Michael Doughty - will he make it??

[macca23]

After an excellent 2002 in which he played all 25 games for the Crows and averaged over 15 disposals, Doughty's stocks really slumped with a very ordinary 2003 in which he only notched a further 6 games.

He can play - his form in 2002 attests to that. A very skilful neat player with good pace and excellent disposal his 2 major limitations are his aggression levels are only moderate and he appears best suited to one position - the wing.

There was an article on Doughty in the local press a few days ago in which he said that he realized that 2004 was a make or break year for him and he would be going flat out to reclaim his spot in the side.

The problem facing him in achieving this aim is that Burton cemented one wing as his own this year, while Reilly is very likely to do the same in 2004. That's without other pressures from Massie, Begley, Torney and Gallagher for this spot.

He did play a odd game or two at half-forward, and off memory performed well in the games he played there. Perhaps this is his best chance to break back into the side.

What do you think?? Can Doughty make it back into the 22 as a regular in 2004

 

[RaDaR ReiLLy]

Well given more opportunites he should push for the 22

But i agree with you, Burton and Reilly pushing for those wings will make it hard for Dogga. I got the feeling that this year they tended to opt for a Reilly before a Doughty...

They obviously see potential in Dogga if they have kept him on the list thus far.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Gee, I don't know. He is a good player who has had a disappointing 2003. He definetly can play but I don't like his chances in 2004. Unless there are injuries which give him a chance and he grabs it (and I mean REALLY grabs it) with both hands, he will struggle. Bicks has retired so that opens up the spot in the midfield but I think Johncock will take over Bicks role and Schuback is most likely to become our small forward.

Burton has his name down for one wing and Doughty would be fighting with the likes of Reilly, Begley, Massie, Torney, Burns, Shirley, Gallagher etc for a spot in the 22. I personally think Begley, Torney, Reilly, Massie, Burns and possibly even Shirley would be in front of him in the pecking order.

Will be a tough ask for him but if he does make the 22 he really needs to be congratulated. I just don't understand why we didn't try and trade him. Surely a side like Kangaroos would have offered something decent for him.

 

[DaveW]

Yes, Doughty is going to be an integral part of one of the best midfields in the competition...











alongside Clay Sampson, Michael Davis, Chris Hall and Clinton King.

 

[lufc618]

I think Essendon may have offered something decent if he was put up for trade. I would've have liked to have seen him at Essendon. I think he could really offer something. I do rate him.

 

[Go South]

Originally posted by lufc618
I would've have liked to have seen him at Essendon. I think he could really offer something. I do rate him.

Please don't ever speak of that scenario again.

 

[napsyd]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Burton has his name down for one wing and Doughty would be fighting with the likes of Reilly, Begley, Massie, Torney, Burns, Shirley, Gallagher etc for a spot in the 22. I personally think Begley, Torney, Reilly, Massie, Burns and possibly even Shirley would be in front of him in the pecking order.

You aren't positive that Shirley is ahead of Doughty in the pecking order?

I have no doubt that Torney, Reilly, Massie and Burns are ahead of Doughty at the moment.

And I have no doubt that Shirley is ahead of the whole lot of them. If Shirley finds another gear in 2004, he will be practically the first player selected every week IMO.

Begley is an interesting one. Had more favour with the coaching staff than Doughty this year, although I struggle to understand why.

 

[noddy]

Originally posted by macca23


The problem facing him in achieving this aim is that Burton cemented one wing as his own this year, while Reilly is very likely to do the same in 2004. That's without other pressures from Massie, Begley, Torney and Gallagher for this spot.


What do you think?? Can Doughty make it back into the 22 as a regular in 2004

The above points out very clearly why i think Doughty will struggle to cement a permanent spot in the Crows starting 22.

But then again how many of us were saying the same thing about Rob Shirley this time last year ??

The ball is obviously in Michaels corner & if he wants it bad enough then with his natural ability i'm sure he will have the opportunity to prove himself.

 

[Dogga]

There is one thing Doughty is definitely NOTand that is a defender/tagger. The 15 mins he spent on Scott Burns in the 3rd quarter against Collingwood at Telstra should enusre he is never placed in a similar role again.

His kicking isn't quite in the top bracket either and he should've been traded. Can't see him forcing his way into our powerhouse midfield and there are a few younger players (Reilly, Schuback, Bock, Jericho) who should be getting opportunities in front of Doughty.

No relation, either if you were wondering.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I agree with most of everyone else's points.

For some reason Dogga fell out of favour in 2003 & IMO should have been given more opportunities given the poor form of other higher profile midfielders & playing injured/ill players, which was plain stupid by the selectors.

Problem for Doughty now is that he is way behind in the pecking order for a wingman spot. IMO, he will need to work bloody hard to add another dimension to his game & take it to another level - eg. Become part of the midfield centre/square rotation or work on his defensive skills, so he is capable of playing on a HB flank. However, he should never play on a forward who is strong overhead (as Burns demonstrated in the Pies game).

