WITH the New Year here, melbournefc.com.au takes a look at each player’s key stats entering 2016, as coach Paul Roos provides a pre-season update on every squad member. Be sure to check back each day on melbournefc.com.au, as we present all 45 players in the first half of January …
JAMES HARMES – No.43
Date of birth: 5/10/1995 (20 years old)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 80kg
AFL debut: 2015
AFL games: 8, AFL goals: 3
Position: Midfielder/forward
Recruited: Devon Meadows (Vic)/Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
Drafted: 2013/14 Rookie Draft (No.2); 2015 NAB AFL Draft rookie elevation
“Harmesy probably started a little bit slowly and a little bit behind where we hoped he’d be, which then puts pressure on every session, as you can’t afford to miss them. But pre-Christmas he really picked it up and his last two or three weeks before Christmas were really good. Hopefully, he’ll improve on last season, because he finished off the year really well.” – Paul Roos
JESSE HOGAN – No.1
Date of birth: 12/2/1995 (20 years old)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 101kg
AFL debut: 2015
AFL games: 20, AFL goals: 44
Position: Key forward
Recruited: Claremont (WA)
Drafted: 2012 GWS Giants Trade Incentive Rule Selection, 17-year-old access (No.2)
Honours: NAB AFL Rising Star 2015
“Jesse came back and was a little underdone, but he doesn’t take long to get into shape. His is all about balance – getting the balance right between running, football and off-field. He’s had a bad back in the past, but he’s really working well and he’ll be in really good nick heading into our pre-season camp in mid-January.” – Paul Roos
LIAM HULETT – No.27
Date of birth: 17/3/1997 (18 years old)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 94kg
AFL debut: yet to debut
AFL games: 0, AFL goals: 0
Position: Key defender/forward
Recruited: Bonbeach (Vic)/Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
Drafted: 2015 NAB AFL Draft (No.46)
“Liam is like the other first year players – it’s all about getting used to the schedule and getting up early and doing all the things you have to do to be an AFL footballer. He’s got an AFL body – he’s a big, strong lad. But he’s just been getting used to training since arriving at the club,” – Paul Roos
