Toast Chris Dawes.

[lgarth80]

In terms of the best 3 prong forward line if we use talls...

1) Dawes strong long forward with defensive pressure
2) Cloke. Good contested mark, long raking left foot kicks
3) Rusling - the man on the lead to get the Johnson left foot drilled passes

I can see Anthony not really fulfilling these roles. Too slow for the leading, not a good enough contested mark, or player with defensive pressure.

The best thing I saw from Dawes is even if he didn't mark, his opponent didn't. That's worth a heckuva lot in reduced rebound capacity from the opposition.

Rusling is at least 10 weeks away. Three more in defence for the twos, then a good 7 weeks at full forward where he is given the chance to push his claims on a first 22 spot.

If he makes it, good. If he doesn't, I think we are left with Medhurst and a resting ruck to fill that role.

 

[HFF]

Was fantastic. If only he had Jack's conversion ability (although his kicking is still very good).

It really is encouraging seeing Dawesy playing so well and Jack back in town in the twos0 it means we may never have to see Leroy again.

 

[Wontym]

In my perspective Dawes has the most upside.... Able to attract a crowd and create a contest, bring the ball to the ground, take oppositions best/2nd best defenders and be dominate in one on one situations. Able to impose himself physically on the game and instill physical fear in opposition backman, something that Jack lacks. More of a key position prospect then Anthony could ever be.
His kicking at goal could use some improvement, but already at this stage in his career looks more confident infront of the sticks then trav does, with a much better kicking style.
Another glaring positive and somewhat unexpected was his groundwork. Very clean with fast hands. Able to get down to the ball and move it along quickly.

He may be a liability when the ball is turnover through lack of pace but you can't expect the big unit to be usain bolt. For his size his pace is not slow and his chasing yesterday, although some others may disagree, was far from a disgrace. You take the good with the bad and his sheer strength and ability to hold down a key forward position outweighs his lack of pace in my opinion.

Wait and see what hes capable of when lining up against proper competition, we were versing an extremely average defence yesterday lest we forget.

Where to now for anthony? I see him playing a similar role to Jarrad Waite/Adam hunter....THe Mr. Fix-it of the team. Initially groomed as Clements replacment could play back and could be very dangerous up forward as a third tall. Thoughts?

 

[skelly12]

Team structure looks far better with Dawes in the side, however I think a semi-truck has a better turning circle than him. There is no way we could have another big lumbering tall in the forward line with Dawes, he just lacks lateral movement.

With that said his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, keep him in.

 

[mdc]

I find it comical that Jack gets ripped apart for some poor games against Lake and Scarlett, yet Dawes is hailed as an immediate savior despite playing against the two worst defensive teams in the league (Richmond aside).

I loved Dawes' game yesterday as much as the next man, but let's keep it real - Simon White is barely a VFL player.

If he gets Thompson next week, then we we'll certainly see exactly how good his form is.

 

[Bonuspoints]

I'm amazed that people still see Rusling as a future part of our forwardline. For me he has too many question marks over him. His injury history is a concern and I wonder if he's too one dimensional for modern footy. Having him play in defense is clearly to help him develop a defensive side which is essential these days. He really needs to have it drummed into him that he needs to chase and tackle. So for my mind he's far from assured of making the best 22 and should be looked as unlikely bonus. If he gets to his best then its a huge boost, but he's played 17 since we drafted him 2004 I'm not confident. Hope he makes it and proves me wrong.

 

[HFF]

I find it comical that Jack gets ripped apart for some poor games against Lake and Scarlett, yet Dawes is hailed as an immediate savior despite playing against the two worst defensive teams in the league (Richmond aside).

I loved Dawes' game yesterday as much as the next man, but let's keep it real - Simon White is barely a VFL player.

If he gets Thompson next week, then we we'll certainly see exactly how good his form is.

I hear you loud and clear mdc.

I love Dawesy as much as the next person, however, people are underselling the Jack Attack's ability incredibly short. 50 goals from FF last season and our leading goal kicker.

As I have said countless times and will continue to do so until it is heard by all, Jack is far too good for VFL footy and is not our most "important" forward but he is our best as he constantly gets the best defender weekly when he plays.

Hopefully Jack is back within the next week or so.

