Player Watch #9: Luke Davies-Uniacke [Part II] - '24 SBM - re-signed until the end of 2032 [7 year deal]

[jay317]

B+ that gets masqueraded around like an A+. Unfortunately when you have next to no other B+ or above you have to pay him like an A+.

 

[FlyHigh18]

He’s simply not an A grade player.

The midfield mix next year will be very different to this year.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Are you actually trying to defend LDU after that shitful performance?

Save it. He was absolute garbage and the reason Geelong kicked their first few goals and got on their run.

He's not only our highest paid player, but one of the highest paid players in the entire league.

He's not living up anywhere close to that level.

I’m saying that the mentality doesn’t just specifically belong to him. None of the mids are defensively minded. The mix is a ****ing disaster in there.

Wasn’t close to his best. Which he has shown repeatedly over the years.

He deserves balanced criticism of his performances.

Just like Phillips.

Swap LDU with Atkins last night, and the result would be the same.

 

[shintemaster]

I’m saying that the mentality doesn’t just specifically belong to him. None of the mids are defensively minded. The mix is a ****ing disaster in there.

Wasn’t close to his best. Which he has shown repeatedly over the years.

He deserves balanced criticism of his performances.

Just like Phillips.

Swap LDU with Atkins last night, and the result would be the same.

Jesus it annoyed me in (I think) the 2nd quarter when he stuffed up going forward - then showed a huge intensity of effort to win the ball back. This is why I get so angry with him as a player - that should be the standard all the ****ing time, not just when he has fluffed it up. He is capable of more and I'm sorry, but I don't think he should get a free pass because his average game is better than many other players best.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Jesus it annoyed me in (I think) the 2nd quarter when he stuffed up going forward - then showed a huge intensity of effort to win the ball back. This is why I get so angry with him as a player - that should be the standard all the ****ing time, not just when he has fluffed it up. He is capable of more and I'm sorry, but I don't think he should get a free pass because his average game is better than many other players best.

Neither do I.

My comment was more in reference to the complete lack of any defensive accountability of any of our players.

The whole side has the ‘why the **** would I do it, if others don’t’.

 

[gokangas]

Jesus it annoyed me in (I think) the 2nd quarter when he stuffed up going forward - then showed a huge intensity of effort to win the ball back. This is why I get so angry with him as a player - that should be the standard all the ****ing time, not just when he has fluffed it up. He is capable of more and I'm sorry, but I don't think he should get a free pass because his average game is better than many other players best.

Said that here at the time. Second efforts hardly exist, even for our better players. You are right - we shouldn't be highlighting it here. It should be the standard for every player.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

when we win “yes ldu is a gun”

when we lose “ ldu is shit, delist, not worth the money”

what do you actually want him to ****ing do, win us the game him self

make up ur mind

 

[franjon]

Jesus it annoyed me in (I think) the 2nd quarter when he stuffed up going forward - then showed a huge intensity of effort to win the ball back. This is why I get so angry with him as a player - that should be the standard all the ****ing time, not just when he has fluffed it up. He is capable of more and I'm sorry, but I don't think he should get a free pass because his average game is better than many other players best.

I don't think he is capable of more. I think he'd be a very handy addition to a good midfield. But I don't think he has the aggression or balls that are needed to be one of the main or dominant mids. We need to develop or find someone that can take over the hard stuff because he's not it.

 

[TruRoo]

when we win “yes ldu is a gun”

when we lose “ ldu is shit, delist, not worth the money”

what do you actually want him to ****ing do, win us the game him self

make up ur mind

This post makes no sense.


Most of us want to see him playing good, team orientated, impactful footy. He rarely does this.

What do you want of him?

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

This post makes no sense.


Most of us want to see him playing good, team orientated, impactful footy. He rarely does this.

What do you want of him?

far out. when we’re up he’s the most impactful player on the ground, obviously in a 100 point belting hes not gonna play well, what did you except him to do differently last night? give some suggestions on how he could off played better last night?

 

[kangafruity]

far out. when we’re up he’s the most impactful player on the ground, obviously in a 100 point belting hes not gonna play well, what did you except him to do differently last night? give some suggestions on how he could off played better last night?

He could have returned the ball properly when a free kick was awarded against him and not cost us a 50m penalty just as an example

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

He could have returned the ball properly when a free kick was awarded against him and not cost us a 50m penalty just as an example

agreed, anything else?

