Sam Docherty 2012 End of Season Review
by PattyKisagun
Senior games: 0
Goals: 0
Dreamteam: 0
Supercoach: 0
Club Best and Fairest votes: 0
Image (NEAFL Northern Conference Grand Final) courtesy of Jorgo
Sam Docherty - #1
When Sam Docherty was drafted by the Lions with pick 12 in the 2011 National Draft, he almost immediately assumed the role as heir to Josh Drummond among fans. The comparisons made between the two came practically entirely from just how well they were both able to kick the ball, but it soon became clear that the similarities don’t stop there, with both sharing a great deal of footy smarts as well as a long, accurate kick.
A considerably impressive end to his draft year in which these footy smarts were evident in a few best on ground performances saw Docherty rise up to become a mid-first round selection, with many draft experts claiming he could have climbed even further to be taken in the top ten – or even top five – had injury not hampered some of his season, and if he’d had a more extended run in the midfield. And despite finishing the season on the half back line, a great deal of Docherty’s first year on an AFL list was spent predominately doing just that – developing his game in the middle.
Nineteen touches in round six of the NEAFL season was the first decent glimpse of Sam for Lions fans, and despite being eased back into footy following numerous surgeries, his potential was on display for all to see. His first goal for the club came three rounds later against the UWS Giants, when a spectacular piece of play saw him gather the ball in the middle of the ground, dodge two defenders, run past another while taking a bounce and then kick truly from the boundary line.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, though, Sam’s first standout performance for the year didn’t come until round eleven of the NEAFL season against Broadbeach. Dominating the game from the half back line, Docherty racked up 28 touches and kick-started a very impressive second half to the season, in which he was consistently named among the side’s best players. Regularly getting the ball twenty five or more times a game while rotating through the middle and always operating with great disposal, Docherty was influential in the side’s successful push for both the NEAFL Northern premiership and the overall NEAFL championship.
With this good form in the reserves came constant calls for his selection in the seniors. The selection committee, though, took a more patient approach with Sam, continuing to leave him in the NEAFL for the rest of the season. Senior coach Michael Voss defended this decision in his post-season Q&A, stating that some first year draftees ‘will get games and some will have to fight. In Sam’s case he’s had to fight and that won’t hurt him.’ If reports of his temperament as a very mature young man and a very hard worker are true, as is suggested not just by word from the club this season but by his winning of the most disciplined award and the trainers award at Gippsland in 2011, those comments would seem to be right on the mark.
His season defining performance undoubtedly came in the first NEAFL final against Southport. Thirty-five touches and three goals while playing predominately through the midfield made for an absolutely dominant performance, and one which very nearly earned him a senior debut the following weekend in the last senior match of the season. Eventually, he was overlooked for the retiring Amon Buchanan to rightly play a farewell match.
Most fans expect Sam to play a fair chunk of senior footy next year, and he seems to be the type of player who will likely have an impact at senior level from the start. However, the most interesting aspect of his development will probably relate to where on the field he plays. With the clear potential to play both a midfield role and defensive role, he may rotate between the two throughout the next few years to find which suits best, or the club may make a decision on where they see his future and play him there in isolation. Of course, it’s entirely possible that their view of his future is to rotate between the midfield and the backline throughout matches, and his selection to play a similar role could be evidence of that if it occurs.
An injury-free pre-season will go a long way in terms of deciding how big his impact is next season, and at which level that impact is most felt. But whether the stars align for next season or not, it’s quite clear that we’ve got an absolute beauty on our hands in Docherty.
by PattyKisagun
Senior games: 0
Goals: 0
Dreamteam: 0
Supercoach: 0
Club Best and Fairest votes: 0
Image (NEAFL Northern Conference Grand Final) courtesy of Jorgo
Sam Docherty - #1
When Sam Docherty was drafted by the Lions with pick 12 in the 2011 National Draft, he almost immediately assumed the role as heir to Josh Drummond among fans. The comparisons made between the two came practically entirely from just how well they were both able to kick the ball, but it soon became clear that the similarities don’t stop there, with both sharing a great deal of footy smarts as well as a long, accurate kick.
A considerably impressive end to his draft year in which these footy smarts were evident in a few best on ground performances saw Docherty rise up to become a mid-first round selection, with many draft experts claiming he could have climbed even further to be taken in the top ten – or even top five – had injury not hampered some of his season, and if he’d had a more extended run in the midfield. And despite finishing the season on the half back line, a great deal of Docherty’s first year on an AFL list was spent predominately doing just that – developing his game in the middle.
Nineteen touches in round six of the NEAFL season was the first decent glimpse of Sam for Lions fans, and despite being eased back into footy following numerous surgeries, his potential was on display for all to see. His first goal for the club came three rounds later against the UWS Giants, when a spectacular piece of play saw him gather the ball in the middle of the ground, dodge two defenders, run past another while taking a bounce and then kick truly from the boundary line.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, though, Sam’s first standout performance for the year didn’t come until round eleven of the NEAFL season against Broadbeach. Dominating the game from the half back line, Docherty racked up 28 touches and kick-started a very impressive second half to the season, in which he was consistently named among the side’s best players. Regularly getting the ball twenty five or more times a game while rotating through the middle and always operating with great disposal, Docherty was influential in the side’s successful push for both the NEAFL Northern premiership and the overall NEAFL championship.
With this good form in the reserves came constant calls for his selection in the seniors. The selection committee, though, took a more patient approach with Sam, continuing to leave him in the NEAFL for the rest of the season. Senior coach Michael Voss defended this decision in his post-season Q&A, stating that some first year draftees ‘will get games and some will have to fight. In Sam’s case he’s had to fight and that won’t hurt him.’ If reports of his temperament as a very mature young man and a very hard worker are true, as is suggested not just by word from the club this season but by his winning of the most disciplined award and the trainers award at Gippsland in 2011, those comments would seem to be right on the mark.
His season defining performance undoubtedly came in the first NEAFL final against Southport. Thirty-five touches and three goals while playing predominately through the midfield made for an absolutely dominant performance, and one which very nearly earned him a senior debut the following weekend in the last senior match of the season. Eventually, he was overlooked for the retiring Amon Buchanan to rightly play a farewell match.
Most fans expect Sam to play a fair chunk of senior footy next year, and he seems to be the type of player who will likely have an impact at senior level from the start. However, the most interesting aspect of his development will probably relate to where on the field he plays. With the clear potential to play both a midfield role and defensive role, he may rotate between the two throughout the next few years to find which suits best, or the club may make a decision on where they see his future and play him there in isolation. Of course, it’s entirely possible that their view of his future is to rotate between the midfield and the backline throughout matches, and his selection to play a similar role could be evidence of that if it occurs.
An injury-free pre-season will go a long way in terms of deciding how big his impact is next season, and at which level that impact is most felt. But whether the stars align for next season or not, it’s quite clear that we’ve got an absolute beauty on our hands in Docherty.
