lozza63
All Australian
Collingwood - Taylor Adams Player Sponsor 2015
Collingwood - Ben Kennedy Player Sponsor 2014
Collingwood - Quinten Lynch Player Sponsor 2013
Collingwood Magpies - Alex Fasolo 2012 Player Sponsor
Collingwood Magpies - Alan Didak 2011 Player Sponsor
Collingwood Magpies - Alan Didak 2010 Player Sponsor
# - 4
DOB - 15.04.1983
Height - 184cm
Weight - 85kg
Games - 202
2011 Games - 20
Goals - 225
2011 Goals - 9
Recruited from Port Adelaide footy club, pick 3 National Draft 2000.
Background
Alan Didak a brilliant, pacy outside mid/fwd, known for precision disposal off either feet (a rarity for natural left footers) - honours/highlights - Copeland trophy winner in 2006, two time All Australian selection 2006/2010, Premiership player and leading goal kicker at the club in 2010.
Didak's career has been one of extreme highs mixed in with the odd extreme low. One particular incident in 2008 did not endear him to the faithful as his actions caused a subsequent suspension, by the club, ultimately meaning 6 weeks out of footy and no finals.
At his very best he has been likened to the marvelous Peter Daicos, and while at times able to thrill and entertain the faithful with amazing deeds on the footy field is yet to equal the feats of the maestro.
The only knock regarding Alan are his defensive qualities - as such not known for his tackling or high numbers of contested ball. Leading into season 2010 he was averaging approx 6 contested and 2 tackles per game. Mindful of this weakness with his game 2010 saw those indicators really improve and he produced i believe his best season (finished 4th in the Copeland such was the level of competition that year). Recording far higher numbers - 8 contested possessions and 2.7 tackles per game. Not only this but he maintained approx 25 high quality touches and 1.7 valuable goals per game - his best statistical season - even carried a torn pectoral through the finals series! His goal bursting out of the square after smothering an attempted clearance was true testimony of the man's undoubted ability.
2011
Alan was to experience a most frustrating season in 2011. After undergoing post season surgery to repair his damaged pectoral his preseason suffered as a consequence.
Once the season began it was evident that he seemed somewhat behind the "eightball". His usual high disposal efficiency waned as did his ability in front of the big sticks - uncharacteristically was very poor in these areas all year. His form was obviously a concern and he was made "sub" in round 9 against Adelaide - once on the ground he made good impact - signaling a brighter patch of form prior to the round 13 bye.
This improved form continued for the game against the Eagles where encouragingly he seemed to show more intensity. Whilst the possessions were not high, his tackling and contested ball and seemed to be running again at pace. This reasonable run of form was maintained against St Kilda and Melbourne in rounds 11 and 12.
Unfortunately the momentum did not last long as after the round 13 bye he needed to be subbed off early in the game against Sydney round 14 - this time a calf complaint which kept him out for 5 weeks until round 20. In that return game he was actually able to find a modicum of his best form when against the Saints coming on as sub and set up a goal with some typical Didak panache early in the last quarter.
His next three games were rather encouraging at least possession wise, strangely he was not having the required impact with those possessions.
Leading into the finals his spot was well and truly under pressure from the likes of Fasolo. Malthouse resolutely showed faith in Alan, but he was unable to repay that faith whilst on the field. During the first semi final against the Eagles even his natural goal sense abandoned him as he uncharacteristically "fluffed" an easy shot going to the city end in the second quarter. With the game in the balance, Fasolo was subbed on for Alan and made immediate impact scoring a vital goal against a resurgent Eagles.
For the Hawks game he was again relegated to the subs bench. With Hawthorn well in command going into the last quarter in a low scoring affair dominated largely by both defenses, Didak was unable to make any impact at all returning 4 relatively ineffective touches.
In the Grand Final he was well held by the Cats defense (at one point was totally mismatched against Scarlett) was again subbed off after three quarters yielding - 9 touches, 2 contested possessions and one tackle. This performance was in a sense symbolic of his season - especially disappointing after 2 previous years of top level footy.
2012 Expectations
For the coming season, turning 29, it is to be hoped that Alan return to full fitness first and foremost. Assuming that he still has hunger for the contest after 200 odd games of largely high level footy Alan could again post compelling numbers for his footy club. I for one would like to see these averages:
20 touches, 1.5 goals per game, 7.5 contested and 3 tackles.
