Steven Dodd - thanks for the memories

[Jentleman Geff]

 

[E Shed]

That's a great collection of totally unco pics!
Was a very good lock down defender in his day. Great closing speed and superb spoiler.

 

[Jentleman Geff]

Displays great avoision* in that Embley pic.





*Copyright Glen Jakovich 2009

 

[sumavich]

Funny JG! You are a right royal tosser, but this has been your best BigFooty contribution ever.
Closed his eyes a lot didn't he !!

 

[Jentleman Geff]

Steven Dodd - a history

Arriving at the club as a fourth round rookie selection in 2002, Dodd made his debut against Geelong in round 20 2004 - the game Jeff Farmer got hypothermia. This auspicious debut game may have ruined the promising Dodd's career, as it is rumoured all of his toes had to be amputated due to frostbite.

He followed up in 2004 with a serviceable 2005, building on his cousin's infamy and being know around the competition as somewhat of an annoyance.

His best season by far was 2006, in which he played every game and was often a highly valued contributer. He played in Fremantle's first ever finals win.

His downfall came as the game began to evolve. Simply locking down your man and gathering ball across half back was no longer good enough for a defender - you had to be smart enough to make the zone work, and be an excellent decision maker and user of the football.

Sadly, Steven Dodd was exposed quite quickly as one of the many weak links in Fremantle's defence from the 2008 season onwards. Despite playing every game in 2009 and coming top 10 in Fremantle's B&F that year, he was surpassed in 2010 by newer defenders who could compete in modern AFL, playing only 3 games.

While his best season was 2006, his best ever moment for the Fremantle Football Club was in the round 3 2010 game against Geelong, when he skittled Gary Ablett Jnr and Paul Chapman, creating the play for Stephen Hill and Paul Duffield to kick the match winning goal, in a game that set the scene for the FFC for the remainder of the year.

Playing his 100th game in round 11 against Adelaide, he made numerous errors and his file was stamped "ONLY IN CASE WE PLAY IN TASMANIA". This was to happen in round 21, where he ably covered for rested players who would win their next two games, including the club's second ever final.

A consummate team man, Dodd made the most out of abilities despite some flaws, and will be remembered by Fremantle fans as what might have been created if Dan Parker and Shane Parker had a kid together.

 

[prattsta]

Wasn't Dodd fined in his first ever game back in 2004, unable to pay the fine, and forced by the AFL to miss the next week?

The highs and lows of life on an AFL rookie list.

 

[Nickos66]

Bahahaha!

Funniest pick of the lot, that woulda been awkward in the changerooms after the game.

Dodd: "so err.. wanna do it again?"

It almost looks like a huge sense of disgust on Lloyds face too.

 

[wehavethepassion]

JG LOL

I suppose his coach from his dockers days (malaxos) will be able to use his talents at east freo.

 

[Shaymuhz]

only player to ever be suspended for stepping on someones toe as well

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

I'm glad we can call ourselves supporters with threads like this.

Dodd actually started out life as a tagger. In that famous JLo goal after the siren game against St Kilda, Dodd literally beat the living bejeezus out of Andrew Thompson, then a leading St Kilda midfielder. If he'd played him any tighter they could have shared one pair of shorts. St Kilda was bigger, stronger, faster so we cheered mightily when Dodd rammed Thompson into the fence.

When moved to defence, he was a classic lock down defender and if you needed to shut someone down he was your man. He was very hard physically and never shirked a contest that I coud remember.

He once won one of those weekly awards -- Army Top Effort -- or something for a 60m chase down of Brad Johnson up in Darwin. Inspirational it was.

So not all players are stars. Dodd's disposal by foot probably cost him his place but I suspect injuries also played a part. As a player he should be remembered with respect alongside all the other journeyman players that make the stars look good. If it was all about the stars then Aussie Rules would be a 12 a side game.

East Freo might field a reasonable side next year with Hase, Dodd and maybe Graham Polak at full forward.

 

[Jentleman Geff]

I'm glad we can call ourselves supporters with threads like this.

Dodd actually started out life as a tagger. In that famous JLo goal after the siren game against St Kilda, Dodd literally beat the living bejeezus out of Andrew Thompson, then a leading St Kilda midfielder. If he'd played him any tighter they could have shared one pair of shorts. St Kilda was bigger, stronger, faster so we cheered mightily when Dodd rammed Thompson into the fence.

