Dan Connors - the forward?

[NUFC Tiger]

Prior to the GWS game, I thought Dan wouldn't have a spot in our best 22. The last time he played, I think he played primarily off the half back flank. With the emergence of Houli, Morris and Batchelor (as well as players like Newman, Conca and Ellis), I'm not sure if we need him (or if he would be able to force his way) into the back 6.

I think one of the areas I think we are lacking is medium forwards (I'm hoping O'Hanlon can be this guy in a few years time). I think we have been blessed to have guys like Cotchin, Martin and Deledio who can all spend time up forward and kick some goals.

I only was able to see the first and second quarters (plus bits of the fourth) on the weekend but on a few occasions Dan seemed to be able to find some space and present an option. He needs to work on his defensive pressure and tackling (think he only had 1 tackle against GWS IIRC) but if he could chip in with 2-3 goals a game, that would be a huge return (I know he has had some help from Stevie J off field, would be fantastic if he could become like him on it).

Given he doesn't seem to have the intensity and competitiveness to play as a defender, is Connors' best chance of saving his career as a forward who can perhaps rotate through the middle?

 

[ize_]

Played forward under Wallace and played well in some early games. I think it's a no brainer, our half backs are a real strength and I think Connors will be of real value across the forward line/down the wing. Reminded me of Shaun Higgins on Saturday.

 

[tunksy]

yep forward is his best spot currently. would be good if he could get those 2 goals a game and say 2-3 i50 tackles.

too many good hbf's ahead of him. keep him forward near the sticks. its where he could shine. potential to rotate into the mid too in time.

 

[Jade's]

I dont think he has much of a future at Richmond. Turns the footy over far too much and is as soft as they come. Got on the end of a few cheapies on the weekend which flattered an otherwise ordinary game. 12 tocuhes with 5 clangers and only one tackle isnt good enough for a 24 year old HFF

 

[Spagman]

A FF position rotating between Jack (moving between CHF and FF), Cotchin, Dusty, Vickery and Connors could work pretty well.

 

[tunksy]

A FF position rotating between Jack (moving between CHF and FF), Cotchin, Dusty, Vickery and Connors could work pretty well.

you can bet we'll prob use that going into the crows game. thier spread isnt as good as ours. we need to expose that.

 

[johnno77]

A long way to go, this boy still has.

 

[JR#8]

TW was on the radio this morning.

He mentioned that on pure talent Dan Conners is in our best 20. Obviously we already know this. I think we need to get some more games into him and this will pay off towards the end of the year.

 

[Roachy8]

Was only ever going to make it as a forward and even then, one of those players whose negatives (footballing) are overlooked because they can make something happen out of nothing.
Ball remains in Dan's court but I will be happy to look on in interest.

 

[Bird Man]

I reckon he is a better version of Brad Miller .. so if the forward line would look like

Nahas, Vickery, Dustin
Edwards, Reiwoldt, Connors

 

[TimeFor11]

He is very good overhead for someone his size and then you add the leap and better conditions he will take some really good grabs in our forward 50. I agree with the above that he would be a good replacement for Miller as a hit up player when TV returns. Another added bonus is that he moves the ball on quickly so he can deliver the ball into both TV and JR better than Miller would.

 

[juss]

Talented, but I reckon he has a poor attitude, doesn't work hard enough, has off field issues and is a selfish footballer. Don't think he will make it, but obviously hope he does. Second half of this year is his last chance.

 

[Bojangles17]

No doubt he'll have to build on this to forge a future at punt rd but he has the talent to do so, attitude is the key

 

[bigstyletiger]

The key for Dan will surely be forward pressure. We had Mitch Morton who was super capable but his lack of intensity and team ethic cost him. Dan should take note. He looked sharp on the weekend like he was running on top of the ground while others were stuck in heavy turf. If he gets his act together could be a massive plus.

 

[tunksy]

He is very good overhead for someone his size and then you add the leap and better conditions he will take some really good grabs in our forward 50. I agree with the above that he would be a good replacement for Miller as a hit up player when TV returns. Another added bonus is that he moves the ball on quickly so he can deliver the ball into both TV and JR better than Miller would.

like this idea at least he can kick more than 4 meters too....bloody miller

 

[Bazzar]

Talented, but I reckon he has a poor attitude,

Any example?

has off field issues

And these are?

 

[DrMike]

Any example?
And these are?

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/138724/default.aspx

Suspended twice by the club over the previous 18 months due to alcohol-related incidents, Connors was just about on his last chance with the Tigers entering 2012.

