MARK MCVEIGH

Games: 24
Goals: 7
Kicks: 223
Marks: 73
Handballs: 68

The Fan's Rating: 5.7/10

Some of what the fan's had to say:

""A fairly good season - a player who has the ability to come off the bench and make an impact. Played every game, but there is still room for improvement.""

""Yet to take the next step. Needs a big 2003 or could find himself on the chopping board.""

""Genuine improvement this year, started and finished well. Must step up next season.""

""The only thing that went wrong with McVeigh's season was his overall game time should have been higher than what it was. When on the ground, played very well.""

""Occasionally good but overall not consistent enough and needs to do more of the hard things in football. Needs to put his hand up in season 2003 otherwise it would be fair to say that he's not quite up to AFL level.""

""Undoubtedly talented and hard at the ball. Seems to have holding roles most games and occasionally exploded in the forward line. I thought that he could grab a few more goals a match, in the Bewick vein""

""An average of 12 disposals when he only spends half the time on the ground is creditable. Hopefully given the opportunity to play four quarters next year and must step up to dominate whole matches.""

""2003 will be the make or break year for Mark. Very talented player with good football brain, but appears at time to rather disinterested. May be due to his merry-go-round positioning by coaching staff. Needs to find a position (I suggest HFF) and be left there.""

""In a word - disappointing! I don't think he has stepped up to being the contributor everybody thought he would be.""

""Had a reasonable year. Will need to progress to the next level. Is best suited in the forward line where he can take a mark and score goals. Was not suited as a tagger in the midfield but more of an attacking midfield player.""

The wash up:
McVeigh spent a lot of match time on the bench and needs to be given more opportunities in 2003 to prove himself. Did some good things during the season and showed glimpses of good things to come, but needs to contribute more. The fan's agreed that 2003 is the make or break season for McVeigh and needs to progress to the next level.

What Mark Harvey has to say:
McVeigh played every game this year, which was a good sign of things to come. He now understands what it takes to play solid consistent football at the top level. He has improved in a lot of areas of his game and played in different positions throughout the year, particularly a tagging role. This season, we started to see signs of what is capable of, but he has to focus on the attacking side of his game and work on cementing his spot in the mid-field. His performance will dictate how much time he spends on the bench.