41Jesse Stringer
Whilst the 22-year-old only had seven runs in the AFL it was still enough field time to impress the coaches. Over the seven games he averaged 10 disposals, 3 inside 50s and 4.4 tackles per game, including a total of three goals. This left him with 10 games in the Cats VFL team, where he averaged 10 efficient disposals, 2.6 marks and a high total of 7 tackles per game. In round 16 against Casey, Stringer displayed a strong performance making13 tackles, 4 marks and kicked one goal.
Amos' review
Played as the sub a few times in the AFL and didn't look overawed in the big games. He's a very good user of the ball, and he can really cover the ground. He played some really solid VFL footy. He's in the Schroder, Horlin-Smith, Smedts mould – he's just ready to go. Jesse should get a lot of opportunities in the AFL next year.
43 George Burbury
This year the young rookie made his debut against Port Adelaide in round 9, which was backed-up by another stint in the ones the following week against the Suns. Altogether he made 22 disposals, 9 tackles and 2 goals. Burbury came into the season obtaining a long-term foot injury, which meant the 21-year-old had a late start to the season, which was also interrupted with another short injury spell. On top of his two AFL appearances Burbury was able to fit eight VFL games into his year. Throughout these games he averaged 8 efficient disposals, 3.6 marks and 4.5 tackles per game. During his first game back for the season Burbury kicked 6 majors against the Werribee Tigers and 13 rounds later he kicked another 6 goals against Bendigo Gold.
Amos' review:
He forced his way into the side with some great VFL form, and he played quite well against Port over there on debut. But his progression was held up when he hurt his quad and missed a few weeks. It was frustrating. We liked his marking and pressure inside the forward 50, and he might have stayed in the team for a while if not for the injury. It's great that he's had a taste of AFL footy, so he's well prepared for hopefully becoming a regular fixture in the team next year. He's been on our rookie list for three years, so he has to be either elevated or delisted, and I think he's going to go up onto the senior list.
44 Corey Enright
Enright had another eminent and consistent year in the blue and white hoops, where he was awarded with his fifth All-Australian title. Enright, who has now played 266 AFL games, sailed through the season with virtually no obstacles until he was crippled by a severe knee injury in the Qualifying Final against Fremantle. Sadly, he was unable to return for the remainder of the finals’ series. Until that point he had averaged 22.3 possessions, 7 marks and 3 inside-50s per game at 78.4% disposal efficiency.
Amos' review:
He's a star. What more can I say. To be All Australian for the fifth time is an amazing achievement. He's so consistent and plays at such a high level week in week out. This season he was as reliable and dependable as ever and we really missed him in the preliminary final against Hawthorn. He's someone that, from a coaching sense, you don't really do too much with. He knows what to do and he's so keen to help the young players. He really helped Cam Guthrie this season. This season he had both attacking and defensive roles at times. He played on Cyril Rioli and Chad Wingard and plenty of the competition's other star medium forwards. We were optimistic that if we had made the Grand Final he would have been available to play, so he should be fine to start pre-season when the older guys come back in mid-November, although I'm not sure if he might need an arthroscope to clear things up.
