Moved Thread #1: Majak Daw -

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ferball

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So if Maj goes out for Waite are we confident of Goldy Rucking alone injured with a chop out from Brown will win actually win us games?
I'm not.


It's easy to understand where he is in the pecking order and rightly so. It's the 'basics' of his game that is more about footy nous at AFL level that makes look inadequate and explains why he hasn't cracked 30 games yet. Don't get me wrong Alpine and any other Daw admirer.. I appreciate the physicality he brings but sheeesh.. frustrates the beejesus outta me with his basic blunders. Too timid at times. And other times is so sublime but rare.
Honestly if he'd had the run Browny has had the basics and his "nous" would be much better and the timidity wouldn't be there. (I don't think Browny's run should have been sacrificed for Daw's tho.) But to me it seems clear he is adjusting to the pace and play of the game at this level. In that interview Gaso liked after last night's game Daw was saying he was yet to work the better defenders out but sounded confident he could. Some of his missed marks last night reminded me of Browny's earlier this year and last year. I think he has a lot more going for him than we give him credit for.

If AFL was a successful international sport Daw would have the size and athleticism of most midfielders imo, and the way he plays reminds me more of a midfielder than a forward. But I think he has the athleticism to make it as a forward if he gets an extended go and some good instruction or experience at AFL level.
 

AGC

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Think we need to give him an extended run at it now, he's got all the tools - just needs refinement and experience to ensure that he's utilising the tools to the best of ability. With his height, physique and leap - every mark should effectively be uncontested - aka, get to the fall of the ball, outmuscle them (given you're a very strong man), leap (higher than anyone else can) and pick the mark. That's obviously an oversimplification - but the nice this is that he's getting to the contests, now he just needs to capitalise.

The best thing is - that he never needs to be the "number one tall" - I feel fairly comfortable in saying that Browny and Mason are our two key 190+ cm forwards going forawrd- but be being so tall and athletic, means that Maj ultimately takes away a key defender - and a tall key defender, which makes life for Browny so much easier. The experience of playing with Drewy shouldn't be undervalued as well. Learn how forwards operate when they "don't" have the ball, where to go, how to chase to ensure that even if you're not having goals, you're having an impactful game.
A number of times last night (particularly when playing in the middle) Grundy just got away from him, but this comes with game time.
 

ferball

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Daw has that lack of awareness when the ball is coming in or leading to the ball. The decision making on where to put his body is awful. Gets pushed out of position way too easily because he is unsure where to sit

But, I swear it's all mindset and lack of confidence because it seems like as the game goes on and feels like he belongs in the team he lifts. Starts to apply those second effort tackles etc which is what we want from him

He gave Goldy a lot of rest last night and I loved how brad persisted with Majak in the middle

Continuity is the key here for maj. He is a confidence player. Wouldn't mind seeing him get 10-15 possessions for the next few games and increase that tackling pressure as I think Waite is going to be wrapped in cotton wool for a while
He did an interview last night where he said he was struggling against the better quality defenders in the AFL. I think the step up in standard is one of the reasons he struggles in the areas you mentioned and one of the reasons he needed more time this year.

I must say in Daw's favor every criticism I had of him, or other people had of him seems to get worked on. He constantly improves in areas of the game that he lacks something. Ok not every area, but enough of them to suggest he works on every weakness and is really trying to improve his game to the best of his ability. Since the Richmond game last year its stood out for me. That is why I'd like to see him have an extended run up forward. It'd be good to know with certainty that he either could improve on his biggest weakness and become a genuine gun or that he'll always remain a ruck/ruck rover type.

I'd back him to work it out actually cos he has shown (imo) that he will work other stuff out and improve it.

If he gets a few games and clicks/gets it up forward then next year we could be looking at Browny, Wood and Daw swapping with Goldy on the forward line. We wouldn't need Drew or Waite (except for their experience).

Us facing a Cliff? Other teams would be running flat out into one when they played us. We would become the Cliff. (insert Yoda/Miyagi smiley.)
 

