Retired #11: David Zaharakis - Survivin'

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2021
Last Game Played: Round 19, 2021 (omit)
Injury Status: n/a

 

[Childish Gambino]

Clearly you're happy with his effort levels and output so we might as well close the thread. No issue here.

 

[Childish Gambino]

I might spend a fair bit of tonight watching Zaka live. I'll reserve further judgement until then.

 

[BrunoV]

Clearly you're happy with his effort levels and output so we might as well close the thread. No issue here.

Let me be more direct.

How the * do you know what his level of effort is?

 

[cAsEy_18]

I think the hard thing for Zaka has been our change in game plan. We've gone from in the past a kamikaze style forward running (Which made us unstoppable for periods but had the threat of opening us up) to basically doing a 180 and playing slow, chip it around, possession footy. Zaka was perfectly suited to our old style of play. The problem is, the game is moving towards what we're starting to do now, we've just gone too far. Zaharakis looks like he's trying to play our new style, but in reality you still need 2-3 guys who can run forward and kick those break goals. He's one of our only ones.

I'd love to know what, if anything, was said to him preseason. Because whilst we've changed to this game style, we need Zaharakis to basically be an exception to the rule, rather than adopt the game plan too. A good example is Dempsey, he is one of our other few line-breakers. And whilst he has turned the ball over in his few games back and caused a few hairs to be pulled out, he's doing the right thing, we need him to take the game on. Just like we need Zaharakis to do.

 

[daffo]

Agree with Casey. Zaka needs to take the game on, along with Dempsey and Colyer if he is in the side. All good teams have outside runners. We don't at the moment. One of the reasons why Dempsey was rushed back in.

 

[Doss]

Agree with Casey. Zaka needs to take the game on, along with Dempsey and Colyer if he is in the side. All good teams have outside runners. We don't at the moment. One of the reasons why Dempsey was rushed back in.

What Casey is pointing out, though, is that Zaka is far less likely to take the game on because of our style.

So rather than take the game on per se, Zaka needs to adapt.

 

[gillon]

Zaka is a 3rd possession type. Beams is your 1st/2nd possession type of player. Easy to get away with not being overly quick.

I actually think when Zaka plays that 1st/2nd possession type style he excels. I may be wrong but he played a fairly contested game ANZAC Day last year and was amazing.

 

[eth-dog]

I actually think when Zaka plays that 1st/2nd possession type style he excels. I may be wrong but he played a fairly contested game ANZAC Day last year and was amazing.

Yep, 14 of his 33 possessions are cotested, also 6 clearances

 

[JDavey]

Best game his played all year was this one - glad to see whats hopefully the start of a return to form.

 

[Coldacre]

much much improved last night. he actually kicked to team mates advantage!!

 

[BrunoV]

Re-watched the game against Sydney yesterday. Was excellent in the third quarter and good for the rest of the game.

Played really well last night too. Whatever shackles had been put on Zaharakis seem to have been removed. Great to have him back.

 

[Doss]

Was very good last night.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Welcome back Zaka!

 

[JDavey]

Two games in a row of great form, I'm trying to keep a level-head about this....

 

[Darealrath]

For a guy who can kick some fantastic goals his general conversion is pretty poor. Really needs to work on this.

 

[eth-dog]

Needs to simulate on the run with his set shots.

 

[JDavey]

Two games in a row of great form, I'm trying to keep a level-head about this....

It is up to three.... he is back to his best omg omg omg... .

 

[yaco55]

Zaka must be over his injury.

 

[Zach Package]

For a guy who can kick some fantastic goals his general conversion is pretty poor. Really needs to work on this.

his set shots are pretty dire atm.

Back him on the run though

 

[Coldacre]

his set shots are pretty dire atm.

Back him on the run though

not from 50. seems hell bent on passing unless he's directly in front.

 

[Essendonia]

I asked questions earlier this season and he's given some answers. Continuing to build his season, which bodes well for everyone. Credit to him.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

 

[OzBomber]

King of clutch.

******* love this guy. When the game is on the line and we're within 60m just put it in his hands and let him do the rest.

 

[eth-dog]

Best.On.Ground

 

[Zach Package]

last month:

31.75 possessions per.
7.25 marks per.
7 goals 5 behinds.
3.5 tackles per.
8.5 insid 50's per game

Absolute Adonis, if there was a player of the month award you'd probably give it to him

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Whatever it was the coaches were working on for the first two months of the season, it ******* worked. That is unquestionably his best month of footy.