1. Andrew McKay - He won the best and fairest and tried his guts out all year.  The epitome of a captain who lead by example.  Not his fault that nobody followed. Well above my preseason expectation.  Had him at number one for 2002, jumped off the bandwagon one year too early (13)

2. Anthony Koutoufides - Had a sterling year for someone who had played three games in 2002. Leader in hard ball gets and a midfield general in the absence of Ratten. Only query is the alleged clashes with the coaches tactics and extended payment negotiations again this year.  I reasoned preseason that Kouta is like Superman and justified me ranking him 5th with no certaintly of him ever making it back.  He not only proved me right but he surpassed my expectations. (5)

3. Brendan Fevola - the 'recruit' of the year.  63 goals with appalling supply and double teaming from opposition teams.  Did all the one percenters, and acted like a team leader.  Has claims on the number one spot for the season except for a brief moment of immaturity late in the season when the frustration of not getting support from his teammates made him do a Richo.  Cheer up Brendan, I don't think things will get that bad again. (23)

4. Scott Camporeale - Got this one right in my opinion. I stated that he wouldn't have two poor seasons in a row and he didn't.  God knows it must be difficult running the midfield with little support but he still showed several glimpses of the Campo of old by running angles and breaking lines. (4)

5. Matthew Lappin - had him a lot lower this season mindful that he would have limited exposure on our previously toothless forward line.  Of course Pagan then went and switched him to half back and Lappo starred back there.  Brilliantly skilled and always seems to have time to make the right decision.  Faded later in the season but was a real positive overall (12)

6. Bret Thornton - From Blues rookie of the year to star of the backline in one season. Took many forwards scalps and made it easy to forget just how young he really is. Can't see this kid being anything but a champion for the Blues. (18)

7. Ryan Houlihan - Kicked on in 2003 much more than I expected.  Took a leaf out of Fevola's book and really knuckled down and listened to the coach. Played well sweeping off half back and across the midfield.  Had some lapses in forma nd application but this looks like a genuine stepping stone. (21)

8. Jarrad Waite - Fantastic debut season by Waite. The club did the right thing holding him back in 2002. Overcame the sad passing of his father, former Blues champ Vin, and exhibited a touch of magic and much excitement. Needs to work on his disposal on the run but time is on his side.  Looks the goods to launch into the realms of genuine superstar in years ahead. (22)

9. Darren Hulme - Was not fantastic but was quite consistent and impressed the coach several times.  His disposal is not the best and will never be great but Pup showed that we really did miss having him around yapping at the heels of the opposition midfielders. (9)

10 Brad Fisher - by all accounts was a project player who was not ready for senior football right away.  Come the end of the season Fish had earned himself a Rising Star nomination and showed tremendous potential as a marking forward. Struggled in the latter half of the year with extra attention paid to him but the season was already a winner for him. (37)

11. Simon Beaumont - disappointing year by Simon's standards.  Not surprising in hindsight considering the roles he has had to play during this two year nightmare.  Still had some decent moments but as one of the experienced heads in the side, more was expected of him and he fast became a whipping boy for the fans. Alas, the Pieman will not be seen in Blues colours again as he has been traded to the Hawks and will be trying to adjust him eyes to brown and gold in 2004 (6)

12. Ian Prendergast - Fitness was again his strong point and this lead to him being reinvented as tall tagging option many times during the year.  Looks good getting into the packs and firing out quick handballs. (32)

13. Trent Sporn - played close to expectations but still missed a few games.  Scored a Rising Star Nomination but in hindsight was one of the weaker nominations for the year. Was a fan last year but he still didn't do enough to convince me he is a guaranteed 200 game player. (11)

14. Lance Whitnall - Injury again struck Bbig Red down when he was looking like getting back to his best.  Had his moments but missed far too much football. (1)

15. Brett Ratten - We invariably lose without him, enough said.  This comment was cut and pasted from the preseason and it still goes without saying.  Missed most of the season and has now retired due to debilitating injury. When he was on the park however, it still looked as sharp as ever. (2)

16. Karl Norman - I thought he showed plenty in the few games he got a gig.  Maybe my opinion is too high but I think Karl is a starting player though coach Pagan often thought otherwise.  Chases hard and spoils well and shows early signs of going the distance. (36)