Groucho

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Just watched the replay. He got mauled in 2 marking contests which should have been frees. IMO he's good enough to tell Petrie or Waite that this will be their final year.
One of those he was pushed front on ,grabbed around the neck and had his arms chopped,actually three frees but got none!
 

Moti

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To be fair maybe daw should have been leading. I think drew expected him to and didn't have the range to kick it to Daw's advantage when he shaped to kick the first time. He fumbled cos he was readjusting to hold the ball for a moment more and then kick deeper.

At the time I was unsure whether Daw should have led or not.

Should Daw lead cos his speed and leap are elite but the kick would be on an angle and a lot further out, or use his strength and maintain his position with a much easier shot on goal? Don't think its as simple as saying he doesn't have the nous for the game.
Carey would rarely have lead, he would have expected the long ball. Drew wanted to be safe, Majak doesn't play that way. Again not enough experience playing together. Also, if he didn't take the mark on the lead, there was two free Pies players who would have eaten up the loose ball. Drew should have just kicked it and given Maj the contest he wanted. Then you can judge whether it was right or not.
 

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Moti

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Serious? Daw should of already been moving up... don't know if Daw was being held or perhaps even snoozing? (read: didn't understand wtf to do) to lead up... Petrie waited long enough.. you couldn't expect Drew to kick a 70-80 metre bomb when 50 is his range without a lead.... Another reason why I'm not sold on DAW at all. Was caught behind on many occassions.. if he doesn't get that run up for a regulation sit on the opponent.. he can't be relied upon. Sadly lacks nous. Very limited mentally (footy smarts) even after 6-7 years at the club.
Would have perhaps just been 50 metres, easily within Drew's repertoire. Play more together, they will gel better.
 

Steele7

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Not a perfect game by Maj. But others made plenty of mistakes. Think he adds more to the team than Waite. Gives Goldy relief in the Ruck and is a different type of Ruck. Helps us be less predictable in the centre. Add leaves Brown forward. Like to see Maj bring that tackling pressure next week.
 

nelroo

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[QUOTE="Steele7, post: 45680439, Think he adds more to the team than Waite. [/QUOTE]
Taking his ruck ability out of it, hell no. Short memory.
 

apollo_creed

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We didnt lose anything in the ruck when he replaced Goldstein. He is a threat around the ground and with an extended run the goals will come. He is definitely an AFL level player and considering the age of our list and age/injury situation of two of ours bigs resigning him is essential. The club will regret it if we don't because i expect there to be alot of clubs interested in him.
 

Harris 10

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Just watched the replay. He got mauled in 2 marking contests which should have been frees. IMO he's good enough to tell Petrie or Waite that this will be their final year.
The one when Grundy run back with the flight and had no eyes on the footy was an appallingly bad decision.

I saw it from the middle deck behind the goals at the other end, but the three blind mice in better positions than me couldn't.
 

TennisPlayerAndy

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The one when Grundy run back with the flight and had no eyes on the footy was an appallingly bad decision.

I saw it from the middle deck behind the goals at the other end, but the three blind mice in better positions than me couldn't.
Artificial handicapping system.
 

Rooboy 96

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If Waite is fit, he comes in and Daw goes out. Very simple. Getting Waite back and firing is crucial for North's finals hopes.
now you want to change a winning formula, wasn't that your reason why Daw couldn't come in when all our forwards started playing shit 10 weeks ago? didn't Goldie look a lot better last night? ;)
 

Rooboy 96

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Serious? Daw should of already been moving up... don't know if Daw was being held or perhaps even snoozing? (read: didn't understand wtf to do) to lead up... Petrie waited long enough.. you couldn't expect Drew to kick a 70-80 metre bomb when 50 is his range without a lead.... Another reason why I'm not sold on DAW at all. Was caught behind on many occassions.. if he doesn't get that run up for a regulation sit on the opponent.. he can't be relied upon. Sadly lacks nous. Very limited mentally (footy smarts) even after 6-7 years at the club.
you do know how fast Daw can run? just kick it Drew. ;) Seriously just kick it!!!!
 
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