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Didak primarily as forward

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Somebody

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Without a proven star small forward a la Milne or Sneider (DAvis or Medders) who really stretched us last week, I reckon Didak should be played mostly as a forward maybe rotating in short bursts or when needed as an attacking mid. Obviously he is one of the above, in fact arguably the best small forward in the country.

Of course this is even more true if Didak is in fact carrying an injury from last week.

This is what you need vs StK who really load up in their back 50 - some super class to wreak havoc to their vice-like defensive structure. Combined with Cloke they could really break them open and it would help Cloke's game a lot too. We've had a very successful system of grinding teams down and scoring freely from a congested inside 50 (due to holding it in there for long periods) but StK have obviously done their homework on how to overcome that and made scoring very hard last week. Last week showed that in a Grannie vs a brilliantly coached defensive unit like StK, methodical system is not enough. You need some individual brilliance and inspiration, as shown by Goddard's effect last week.

I might even throw Max forward for stints since he is inspirational and extremely intense, or rotate a few wild cards through the forward line like Max, Heater, harry, SAck. You really want to create confusion in our F50 to upset their defensive system.

Despite what people are saying about our midfield stars being quiet, we got tons of entries and it was mainly in the F50 that we collapsed. We are talking about better delivery this week, but it's more about keeping the F50 open as StK often did resulting in telling goals from passes from the flanks, or sometimes bombing it in very quickly and having someone take inspirational marks (Goddard and Roo). I think this is what Dawes should do almost every time, he takes too long after taking a mark and his passes are usually ineffective anyway vs StK's flood. Should just sprint back and hastily hoof it long into the open near Didak or another crumber.
 
It all starts in the midfield for us. If Pendles, Ball and Wellingham can lift their output around the stoppages and give us some clean forward entries we'll put StKildas defense on the back foot. When they can't set up their defensive structures they have in the past been vulnerable and been scored heavily against.

But you have to ask the question, if we move Didak forward does our midfield suffer? and as a flow on effect our forward line as a result? If our core group of midfielders (Swan, Pendles, Ball, Wellingham) can lift I think we can throw Didak forward. We may have no choice if his injury is affecting him. Interestingly against the Cats he was played mainly as a forward and killed it. But that game was on our terms and I doubt StKilda will make it that easy for us.
 
There's no question his injury (ruptured pec) is affecting him. Dids will be under the knife within a week or two - bookmark it. As such, like this idea although his overhead marking will be weak.
 
Think he needs more midfield time with his injury.

Small forward position will be mostly Blair and otherwise rotated
 

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Was actually looking forward to getting him back in the middle after watching a replay of last weeks first half. He was getting amongst it and when moved forward couldn't get a sniff.

He's a great midfielder when up and going and capable of being best on ground if around the pill, and while this game is for keeps, I think the more midfield time, the better.
 
Guess it depends on how bad his shoulder is. It sounds pretty bad, if he gets crunched like last week he might not be able to play out the game. Sticking him up forward with a few short stints in the midfield sounds like the safe option.
 
I want him to play more forward then in the middle becuase if he marks it, it will most likley be a goal. We have the midfielder to get the job done and we dont need Didak to spend alot of time there.
 
I want him to play more forward then in the middle becuase if he marks it, it will most likley be a goal. We have the midfielder to get the job done and we dont need Didak to spend alot of time there.


Didak has never been good overhead, and the Saints are lethal at repelling aerial attacks, if that makes sense. He would be more important getting the crumbs, but I'm not sure I'd want to sacrifice his run and disposal from the midfield.
 
Reckon it makes it much easier for Dempster if Didak plays permanent forward. And leaves Dids a sitting duck to be crunched by some hospital balls with his sore shoulder.
His 1 big asset atm is he still can cover the ground ok - injury hasn't affected his legs - I would play him predominantly midfield with breaks up forward. Dids dominated the rd 16 game againts the Saints in the midfield and burnt Clint Jones off. I would repeat the dose again. Probably more wing than in the guts, but midfield nonetheless.
 
Didak has never been good overhead, and the Saints are lethal at repelling aerial attacks, if that makes sense. He would be more important getting the crumbs, but I'm not sure I'd want to sacrifice his run and disposal from the midfield.

You make a very good point, he is the best skilled player in our team and I am sure the forwards would preffer Didak kicking the ball inside 50 over anyone else.
 
Was actually looking forward to getting him back in the middle after watching a replay of last weeks first half. He was getting amongst it and when moved forward couldn't get a sniff.

He's a great midfielder when up and going and capable of being best on ground if around the pill, and while this game is for keeps, I think the more midfield time, the better.


Agree with this:)
 

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There's no question his injury (ruptured pec) is affecting him. Dids will be under the knife within a week or two - bookmark it. As such, like this idea although his overhead marking will be weak.

Was supposed to have his op last week but delayed for obvious reasons. Wasn't expecting him to play as well as he did. Problem is, an injury like that should really be repaired immediately for best results.
 
I'm more looking forward to Didak recovering from his injury from a human point of view. Imagine playing two grand finals with his injury. WOW. That aside, whatever we got out of Didak this year as a mid/forward the same should be done next year. He is a bona fida star.
 

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