I believe that he is well capable of these numbers even with reduced mid field time - we want to see him cocky and arrogant - hurting the opposition where it counts - on the score board.
DOB - 15.04.1983
Height - 184cm
Weight - 85kg
Games - 202
2011 Games - 20
Goals - 225
2011 Goals - 9
Recruited from Port Adelaide footy club, pick 3 National Draft 2000.
Background
Alan Didak a brilliant, pacy outside mid/fwd, known for precision disposal off either feet (a rarity for natural left footers) - honours/highlights - Copeland trophy winner in 2006, two time All Australian selection 2006/2010, Premiership player and leading goal kicker at the club in 2010.
Didak's career has been one of extreme highs mixed in with the odd extreme low. One particular incident in 2008 did not endear him to the faithful as his actions caused a subsequent suspension, by the club, ultimately meaning 6 weeks out of footy and no finals.
At his very best he has been likened to the marvelous Peter Daicos, and while at times able to thrill and entertain the faithful with amazing deeds on the footy field is yet to equal the feats of the maestro.
The only knock regarding Alan are his defensive qualities - as such not known for his tackling or high numbers of contested ball. Leading into season 2010 he was averaging approx 6 contested and 2 tackles per game. Mindful of this weakness with his game 2010 saw those indicators really improve and he produced i believe his best season (finished 4th in the Copeland such was the level of competition that year). Recording far higher numbers - 8 contested possessions and 2.7 tackles per game. Not only this but he maintained approx 25 high quality touches and 1.7 valuable goals per game - his best statistical season - even carried a torn pectoral through the finals series! His goal bursting out of the square after smothering an attempted clearance was true testimony of the man's undoubted ability.
2011
Alan was to experience a most frustrating season in 2011. After undergoing post season surgery to repair his damaged pectoral his preseason suffered as a consequence.
Once the season began it was evident that he seemed somewhat behind the "eightball". His usual high disposal efficiency waned as did his ability in front of the big sticks - uncharacteristically was very poor in these areas all year. His form was obviously a concern and he was made "sub" in round 9 against Adelaide - once on the ground he made good impact - signaling a brighter patch of form prior to the round 13 bye.
This improved form continued for the game against the Eagles where encouragingly he seemed to show more intensity. Whilst the possessions were not high, his tackling and contested ball and seemed to be running again at pace. This reasonable run of form was maintained against St Kilda and Melbourne in rounds 11 and 12.
Unfortunately the momentum did not last long as after the round 13 bye he needed to be subbed off early in the game against Sydney round 14 - this time a calf complaint which kept him out for 5 weeks until round 20. In that return game he was actually able to find a modicum of his best form when against the Saints coming on as sub and set up a goal with some typical Didak panache early in the last quarter.
His next three games were rather encouraging at least possession wise, strangely he was not having the required impact with those possessions.
Leading into the finals his spot was well and truly under pressure from the likes of Fasolo. Malthouse resolutely showed faith in Alan, but he was unable to repay that faith whilst on the field. During the first semi final against the Eagles even his natural goal sense abandoned him as he uncharacteristically "fluffed" an easy shot going to the city end in the second quarter. With the game in the balance, Fasolo was subbed on for Alan and made immediate impact scoring a vital goal against a resurgent Eagles.
For the Hawks game he was again relegated to the subs bench. With Hawthorn well in command going into the last quarter in a low scoring affair dominated largely by both defenses, Didak was unable to make any impact at all returning 4 relatively ineffective touches.
In the Grand Final he was well held by the Cats defense (at one point was totally mismatched against Scarlett) was again subbed off after three quarters yielding - 9 touches, 2 contested possessions and one tackle. This performance was in a sense symbolic of his season - especially disappointing after 2 previous years of top level footy.
2012 Expectations
For the coming season, turning 29, it is to be hoped that Alan return to full fitness first and foremost. Assuming that he still has hunger for the contest after 200 odd games of largely high level footy Alan could again post compelling numbers for his footy club. I for one would like to see these averages:
20 touches, 1.5 goals per game, 7.5 contested and 3 tackles.
I believe that he is well capable of these numbers even with reduced mid field time - we want to see him cocky and arrogant - hurting the opposition where it counts - on the score board.