I think it's well documented how close Connors has come to being removed from the club but if he can grow up and take some responsibility then he'll be a massive support to our forward line. Glimpsed some of what he's capable of on Saturday and I was actually impressed. He's a fresh young player with something to prove and is trying his heart out to be a part of what this club is going to be. Exactly what our forward line needed.

 

[In the Jungle]

I dont think he has much of a future at Richmond. Turns the footy over far too much and is as soft as they come. Got on the end of a few cheapies on the weekend which flattered an otherwise ordinary game. 12 tocuhes with 5 clangers and only one tackle isnt good enough for a 24 year old HFF

You can't be to harsh... Over the last couple years , l have heard from supporters around me, including mates , even my kids that: Reiwoldt , Nahas, Vickery , Edwards , Rance are no good....
Funny how things can turn around. In fact , to be fair even Jackson has pulled his weight over the last 4 - 6 games; So lets not be Mr.Negative , give Connors a "four week block", as the Tigers love quoting, then make up your mind. In a game where it rained all week, l thought he did quite well; Whether they were cheap goals or not, they still go up agianst his name.
*Remember when a batsman makes a hundred, it does not say, he was dropped 3 or 4 times, Its a hundred and thats all that matters.......

 

[El Tigre]

The key for Dan will surely be forward pressure. We had Mitch Morton who was super capable but his lack of intensity and team ethic cost him. Dan should take note. He looked sharp on the weekend like he was running on top of the ground while others were stuck in heavy turf. If he gets his act together could be a massive plus.

Very good comparison. Some big off-field differences, but a fair bit of the the on-field stuff is similar.
I'm not a fan of Dan, but i hope he gets a block of games to see if he has turned it around.

 

[Jade's]

You can't be to harsh... Over the last couple years , l have heard from supporters around me, including mates , even my kids that: Reiwoldt , Nahas, Vickery , Edwards , Rance are no good....
Funny how things can turn around. In fact , to be fair even Jackson has pulled his weight over the last 4 - 6 games; So lets not be Mr.Negative , give Connors a "four week block", as the Tigers love quoting, then make up your mind. In a game where it rained all week, l thought he did quite well; Whether they were cheap goals or not, they still go up agianst his name.
*Remember when a batsman makes a hundred, it does not say, he was dropped 3 or 4 times, Its a hundred and thats all that matters.......

Morons wrote Riewoldt, Vickery & Rance off as 20 year old KPP's.

Connors is a 24 year old flanker with terrible disposal, questionable work ethic and is soft as butter.

42% of his disposals were clangers...take out the 3 goals and 56% of his touches were clangers

 

[DrMike]

Morons wrote Riewoldt, Vickery & Rance off as 20 year old KPP's.

Connors is a 24 year old flanker with terrible disposal, questionable work ethic and is soft as butter.

42% of his disposals were clangers...take out the 3 goals and 56% of his touches were clangers

Actually he had 12 disposals for 0 clangers
http://www.afl.com.au/stats/tabid/73/default.aspx#page=player&roundid=1096&fixtureid=7758&teamid=42

 

[Disco_Stu]

fwiw, back in the Terry Wallace days and insider at the club told me that the coaching panel consider Dan to have as much raw talent as Lids, but he just doesn't have the same degree of professionalism (well, duh). It'd be handy if he has pulled his finger out and becomes a Steve Johnson-esque late bloomer.

 

[richolovesgoal]

I will be the first to put my hand up and say that I wasn't overly thrilled with his inlcusion last week, to me he always seemed lazy and a bit of a w***er. Although his game on Saturday proved me wrong, had a couple early skill errors, but he was in everything, pleayed really well.

 

[Bazzar]

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/138724/default.aspx

I think it's well documented how close Connors has come to being removed from the club but if he can grow up and take some responsibility then he'll be a massive support to our forward line. Glimpsed some of what he's capable of on Saturday and I was actually impressed. He's a fresh young player with something to prove and is trying his heart out to be a part of what this club is going to be. Exactly what our forward line needed.

All old news.

What i want to know is since his preseason banishment then fronting the leadership group and players, were is their evidence of poor attitude and off field issues?

 

[DrMike]

All old news.

What i want to know is since his preseason banishment then fronting the leadership group and players, were is their evidence of poor attitude and off field issues?

In the old news? I don't get what point you're trying to make. He did it, now he's trying to improve and show himself as a different person but it takes a long time to build that trust back, he has a long way to go.