Can Didak play in the midfield next year?

[Woodstock..]

Wish it would happen he was drafted as a midfielder but only seen him play there a couple of times is he on track to play full time there next year?

 

[doppleganger]

yes

hopefully start the year rotating with burns

as the season progresses become a major midfield player

pies just look a more dangerous side when dids is anywhere near the ball

 

[Stan.]

Not full time midfield more hff and than rotate through the middle.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Absolutely.

The other night I was watching the game against the Kangaroos from 2004, and both Didak and Ben Johnson were playing in the midfield for a majority of the game and they were lethal when doing it. If we can keep him (and Johnson, for that matter) healthy, then yes, he'll be a midfielder for us.

People forget that he's already played there. It's not like he has to learn a new skill - He can already play midfield.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Didak can easily play in the midfield next year, but I'd prefer him playing that dangerous small forward role.

 

[silverphoenix]

Didak can easily play in the midfield next year, but I'd prefer him playing that dangerous small forward role.

Why?

 

[Jabso]

The only thing that really stops Didak from being a regular midfielder is his tank, which he has improved on however he has had a frustrating year with injuries so was never really back into full fitness enough to be given a regular midfield spot.

 

[Wildman]

Hope so,it would bring the best out of him imo.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Why?

Easy.

Didak is a match-winner, and he plays his best footy in the forward line.

 

[FIGJAM]

Another thing that stops him jabs, is his accountability.

I reckon he'd make a good centre, assuming a good tank. Presents and leads hard and is a good mark. Is smart and a sublime kick.

What will be interesting to see is if he's playing centre, he'll be up against the like of, say Hodge. If Daks is doing damage, it's also a question of how much damage his opponent is doing. You'd take 20 Didak disposals, over most other midfielder's 20 posessions.

Probably another aspect of his game which he requires to improve on drastically, is his willingness to vent anger and commit with intent at the man, instead of the ball. He should take a leaf our of Ablett Junior's book in this regard and attack the ball like his life depends on it.

There's plenty of ifs, but he'd a bloody good player and hopefully he can transfer his ability in to the guts. Lord knows we need him!

 

[Cyclops]

Great post Figgy, Dids does respond very nastily to stirring. He acts like a narky forward looking for a payback or a retaliation free. Midfielders have to wear more knocks than forwards because they get it more: they can't afford high risk/high return fisticuffs like Didak indulges in.

Bucks doesn't waste his time arguing the point on every hit, or making WW3 out of a stop play-he plays the percentages because he has to work through a high volume of contests and his team-mates need a reliable outcome.

Didak employs antagonism and unpredictability as a forward because he has to get results from only a few chances, but in the midfield he'll have to pump out a determined steady supply, not a series of masterpieces and affrays.

I don't think Didak has the durability (as in injury resistance), and maybe not the endurance (as in tank) either to play midfield fulltime in 2006.

Bucks and Dids will both storm into the midfield for damaging bursts this year but the load of starting/ongoing onballing will go to Licca and Holland. Both are tough players with great concentration (imagine saying that about Holland when we first drafted him? He's improved out of sight under MM) but neither has true brilliance.

We need a top season from an unheralded source for us to lift from the bottom 6. I'm talking a resurgance of O'Bree, or massive step up from Rowe, something like that.

My greatest hope is that Lonie will break the shackles of despair and flower again. He is a shoutingly good player on his day, the sort of tearing tall runner who will chop up a foe in a final one day. Maybe he could make a wing or a midfield running spot his own again and boot 40 goals for us in 2006.

 

[FIGJAM]

Daks reminds me of Kewell. Both aren't ideal heights, but they literally drip talent. But both have a concern for the players around them, instead of absolute concentration on the ball.

Ya just go, why can't you be more like Bucks/Gerrard?! Just get the ball to our advantage at all costs!!

Fact is, we need Didak to be more Lica than Leon as a matter of urgency.

 

[MarkT]

I agree that accountability and focus are his main problems but at the same time we are far too structured and accountable. I actually think we can afford someone in the guts who is unpredictable, flashy and attacking. If his opponents gets away you might have to assign a tagger but the coach is supposed to be able to monitor these things. You don’t need to take Didak away from the middle to slow down Hodge. You throw Licuria or Holland onto Hodge and make Mitchel or whoever accountable for Didak. In the end he will either prove dangerous enough or he won’t. If he doesn’t he’ll still be valuable forward who can break up play with a stint on the ball.

