Jason Johnson:
JJ as he is commonly known to Essendon fans has been the Bombers leading possession winner for most of Essendon's games this season - leading the club in kicks (172), handballs (99) and equal to Justin Blumfield in tackles (38). Johnson has become one of AFL's most dominant mid-field players and as a testament to this he is tagged every week. Quality players beat tags and Johnson has been able to do that. Johnson has taken on a leadership role on and off the field and without doubt is in the kind of form that may see him win back-to-back best and fairest awards.
Shaw says:
Maintains his high standard - bearing up fantastically under the additional responsibility and burden placed on him , by the fact that we have a number of mid-fielders out. Improved again on last year.
Danny Jacobs:
With the loss of hardmen Dean Solomon, Damien Hardwick and Dean Wallis this season - for different reasons - and the occasional absence of Dustin Fletcher through injury, Danny Jacobs has been asked to play as a key position defender and he has done the job very well. Jacobs has taken the next step this season and has become a dominating backman for the team. Playing his best footy at centre-half back, the 188cm defender has done the job on a number of opposition players including Anthony Rocca (Collingwood), Matthew Richardson (Richmond) and Lance Whitnall (Carlton). Jacobs has a strong pair of hands and has taken some excellent marks under pressure this year. He is leading the Essendon marking with 84 grabs this season. The 21-year-old has established himself as a senior player this year and plenty will be asked of him in the next 10 weeks.
Shaw says:
Most improved player in the club, if not the competition. Stood up wonderfully well at centre-half-back and viewed as possible All-Australian at the end of the year.
Adam Ramanauskas:
One of the Bombers fittest players, Ramanauskas has shouldered extra responsibility this season in the backline and also on the wing. With the occasional absence of Dustin Fletcher, Ramanauskas has also been asked to do the kicking out - a tough job and a tribute to his precise skills. Ramanauskas has been one of the Bombers most consistent players, second to Jason Johnson in disposals (226). At 21 years of age, Ramanauskas plays with a real maturity and has undoubtedly been one of the Bombers' stars in the first half of the season..
Shaw says:
Improved with age and maturity. Now being targeted and tagged as key mid-fielder, which indicates a step-up in respect of opposition.
Mark Johnson
Johnson looks to be back to his form of 2000. His hardness and attack on the football has seen him become one of the keys to Essendon's backline. He has taken on the opposition, running off the backline and creating opportunities for the forwards. Even though Johnson has played most of his footy this year in the backline, he is capable of moving into the mid-field. He is a versatile player and he has put his hand up this season when his side most needed him to - the sign of a quality player.
Shaw says:
Sensational. Fit, confident and tough - three great qualities.
Dustin Fletcher:
Again this season Fletcher has been the Bombers most dominant defender and although he has missed a few games with injury, is still one of the team's highest possession getters. With the absence of the majority of the Bombers leadership team - Hird, Lloyd and Misiti - Fletcher has been an inspirational leader with his on-field performance. He has played most of his footy this season at full-back, keeping Barry Hall (Sydney Swans), Ken Kingsley (Geelong) and Jonathon Hay (Hawthorn) quiet, and on the odd occasion has been moved to the forward line and kicked three goals this year.
Shaw says:
What can you say - maintains the highest standard of the best full-back in the competition. Leadership in assisting in holding the team together in tough times - unquestioned.
