Toast Dale Thomas

[Love the Drake]

We are seven rounds in to a very ordinary season 2018. Apart from Cripps, Fish & Charlie I was struggling to find a positive. Then I thought about Daisy. You know; that injury-prone bloke we recruited from Collingwood on huge money over a four year contract. That bloke that had lost all his physical powers and couldn't run, or kick over a jam tin.

I used to feel for Daisy. You could see the effort was there. The mind was willing; but the body was failing him. At the end of 2017 the jury was out whether he played on in to 2018; then Daisy took the bull by the horns and offered to play on, on a vastly reduced contract.

Thank goodness he did! Seven games in and Daisy has probably been in our best each round. He is running out games, kicking & marking well, making good decisions and, most importantly providing leadership out on the ground. I'm really happy for Daisy. He seems like he has embraced Carlton and wants us to improve. Fingers crossed his form and fitness continue throughout the year.

2018 Stats - 7 games, averaging 23 disposals, 5.4 marks and 1.6 tackles a game.

He is now in his fifth year at Carlton and has played 68 games for us.

Daisy is 31 in June. I'm hoping his form and fitness continue to the end of the year, and he is offered another 1 year contract. We need experience and leadership to guide/develop our youth. Daisy also has the 'good bloke' factor in spades so is great to have around the club.

Just giving the old fella a 'shout-out' because he has copped so much during his time with us..

 

[BLUEALLTHRU]

Has been good this year, fair call OP

 

[LanceRomance]

I am a fan. I think he'll get one more year with us.

I can't see anyone over taking him this year.

 

[Foucault1989]

Have to give him credit he works his backside off. A solid contributor week in week out. I was a hater now I have become more sympathetic

 

[ESKIE]

Yeh another year, even if the kids over take him his experience would help in the NB’s

 

[thylacine60]

doesn't impact enough - not his fault, he's a pretty old 31 - has been battered from pillar to post over his career and he's little more than a stick

 

[Coona Blues]

Earned some respect, not sure I would call it love. Cant fault gameday effort.
Not so sure about the too regular hail mary plays, and his ever expanding midrift.
Some "mature" players get a pass mark on the track, managing their body, when
the fitness is declining because of it, time has come to consider the future.

In my mind we can't keep Daisy, Simmo, Murph, Rowey, ASOS and others for that
"one more year", then we face the prospect of losing four or more "old heads" in
one hit.

Their phasing out must be staggered, to me it is Daisy or Simmo, take your pick,
one to go IMO.

 

[ODNBlue]

I hope he makes it to 100 games for us.

 

[pinot]

Has been great - well done Daisy.

 

[Jimmae]

I hope he makes it to 100 games for us.

One more season should make that happen.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

Has been good this year. Obviously trying really hard. Doesn’t give up. Still has inexplicable moments - the banana into f50. Biting off more than he can chew. Still would like him to go round again.

 

[rog1995]

Bloke took his contract clause last year worth hundreds of thousands and tore it up.. not sure how many people would have done that.. bloke gives 100 percent every week and by all accounts is great to have around the club and a good role model for the younger brigade..

 

[AceAndy]

Earned some respect, not sure I would call it love. Cant fault gameday effort.
Not so sure about the too regular hail mary plays, and his ever expanding midrift.
Some "mature" players get a pass mark on the track, managing their body, when
the fitness is declining because of it, time has come to consider the future.

In my mind we can't keep Daisy, Simmo, Murph, Rowey, ASOS and others for that
"one more year", then we face the prospect of losing four or more "old heads" in
one hit.

Their phasing out must be staggered, to me it is Daisy or Simmo, take your pick,
one to go IMO.

Spot on.

 

[Arr0w]

Never really been a fan of Thomas and I didn't have him in my best 22 before the start of the season, for a host of reasons. The injuries and with some of the kids not taking the next step as yet, warranted Thomas being selected.

Surprised by his current form, which seems to be on the back of his body being in a better condition. Despite some brain fades, I think he has had a good year, credit where credit is due

Like Coona Blues, earned respect

 

[BrisbaneCFC]

Earned some respect, not sure I would call it love. Cant fault gameday effort.
Not so sure about the too regular hail mary plays, and his ever expanding midrift.
Some "mature" players get a pass mark on the track, managing their body, when
the fitness is declining because of it, time has come to consider the future.

In my mind we can't keep Daisy, Simmo, Murph, Rowey, ASOS and others for that
"one more year", then we face the prospect of losing four or more "old heads" in
one hit.

Their phasing out must be staggered, to me it is Daisy or Simmo, take your pick,
one to go IMO.

Simmo for me. Would personally also move on Rowe, but I suspect it will be ASOS of the two.

 

[ShanDog]

Good points there OP and some of the post. Definitely flown under the radar a little but should have earned the respect of most fans for his effort and contributions. Can't believe he's been around with our club as long as he has actually. Is it possible he is seen as a Carlton footballer now? I reckon so.

Hope his seemingly improved physical condition continues into next year and we get a little more from him again. Age is against him there but hoping for the best.

 

[AceAndy]

Good points there OP and some of the post. Definitely flown under the radar a little but should have earned the respect of most fans for his effort and contributions. Can't believe he's been around with our club as long as he has actually. Is it possible he is seen as a Carlton footballer now? I reckon so.

I dont think i will ever think of him as a Carlton footballer, to me he will always be that injured Collingwood player MM bought to Carlton.

 

[HBF]

Has been good all year, and has justified his year long extension.

 

[Masqualero]

Yeah he's been good, I think the 0 - 7 start has contributed to him not getting much praise.

 

[thylacine60]

some pretty intelligent, nay logical, posts in here - please let's not forget where we are, folks...........

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Taken over the Docherty role, been super impressive. Earning his own footy in the right spots as a rebound hbf.

If he could cut down on those blazing banana kicks into 50.....

 

[Gavstar]

He's being going ok, I liked his game this week.

I still don't trust his kicking and his tendency to do the flashy non-percentage play which never comes off frustrates the hell out of me.

Tackling has been hopeless. On the weekend was the first time this year he had more than two tackles.

Sooner he's pushed out of the team by a youngster the better IMO.

 

[DangerousD]

In my mind we can't keep Daisy, Simmo, Murph, Rowey, ASOS and others for that
"one more year", then we face the prospect of losing four or more "old heads" in
one hit.

Agree with most of the list but ASOS barely got on the park last year and isn't close so far this year, i think he is wasting a spot on the list to be honest.

 

[DangerousD]

I like how he goes about, as with Simpson he still tries to do too much sometimes but he has a crack. If form warrants it i wouldn't mind him getting another year, as long as he knows he isn't an automatic selection and can expect to play a few games at the NB's.

 

[Love the Drake]

The thing that stands out to me is his attack on the ball and the obvious respect his team-mates have for him. By all reports he’s a very good trainer and excellent role model. Happy for him to keep playing until he is forced out by a better, younger player.