one of five players delisted by the Dons in September, with his future up in the air.
Alex Pearce ( Fremantle) 2020 games: 0 2020 goals: 0 Total games: 53 Total goals: 3 A lost season for one of the AFL’s emerging elite defenders. A left ankle injury from the middle of 2019 reared its ugly head again costing the former Ulverstone and Devonport jet his 2020 campaign.
2021 forecast: Contractually Pearce is secure until 2022 but he will be desperate to shake off the injury bug that has plagued his young career. When healthy he’s shown All Australian potential.
Jake Kolodjashnij ( Geelong) 2020 games: 16 2020 goals: 0 Total games: 109 Total goals: 0
A highly valued member of Matthew Scarlett’s defensive set up at the Cats, the former Launceston defender’s solid form and versatility will see him given a Grand Final berth this weekend.
2021 forecast: Next season will be a contract year for Kolodjashnij, and with the expected departures of Harry Taylor and possibly Lachie Henderson, as well as a potential Premier’s medallion around his neck, he will be in a strong negotiating position.
Hugh Greenwood ( Gold Coast) 2020 games: 17 2020 goals: 3 Total games: 68 Total goals:
39
After switching to the Suns from Adelaide ahead of the 2020 season, Greenwood enjoyed his best season to date, averaging 17.8 disposals and leading the club’s Brownlow Medal polling ( 11). The Lauderdale onballer’s presence in the Suns’ young midfield was of key importance to coach Stewart Dew in 2020, particularly following the seasonending injury to first- year midfielder Matt Rowell.
2021 forecast: Next season will be Greenwood’s second year of a three- year contract with the Suns, with a trigger for a fourth year. Expect to see a similar role for Greenwood in season 2020 as the club looks to bolster the experience of the young players around him. Upon signing with the Suns, Greenwood said “to be able to help with the development of some of the younger guys, was a huge selling point for me”.
Lachie Weller ( Gold Coast) 2020 games: 17 2020 goals: 12 Total games: 103 Total goals: 35 Weller capped off a solid year in 2020, playing all 17 matches and averaging almost a goal a game. A key cog in the Suns team, the Burnie midfielder chalked up 100 AFL games during season 2020 – 47 of which were spent over three seasons at Fremantle. 2021 forecast: Weller was former Suns coach Guy McKenna’s pick, when he was asked earlier this month, who the club’s next All Australian selection would be. Expect Weller to continue on his good 2020 form and prove wrong critics who questioned Gold Coast’s decision to trade its pick 2 for the midfielder.