Dick 1 more good game away

[knightwheelrqr]

A few weeks ago some of you no doubt saw my thread on Jaxson Barham being 1 more good game away.

Today my next recommendation is Brad Dick. I'd like to see him play another good game before I call him up, but I certainly think that he can be part of our best 22 without question. Performed very well on the weekend and doesn't need to get allot of the ball to have an influence but another good game under his belt and he can slot nicely into this side giving it great tackling pressure up front. Even if Medhurst and Davis all come into the side at the same time I can see it working to great effect. Having Dick and Medhurst in the forwardline would free up Davis from his perminant defensive forward role to every now and then inject some pace into the midfield which he did so well last season and to better "get him into games".

I consider Barham and Dick both the be structurally keys to this clubs success in that they both add these intangible elements to the side that others simply cannot. Both players provide great energy and enthusiasm lifting and making their team mates around them better. It is great having players like Didak, Thomas, Davis and Pendlebury who has incredible skills but you need to have a balance between defensive pressure and class to make a successful side and I think both these players can really lift the defensive side of our game enourmously and both Dick and Barham are as good as they come in this area of the game.

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

Bring on the excitement machine. Let's see that finger waggling...

 

[mattys123]

I think he is 1 good game away, and has been that way the whole time.

Basically, he hasn't played a good game at VFL level yet, although that isn't entirely unexpected seeing he didn't have a pre season at all.

His fitness looks good, as a few of the goals he has kicked have been late in VFL games, so it's just his "touch" that has to return.

Dicky's VFL review by the way;

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/95477/default.aspx

33. Brad Dick (6k, 4h, 2m, 1g, 7t): Terrific. It’s the little things with Dicky, which you don’t see. It’s the taps and the blocks, which make him so important. It was only his second game for the year and he is tracking really well.

7 TACKLES, WOW, and Barham had 8, can you say "FORWARD PRESSURE".

 

[Invigoration]

Won't see him til after the split round at the earliest.

No need to rush him back, especially if Davis gets back. Looking forward to having him return though.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Certainly we need to add some pace and some polish to our forward 50m zone. Dick and Rounds both had their "forward pressure" highlighted in the comments from the VFL coaching staff and with Medhurst out for at least another week and probably two, one of these guys would be a worthy call-up. The problem is that Dick has had a lot of time out, and Rounds had 3 weeks off and the comments mentioned that he needed the run in that game.

At this stage, a recall for Leon Davis is probably the most likely outcome, and second-most likely is a recall for Lockyer. I'm looking forward to Dicky's return though, super player and brings a brilliant attitude to our mix which is infectious.

 

[The Norm]

He's easily best 22. Our forwardline pressure is generally representative of whether we'll win, and he's integral in this role.

Any chance of playing this weekend if Leon doesn't come up?

Add Dick, Medhurst, Davis, and Fraser to our current side in place of Anthony, O'Bree, Macaffer and Wood and we're a much better team.

 

[Kirby]

I'm with Invig on this one. I think we won't see him in the ones until after the split round. He missed a hell of a lot of the pre-season and we need him fit and confident.

I think he is an important part of our side and I'd like to see them be careful with him so that he's up and firing in the second half of the year.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Certainly we need to add some pace and some polish to our forward 50m zone. Dick and Rounds both had their "forward pressure" highlighted in the comments from the VFL coaching staff and with Medhurst out for at least another week and probably two, one of these guys would be a worthy call-up. The problem is that Dick has had a lot of time out, and Rounds had 3 weeks off and the comments mentioned that he needed the run in that game.

At this stage, a recall for Leon Davis is probably the most likely outcome, and second-most likely is a recall for Lockyer. I'm looking forward to Dicky's return though, super player and brings a brilliant attitude to our mix which is infectious.

My comments about Dick being a week off are that I'm not suggesting bring him into the side this week for all the reasons you mentioned, but if he has another outstanding game on the weekend I would be considering him seriously at the selection table from that point in time.

Rounds I'd say is a month of good footy off to be honest. Still needs to find a level of consistancy to his game. Has had a few good once and his development is very encouraging, but I wouldn't rush him into the side when Davis, Medhurst, Dick and even Lockyer I'd rate ahead of him.

 

[half_back_flank]

Won't see him til after the split round at the earliest.

No need to rush him back, especially if Davis gets back. Looking forward to having him return though.

This. Especially since he struggled towards the end of the season last year, Dick firing at finals time is what we should be working for and rushing him back is not the answer.

 

[Bay Pie]

Won't see him til after the split round at the earliest.

No need to rush him back, especially if Davis gets back. Looking forward to having him return though.

Agree.

He gets 3 more games in the VFL and only misses 2 AFL games. Back for the Swans game.

Side note: He had 7 tackles on the weekend which shows if his possessions are down, he still contributes to the team by applying excellent defensive pressure.

We missed our 3 best small forwards on the weekend (Medders & Leon also) who are just so creative, polished in their skills (although Leon a bit off so far this year) & very good defensive pressure inside the attacking 50.

 

[shizzle]

7 tackles is great to hear, one thing that has seemed lacking in the last 2 weeks is tackles in our F50, was watching the Melb vs Geel match on replay and although they got flogged I was impressed with their tackling pressure inside 50 guys like Wonaeamirri and Bennell made some good tackles and rundowns, something that we really didn't have for the last 2 weeks.

We really need 2-3 guys with pace, to put on massive pressure at ground level and force the turnover inside 50 not just through the middle.

Davis, Dick, Medhurst(while not the fastest player) all fit the bill can't wait til they are all fit and back in the side.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

On the timing of Dick's return I would say this week certainly would be premature without a doubt for his return. Hasn't strung enough games together yet to really demand a callup just yet. But if he has a blinder next weekend then he certainly needs to come into calculations for selection.