This is a big year for Didak. Time to prove how good he is.

 

[Jabso]

I was going to mention accountability but as MarkT says we are full of accountable players and not enough all out attacking midfielders. If Didak can improve his inside game which should come with midfield experience then he wouldn't need to worry about his oponent if he is the first to the ball more often. He's not really an outside player but not a reliable in an under player either.

 

[hotpie]

Didak can easily play in the midfield next year, but I'd prefer him playing that dangerous small forward role.

I'd rather Rusling Egan Burns and Buckley (and even Davis at times) in the forward line and Didak in the midfield.

 

[hotpie]

Easy.

Didak is a match-winner, and he plays his best footy in the forward line.

Buckley is a match-winner. So is Voss. So is Hird. The best matchwinners are midfielders.

 

[scottydeewah]

Didak is a match-winner, and he plays his best footy in the forward line.

Play him in the midfield and move him forward IF you need a spark. Maybe for the last 5 minutes of a quarter or something like that. Not for the whole game, it is a bit of a waste. Def play him as an attacking midfielder though (that doesnt mean unaccountable!!)

Figjam made a bit of sense.

 

[Johnson#26]

I'm sure he can. he was drafted as one, so there is no reason why he should not progress into that position. The only player on our list with the ability to do anything thjat Buckley has done in the middle (he will never be as good, but he's the best option we have for that role).

 

[Druid]

there are different types in the midfield
the run all day tank never empty robert harvey style which didak will never be
or
the explosive jeff farmer style midfielder which didak could be brilliant at only with more on ball time than farmer has

 

[magpies42]

Absolutely.

The other night I was watching the game against the Kangaroos from 2004, and both Didak and Ben Johnson were playing in the midfield for a majority of the game and they were lethal when doing it. If we can keep him (and Johnson, for that matter) healthy, then yes, he'll be a midfielder for us.

People forget that he's already played there. It's not like he has to learn a new skill - He can already play midfield.

Johnno loves it in the middle and we should play him there! Its not as if we have better options.

Didak, hmmm well if he doesnt crack it into the middle then we're in strife!
I think he definetly has the ability (isnt a tuf nut but isnt soft either) i think his tank and discipline is the only thing holding him back. I have a feeling he will only play in one direction (ie no defending and getting back). Didak is a luxury up forward that we cant afford!

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

(Think Eminem's Lose Yourself)

Look, if Alan Didak only gets one shot,
To step up, and save our midfield,
Is this the year, or will he just let it slip?

He's kicked goals already, in finals, he's shown his nerve is steady,
But you'd think he hadn't from all the flack he's getting,
It's his time, but do you think he's really ready?
He'll step up, the army will be sweating,
Across brows, as people starting making vows
That by now, although you still make us proud,
Your time's now, even when you're on the prow
Take a bow, the whole crowd's just been wowed!
Snap back from the boundary, straight to Scott Pendlebury
Cheers from the gallery "Go!",
We're so glad that he goaled,
But we need more - Daks knows
That it's time for a roll,
Not go batty like Cole,
But grab the sword that he knows
Has been left in the stone,
But to grab it he's told,
That it's Bucks who has left it there in hopes
That Didak will go snatch it
And be better than ever and play with his passion

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
You want us to be with you and follow?
When you take a step up, win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes at just the right time yo!

Near goals he's playing, but not where he'll be staying,
The league is his for the taking,
On the wing, Didak moves toward a career away from the forwards,
Awards will be won but superstardom's close to post-mortem,
With the Pies it is harder, the pressure is hotter,
But he blows us all over with skills - He's got 'em
For a coast to coast run he'll be known as unstoppable.
Roads to go but we all know
He's got farther to go, he'll get smarter
Grow mo' cause he's no plodder
But we'll hold our breath cause we don't want ta
Be slow to recognise that although we get caught up
With moves on the next goal on the Crows
He should've stayed in Nevada
So the story of Daks is told and unfolds
He's no clone of Jeff Farmer, but song goes on
Da da dum da dum da da

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
And then we'll follow - never go!
When you take a step up go win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes just at the right time yo!

