Alan Didak - What to expect this year?

[mattys123]

Would Didak be the perfect first choice as the sub, especially come finals?

Let's face it, we are going to be in games late, even in the finals, even if we are playing badly, so we need a sub who can make an immediate impact.

I know you couldn't use him every week in that role, but he showed late in the year when he was the sub a few times, that he can come on and have a real impact when the speed has gone off the game late.

Just a consideration for Bucks and co.

 

[Quicky]

Surely if Didak is being considered for a defensive role this will be obvious from training. I would prefer him up the field doing whatever his fitness dictates he can do. With a full pre-season, there is every reason to believe he will play better this year.

If Didak goes to defense he will get pawned. Simple as that. It is easily the biggest weakness in his game. Besides his footy savvy he doesn't have any attributes to suggest he would make a good defender. Except maybe his field kicking but that tends to be high risk and could be a liability in an area you can't afford turnovers.

 

[Ed D]

While i agree, I also said the same about Leon last year

The biggest difference between Didak & Davis is that Davis was always a strong tackler and could take a mark with the opposition hanging off him. Didak gets pushed off the ball too easily, doesn't tackle enough and I can't see him jumping into packs to spoil the ball, let alone going hard into a contest.

 

[doppleganger]

The same Leon who got smashed in the prelim by Puopolo, and the GF by about 4 different opponents.

No need to change our back 6 dramatically, BJ and Clarke are enough for the small defender role, they can alternate and easily cover Leon, especially defensively.

Didak wouldn't be playing as a negating small defender, either would BJ or Clarke for that matter.

Our best options for small lock down defenders are Toovey, Harry, Taz and then perhaps a young bloke like Rounds.

Didak would potentially play a H.Scotland type role, where he basically plays as a sweeper who sets us up from the backline. However, I am no longer keen on Didak to play this role.

I think Didak should be used primarily as a FP/HF. Should hopefully be able to kick 40+ and lead the league in goal assists...more like his 2006 role.

This would allow more midfield time for Clarke, Krak and Sidey.

M.Clarke is an attacking weapon, he is wasted as a defensive small, can see him actually keeping Krak or Fas out of the team as he plays as a HF midfield role.

Didak will go close to top 5 in the BnF, will be loading up on him for all of the fantasy comps too!!

 

[Quicky]

I have a suspicion that we will be seeing plenty of Clarke on a wing with Thomas given much more time up forward compared to last year. Thomas is just a smart player and that combination of goal sense and speed could be a real asset up forward next year. Lets just hope, if this is the case, his goal kicking options come more from open play than set shots because he is still a very unreliable set shot.

 

[doppleganger]

I have a suspicion that we will be seeing plenty of Clarke on a wing with Thomas given much more time up forward compared to last year. Thomas is just a smart player and that combination of goal sense and speed could be a real asset up forward next year. Lets just hope, if this is the case, his goal kicking options come more from open play than set shots because he is still a very unreliable set shot.

After reading the lads training report I had a similar feeling....Daisy would be a brilliant option as the 'third' marking target....he has great hands, great leap and also the ability to do the brilliant. To top it off he applies great defensive pressure.

Clarke and Goldsack, who seems to be getting big wraps this off season, could be our two wings in 2012.

Plenty of competition for spots....guys like Krak, Blair, Wellingham even BJ may find themselves out of the best 22...picking a 22 is pretty tough assuming all are fit.

 

[Quicky]

After reading the lads training report I had a similar feeling....Daisy would be a brilliant option as the 'third' marking target....he has great hands, great leap and also the ability to do the brilliant. To top it off he applies great defensive pressure.

Clarke and Goldsack, who seems to be getting big wraps this off season, could be our two wings in 2012.

Plenty of competition for spots....guys like Krak, Blair, Wellingham even BJ may find themselves out of the best 22...picking a 22 is pretty tough assuming all are fit.

My thoughts are we will look to fit Thomas and Macaffer up forward which will improve our forward lines marking, defensive pressure and pace and should really mix-up the dynamic. Last years forward line was a little homogenous and one paced.

Not sure about Goldy on a wing but then I never really understood the love. I certainly think we have many ahead of him for a midfield berth. I'm thinking we will see more of Beams and Sidebottom in the midfield this season.

What I really want to see is greater emphasis on controlling the pill particularly under pressure. You can come up with a whole range of reasons we lost the premiership last year but to me it boiled down to that simple aspect of the game. Geelong did it better than us, three times in a season no less, and it was the key to their victory. Going off the training reports, the type of drills we are doing and the angle we have taken with our recruitment I think Buckley is very concious of this.

 

[eddiebankbalance]

anything more than 2011 will be a plus

 

[Quicky]

anything more than 2011 will be a plus

Not true. If it is only marginally better it will hold the team back. Didak had a very ordinary season in 2011. You just can't afford to have underperforming players.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

All in all, it makes for an interesting season. Alan Didak would not enjoy being a regular in the VFL, and hopefully there are a number of guys putting pressure on him for his spot. Thomas up forward seems a bit of a waste given how valuable he is around the ground.

