This time last year Jack Crisp was wearing a Brisbane Lion, Jordan De Goey was an Oakleigh Charger and Michael Manteit was a Sandringham Dragon and Adam Oxley wasn't playing footy at all.
Fast-forward 12 months and the three new arrivals are the names on all Collingwood players’ lips as the most improved Magpies of 2015.
Midfielder Crisp was the resounding leader as the list was quizzed as part of Collingwood Media’s 2015 mid-season player poll.
The 21-year-old received 40 per cent of votes ahead of Adam Oxley (15 per cent) and Manteit (10 per cent).
A wide selection of players followed, with De Goey, Alex Fasolo, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams, Tim Broomhead and Taylor Adams all receiving nominations.
After playing just 16 games in three years at Brisbane, Crisp has quickly found a permanent role in Collingwood’s midfield in his first year at the club.
He averages career-highs in disposals (21.1) and tackles (5.1) and ranks fourth at the club in a number of stat categories including kicks, handballs, total disposals and contested possessions.
Oxley failed to play a game last year after suffering an ankle injury, but has managed to turn his fortunes around in 2015.
Controlling the defence, he has added to his two games in 2013 and has averaged 20 disposals acting at times as the general in defence.
While the name Michael Manteit may not ring any bells with the larger AFL community, his name amongst the most improved players shows the respect he’s commanded in his short time at the Westpac Centre.
Pick No. 8 in the rookie draft appeared an opportunity of a lifetime for Manteit who joins the Magpies from the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.
While he is yet to play an AFL game, the recruit who does “the little things coaches love” has averaged 13.4 disposals in seven VFL games for the Magpies.
If the rapid improvement continues in the latter half of the year, it may just be Manteit who makes the jump from the VFL and joins Crisp and Oxley on the MCG.
Mid-season player poll – Most improved
1. Jack Crisp
2. Adam Oxley
3. Michael Manteit
Others nominated: Alex Fasolo, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams, Tim Broomhead, Jordan De Goey, Taylor Adams.
Player Poll 2015: New faces are the most improved
Collingwood players have listed a number of emerging names as their selection for the most improved player of 2015 in Collingwood Media's mid-season player poll.