 

[The Dawes]

A really promising game from a young key forward in his 12th game - let's not expect miracles, but he shows a lot of promise.

4 contested marks out of a team total of 6 in a fine effort, but it's just another step in his development - as others have mentioned, there'll be tougher opponents in the weeks ahead.

Having said that, once he feels that he belongs in the side and gains more confidence and experience - look out.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I find it comical that Jack gets ripped apart for some poor games against Lake and Scarlett, yet Dawes is hailed as an immediate savior despite playing against the two worst defensive teams in the league (Richmond aside).

I loved Dawes' game yesterday as much as the next man, but let's keep it real - Simon White is barely a VFL player.

If he gets Thompson next week, then we we'll certainly see exactly how good his form is.

Good point.

Don't think I've seen Dawes perform on a quality backman yet. Not that Jack has really done so either (has he?) but at least Jack has SOME runs on the board.

Having said that, Dawes IS at least starting to show something.

 

[Quicky]

I find it comical that Jack gets ripped apart for some poor games against Lake and Scarlett, yet Dawes is hailed as an immediate savior despite playing against the two worst defensive teams in the league (Richmond aside).

I loved Dawes' game yesterday as much as the next man, but let's keep it real - Simon White is barely a VFL player.

If he gets Thompson next week, then we we'll certainly see exactly how good his form is.

I'm finding this a bit perplexing myself. People are so quick to jump on and off bandwagons. I'm not taking anything away from Dawes last two weeks, he's made great strides - but so far thats all it has been, two weeks - and against two ordinary defenses. I'd like to see how our new forward structure stands up against better quality. We'll find out soon enough with the Doggies and Cats on the horizon.

People have been waaay too quick to jump off Jack as a forward prospect. I still think that he is our best KPF. He was out of form and got justifiably dropped >> it doesn't mean he is all of a sudden no good or out of our forward plans. I think Jacks biggest issue with getting back into the team is that one of the reasons Cloke and Dawes have looked so dangerous is because of their ability to alternate between FF and CHF (up the ground). This is a role I don't think Jack can play, especially if the queries on his fitness are true.

Good point.

Don't think I've seen Dawes perform on a quality backman yet. Not that Jack has really done so either (has he?) but at least Jack has SOME runs on the board.

Having said that, Dawes IS at least starting to show something.

Pears is a quality defender >> but I guess that really doesn't mean much in the context of the Bombers overall poor defense.

Does anyoe remember who he played on against Adelaide when he had that good game in the finals??

 

[shawthing09]

Pears is a great defender and a good player but features extremely highly in the goals against catergory. It shows a couple of things, 1) he can get caught out on the rebound often, secondly and most importantly I think it's a result of the poor defensive game of Essendon. I have not in my history of watching Collingwood seen so many fowards hit on the tit in a game as I have over the past 2 weeks.

On the Adeliade final I don't remember his opponent but I do remember it was a game that I thought he was statistically flattered and that it was more luck then design. Paid a pretty dubious chest mark that whilst courageous was more coming across the back then directly back and was not held. Got another cheap goal from a free kick IIRC.

 

[Old Spice]

Does anyoe remember who he played on against Adelaide when he had that good game in the finals??

Would have to have been one of Basset, Rutten or Bock, who are all good defenders. Mind you his pack mark was a tad sexed-up.

Dawes has definitely improved in a few areas though. Took some good marks, including one at its highest point. Also laid a few tackles which was good to see.

Like the look of two big beasties in our forward line. Jack will come back in, but wouldn't mind seeing him swing it.

Could finally become the nouveau Clement.

 

[dillo_09]

Needs to work on his marking,

How do you figure that??

10 Marks, 4 of which were contested. NO OTHER player on the ground had more than 1 contested mark.

He didnt drop any easy ones from my memory.

 

[handy point]

The one in the fourth where his arm was pinned by Henderson and he still stuck a mitt up and controlled it was a thing of beauty.

Then neatly slotted the goal.

 

[jayceontaylor]

I also think having Chris in the side is rubbing off on Cloke and Medhurst who have both played much better games this year since he came into the squad.

 

[TradeDraft]

I also think having Chris in the side is rubbing off on Cloke and Medhurst who have both played much better games this year since he came into the squad.