Didak looked to protect himself a bit too often last year. He avoided several physical contests, suggesting he was rather fragile following his 2010 injuries. There can be no room this year for players not prepared to put their body on the line. Until the games begin, we are only really guessing at his 2012 impact. He needs to kick goals, not caress the ball out of defence. If he can't kick goals regularly then he is not the old Didak.

Davis was never a great forward because he went missing too often. Didak has a better record than Davis as a forward and to suggest he go to defence seems rather negative. Either the old Didak or no Didak, because there is no in-between. Only a cheeky, nippy, goal-kicking Didak can compensate for the Didak known to seek personal preservation over more team-oriented goals.

 

[doppleganger]

My thoughts are we will look to fit Thomas and Macaffer up forward which will improve our forward lines marking, defensive pressure and pace and should really mix-up the dynamic. Last years forward line was a little homogenous and one paced.

Agree.

Didak down their more often, plus Thomas and Macaffer as alternate marking options would be much improved on 2011.

Thomas really can be a Hird-esque player for us, getting 30-40 goals a game, providing a marking option across HF, pulling off team lifting goals and then swinging onto the ball for small periods.

Not sure about Goldy on a wing but then I never really understood the love. I certainly think we have many ahead of him for a midfield berth. I'm thinking we will see more of Beams and Sidebottom in the midfield this season.

True - Sidey, Beams, Clarke, Krak could all see more midfield time if Didak and Thomas spend more time up forward.

I rate Goldsack, he can play a defensive role on guys like Embley and has a penetrating kick and can gain ground....a very versatile player who hopefully will get a look in under Bucks.

 

[Ed D]

Thomas really can be a Hird-esque player for us, getting 30-40 goals a game, providing a marking option across HF, pulling off team lifting goals and then swinging onto the ball for small periods.

I'd pay to see that!

I get what you're saying, and I agree, he could quite easily have a 30-40 goal season, it's just about where we need his run. If it doesn't go to plan we always know he can play on the wing instead.

 

[cfx_1]

Thomas lacks a key skill to play permanent forward. His set shot kicking is woeful. For about 5 games this year (before his suspension) he was the most in form mid in the comp. You don't take a star like Thomas and throw him in the forward line with the excuse of "it needs pace". We have a plethora of pacey young forwards at our disposal. Thomas is a mid, and more forward time than midfield time is a mistake, plain and simple.

Didak is not a defender. But he is a match winner and he deserves a chance to prove it. I think he will have good games and bad, but i hope no one is calling for his head after round 1.

It will be interesting to see how they manage the midfield time for all players. Beams and Sidebottom are pushing and deservedly so. I can't imagine anyone but maybe Swan having less midfield time this year.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Thomas lacks a key skill to play permanent forward. His set shot kicking is woeful. For about 5 games this year (before his suspension) he was the most in form mid in the comp. You don't take a star like Thomas and throw him in the forward line with the excuse of "it needs pace". We have a plethora of pacey young forwards at our disposal. Thomas is a mid, and more forward time than midfield time is a mistake, plain and simple.

Didak is not a defender. But he is a match winner and he deserves a chance to prove it. I think he will have good games and bad, but i hope no one is calling for his head after round 1.

It will be interesting to see how they manage the midfield time for all players. Beams and Sidebottom are pushing and deservedly so. I can't imagine anyone but maybe Swan having less midfield time this year.

100% right, every bit of this post.

Why would you play Thomas as a marking forward..? He is our best running player! And he isn't a great set shot at goal.

Didak could not make the transition that Davis did to defence. That role has pace as a prerequisite, and one v one contesting ability. Didak has neither.

If one of the mids goes forward, it will be Swan, but not as a 3rd marking player but as a follower around the forward line. He has shown he can kick goals, and would be useful. But at present he is still far more important to us in the midfield until a Beam, Sidebottom, Wellingham, etc can demand they get more time in there.

 

[vjknight]

I think we should use him as a permanent half forward/forward option from now on, no more using him in the midfield.

I'm thinking we'll get a Dids more like the 2006 version. Plenty of high HF and the odd small stint on a wing. Averaging about 20 possies and 1 or 2 goals a game.I'm expecting a very good year. Elite kicking doesn't disappear overnight.

IMO if didak is going to keep a spot on our list he needs to be that elite delivery midfielder type - pinch-hitting for pendles/thomas/swan whether coming from deep forward or as the sub.

i had suggested at the end of 10 that if we were able to make didak (and johnson) redundant by the end of 11 we'd be going very well - they are still there (maybe courtesy of their contracts only) and hence have another chance to impress to go beyond 12.

we have a large & highly talented group of mid/fwd types who will support the elite when called upon on the ball, and can already kick multiple goals when fwd. didak needs to rejoin that group of GTFO.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

We've seen the best of Dids. I called him a spare parts player about twelve months ago and I was laughed at. That said he's still too good to be in the VFL and his career is not over yet.