 

[Lomas]

He could have returned the ball properly when a free kick was awarded against him and not cost us a 50m penalty just as an example

TBF, last week I saw squillions just as bad. Umpire interpretation at its usual.

 

[Errol Street]

Debate all you like he is a B grade midfielder with an A grade salary and that is a big issue!

 

[TruRoo]

TBF, last week I saw squillions just as bad. Umpire interpretation at its usual.

No you didn’t. LDU’s was mind numbingly dumb.

It’s nothing to do with interpretation- that was black and white

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

No you didn’t. LDU’s was mind numbingly dumb.

It’s nothing to do with interpretation- that was black and white

Like kicking the ball away when a free kicks been paid?

 

[TruRoo]

Like kicking the ball away when a free kicks been paid?

Those ones are much more of a chance a player could genuinely believe it was a free to their team. They still get paid if it’s obvious.

LDU heard the whistle and dropped the ball cold. If he had any doubt he could’ve held the ball and asked the ump whose free it was

 

[FlyHigh18]

Debate all you like he is a B grade midfielder with an A grade salary and that is a big issue!

Quarter game Luke.

 

[zoomba23]

Who knows where you start with these blokes. Like trying to put the worms back in the can.

But this is shaping up to be one of the great wasted careers. At 23, looked the absolute goods. 26 and has hardly elevated himself since that second half of 2022. Ok, the equivalent of 6 BOGs last year. He has the talent to win the equivalent of 10.

Worst thing is, he doesn't really look that bothered about it

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

when we win “yes ldu is a gun”

when we lose “ ldu is shit, delist, not worth the money”

what do you actually want him to ****ing do, win us the game him self

make up ur mind

We have won 10 games in 100. By your logic, LDU shouldn’t be seen as a good player…

 

[backtothedraft]

He’s such a confidence player. If we ever get up and running as a side he’ll be an incredible asset. But as we continue to try and fight our way off the bottom he’s not the kind of player thats going to get the team to climb on his back. He doesn’t always strike me as a fierce competitor and he lacks resilience when the chips are down. Poor body language and at his worst, poor effort.

 

[Onihr]

Skills, speed, ability
Smarts, positioning, decision making
Effort, in game and outside

He is not elite, a-grader, whatever you want to call it. Ridiculous contract we signed him on - we should have been best placed to know these things, and we have overcommitted on a player who isn't driving improvement.

He looks cool bro, but is a factor in why we can't get it together.

Don't excuse him for not chasing just because no one else is. At his age, in his position, with his salary, he should be showing the way, not just running with the crowd.

 

[shintemaster]

far out. when we’re up he’s the most impactful player on the ground, obviously in a 100 point belting hes not gonna play well, what did you except him to do differently last night? give some suggestions on how he could off played better last night?

I expect him as a senior player on close to if not definitely the most salary of any player at the club to not pick and choose when to show defensive effort even if the rest of his mates are spudding it up. I expect him to play as close to his potential as possible. First year players should not be showing up a senior of his size and talent but that has been happening regularly. He is a very good player that we need to become great. He needs to deliver in 18+ games a year because that is what we need from him and that is exactly what he is being paid for.

Skills, speed, ability
Smarts, positioning, decision making
Effort, in game and outside

He is not elite, a-grader, whatever you want to call it. Ridiculous contract we signed him on - we should have been best placed to know these things, and we have overcommitted on a player who isn't driving improvement.

He looks cool bro, but is a factor in why we can't get it together.

Don't excuse him for not chasing just because no one else is. At his age, in his position, with his salary, he should be showing the way, not just running with the crowd.

Exactly. It is perfectly reasonable to have higher expectations of some players - not higher expectations on effort, that should be there for all of them. There is no chance whatsoever that LDU can seriously believe he is delivering to his best. Is that unfair because worse players than him are delivering less - not in my eyes. Bog average players and 18 year olds I don't expect to deliver to that level.

 

[speedy]

I think the worry is he signed a 7 year deal with us, when the team showed next to no improvement.

He will probably retire at 30-31 and get paid a settlement on his last 1or 2 years.

Don’t think he even has enough drive to swap clubs for a chance at success.

Too easy to get paid big bucks, stay out of the limelight and have no piers to answer to.

 

[BrownPaperBag]

when we win “yes ldu is a gun”

when we lose “ ldu is shit, delist, not worth the money”

what do you actually want him to ****ing do, win us the game him self

make up ur mind

Not gift wrap two opening goals would be a good start