After split round would be a logical time for Dick to come into the side. No question. In my view if his form next week validates his selection then certainly he must be looked at because he is looking ready to go.

 

[DWil6]

On the timing of Dick's return I would say this week certainly would be premature without a doubt

Nobody likes a premature Dick. Oh come on! This is a serious thread.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Personally I'd consider rushing him back. He only had a shoulder injury so its not as if he couldnt run in the preseason. I dont think we should be risking Medhurst and Davis until they have proven their fitness, even if that means coming back through the VFL.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Personally I'd consider rushing him back. He only had a shoulder injury so its not as if he couldnt run in the preseason. I dont think we should be risking Medhurst and Davis until they have proven their fitness, even if that means coming back through the VFL.

Dick to some extent still needs to build up his durability. He certainly has the fitness base, no doubt. Just needs to add some more size to his frame.

My thinking of one more week is more so along the lines of making sure physically he and his shoulder are right to go and to also make sure he has his match fitness up so that when he gets back into the senior side his game is completely there.

While there certainly is room for atleast another two small forwards I wouldn't rush any of them back. If Medhurst or Davis are deemed to be 100% ready to go this week then they can come into the side, but I can imagine Mick playing our best 22 (based on form) regardless of position. The only change I see happening for this week is Barham in for O'Bree. With Leon and or Medhurst possible ins for JA/ Macaffer.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Dick to some extent still needs to build up his durability. He certainly has the fitness base, no doubt. Just needs to add some more size to his frame.

My thinking of one more week is more so along the lines of making sure physically he and his shoulder are right to go and to also make sure he has his match fitness up so that when he gets back into the senior side his game is completely there..

One more week isnt going to add any size to his frame. Dick will be small for a while yet.

Like I said, I'd be prepared to take a punt on him. Our forward line is too top heavy and Anthony therefore has to go. If Medhurst and Davis arent 100% fit I'd select Dick. I'd rather somebody who isnt match fit to somebody who isnt fit. But we need to bring in a small forward. In the end we'll probably select Lockyer anyway.

 

[PieLebo87]

Bring on the excitement machine. Let's see that finger waggling...

This post gets me reeeeally excited. I actually forgot about the finger wagging. I cannot wait to see a goal go through from 50, then that infectious smile and the hand going up, imagine that at the'G with 70-80k. It'd be worth the entry fee alone!

Early nomination that Sir Brad Dick will light up September for the Magpies.

 

[Vendrell]

You get good value with Dick because he always puts in 100%. He can also provide a spark in the midfield. At times he reminds me a bit of Cyril Rioli in the things he does like quick reflexes and tackling.

 

[mattys123]

You get good value with Dick because he always puts in 100%. He can also provide a spark in the midfield. At times he reminds me a bit of Cyril Rioli in the things he does like quick reflexes and tackling.

I've made the Rioli comparison on the main board, and been laughed at and abused.

But I'm not saying Dick is as good as Rioli, it's just he is a similar type of player, in that he doesn't only rely on his silky skills to assist his side.

Both Dick and Rioli are amazing tacklers for their body size, and apart from the obvious similarities, this is the one factor for me that makes a Rioli/Dick comparison apt.

 

[DWil6]

Ive heard it suggested on here that Dick doesn't yet have the strength to hold all his tackles unlike Rioli. His shoulder injury wont help that.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I've made the Rioli comparison on the main board, and been laughed at and abused..

Fair enough too. Apart from completely different body shapes and game styles and despite the fact that one has a premiership medal and is the most outstanding young talent in the game, they are exactly alike!!!!

 

[mattys123]

Fair enough too. Apart from completely different body shapes and game styles and despite the fact that one has a premiership medal and is the most outstanding young talent in the game, they are exactly alike!!!!

OH REALLY?

Ever heard of Natanui, Scully, Tengrove, Martin, Hill, Morabito, Beams.

Rioli is far away from being the "best young talent in the game".

If you had of read my whole post, instead of taking one line out of context, you would see I stated Rioli is the better player, but that Dick's gamestyle is similar.

Rioli doesn't have huge stats games, most games his leading stat is tackles, and Dick has been similar both at VFL and AFL level.

There's not that big of a gap between them, Dick is immensely talented, and their body shape isn't that different either.

 

[Temploar]

OH REALLY?

Ever heard of Natanui, Scully, Tengrove, Martin, Hill, Morabito, Beams.

Rioli is far away from being the "best young talent in the game".

If you had of read my whole post, instead of taking one line out of context, you would see I stated Rioli is the better player, but that Dick's gamestyle is similar.

Rioli doesn't have huge stats games, most games his leading stat is tackles, and Dick has been similar both at VFL and AFL level.

There's not that big of a gap between them, Dick is immensely talented, and their body shape isn't that different either.

Trengove*
- Also - Another mention of an outstanding young player is Bryce Gibbs.

And in this case, Cyril is far from outstanding.

 

[DWil6]

In Rioli's defence apparently he has been playing injured. I don't think Dick has anywhere near the proven record that Rioli has yet.

 

[Invigoration]

There is a massive gap between Brad Dick and Cyril Rioli, let's not kid ourselves here...

Brad Dick is still fringe 22 at the end of the day, he would have been dropped if we had another game last year. I'm a fan of Dicky's and it's great to have him back, but I think people have lost a bit of perspective on him while he has been injured. This thread proves he has a little bit of the Tyson 'don't even need to play and you're best 22' Goldsack syndrome creeping in. It's a weird occurrence, certain players stock seems to improve more when they don't actually play.

I'd trade two Brad Dicks for Cyril Rioli and that isn't a slight on Brad.