Here's a stat...

[estibador]

The only people that overrate Headland are those expecting him to reproduce his sensational 6 week spell at the Lions (2003 was it?) when he was spoonfed by one of the greatest midfields ever seen. Unfortunately the unrealistic expectations placed on him as a result mean he is often made a scapegoat even when he has a decent game.

Most sensible supporters recognise that he does have value to our club even if he isn't tearing teams apart every week. He's certainly still in our best 22 even if he doesn't get 30 possessions and kick 4 goals every week. Especially in a team like Freo that has a dearth of tall, pacey, long kicking midfielders.

If there's one criticism of Dessie I would make it's that he misses too many shots on the run from 50 out. That's really when we need him to deliver if he gets the chance, given we haven't got many others in the team as capable as him.

 

[theGav56]

The only people that overrate Headland are those expecting him to reproduce his sensational 6 week spell at the Lions (2003 was it?) when he was spoonfed by one of the greatest midfields ever seen. Unfortunately the unrealistic expectations placed on him as a result mean he is often made a scapegoat even when he has a decent game.

From a thread on this Board re Headland, the post by docker_bengals. In particular it is discussing the prelim final game Headland played before being recruited.

try again
that game 21 kicks 9 marks 12 handballs 33 pos 3 goals 4 takles
season ave14 kicks 7 marks 5 handballs 19 pos 1 goal 2 tack
06 ave 13 kicks 5 marks 4 handballs 17 poss 1 goal 2 tack

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=7184221

I rate Headland, he is a very useful member of our squad. That the recruiting staff had to overpay to get him here is a question for them, not for him.

 

[dominguez]

I rate Headland, he is a very useful member of our squad. That the recruiting staff had to overpay to get him here is a question for them, not for him.

You're right Gav, supporters are always going to set the bar high for a big name player who costs the club picks, players and $$$$. If Trent Croad was traded for a 2nd round pick and paid $200,000p.a. he'd probably still be here. But the fact that he was traded for the number one pick and was our highest paid player placed unfair expectations on him.

So far Tarrant has performed well, if his form does drop off then he will come under heavy (probably unwarranted) criticism.

 

[theGav56]

So far Tarrant has performed well, if his form does drop off then he will come under heavy (probably unwarranted) criticism.

Not from me. The strategy of recruiting Tarrant is brilliant, which is not to say it does not entail risk.

Most players have fluctuations in form. In reality, Tarrant has played 2 games, 1 of which was good. We have lost both games. Even if Tarrant's form is not great, he will warrant a very good opponent, and effect the oppositions game plan and defensive set up. That is where his value lies for me. We have had a problem with our forwards because that has not always been the case. Murphy has been sparodic and a typical everyday defender suffices for him, but that won't work with Tarrant.

On Headland, I don't give a rat's cracker what he gets paid (but I am sure he will be with us next year). At least I don't equate what he gets paid to his value on our list. Des is dangerous, and opposition coaches know it and take him into consideration when playing Freo. He slipped under the radar a bit at Brisbane, and anyway was being fed by a super midfield of which he was not a key component, but the icing on the cake. Why would you expect the same here at Freo?

The stats that matter for Headland for me, would be delivery into the forward 50. Did you see how well others did last week? Do you really want Cook doing that job? Gilmore? Schammer? MacManus? Duffield? Walker? Carr? Other Carr? If you don't rate Headland then go and ask Pavlich and Tarrant who they want delivering the ball to them. Black and Headland will top the list by an absolute mile.

 

[Ripper]

Not from me. The strategy of recruiting Tarrant is brilliant, which is not to say it does not entail risk.

Most players have fluctuations in form. In reality, Tarrant has played 2 games, 1 of which was good. We have lost both games. Even if Tarrant's form is not great, he will warrant a very good opponent, and effect the oppositions game plan and defensive set up. That is where his value lies for me. We have had a problem with our forwards because that has not always been the case. Murphy has been sparodic and a typical everyday defender suffices for him, but that won't work with Tarrant.

On Headland, I don't give a rat's cracker what he gets paid (but I am sure he will be with us next year). At least I don't equate what he gets paid to his value on our list. Des is dangerous, and opposition coaches know it and take him into consideration when playing Freo. He slipped under the radar a bit at Brisbane, and anyway was being fed by a super midfield of which he was not a key component, but the icing on the cake. Why would you expect the same here at Freo?