Spot On and Yes I know JA can Kick 50+ Goals a Season but he does not make his teammates better because of that where Dawes has that effect. Not bad after 12 AFL Games

 

[Blur]

How do you figure that??

10 Marks, 4 of which were contested. NO OTHER player on the ground had more than 1 contested mark.

He didnt drop any easy ones from my memory.

I think I was trying to suggest him going for the overhead more often, as he marked them on his chest pretty often. Could be a liability against better defenders.

 

[TradeDraft]

I think I was trying to suggest him going for the overhead more often, as he marked them on his chest pretty often. Could be a liability against better defenders.

Could be but he will learn when that does happen

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

There are a lot of people who are finding it difficult to come to terms with their earlier inability to see Dawe's true potential. They are no doubt the ones who are asserting that on the basis of a doubtful free or a juggled mark that maybe wasn't, Dawe's current and prior promising games were somehow not as good as we believed them to be.

The guy takes 10 marks, 4 contested, and gets criticised because he can't mark overhead. Or he is seen to be too slow, though I am yet to see any evidence of this - he certainly seems to react very quickly when he has the ball. And it can hardly be said that he is anchored to a position. He creates opportunities with his constant movement.

At the moment, to me, he looks like a bit of a steal at pick 28. He seems to have jumped ahead of N Brown and Reid, taken at 10 and 8, in his worth to the team.

When Jack is back in the team, we can make comparisons between their respective output and compare their worth to the team. For now, Dawes has the physique and form to hold down a key position where Jack does not.

Cloke rarely played so well as he has the last two weeks with Dawes at CHF/FF. In his best year, 2007, he had Rocca in the other forward post. He has rarely been the same kind of player with Jack at FF, even if Jack did kick 50 goals in a year.

 

[sr36]

I hear you loud and clear mdc.

I love Dawesy as much as the next person, however, people are underselling the Jack Attack's ability incredibly short. 50 goals from FF last season and our leading goal kicker.

As I have said countless times and will continue to do so until it is heard by all, Jack is far too good for VFL footy and is not our most "important" forward but he is our best as he constantly gets the best defender weekly when he plays.

Hopefully Jack is back within the next week or so.

This argument, that is being used by JA fans, probably stems from the fact the scarlett and Lake have gone to JA rather than Cloke. You could use the same argument to claim that Kosi is better and more feared than Riewoldt. However the reality is that Geelong and the Dogs invariably play these two against the tall forward who plays the deepest, as they like to structure their defence that way. They are full backs. Both clubs also seem to quite like it when these 2 are up against mediocre forwards as they both offer enormous run and drive in these circumstances. They'd particularly like to have these guys play on Anthony as one of his worst habits is to run into the space of other forwards, thus dragging the star defender with him. JA has a lot of potential, but the fact that he draws the fullback when he is playing full forward, doesn't suggest that he is better than Cloke. It merely suggests that he is playing full forward.

 

[pauly_moss]

Was a real presence up forward, good to see a player we can kick the ball long into. Thought his kicking was good as his shots for goal were from a long way out. I dont think him Cloke and Jack will play in the same forward line unless Fraser or Jolly doesnt play and they use Dawes as a 2nd ruckman.

 

[Zahki]

Just got a pump up on One Week at a Time. Dawes has made a name for himself with this game.

 

[TradeDraft]

Just got a pump up on One Week at a Time. Dawes has made a name for himself with this game.

Even Wallsy Likes Him - Don't know if that is a Good or Bad Think

 

[The Royal Sampler]

He does have the ability to hurt people while going about his work. I like that.

Lots of development to do against AFL defenders before you'd like his chances of contributing signifcantly while opposed to a Scarlett type though.

 

[Pie eyed]

He does have the ability to hurt people while going about his work. I like that.

Lots of development to do against AFL defenders before you'd like his chances of contributing signifcantly while opposed to a Scarlett type though.

I especially liked when he was attacking the ball inside 50 and a Scum player pinched a mark in front of the "Raging Bull". He got up really gingerly and Dawes just walked off like nothing had transpired at all....
God I hope he realises what a massive unit he is and embarks on a reign of terror within the fifty metre arc, striking fear into any who stand in his line of flight.