 

[Bockchoy67]

Doughty is a good player, we all know that, but his form was terrible throughout 2003. I really think he has what it takes, but he just doesn't deliver consistently enough, especially this year. I hope that in 2004 he is selected.

He's got good pace, something we really need, and he's got a bit of grit too.

There's not 'dought' about that.

 

[Go South]

To be honest, I'm not particularly concerned by his AFL aspirations or lack of... I'm quite content seeing him in the blue and white every weekend.

I'm just glad he didn't end up interstate, he's too important to South.

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

Originally posted by Go South
To be honest, I'm not particularly concerned by his AFL aspirations or lack of... I'm quite content seeing him in the blue and white every weekend.

I'm just glad he didn't end up interstate, he's too important to South.

Yes, can't wait for Round 2 for when my boys tackle South in there opening game of our 2004 season (bloody bye first up ). Should be a beauty!

k
xx

 

[Go South]

Originally posted by MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl
Yes, can't wait for Round 2 for when my boys tackle South in there opening game of our 2004 season (bloody bye first up ). Should be a beauty!

k
xx

South vs Eagles games should be outlawed.

Especially after last time.

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

Originally posted by Go South
South vs Eagles games should be outlawed.

Especially after last time.

now, now Matthew come on - thats ancient history - the moral is don't give away frees in the goal square!

k
xx

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by napsyd
You aren't positive that Shirley is ahead of Doughty in the pecking order?

I have no doubt that Torney, Reilly, Massie and Burns are ahead of Doughty at the moment.

And I have no doubt that Shirley is ahead of the whole lot of them. If Shirley finds another gear in 2004, he will be practically the first player selected every week IMO.

Begley is an interesting one. Had more favour with the coaching staff than Doughty this year, although I struggle to understand why.

I am not in favour of having 2 taggers in one side. Too defensive IMHO and the only way to win is to kick a winning score. Shirley is a fantastic team man who has played some fantastic games last year BUT to stay in the 22 he would need to add other dimensions to his game.

Personally, I think there is a place for only one tagger and when it comes down to Stenglein or Shirley, I pick Stenglein.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Go South
South vs Eagles games should be outlawed.

Especially after last time.

Still bitter about that one?????? You only had yourself to blame.

 

[Go South]

No, not at all... had an absolute blast.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
I am not in favour of having 2 taggers in one side. Too defensive IMHO and the only way to win is to kick a winning score. Shirley is a fantastic team man who has played some fantastic games last year BUT to stay in the 22 he would need to add other dimensions to his game.

Personally, I think there is a place for only one tagger and when it comes down to Stenglein or Shirley, I pick Stenglein.

Going on the form over the 2nd half of 2003, I'd pick Shirley.

Even if we had Stenglein as our one and only tagger, I'd still keep Shirley for his in-and-under ball winning ability.

 

[DaveW]

Originally posted by Go South
South vs Eagles games should be outlawed.

They've won the last 12 (or something like that) against us.

 

[MarksGirl-kbcrowgirl]

Originally posted by DaveW
They've won the last 12 (or something like that) against us.

OMG really?? Oh well bring on 2004 then!

k
xx

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by DaveW
Going on the form over the 2nd half of 2003, I'd pick Shirley.

Even if we had Stenglein as our one and only tagger, I'd still keep Shirley for his in-and-under ball winning ability.

As would I Dave. Somebody has to play the in and under role while taking all the hard knocks that Bickley did so well and I think that Shirley's the man for this role.

He has a real chance to step up even further in 2004 to become a key player, not just a tagger or a support player.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by macca23
As would I Dave. Somebody has to play the in and under role while taking all the hard knocks that Bickley did so well and I think that Shirley's the man for this role.

He has a real chance to step up even further in 2004 to become a key player, not just a tagger or a support player.

Matthew Bode anyone??????

Just about the best in and under player we got. People seem to forget his first 6 weeks of the season. He was fantastic before Ayresy started using him in rotation with Bickley and subsequently killing his form and confidence.

Johncock will also move into the midfield rotation.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Matthew Bode anyone??????

Just about the best in and under player we got. People seem to forget his first 6 weeks of the season. He was fantastic before Ayresy started using him in rotation with Bickley and subsequently killing his form and confidence.

Johncock will also move into the midfield rotation.

Nope, I didn't forget Bodey at all, and I certainly expect him to get back to his best form, not the crap he dished up in the latter part of theseason. At his best , he is a very valuable part of the mid-field.

But Bickley was very unique in the way he played his mid-fielder role and Shirley plays very similarly. It would be an absolute bonus to have Shirley step up and do the Bickley role while Bodey did his thing in style as well.

You're right about the Bickley, Bode rotation though. That was the biggest single thing that caused Bode to go right off the boil, once he started getting limited game time.

 

[Mego Red]

Originally posted by napsyd
If Shirley finds another gear in 2004, he will be practically the first player selected every week IMO.

And if my auntie grows another ball in 2004, she'll be half way towards becoming my uncle.