In my opinion he will make a great substitite, and he will regularly in 2012 either be the sub, or be the guy regularly subbed off. This will mean he will become an impact player, and possibly a very very good one. Obviously theres massive upside if he can ever recover the fitness and form he is capable of and play out four quarters every week at his AA level. I'm not expecting it but it will be a bonus if he can.

 

[soreplums]

Needs to stay as a forward who can occasionally pinch hit in the middle (although I think we will see more of Beams and Sidey in the middle over Dids). As posters have said, he can still be dangerous up forward and will still need a smart defender to play on him. I'd rather see him start on the ground and see how he goes for 2-3 quarters before subbing him off. I still think he has the capacity to really trouble some teams with his goal kicking ability and delivery. He just didn't really run to all the right spots in 2011.

Talk of Thomas playing as a forward is silly. We need his run throughout the back/mid areas. We have enough other players who can play that forward role. Why rob Peter to pay Paul?

 

[TradeDraft]

Lol as if. A fully fit Didak would run rings around Fasolo.

Fasolo did jack s**t in last years granny and never should have got a game ahead of Goldsack.

Fasolo was 1 of the Main Reasons why we held off a Fast Finishing West Coast in the QF

 

[the mighty T]

i cant see any reason why thomas would play further forward this season, considering he played his best football through the middle last season. I hope he is put back in that role on the wing and is allowed to step up. Besides, weve got Sidebottom and Beams who have been fairly prolific scorers in their short careers.

Last year i had all but written Dids off... in fact i didnt want him anywhere near the best 22 (especially in front of goldsack). I hope that he can retain some of tht form from 2010 because at his best he is a weapon but im not all that confident.

Many on the board (myself included) see macaffer being best 22, clarke taking over a role in the team and goldsack playing come round 1. i just wonder who Didak will be in front of with blair and krak kicking over 60 goals between them playing as that small forward. Fasolo is also in the mix and while he doesnt have the class that didak does, i feel he'll be one of our biggest improvers this season with consistent game time

Im guessing dids will start round 1, but i dont think bucks wil be afraid to pull the trigger if his form doesnt warrent selection.

 

[blaze036]

Play didak as a small forward until he gets some confidence, then give him a small time in the midfield. Thomas stays in the midfield because his set shots are terrible.

So much competition for spots its gonna be good for the team, as much as i like goldsack i see him missing out again on a regular spot... his just lacking something in his game. Maybe his just a victim of a strong list. Wouldnt be suprised if he left at the end of this year to get more oppotunitys, would be a very good and cheap get for gc/gws

 

[kevind]

Play didak as a small forward until he gets some confidence, then give him a small time in the midfield. Thomas stays in the midfield because his set shots are terrible.

So much competition for spots its gonna be good for the team, as much as i like goldsack i see him missing out again on a regular spot... his just lacking something in his game. Maybe his just a victim of a strong list. Wouldnt be suprised if he left at the end of this year to get more oppotunitys, would be a very good and cheap get for gc/gws

I think that Goldsack will get a lot more games this year. Since 2010 our list has been severely depleted for depth so with any type of injury count(highly likely) Goldsack would get a game.

His problem IMO is that he is not a one touch player so can be found out a bit when fumbling. He did play a good tagging game on Embley in the final, so maybe that could be a new role for him. I think he may suprise a few of us this year.

As for Thomas forward. I'm not too keen either due to his set shots. If we play Daisy, Macaffer and Cloke all in the one forward line it would not be pretty on the scoreboard.

As for Didak, I believe he has lost that vital yard in pace so is under far more pressure when in possesssion, hence less effective. I'm not expecting a lot from him.

 

[soreplums]

I'm hoping that he finds a little bit of space to take a few marks on a lead anywhere up to 60-70m in front of goal. He can still hit targets lace out and can still kick important goals from a set shot.

A few have mentioned that he has lost a yard of pace, and generally with calf injuries and age it is common. He is still a smart footballer. Smart footballers can hide that lost yard on a wing offensively because they are generally outside runners who don't have someone on their hammer all the time. With his kicking skills as good as they are, he can certainly still be dangerous in that position. My only question is whether he can play on a wing or does he get 'lost'?

 

[THATSGOLD]

With didak its gonna depend on his pace. If he can get his speed back to the 2010 level he will have a blinder. If he doesn't, he will have another year like last year and find himself struggling to get a game by the end of 2012.

 

[Tigerrific]

Sorry to intrude on your board but I am surprised by the amount of negativity here.

If he is over his injury problems (as seems to be the case) there is no reason why he cannot get back to something close to his best. I think he is about to turn 29 so he is not over the hill yet. Having a new coach might re-invigorate him too.

Have some faith guys...

 

[Ed D]

I don't know why people keep saying Didak has lost his pace. Even in the final against West Coast he was putting in fast runs, it's just that none resulted in highlights so nobody took any notice.

The play at 4:20 is an example where he's running next to Swan:
[YOUTUBE]MtXLn3TYnM4[/YOUTUBE]