Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy is expecting Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English to join the competition’s elite next season.
While English already had a breakout season in 2022, averaging career-highs in disposals, hitouts, clearances and inside 50s, Healy expects him to go to another level.
Now with six AFL seasons under his belt, Healy thinks English can take the mantle of the league’s premier ruckman from Max Gawn and earn All-Australian honours for the first time.
“I’ve been riding this guy for years, and he’s hard to miss,” Healy said on SEN Sportsday.
“I think Tim English could challenge for the All-Australian ruck next year.
“I think his best last year was as good as anyone’s best.
“I think he should set himself his sights on, ‘Okay, I can be the number one ruckman in this competition’.”
Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson is equally as excited about the 25-year-old as his physicality begins to marry up with the skill he’s always possessed.
“His ability to get outside of the contest was a lot better, his marking around the ground was a lot better,” Johnson said.
“He’s finally I think at a comfortable size where he feels he actually can compete with the best from a physicality point of view, he’s not pushed off the ball as often as he was the previous years.
“I agree, his movement around the ground, his ball use and his kicking ability are excellent.
“I think he’ll really push up and start to challenge Max Gawn in terms of who is the number one. He can kick goals as well.”
English now has 85 AFL games to his name since being taken in the first round of the 2016 National Draft.