Kane Cornes has named the players for both Adelaide and Port Adelaide who need a big summer in order to be the big improvers of 2021.
Starting with the Crows, Cornes feels key forward Elliott Himmelberg has shown his potential and now needs to put the pieces together.
Himmelberg took 14 marks and kicked four goals in the final month of the season and was a big part of Adelaide’s stronger finish to the year.
“I’d love to see Elliott Himmelberg build on what he did towards the back-end of last year,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“I think we now know he’s a capable footballer, how good he wants to be will be up to him.
“I think a big summer for him in the gym and working on his forward and ruck craft is going to be significant and the upside for Adelaide will be huge there.”
Similarly, Cornes would like to see midfielder Harry Schoenberg slim down and work on his tank.
The 19-year-old played eight games in his first season and impressed in Round 17 with 21 disposals and five tackles against Carlton.
“Harry Schoenberg is another one. Second year player who needs to chisel down, hit the gyms,” Cornes said.
“He needs to sharpen up his body, to be fair. A great start in his first year, but if he wants to be a serious midfielder he needs to get his body in better shape than what it is at the moment.”
As for the Power, Cornes sees quite a few players who need big pre-seasons to be in the best 22 conversation.
“At Port Adelaide’s there’s a couple that need big summers and one of them is Todd Marshall,” he said.
“Sam Hayes is the third-string ruckman at Port Adelaide with big wraps on him.
“Sydney came hard for him in the trade period and Port Adelaide said no, we’re keeping you because we like what you can do.
“He needs to work on his aerobic ability and his tank so a big summer needed for Hayes.
“Also Riley Bonner. Somewhat at the crossroads of where he’s at. He’s shown the ability to be a good AFL player, but has been squeezed out with Port Adelaide’s strength across half-back.
“Jarrod Lienert needs a big pre-season as well. Similar to Bonner, has the strengths to be a good AFL player, but others have kept him out.
“Those two need to force there way into the side and play 18 to 20 games.”
SEN SA Breakfast co-host Andrew Hayes hopes Adelaide’s Wayne Milera finally gets some luck and puts a healthy 2021 season together.
“Wayne Milera for me is the big one. He’s been threatening for the last two or three years and it’s not his fault his body keeps letting him down,” he said.
“If he can string one or two seasons together, we’re going to see a superstar born.”
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