Dawes, Reid and N.Brown.

[JOELY]

There's a short interview with dawes on ctv now, he speaks very well. It's almost like you expect him to be a star just by the way he speaks. Anyway, thought it was a good platform to build on. Give him some games in a row and see how he goes.

 

[Didak2Dawes]

Dawes will gain a fair bit of confidence out of today.

 

[Swooop]

Well today was a glipse into the future for the CFC, with three young KPPs all playing together.

All this in front of 90K fans on a giant stage, against a worthy opponent.

Three new KPPs, on one day, lessened the number of cool, experienced heads around them, adding to their task.

I thought they were all very, very, very good in those circumstances.

 

[Thommo 42]

Very happy with Reid's game, and if PResti comes back it should be for Browny, not Reid.

Dawes was good, but could have been so much better if a few of those marks stuck. He rpesented well and got hands on the footy. Thought he may have deserved a couple of free kicks for huge arm chops. I like that he has learnt to keep his feet a bit better, still went to ground a few times - but was much better below his knees toda than I had recalled from previous games

 

[TradeDraft]

Dawes; 5/10
Reid; 7.5/10
Brown; 6/10

I think Dawes' game is being severely overrated. Made a ****load of mistakes, and his two goals were both luck more than skill.

That said, structurally it was fantastic for the team to look up and see a big forward somewhere other than the boundary line, which is Cloke's usual go. Plus he did pluck a couple of nice overhead marks towards the end of the game. So yes, I'd keep him in for sure, but he needs to improve.

Reid did his job well, had a couple of lovely flying punches, and showed off that excellent kick he's developed in the 2's on a couple of occasions.

Brown was solid, but didn't really have to do much so hard to judge.

Super Harsh on Dawes - What do you want him to Mark Everything and Kick every goal His game was not Perfect and does have a stuff to work on but He made the Team Better and That is 1 of the Most Important Things. He is way ahead of anyone for the KPF along side Cloke.

Reid was good and used the Ball well too.

Good to see Rambo getting back to his 08 Form.

Great to see our 3 top 30 Pick from the 06 Draft play very well in a Big Game

 

[TradeDraft]

You may be right, but I thought his first half (which is really when the game was there for the winning) was largely disappointing.

But like I said, I'm all for him remaining in the team, he's been sticking most of those marks in the VFL so hopefully it's just a matter of getting comfortable.

Dawes was Involved with Cloke's 1st 2 Goals when he was Leading Up The Ground and Also he got better as the Game goes on

 

[TradeDraft]

My thoughts too

agree with most of what mdc said, except I personally preferred nate's game to reids

on Dawes once he outmarked hurley switched flicked and everything clicked, against better sides we need him to click earlier then halfway through the 3rd

as Smiddza123 and I say give him more games at AFL Level and he should be able to do it Quicker. VFL won't get him better know in his Development

 

[TradeDraft]

The thing I like, is not too many posters here are talking of any real negative aspects of all 3 players games today.

To put it lightly, they didn't do too much wrong at all.

Dawes made a few errors early, but was solid after half time, while Brown and Reid were rarely beaten and never directly turned the ball over.

Good performances by all 3, wouldn't mind all of them playing next week, just to see if they can improve slightly against a better opposition.

We played one of the 5 "easybeats" of the AFL today, next week we play a side that will be around the bottom of the 8 all year.

Simply, if Presti isn't 100% fit next week, play the 3 young talls again, they are out future, and we need to see more of them both for their development and for us to form proper judged opinions on them over time.

I'm just happy with their performances today, not stoked, just happy.

Agree it was not against a Top Side but they made not many mistakes and Plus this gives Presti time to Rest so we can have him against the Top Sides and for Finals

 

[September Action]

Interesting reading given how much I...we all...want these three to be a key part of Collingwood's future.

I'll give you a different perspective.

Was at the match but hooked up with the boys who had flown in from all over Australia. As such, I hate to say, I was in the bar a lot of the time. But watching the screen intermittently, Dawes seemed to have a hell of a lot more "presence" than I remember from last year. He "looked" the part, which was exciting to see. I was surprised when I was chatting to a Pies mate who said he actually hadn't been that great. He struck me as carrying a bit of a strut. And a power forward who doesn't have strut might as well stay home. I'm excited all of sudden.

 

[Greening Magic]

Think it was the perfect game to bring them in.

Inexperienced opponents and a chance to lay a platform to improve on.

All 3 contributed to the win.

For the side to improve on last year I think it's vital that either Brown or Reid take that next step. (Hopefully both if Presti gets injured). Also Dawes or Jack need to help Trav.

Hope they all get the chance to stake their claims during the year.