The stats that matter for Headland for me, would be delivery into the forward 50. Did you see how well others did last week? Do you really want Cook doing that job? Gilmore? Schammer? MacManus? Duffield? Walker? Carr? Other Carr? If you don't rate Headland then go and ask Pavlich and Tarrant who they want delivering the ball to them. Black and Headland will top the list by an absolute mile.

Case closed.

Des spotted up the forwards excellently against the Bombres and i can only remember 1 kick that went astray.

He needs to get rid of the fumbles though.
You should add M.J. to the top of the list though.

 

[pistol17]

On Headland, I don't give a rat's cracker what he gets paid (but I am sure he will be with us next year). At least I don't equate what he gets paid to his value on our list. Des is dangerous, and opposition coaches know it and take him into consideration when playing Freo. He slipped under the radar a bit at Brisbane, and anyway was being fed by a super midfield of which he was not a key component, but the icing on the cake. Why would you expect the same here at Freo?

The stats that matter for Headland for me, would be delivery into the forward 50. Did you see how well others did last week? Do you really want Cook doing that job? Gilmore? Schammer? MacManus? Duffield? Walker? Carr? Other Carr? If you don't rate Headland then go and ask Pavlich and Tarrant who they want delivering the ball to them. Black and Headland will top the list by an absolute mile.

Are you serious? Headlands skills are questionable at times. I would prefer to be on the end of a kick by Black, both Carr boys, Bell and Hasleby than Headland. Stop defending a guy who had one good year with Brisbane which got him a premiership. Our midfield is decent but no where near the likes of Voss, Black, Akermanis, Lappin, Power, Hart etc... They made him look better than he is. Des is not dangerous. Can anyone name one game in 4 years at fremantle when Des has taken a game by the scruff of the neck. My guess is not once. He doesnt hurt opposition.

He will not be on $400,000 next season, we have to resign Pavlich so headland will have to take a pay cut or leave the club.

Dr Ralph Dagg - Ill keep saying what i like about headland until someone listens. Why defend the man???

 

[Roundhouse]

Are you serious? Headlands skills are questionable at times. I would prefer to be on the end of a kick by Black, both Carr boys, Bell and Hasleby than Headland. Stop defending a guy who had one good year with Brisbane which got him a premiership. Our midfield is decent but no where near the likes of Voss, Black, Akermanis, Lappin, Power, Hart etc... They made him look better than he is. Des is not dangerous. Can anyone name one game in 4 years at fremantle when Des has taken a game by the scruff of the neck. My guess is not once. He doesnt hurt opposition.

He will not be on $400,000 next season, we have to resign Pavlich so headland will have to take a pay cut or leave the club.

Dr Ralph Dagg - Ill keep saying what i like about headland until someone listens. Why defend the man???

You are wrong!
"theGav" is right!

Headland is a very good finisher, and gives better delivery to our forwards than almost anyone in the team.

 

[theGav56]

Very few players "take the game by the scruff of the neck". And if they regularly do it, they are called superstars.

24 disposals in game one is just fine thanks, and 17 disposals in round 2 is serviceable. Trolling a player who is making a positive contribution is pathetic and ignorant.

Round 6 2003.

 

[pistol17]

Very few players "take the game by the scruff of the neck". And if they regularly do it, they are called superstars.

24 disposals in game one is just fine thanks, and 17 disposals in round 2 is serviceable. Trolling a player who is making a positive contribution is pathetic and ignorant.

Round 6 2003.

Whatever guys, read my other posts on headland, my main point with the guy is he is a front runner, if we are behind on the scoreboard he doesnt play like he does when we in front. He goes missing when it gets too hard. He walked into a flying brisbane side in the 3-peat era, he used to winning doesnt know what to do when it gets a little tough.

For a guy on $400,000 p.a we are paying him to be an above average player. Not an average player.

What is pathetic is that after 4 years you guys want to defend the guy for doing not a lot at the club. Look at the finals series last year, for a premiership player he didnt exactly look to comfortable especially against adelaide and sydney. Just watch Des play and take note of the scoreline when he starts playing good.

 

[bfff]

Whatever guys, read my other posts on headland, my main point with the guy is he is a front runner, if we are behind on the scoreboard he doesnt play like he does when we in front. He goes missing when it gets too hard. He walked into a flying brisbane side in the 3-peat era, he used to winning doesnt know what to do when it gets a little tough.

