It was stunning the number of players who changed clubs last year. In fact you could pick a pretty good team from the list of almost 50.

Some players turned up at their new clubs out of nick. Some have been hot, some cold and some injured.

There have also been some standouts and these players potentially hold the key to their clubs’ prospects with half the season left.

BRISBANE are a better side with Lachie Neale in it.

Many are still shaking their heads as to how the trade from Fremantle came about, but in the end the Lions got their man and Neale got to where he wanted to go.

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His inclusion instantly lessened the blow of Dayne Beams’ departure and has proven to be a masterstroke.

Over the first 11 rounds the 26-year-old averaged 33 disposals per game — 12 kicks and 21 handpasses.

I’m sure Chris Fagan would like him to kick more, as he is a deft kick. The ball moves 310m per game through his disposals, which isn’t extraordinary, but given how often he handpasses, that figure and his impact becomes a little clearer. The Lions need him to stay in good touch.

Not far behind Neale is Jordan Roughead. The 2016 Bulldogs premiership ruckman has been outstanding for Collingwood.

He has played on several great forwards, shut them down and helped strengthen the Magpies’ grip on a top-four spot.

He’s also proven to be a highly versatile player by going back to cover for injured duo Lynden Dunn and Matthew Scharenberg. To add to his value he is a terrific intercept mark.

Shane Mumford’s “comeback” at Greater Western Sydney has been remarkable. He bullies sides and helps the teammates around him grow taller.

He averaged 38 hit-outs and four clearances a game entering the weekend.

The Giants cannot win a premiership without him, so they need to rest him before finals in the “non danger” games. As big and tough as he is, Mumford is vulnerable to injury, but he needs to play only six or seven of the remaining home-and-away games to be cherry ripe for the finals.

Dylan Shiel has had a major impact on the Bombers’ midfield psyche so far this season.

He has been excellent with speed and ball getting power, averaging 28 disposals, 12 of those contested. His execution rate is down from normal, but that will improve as he becomes even more comfortable with the Bombers’ forward line movements.

Camera Icon Dylan Shiel has flourished in a new midfield. Credit: AAPIMAGE

I COULD put a circle around the next group of recruits as they have had up and down moments this year, but are already highly valuable to their teams — Luke Dahlhaus, Gary Rohan, Tom Scully and Jared Polec.

Dahlhaus has been the best of that bunch. Importantly, he has brought speed and tackling power to a Geelong forward line which is generally slow. He’s improved the Cats’ work in the forward half immensely.

Rohan saved his worst outing for his old team Sydney, but with 20 goals from his other games he has been invaluable for Geelong.

Scully is the wild-card in this. He wasn’t expected to play until midway through this season, but defied all odds to get back early from a serious ankle injury and play some good football for Hawthorn.

Polec has been patchy at North Melbourne. He averages 409m gained a game, which is less than what you’d want from him, but he is certainly building.

I feel for Richmond’s Tom Lynch.

I have written previously about the former Gold Coast forward and I will reinforce the message that he needs space in front of him for leading patterns. Space that Richmond doesn’t give him.

His teammates further afield continue to kick it on top of his head. When Dustin Martin plays out of the goalsquare, Lynch finds himself too often out of position and he seems to have lost confidence.

For the Tigers to advance through the finals Lynch and Martin must play side-by-side deep in the forward line to give each more leading space.

But Richmond is not particularly great at delivering the ball cleanly to its forwards. Jack Riewoldt has had to take some spectacular marks to make his teammates’ kicking look good.

Camera Icon Tom Lynch has carried a lot of responsibility in an injury-hit team, kicking 25.12. Credit: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Dayne Beams has tailed off since the start of the season back at Collingwood (and is now injured,) but he has been part of one of the most damaging midfields in the competition

He is a goal kicker, a good clearance player and carries the ball well, but he may find it hard to get back into the team with so many talented Magpies pressing for selection from VFL ranks.

Chad Wingard, who was recruited by Hawthorn as a small forward but has unfortunately been bracketed by some as a direct replacement for Cyril Rioli, needs to make his own way without that burden around his neck. He has undoubted talent and has produced some wizardry this season, but not enough. Wingard needs to be far more consistent.

WHEN a high-profile player moves clubs the accolades roll in when he delivers on expectation. If he doesn’t, the scrutiny can be deafening.

Players such as Rory Lobb, who has been adequate for Fremantle but not dominant; Alex Fasolo, who has struggled with injury, a different game structure, and different players around him at Carlton; Daniel Menzel, who barely had an impact against his old team when Sydney took on the Cats; all need to improve or their move could be considered a bust.

And there are many more, including Scott Lycett, Anthony Miles, Jack Hombsch, Dean Kent, Travis Colyer, Nic Newman and Sam Lloyd who have had ups and downs at their new clubs, because change is rarely easy and this is why it is always a gamble for player and club. But when it pays off, it is spectacular.

Camera Icon Rory Lobb played a key role for Fremantle as a ruckman before injury struck. Credit: Getty Images

JESSE Hogan has had his moments with Fremantle. When he is good he’s good, but when he’s bad he is horrid. For Fremantle to stay in the top eight it needs him to play consistent football and kick straight — 10.9 from 10 games this year is not a good enough return.

Unfortunately, Hogan has a habit of playing poorly when he’s most needed to play well.

Steven May presented at Melbourne in bad shape and both he and the club have paid the price.

I really rate him as a player, but he has been disappointing. He needs to quickly repay the faith the Demons have shown in him.

Surprisingly, tomorrow’s match will probably determine Melbourne’s finals fate, so if he plays, May needs to make it a good one.

Camera Icon Steven May arrived at Melbourne from Gold Coast out of shape and is yet to have an impact for the Demons. Credit: Getty Images

Aaron Hall has more ability in his little pinky than a lot of players running around.

He averages 20-plus possessions and 382m a game with North Melbourne, but defensively he has shown little interest in the club’s disciplines.

I thought Brad Scott handled him beautifully by not giving him an easy passage just because he came as a highly rated recruit and chose North over other clubs.

He could have a massive impact on North Melbourne’s future, or he could become like the meteor recently over Melbourne that burned up in space. It is up to him.

Dan Hannebery made his first appearance for St Kilda last weekend in the VFL. I am on the record as saying before the Saints recruited him that it was a poor decision —only he can prove that wrong.

It is very rare for a player who is often injured at a club and then injured early at his new club to be able to change that pattern. They can regretfully become a liability at their new home.

Hannebery can change that with some consistent solid performances for the Saints. They desperately need him playing well.

When a player of Mitch McGovern’s ability decides to leave a well-run and successful club such as Adelaide, to go to a bottom club, I am suspicious about his motives.

His form has not indicated that he is going to be Carlton’s panacea.

He is not a big possession getter, so every mark and kick must count.

He, like Lynch, can be a matchwinner on any given day.