Emerging tall foward Jay Neagle had another up and down year but displayed his strong marking and goal kicking in 12 games to suggest he will become a key to the Bombers' forward line in 2010 and beyond.

Neagle’s rating dropped to 4.37/10 from almost 6/10 in 2009. According to Bomber fans, the 20-year-old (he turns 21 in January) needs to become more consistent and fitter to fill the big shoes left by Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas in 2010.
 
 
2009
Games - 12
Goals - 19
Kicks - 64
Marks - 47
Handballs – 21

2009 Fan’s ranking 4.37/10

2008
Games - 7
Goals - 10
Kicks - 33
Marks -20
Handballs - 12

2008 Fan’s ranking: 5.77/10

2007
Games - 1
Goals - 1
Kicks - 3
Marks - 0
Handballs - 3

Fan’s ranking: 3.95/10

 
Here's what some of the Essendon fans had to say:

Gets a pass mark for the games that he did play in. Is a great contested mark and good kick for goal. Certainly has ability and just needs to work a little harder off the ball. A HUGE pre-season will do him wonders. 22 games next year will also help! (Matt Grima)

Jay awesome to see that you slotted in some nice goals this season. That will give you a target for 2010 : 50 goals. First get a few more games into the season. You'll only get there by putting in the work pre-season and building up strength and lots of target practice. You can be one of this club's great forwards (Richard Hayward)

Another developing year can only be good. Get a good pre-season in ya Jay, work on your match fitness, and hopefully 2010 you'll make that full-forward spot your own. (Brad Clark)

Noticed improved fitness and stamina on the previous year, so Jay is heading in the right direction! Extra responsibility will be the makings of him in 2010. (Noel Shields)

Shows signs of a good player, needs to get fit an show a little bit more heart. Will have to be a big improver now Lloyd has gone or we will go backwards (Michael Cullen)

Better then last year, but has terrible match fitness, needs a solid pre-season and has to work on his second efforts and we have a potential superstar on our hands. (Geoff Bell)

Lots of potential.... Big gaps being left in the forward line and he will have his chance to shine next year that's for sure. (Anthony Leggett)
 

Jay is a very good mark and kick, he has strong potential and we really need him to have a big pre-season to help our forward line in the absence of Lloyd and Lucas. (Nicholas Loschiavo)

Needs to work harder on his fitness. Looks like he can be a great player but needs to take it the next level.( Patrick Ciccaldo)

Has shown some potential, but drifts out of games and has never made a decisive impact on a game yet. Needs a really good pre-season with lots of running and more running. (Leonard Clark)

Has a promising star forward quality, but needs to build a bigger tank, apply more forward pressure and get some decent kicks to him from the midfield! Great strong mark though and pretty accurate! (Sarah Hoggett)
 
Great Hands, Great Kick, Great Mark but definately needs more agility. Have been singing his praises for 12 months, but he has not quite delivered. (Jill Cathcart)