Dale Thomas: Hype > Output

[Drummond]

Does anyone else think Dale Thomas is extremely overrated? I’m not saying he’s a dud because he’s been a good contributor for the Pies this year but the hype he receives and the way the commentators continue to talk him up is ridiculous. Let’s look a bit closer into his year…

• Highest possession count for the season is 25 in Round 3 vs Richmond.
• Only 4 times with 20+ possessions.
• 18 goals in 22 matches while playing mostly across the HFF (For comparison’s sake Monfries kicked 22 goals in 2006).

I know he’s a potential highlight machine capable of doing the uncanny, but let’s be honest; he’s a decent prospect whose hype has overshadowed his output.

 

[JBMKII]

he is 18-19 years old ffs, playing his 2nd year of football. Its not his problem if people expect him to be a James Hird at this young stage of his career.

 

[Sideshow Fev]

He's from Collingwood, did you expect anything else?

 

[twoforjoy]

he has been pleasing this year, yet to really string a full game together which is probably why people dont hugely rate him but, but works hard and can create important spark when the chips are down. is also starting to draw the attention of more skillful opponents who at this stage of his career can get get the better of him and so he goes quiet but always has a crack. great kid, handles the hype pretty well.

 

[NimChief]

I'm honestly surprised he's only kicked 18 goals.

From the way commentators and Pies supporters go on about him...I thought he'd at least kicked 30..

 

[wooostace]

A bit like Ablett jnr. in his early days, does a few glamouring things that gets everyone excited, he'll only improve.

 

[didaka]

Players that run and carry the ball aswell as Thomas are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Dj Chriss]

He won us two or three games already of his own boot, how many 19 year olds have done that (bar franklin )

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Safe to say that Dale is loving the hype as well...

 

[Arecsa]

Players that run and carry the ball aswell as Thomas are worth their weight in gold.

60kg?

 

[favourites]

Yeh i would be picking on other talent if i was an adelaide supporter to, considering your good players are all heading towards >30.

If you dont rate him fair enough, I dont care who rates him and who doesn't. im just happy he's wearing a black & white top.

He actually spent most of the first half of the year in the backline as well, so stats can be misleading.

 

[Roughie]

He is over hyped at the moment, but will be a star

 

[WoGiTaLiA]

He looks pretty damn good to me. Really looks like Hird when he plays. Moves the same, kicks the same. Whether he can become half the player remains to be seen, but he has to have been a big Hird fan as a kid...

I think he will be good. Long way to go, but he has bulked up a lot since last year, thats a good sign for the future, shows a solid work ethic.

 

[Bestbird]

Only 18 goals is suprising

Lots of Flash but little Bang



Will still be a great player IMO, probably wont be high possesion winner during his career so will regularly have to have 30 plus goal seasons to justify his curent hype.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

He doesn't have the tank yet, but he has the skill and the work ethic. Perhaps he is overhyped at the moment, but if he realises his potential he will be one of the top 5 players in the competition.

Anyone who saw his 10-possession quarter against Richmond would recognise this, and he was benched because he was absolutely knackered.

 

[stickman11]

He's from Collingwood, did you expect anything else?

But he won't be a tanker

 

[Johnson#26]

I'm honestly surprised he's only kicked 18 goals.

From the way commentators and Pies supporters go on about him...I thought he'd at least kicked 30..

Had he kicked straight he would have!

But he's only a kid, a skinny one at that! His influence on the side this year has been huge, he singlehandedly (just about) beat Richmond and St Kilda.

 

[ant22]

Does anyone else think Dale Thomas is extremely overrated? I’m not saying he’s a dud because he’s been a good contributor for the Pies this year but the hype he receives and the way the commentators continue to talk him up is ridiculous. Let’s look a bit closer into his year…

• Highest possession count for the season is 25 in Round 3 vs Richmond.
• Only 4 times with 20+ possessions.
• 18 goals in 22 matches while playing mostly across the HFF (For comparison’s sake Monfries kicked 22 goals in 2006).

I know he’s a potential highlight machine capable of doing the uncanny, but let’s be honest; he’s a decent prospect whose hype has overshadowed his output.

terrible post. you have brought up stats that suit your argument. Lets look at a few more stats.

Remember the kid has played(as you said) alot on the hff . He has averaged around 16 possies. So while he has only had only 20 4 or more times he has been extremely consistant in that he has rarely had less than 13 or 14. Not bad for a small forward and about 3 or 4 more than leon who is in his 8th year. He takes over 6 marks a game and many of these are contested. bloody good stat for a small forward. He averages about 3+ tackles a game and his chasing would be in the top 2 or 3 at the club. And then there are the stats we dont see. ITs not how much of the footy you get its what you do when you get it or get near it. Dale rarely loses 1 on 1 contests(both in the air and on the ground) He takes on players and carries the footy. Despite some peoples perceptions he constantly puts his head over the footy and wins the hard ball. His decision making(apart from friday nights game) is superb. He breaks games open and lifts the side.

Now heres a comparison for you. Burton has played 16 games and in the 16 games has averaged 12.5 possies a game and 5.5 marks a game. He is considered a star by many. He has kick more goals but take into account where thomas is at in his career and compare him to other small forwards-part time mids and you will see his performance stacks up very well.

I am extremely happy with Dales performance this year and personally I think the kid deserves all the hype he gets because he will be a star of the game for many years. But of course the kid is not going to dominate week in week out. He is a 19 you in his second season of afl footy FFS.

 

[-WWJD-]

you have brought up stats that suit your argument.

Speaking of...

Now heres a comparison for you. Burton has played 16 games and in the 16 games has averaged 12.5 possies a game and 5.5 marks a game. He is considered a star by many. He has kick more goals but take into account where thomas is at in his career and compare him to other small forwards-part time mids and you will see his performance stacks up very well.

Burton played the first half on the season on practically one leg. His form since returning from injury has been very good.

FWIW, Thomas is a match winner. He's one of those blokes who has the abillity to do something special that lifts the entire team. Sure, he isn't raking up the stats week in week out but every touch he gets is quality. Lets put it this way, a Thomas 16 touch game is generally going to have more influence that a Knights mid-20 touch game. That's his value.

 

[gandaal]

Pretty pathetic to have a crack at a teenager who's played almost every game this season and almost always makes a contribution to his team.

 

[kemosabe]

Well, whether Collingwood have 1, 2, 3 or 4 finals matches this year you will remember Dale's finals series in 2007.

Born to perform on the big arena in the big games!

Sorry for adding to the hype

 

[Osmodiar]

great skills, will only get better

 

[Ghost of Punt Road]

I tend to agree that his current performance is overrated.

He is very good, but not anywhere near the output he is given credit for.

The main issue is he comes in and out of the game.

(at this stage)

Maybe he lacks endurance?

 

[BluesRules]

Very very very very very very very over rated

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Does anyone else think Dale Thomas is extremely overrated? I’m not saying he’s a dud because he’s been a good contributor for the Pies this year but the hype he receives and the way the commentators continue to talk him up is ridiculous. Let’s look a bit closer into his year…
.

Dont talk about him then. Most of the hype comes from opposition supporters.