Good start but bigger challenges ahead for them.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Brown: Defensively really liked his game. In contests was solid throughout and while he didn't get much of the ball he didn't need to. 7.5/10

Reid: Would like to see him become a little stronger through the legs so that he can stand stronger in contests, much of the time was pretty lucky I thought to get a stop or hand on the ball. 7/10

Dawes: Did not like his 1st half at all. Looked far too slow and didn't look like he could keep with the pace of the game. His 2nd half was better though where he gradually worked his way into the game and began to adjust. Still looked a bit slow though. Hopefully with a few more games hopefully the game will start to feel more natural for him. Would like to see him work on his forward pressure inside 50 and really chase players down allot harder. 6/10

On selections for next week: Brown I hope will get another game after a pretty strong defensive effort today. Dawes should remain in the side until JA hits some form in the 2s. Reid will likely make way for Presti.

Why Brown over Reid? Brown I prefer more so defensively and I see him as being the player less likely to have a bag kicked on him as he showed in 2008 against some of the top forwards in the comp. Reid while better with his rebounding ability I rate below Brown as a KPD as in contests he just doesn't seem to have the same level of strength to hold his man. Ideally if Reid were to be in the lineup I'd use him as a 3rd tall as opposed to a KPD to better make use of his rebounding abilities and lessen his body on body weakness.

 

[bucksisbest]

All did well considering the occasion and the step up.
Dawes and Reid both need some decent AFL games in well performing sides , to get that mental belief , which in my opinion has been their biggest hurdle so far.
We certainly look a lot better when we have a proper forward structure , rather than ring ins.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Brown: Defensively really liked his game. In contests was solid throughout and while he didn't get much of the ball he didn't need to. 7.5/10

Dawes: Did not like his 1st half at all. Looked far too slow and didn't look like he could keep with the pace of the game. His 2nd half was better though where he gradually worked his way into the game and began to adjust. Still looked a bit slow though. Hopefully with a few more games hopefully the game will start to feel more natural for him. Would like to see him work on his forward pressure inside 50 and really chase players down allot harder. 6/10

On selections for next week: Brown I hope will get another game after a pretty strong defensive effort today. Dawes should remain in the side until JA hits some form in the 2s. Reid will likely make way for Presti." END QUOTE
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Dawes was one of the reasons we kicked goals in the 1st quarter. He did not look slow and for someone playing in their first AFL game for a long time, he did not look like he was having problems with the pace.

Why can't people just accept that he is not yet perfect! His overhead marking needs to improve, but he already has more to offer than Jack Anthony, who when he is in form, will also be deserving of a spot, but not Dawe's position.

Reid played a good game. Don't know what game you were watching.

Some people are never satisfied.

 

[the mighty T]

Absolutely. Brown and Reid had virtually zero effect on the game. Dawes at least had some effect.

If we are giving marks out of 10, I would give Dawes 6, Reid 4 and Brown 3.

im sorry mate, i cant believe how critical some people here are being on reid and brown. They formed part of a backline that conceded 8 goals today...

geez some people on this board expect a lot of a couple of 21 odd year old kpps

Reid was rarely beaten today, N. Brown probably about the same. and as far as disposals and rebounding the backline are concerned, the bloke they will replace in presti doesnt exactly rack them up himself.

Reids disposal was clean today and hit the target most if not all of the time. If you were not impressed by Reids game today, then thats not his fault IMO

and with the criticism on Dawes...what does this kid need to do to impress supporters on this board. 15 possessions, 6 marks, 2 goals 1 and with 80% efficiency and some people are being critical in his first senior game of the year..

Turn it up guys, the boys did bloody well...i'd hate to see the reaction when they have a bad game.

 

[Hva sher a]

As others have said, the real plus about Dawes is that he is another power forward that defences have to deal with and it takes the heat off Cloke. Ok, he is no Riewoldt or Brown but who is? Geelong have managed to be the dominant team with Mooney, WC won with Ash Hansen and Swans got there with...someone obviously memorable.

Ther's is a place for JA but as a 3rd tall only

 

[HFF]

All three get a tick for me too, however, the biggest positive for me was the key defensive duo in Brown and Reid.

I thought they were fantastic in the contests with their direct opponents. Their ball stats may not indicate a "great game", however, my biggest fear is how they perform DEFENSIVELY and they really stood up in a very big game today when called upon. Some terrific spoiling efforts, desperation, 1%s, repeated efforts and threw themselves at the ball. Our future key backs showed plenty to suggest they will be key players for many years to come, moreso Reid because we've seen Browny's defensive capabilities moreso than Reidy's.

Dawes was also pretty good. Definitely has a strong presence in the contest and had he clunked a few more of those overhead grabs, he would have had a really strong day. Nonetheless, he was still good enough, competed well all day, his repeated efforts were up and he chipped in with a couple of goals too. Definitely looks a player with more confidence and game time. Should be played ahead of Leroy weekly.

Was a very positive day for the future of our football club all round IMO.