In more games, I'ma change what I need displayed,
For us to tear the muthaf**kin roof off this Telstra cage
You played well in the beginning but our needs all changed
Bucks is injured and aging, writing his last page
So you keep playing and keep lighting the field right up
Best believe that we're praying you take the title
Of the best inside the centre in fact
We can't get by with those five foot nine
Guys that that provided five wins for me
Goddamn, the quality of O'Bree just ain't high enough
And it's no time to relax in the forward line
And these times are so pressing, the wait is getting harder
Trying to be patient and starting to be a need plus,
The fathers of our players are trying to be the prima donnas
And the smarter part of members
Are just trying to hang on
And be happy with what, we got at the top of the
list that's gotten injured and old - we're like snails
And we've got to formulate a plot to rid us of this on-field rot
Your success is our only muthaf**kin option - failure's not!
Daks we love you but this business has got to go
The cameo's - Enough they are simply not
So Daks please take this shot
Your feet will fail you not
Because skills are something that you've just plain got!

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
And then we'll follow - never go!
When you take a step up go win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes just at the right time yo!

You can do anything you set your mind to, man

 

[DidaksLeftFoot]

(Think Eminem's Lose Yourself)

Look, if Alan Didak only gets one shot,
To step up, and save our midfield,
Is this the year, or will he just let it slip?

He's kicked goals already, in finals, he's shown his nerve is steady,
But you'd think he hadn't from all the flack he's getting,
It's his time, but do you think he's really ready?
He'll step up, the army will be sweating,
Across brows, as people starting making vows
That by now, although you still make us proud,
Your time's now, even when you're on the prow
Take a bow, the whole crowd's just been wowed!
Snap back from the boundary, straight to Scott Pendlebury
Cheers from the gallery "Go!",
We're so glad that he goaled,
But we need more - Daks knows
That it's time for a roll,
Not go batty like Cole,
But grab the sword that he knows
Has been left in the stone,
But to grab it he's told,
That it's Bucks who has left it there in hopes
That Didak will go snatch it
And be better than ever and play with his passion

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
You want us to be with you and follow?
When you take a step up, win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes at just the right time yo!

Near goals he's playing, but not where he'll be staying,
The league is his for the taking,
On the wing, Didak moves toward a career away from the forwards,
Awards will be won but superstardom's close to post-mortem,
With the Pies it is harder, the pressure is hotter,
But he blows us all over with skills - He's got 'em
For a coast to coast run he'll be known as unstoppable.
Roads to go but we all know
He's got farther to go, he'll get smarter
Grow mo' cause he's no plodder
But we'll hold our breath cause we don't want ta
Be slow to recognise that although we get caught up
With moves on the next goal on the Crows
He should've stayed in Nevada
So the story of Daks is told and unfolds
He's no clone of Jeff Farmer, but song goes on
Da da dum da dum da da

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
And then we'll follow - never go!
When you take a step up go win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes just at the right time yo!

In more games, I'ma change what I need displayed,
For us to tear the muthaf**kin roof off this Telstra cage
You played well in the beginning but our needs all changed
Bucks is injured and aging, writing his last page
So you keep playing and keep lighting the field right up
Best believe that we're praying you take the title
Of the best inside the centre in fact
We can't get by with those five foot nine
Guys that that provided five wins for me
Goddamn, the quality of O'Bree just ain't high enough
And it's no time to relax in the forward line
And these times are so pressing, the wait is getting harder
Trying to be patient and starting to be a need plus,
The fathers of our players are trying to be the prima donnas
And the smarter part of members
Are just trying to hang on
And be happy with what, we got at the top of the
list that's gotten injured and old - we're like snails
And we've got to formulate a plot to rid us of this on-field rot
Your success is our only muthaf**kin option - failure's not!
Daks we love you but this business has got to go
The cameo's - Enough they are simply not
So Daks please take this shot
Your feet will fail you not
Because skills are something that you've just plain got!

You better give yourself to the jumper and colours
And then we'll follow - never go!
When you take a step up go win us a Brownlow,
Your opportunity comes just at the right time yo!

You can do anything you set your mind to, man

Just how much spare time do you have on your hands buddy???

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

There was a specific reason for it, it's not as random as it sounds. I did it for another board because someone else had already done one similar.