When moved to defence, he was a classic lock down defender and if you needed to shut someone down he was your man. He was very hard physically and never shirked a contest that I coud remember.

He once won one of those weekly awards -- Army Top Effort -- or something for a 60m chase down of Brad Johnson up in Darwin. Inspirational it was.

So not all players are stars. Dodd's disposal by foot probably cost him his place but I suspect injuries also played a part. As a player he should be remembered with respect alongside all the other journeyman players that make the stars look good. If it was all about the stars then Aussie Rules would be a 12 a side game.

East Freo might field a reasonable side next year with Hase, Dodd and maybe Graham Polak at full forward.

You're a doctor of hagiography, I see.

He's not dead, just returning to play at the level he belongs.

He's going home. If you love something, set it free.

 

[The Night Shift]

fine collection of pics Clay

 

[freo_boy]

its this time of the year when the true supporters separate themselves from the weak pricks who are happy to have a go at a bloke in hindsight.

other than a speculative article on the back of the west australian is there actually any confirmation who's been delisted?

 

[prattsta]

other than a speculative article on the back of the west australian is there actually any confirmation who's been delisted?

Nope. Dodd has officially nominated for the ND though.

 

[Jentleman Geff]

its this time of the year when the true supporters separate themselves from the weak pricks who are happy to have a go at a bloke in hindsight.

And foresight and presentsight. Pretty much every kind of sight you could think of.

 

[Sman-21]

Good luck Dodd.
Hope u can continue your career elsewhere.

Wasnt blessed witth great skills or decision making under pressure.
But was a very good lockdown player, also due to a great work rate was able to rack up pretty good disposal numbers, trouble was his disposal wasnt a strongpoint.

If any team wants a defender they can rely on to take the 3rd tall an stop him on leads Dodd is guaranteed to do it.
Will always give it everything hes got.

He used to be a pretty good tagger too, maybe at another club he could do the brady rawlings type role.

Out of all our defenders that can play on the 3rd tall, if i needed a player to shut him down i would choose Dodd.
Trouble is the game requires backmen to setup attacks and be play makers now, so thats why he will always be chosen behind Silvagni,Roberton etc.

Players can learn alot from Dodd, if only every player put in as much effort an showed as much heart as him.

 

[The Matt]

Spot on Sman

 

[88mph]

JG you unimaginative boring fraudster.

How can you feel good about yourself posting under the name of a former BigFooty Legend?

Trying to gain credibility while trying to live in the shadow of GJ is absolutely pathetic.

Gutless.

 

[PapaJ]

Always felt for Dodd a bit. He had some things going for him. He was tough player, tall but athletic enough to run with quicker midfielders, fast enough to go with fast leading fwds and so physically always had potential. He had a good tank and he played with passion and heart, but that skill set and smarts just wasn't there and never developed.

And FWIW, I don't care how crap you are, a player who plays 100 games with all his heart for our club deserves at least some respect - even here on the keyboard worrior playing field that is BF.

Thanks for the sevice Dodd, I think you're only the slimmest chances of getting a gig, but best of luck with it anyway.

 

[Carnthedockers]

Sorry boys but he should have been de listed years ago! He was the Trent Carrol of Freo. (although Carrol did play for us at 1 point) Always doing Dumb Sh*t and giving away stupid free kicks, to the point where I was surprised where he did something right! Got over 10 text messages of joy from mates when they heard we had de listed him!

 

[silverscope]

Good Luck Dodd! No matter what some Fremantle supporters say you've done more for the club then they will in a life time.

May you have many son's with good disposal

 

[docker_champ29]

Good Luck Dodd! No matter what some Fremantle supporters say you've done more for the club then they will in a life time.

May you have many son's with good disposal

Agree with this. Well said.

 

[Jentleman Geff]

JG you unimaginative boring fraudster.

How can you feel good about yourself posting under the name of a former BigFooty Legend?

Trying to gain credibility while trying to live in the shadow of GJ is absolutely pathetic.

Gutless.

You must be one of Gentleman Jeff and Belnakor's many rent boys. Keep your wits about you, they might kill you if polite society ever finds out.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Ahhh Stampy.

May you find yourself another worthy arboretum. Heaven knows you've eaten us out.

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

Steven Dodd was actually the first player in the history of the AFL to play his entire career with his eyes closed, as these pics verify.