For a guy on $400,000 p.a we are paying him to be an above average player. Not an average player.

What is pathetic is that after 4 years you guys want to defend the guy for doing not a lot at the club. Look at the finals series last year, for a premiership player he didnt exactly look to comfortable especially against adelaide and sydney. Just watch Des play and take note of the scoreline when he starts playing good.

So you're saying when des plays well we win? Sounds like an invaluable player to me. Maybe even a matchwinner.

 

[pistol17]

So you're saying when des plays well we win? Sounds like an invaluable player to me. Maybe even a matchwinner.

Im saying he only wants to play when we are in front on the score board, he doesnt do the hard work when we are behind.

He is not a matchwinner, not by a long shot. Pavlich and Sandilands are the match winners for Fremantle

 

[Ripper]

Im saying he only wants to play when we are in front on the score board, he doesnt do the hard work when we are behind.

He is not a matchwinner, not by a long shot. Pavlich and Sandilands are the match winners for Fremantle

Who got us the lead against the Bombres?
Who kept getting it to him?

 

[pistol17]

Who got us the lead against the Bombres?
Who kept getting it to him?

Answer is not headland on both questions.

 

[Ripper]

Answer is not headland on both questions.

Pull the tape out and have another look.

 

[pistol17]

Pull the tape out and have another look.

Would that be to prove you wrong, this arguement is pointless. You dont understand the point I am making regarding Des Headland. You know what my opinion of Des is, leave it at that!

 

[Roundhouse]

Would that be to prove you wrong, this arguement is pointless. You dont understand the point I am making regarding Des Headland. You know what my opinion of Des is, leave it at that!

Oh I see!

You want to make sweeping statements that bag players without any reference to actual performance, and you don't want to be challenged in any way.

I guess it works for Wallsy, go nuts!

 

[pistol17]

Oh I see!

You want to make sweeping statements that bag players without any reference to actual performance, and you don't want to be challenged in any way.

I guess it works for Wallsy, go nuts!

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you read what i have posted at all you #@!&??? I have made a statement, backed up by his performances over his 4 seasons with fremantle. Challenge all you want, wont change my opinion of a player earning $400,000 p.a who goes missing when its too hard. He didnt do anything to get us back into the game against the bombers. You do know headland is number 11 dont you??? you may be confused??

 

[Roundhouse]

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you read what i have posted at all you #@!&??? I have made a statement, backed up by his performances over his 4 seasons with fremantle. Challenge all you want, wont change my opinion of a player earning $400,000 p.a who goes missing when its too hard. He didnt do anything to get us back into the game against the bombers. You do know headland is number 11 dont you??? you may be confused??

Like Ripper said, go back and watch the tape numbnuts!

 

[Captain Pump]

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you read what i have posted at all you #@!&??? I have made a statement, backed up by his performances over his 4 seasons with fremantle. Challenge all you want, wont change my opinion of a player earning $400,000 p.a who goes missing when its too hard. He didnt do anything to get us back into the game against the bombers. You do know headland is number 11 dont you??? you may be confused??

Wow, you must also hate Brett Peake then...he is on decent money and goes missing when we lose...do you hate Peake?

 

[Scham]

Go easy. I think some of you guys are a bit over sensitive about Des.

pistol17 is a fellow supporter who has an opinion of Des Headland, you may not agree with it but, the fact is he has a good arguement and is supported by many a football follower in the land as well as a good percentage of Docker supporters. Headland has under achieved with us, you can't deny that. He hasn't been able to finish in the top 10 of our F and B yet, and for a guy that has so much natural ability and is allegedly one of our highest paid players, he's under achieved.

 

[pistol17]

Go easy. I think some of you guys are a bit over sensitive about Des.

pistol17 is a fellow supporter who has an opinion of Des Headland, you may not agree with it but, the fact is he has a good arguement and is supported by many a football follower in the land as well as a good percentage of Docker supporters. Headland has under achieved with us, you can't deny that. He hasn't been able to finish in the top 10 of our F and B yet, and for a guy that has so much natural ability and is allegedly one of our highest paid players, he's under achieved.

Thankyou Scham, at least one supporter is willing to listen to an opinion on here instead of shooting it down.

 

[pistol17]

Wow, you must also hate Brett Peake then...he is on decent money and goes missing when we lose...do you hate Peake?

I dont hate Brett Peake, Peake is a young guy still learning the game. Des is an experienced player. They dont compare.