Alex NEAL-BULLEN

2017 Digest:   One of a number of midfielders jostling for spots in the 22. VFL form last year outstanding and given himself every chance.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	StK	Lively and positive in his approach and had an excellent game	7
2	Carl	Worked hard defensively, but things didn’t really fall to him this week.	4
3	Geel	Great game highlighted by 10 tackles, six inside-50s and six clearances. One mistake in final term proved costly.	7
4	Frem	Got his hands on the ball well enough in midfield, but made some errors along the way.	5
5	Rich	Had no problems getting his hands on the ball, but took some low-percentage options and missed some targets.	5
6	Ess	Quiet game. Showed great courage with third-quarter mark, but just the 10 touches and was a bit fumbly.	3
7		Senior emergency.
8	VFL	Consistent performer on the day for Casey in a heavy defeat. 34 touches and six clearances.	–
9	VFL	A driving force in midfield in upset win. 37 possessions and 13 clearances.	–
10	GCS	A couple of good touches in second half, but looked at sea at times early.	5
11		Bye.
12	Coll	Too many low-percentage handballs over-the-top and missed easy targets early on. Improved second half.	5
13	WB	Slow start with a few errors but had a strong second half with some classy touches.	6
14	WCE	Booted two goals. Bobbed up at key times.	5
15	Syd	Unable to get into the game and tackling has to be better – arm tackles never stick	4
16	Carl	Did well to grab plenty of the ball (24 disposals), two goals and four inside-50s.	7
17	Adel	Rolled through midfield and got a bit of the ball and looks to be growing as a league player.	6
18	Port	Had a lot of the footy early on and was good with his hands. Ended with 12 contested possessions.	6
19	NM	Made bad decisions when he got it. A really poor outing after making great strides in recent weeks.	3
20	GWS	Decision-making and execution not great again in windy conditions. Pressure will be on.	4
21	StK	Influential in opening burst, then played in patches. Had 24 touches in the end and a few assists.	5
22	Bris	Hot and cold from week to week and this one was on the frigid end of the ledger. Butchered the ball at times.	4
23	Coll	Found space around the ball to be busy throughout. Just lacks an elite trick.	5

2016 Season

1		Played in Casey intra-club.
2		Played in VFL trial against Box Hill.
3	VFL	Big ball-winner again with 34 touches. Continued on good pre-season form.	–
4	VFL	Quieter than recent outings, but still played role in midfield with two goals.	–
5		Senior emergency.
6	VFL	Not as prolific as he has been but worked hard in the clinches.	–
7	VFL	Banging the door down for a senior recall with another fine performance.	–
8	VFL	Simply outstanding in midfield with 39 touches, four inside-50s and a goal.	–
9	Bris	Just four kicks in his 18 touches, but did some nice things around the ball.	5
10	Port	Did some good things – especially by hand ¬– and kicked a goal but didn’t have a big day.	4
11	VFL	Steady game in the middle with 20+ possessions and did a lot of hard things.	–
12	VFL	Not his most prolific day in the middle, but battled away for four quarters.	–
13	VFL	Brilliant work-rate over four quarters, winning 13 contested possessions and laying eight tackles.	–
14	VFL	Bye.	–
15	VFL	Did well again, especially in tight where his quick hands were a feature.	–
16		Senior emergency.
17	VFL	Huge ball winner with 37 possessions but was scrappy at times. Put hand up.	–
18	WCE	Had some negating roles and won 15 disposals.	4
19	VFL	Influential around the stoppages in midfield. 31 disposals and five inside-50s.	–
20	VFL	Did Liston Trophy hopes no harm with another big night. 37 touches.	–
21	VFL	Put hand up for more Liston votes in midfield. 36 touches, two goals.	–
22	Carl	No impact after coming back into team. Kicked a goal from 5m out but that was it.	3
23	VFL	Big ball-winner again in middle. 31 possessions, five clearances, four tackles.	–

2015 Season

1		Knee.
2		Knee.
3	VFL	Got through development league game after injury.	–
4	VFL	Continues to work to full match fitness in development squad.	–
5	VFL	Good first-up VFL effort with 21 possessions.	–
6	VFL	Used ball well when he got it and showed a bit.	–
7	VFL	Nearing a senior debut after another accomplished VFL display.	–
8	VFL	Continues improvement in midfield. 22 possessions.	–
9	VFL	Bye.	–
10	VFL	Breakout game with 34 possessions. A debut nears.	–
11	StK	Looked overawed on debut. Possibly not ready.	2
12	Geel	Looked much more settled second up and responded with three important goals.	6
14	WCE	Sub. On in first term for Brayshaw and kicked two goals. Handy.	5
15	Ess	Six tackles but not much for else for the youngster.	4
16	Bris	Sub. Got hands on ball a bit after coming on.	2
17	VFL	Big response to AFL axing with 40 possessions for Casey.	–
18	Coll	Made the most of his recall and busy at both ends of the ground.	6
19	NM	Sub. On final term and kicked goal of the day.	1
20	WB	In and out and wasn’t a real factor.	4
21	Carl	Sub. On early for Lumumba and did some OK things.	3
22	Frem	Quiet. Only eight possessions.	3
23	GWS	Sub. Minimal impact after coming on.	1