Toast Leon Davis Is More Important Than Ever

[PieLebo87]

It has to be said, because it lighting up like a neon ever so brightly as each week goes by... Leon Davis, at 30, after 200 AFL games, has become more important to Collingwood than he has at any stage in the past throughout his career.

He has stood up unbelievably well, and shown that last year he was only lacking confidence, and hadn't lost any talent. Is likely to be an All Australian by the end of 2011 going by his current form.

Absolute champion of the Collingwood Football Club.

 

[esc0bar]

A lot of supporters will be eating humble pie. Nothing more annoying than being down at the pub and hearing Collingwood supporters giving it to Leon Davis.

 

[HFF]

What a weapon he is.

Can do it down back and then changed the dynamic of the game moving forward.

IMO, he is still our best small forward, if today is anything to go by. Electric.

 

[Bay Pie]

Owned Garlett in defence. Moved forward as we needed a spark and kicks a goal and sets up a couple.

Garlett gets off the chain and Leo goes back. Garlett goes back into his shell.

Extremely valuable player to us and I agree with the OP...he has never been more valuable to us, irrespective of the loss of Heater.

Great game Leon...on the big stage!!!!!

 

[PieLebo87]

Should've had 3-4 goals today had it gone 1-2 metres his way.

 

[Subtemperate]

Sensational player.... Always loved him, but his drive from defense is a pleasure to watch.

...And 100% efficiency from kickins from around 70 kicks? Thats a massive stat.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Yes, he is.

 

[jimmy35]

Playing great footy for us, I'm really pleased for him.

 

[Yidaki]

I echo the previous thoughts of my fellow Pie supporters. Just an amazing turn around from last year. Will be a key for us come finals time I believe.

 

[Nebula1971]

The one player I would so dearly love to see with a premiership and maybe a Norm Smith medallion around his neck.

In fact I lie, would love to see Tazz with a premiership medallion too, considering 2002 & 2003.

Leon has always been one of my favorites and was furious when there was speculation he could be traded at the end of 2009.

 

[Quicky]

Anyone else reckons he straightens us up? He's the only player in our defense that consistently has the balls to kick it up the guts. I've read that our players have the liberty to use the corridor if it is the right option and Leon proves this. Lovin his work and great to have another dependable small defender. Versatility!

 

[Avatar]

Yep, more important than ever without a doubt.
Has been the revelation of the year and I couldn't be happier.

It is a testament to his awesome performance this year that I was shocked he missed Swan in the fwd 50 by a few inches today. Sublime skills and never worried about a turnover when the ball is in his hands.

 

[Avatar]

Anyone else reckons he straightens us up? He's the only player in our defense that consistently has the balls to kick it up the guts. I've read that our players have the liberty to use the corridor if it is the right option and Leon proves this. Lovin his work and great to have another dependable small defender. Versatility!

Agreed. Because he is so good at evading and slipping tackles and picking the footy up cleanly at pace he gives himself more time, space and options and as you say he's not afraid to go down the middle if he sees an option there.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

A lot of supporters will be eating humble pie. Nothing more annoying than being down at the pub and hearing Collingwood supporters giving it to Leon Davis.

Never bagged the guy (never would either) but I'm guilty of thinking his career was over last year. Glad he proved us all wrong with his actions.

 

[10571z]

I bagged him. So what..he was shit in big games when we needed him. Great his gone down back and shown real character! So impressed. I hope he plays well in the finals!

 

[Yidaki]

Who reckons he is the most accurate kick going around (with the exception for goal)? Also, I bloody love Reids kicking action; it is beautiful to watch.

 

[PieLebo87]

His field kicking has always been unbelievable, so I agree, he would be one of the best kicks around, its reflected in his potency with his kick outs for Collingwood. He isn't that bad a shot on goal either. I remember him being a dead eye dick when he was up forward more consistently.

 

[rose jam]

Possibly 2 AA's in the last 3 years makes him one of the games current elite players.

 

[Go_Brad_Dick]

I still think its criminal he was taken out of the midfield last year. After an AA 2009..
No-one ever really clarified if he was playing injured last year.

Have to laugh at Freo they turned him down in the Tarrant trade and picked up Jack Anthony later on instead.

Leon has been my fav Collingwood player since early 2000s.. so magical and brilliant, loving seeing him back and look forward to a few more years of brilliance and hopefully a few premiership medallions around his neck.

GO LEON!!

 

[shawthing09]

This is the most important he has been to the side. I think this year is as good as 2009, which gets back to the point above. In both full seasons he has been used in a role other than as a small forward he has played very good footy. I must say I have been very surprised by how good his defensive work has been.

 

[Quicky]

This is the most important he has been to the side. I think this year is as good as 2009, which gets back to the point above. In both full seasons he has been used in a role other than as a small forward he has played very good footy. I must say I have been very surprised by how good his defensive work has been.

Echo this. Especially under a high ball. His ability to read the fall of the ball and outbody his opponent allows him to win aerial contests quite often. I thought he might get exploited for height, now i'm confident he'll win it the fair share of the time in this situation.

 

[rose jam]

Echo this. Especially under a high ball. His ability to read the fall of the ball and outbody his opponent allows him to win aerial contests quite often. I thought he might get exploited for height, now i'm confident he'll win it the fair share of the time in this situation.

He has always been a very good mark though. I remember him taking Akermanis to the cleaners by taking 3 contested against him in a quarter for 3 goals, think that might have been the game Bux kicked that 6 in.

MM said they 2 ways he might get exploited when going through it in the preseason is getting caught out of position with the ball coming over his head and getting blocked at stoppages, and neither has happened because he has worked out how to not let this happen.

He looks powerful on the field on the at the moment. Super stuff.

 

[TheFreshBanana]

Was really impressed with him and Johnnos kick-outs from defence. His stat from kick outs does provide some sort of security come finals time.

 

[Ed D]

I still think its criminal he was taken out of the midfield last year. After an AA 2009..
No-one ever really clarified if he was playing injured last year.

IIRC Collingwood said that he had lower body injuries throughout the year which seeing how he played the game, trained and continually was in and out of the team it makes a lot of sense. 2009 he was running through the midfield and all over the ground, 2010 he didn't even have his straight line speed.

 

[jonbe54]

I see parallels between Leon and Daisy here, both flashy and spectacular players at their best but sent down back to learn the nuts and bolts of footy. Both now much more complete and damaging players.

Great coaching.