 

[Sidebottom2Beams]

Dawes was great today a couple of contested marks and a couple of others that just did not stick.Of his 15 possessions 10 were contested and he threw his body at everything.Kicked a couple of goals we could not have asked for anything else from him in his first game back.

 

[EssendonPride]

I actually think Reid looked the best out of those 3. Seemed to spoil really well. Didn't exactly have experienced opponents, but it's not like he's played many himself.

Dawes seemed to work his way into the game, big strong bloke. Gave alot more than Anthony has this year that's for sure.

Didn't really notice Brown a hell of alot (Though our pitiful performance encouraged me to drink far more than I was planning). Saw a few good things, nothing bad I can recall.

 

[Damon_3388]

Very excited by what I saw today.

Brown (195cm, 97kg) pretty much blanketed Michael Hurley for the first half. If he can do that kind of thing defensively every week, as well as take a strong mark or two down back when required, I wouldn't mind if he didn't rack up a ton of possessions.

Reid (195cm, 93kg) showed some Dustin Fletcher-esque signs down back, using his long arms and athleticism to great effect on a number of occasions. Easily his best game at AFL level so far.

Dawes (193cm, 99kg) looked like a strong presence up forward. Just has a bit more of an aura about him than Jack Anthony (192cm, 91kg), simply due to being physically bigger. Dropped a few marks he probably should have taken in the first half, but managed to make them stick towards the end (strangely enough, when the ball was at its wettest), so he was probably just getting used to the pace of the game. Couldn't have reasonably expected him to do much more today.

If these three can continue to show great signs like they did in this game, and Travis Cloke (196cm, 100kg) can put in performances like that, our spine is set for the next decade with four genuine big KPP. I'd give them a couple of games in the side together, as I think in the next couple of games (vs. Carlton and North) we can afford to have less experienced KPP in the side.

 

[AsianWithAFro]

All 3 were good but in particular Reid who's spoiling and 1% were awesome.

Dawes makes our forward structure must better allowing Cloke to play closer to goal

 

[Sloth]

I thought Dawes was awesome, didn't really notice Reid or Brown

 

[TradeDraft]

Brown: Defensively really liked his game. In contests was solid throughout and while he didn't get much of the ball he didn't need to. 7.5/10

Dawes: Did not like his 1st half at all. Looked far too slow and didn't look like he could keep with the pace of the game. His 2nd half was better though where he gradually worked his way into the game and began to adjust. Still looked a bit slow though. Hopefully with a few more games hopefully the game will start to feel more natural for him. Would like to see him work on his forward pressure inside 50 and really chase players down allot harder. 6/10

On selections for next week: Brown I hope will get another game after a pretty strong defensive effort today. Dawes should remain in the side until JA hits some form in the 2s. Reid will likely make way for Presti." END QUOTE
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Dawes was one of the reasons we kicked goals in the 1st quarter. He did not look slow and for someone playing in their first AFL game for a long time, he did not look like he was having problems with the pace.

Why can't people just accept that he is not yet perfect! His overhead marking needs to improve, but he already has more to offer than Jack Anthony, who when he is in form, will also be deserving of a spot, but not Dawe's position.

Reid played a good game. Don't know what game you were watching.

Some people are never satisfied.

Spot On - Why do people seem to forget the Link work Dawes did Early in the Game. Espically with in the 1st 2 Cloke Goals. His 2nd Half was a Bit Quiet but that was his only real Quiet qtr.

JA can not play the FF postion Dawes play as he is not big enough

 

[Camo1902]

All 3 were very solid, but given the lack of opposition its hard to really judge.

Chris Dawes took some time to get going, but when he did he was very good.

I really liked the work of Reid. He looks as if he is starting to settle in to the pace of AFL footy and his foot skills appear to be getting a lot better. He looks like he is reading the play better, and starting to more regularly get into good position to win contests or provide a spoil.

I love Nathan Brown's defensive work. I think there is massive upside to the kid. He played a really dour role yesterday so didn't find much footy but i thought he was excellent in 1 one 1 contests for most of the day.

 

[didaka]

All Reid needs is another 20 games at AFL and then you'll see just how important this kid will be.

Brown, well he didn't lose a contest. Do not measure this kid on how many times he touches the pill.

Dawes showed improvement in key areas where he has lacked ability.

If you were expecting any of these players to star, you were expecting too much and would come away disappointed. The most important thing is that they got experience on the big stage and showed they could develop into regulars.

 

[burtpies]

Let's get this straight, if Dawes could take an overhead mark he would have some promise but he has very weak hands and goes for most of his marks on his chest. When he goes overhead he does not hang on to them.
As for Reid and Brown, they played the Presti game yesterday by stopping their direct opponents and letting the rest of the backline create the run, good game by both. Let's face it if Presti had stats like these 2 yesterday no one would say a word.