17. Barnaby French - Was not quite the winning ruckman we all hoped for and in fact was often disappointing, especially around the ground. Got marked up because he had little to no support from Allan and inconsistent support from McKernan.  At least he tried and we can't fault that. (10)

18. Adrian Hickmott - mirrored Ratten as far as being injured a lot and retiring before the season was over.  Was still tenacious and a good leader while on the ground but years of sacrificing himself ultimately meant he was not as effective as usual. (14)

19. Callan Beasy - Played a couple of decent games where he set himself up as a strong marking target.  Finally he showed something but will need to expand on that next year. (24)

20. Corey McKernan - Pagan the magician comes to town and 'POOF' ... Corey turns to jelly.  His head was all wrong and in hindsight it was easy to see that he was planning his next escape from Pagan town. Not good enough Corey.  Hope that the players we traded for him, Morrell and Teague give a better account of themselves. (3)

21. Simon Wiggins - Did not come on as expected and with the trading the Blues have done, might find his role diminished further. Still goes hard but is too reactive instead of proactive. (16)

22. Luke Livingston - I was sure Martyn was recruited to help Livo but he went backwards at a fast rate of knots.  Showed a glimpse later in the season in different roles but there are more doubts over him now.  He's only a slight chance to make it at senior level after this display. (17)

23. Justin Murphy - If we were rating attitudes then Murphy would be last but luckily for him he does have skill, just choosing to only use it a few times a season. Had a real chance to shine under Pagan's long kicking tactics but wasn't interested. Traded to Essendon. (15)

24. Anthony Franchina - Made news for his tagging roles but still doesn't have another facet to his play and will be lucky if he survives the second cut coming up. (27)

25. Simon Fletcher - Still an honest player but in these days of rebuilding was never going to be capable of holding a spot. Most of us were in agreement on this one as Fletch has been delisted. (25)

26. Michael Martyn - Rated him highly because of the importance of the job he had to do.  To an extent he did it when Thornton gave Mick credit for his development this season.  In reality he was nursed to 300 goals by Pagan who obviously owed him a favour. Has since retired. (8)

27. Matthew Allan - Just when we needed a ruckman and were fooled by Matt's words soon after re-signing for minimum wage, he shows he hadn't changed at all.  Played one decent game for the year and just rode out the rest of the season as though he figured he had already done his money's worth.  Traded to Essendon.  (7)

28. Justin Davies - Suffered from second year blues and even walked out on the club midseason.  He came back but really failed to inspire us or show any of his 2002 form. (19)

29. Kade Simpson - 3 games, no possessions but his impact was still more promising than a few below who had more game time. Became very obvious that he needed a lot more development before stepping up to this level again. (34)

30. Blake Campbell - A wasted season. Seemed to be distracted during 2002 and his youth is the only thing that has or will stop him from becoming a victim of the second cut. (20)

31. Glenn Manton - We thought his time had come and it turns out we were right.  In hindsight his career was over when SOS retired, we just didn't realise it at the time.  Was unlucky to miss out because of Martyn's inclusion and by the time he got a chance late in the year, he was feeling too sorry for himself to give a yelp. Not a good ending to his playing career but never was his voice of dissention. Delisted (30)

32. Scott Freeborn - Would have been okay if he had have got on the field but there is the quick, the dead or the injured in this game and he ran out of time. Delisted. (27)

33. Andrew Eccles - Thanks Adelaide ... for nothing. Can't believe Crows fans rated this guy, two years of nothingness.  Andrew won't be at Carlton next season and will have plenty of time practices his wedge shots and I am not talking golf. Delisted. (28)

34. Jim Plunkett - Not up to it, no point in dwelling on it.  Perhaps it was his good friendship with fellow cast off, Andrew Eccles that lead to his downfall?  Delisted (29)

35. Andrew Merrington - Not up to the task.  Not sure he was given enough opportunity but then we aren't exactly going to miss him. Delisted (32)

36. Adam Mathews - Never made it on to the field in senior football.  Saw more of the hospital ward than he did of Optus Oval. Delisted. (33)

37. Cameron Croad - Still a while away from making the grade if he does at all. They reckon Trent has all the talent and that is saying something. (35)