Will Dawes Make It?

[Snag Breac]

I love Chris Dawes, but am sensing a distinct lack of belief in his future as a forward, so am seeking clarification.

And if you think he'll come good, how long is it likely to take?

 

[Zahki]

I think he will. I'm as curious as anyone else about his lack of opportunities, but he should get a few games this year. I think he's only just out of the best 22, but if Anthony got hit with an injury he'd be the logical choice to step in.

 

[Old Spice]

He'll definitely make it at Inspiration Point, but not sure about at the Pies.

 

[shawthing09]

It's simply to early to tell. At the moment he doesn't have the skills needed to play any role to a really high level and the role he is most suited for is the one Cloke plays.

He has a massive way to go before being good enough and if I was to make a call now he'd be more likely to not make it then to make it. Luckily he is young and a hard worker so there is a possibility of him getting there.

 

[HFF]

I've cheekily voted for the "only if Jack and Trav go to GC17 option".

In all seriousness though, I have doubts about Dawesy. I love him as much as the next person but he is miles behind Cloke and Anthony. He is also behind Rus IMO. The only thing he has going for him ahead of Rus is that he isn't cursed with injury.

IMO, this is a big year for Dawes.

It speaks volumes that he was the only "tall" we were prepared to part with during the trade period. Everyone else was considered off-limits.

 

[The Average Tourist]

I am a big fan especially after his first game against the saints two years ago. I like that he has size, likes a bit of push and shove, can kick goals under pressure Adelaide in Adelaide final year before last (after Cook hit the post from the Goal square.

He kicked a pressure goal last year as well. I liked him pinch hitting the ruck.

I like that he is well placed in the endurance runs

But I do not like that he has not kicked 10 in the reserves or dominated games

 

[Histrionics]

I voted for "too early to tell".

He has to get his act together soon before it's too late.

 

[shawthing09]

I think he will. I'm as curious as anyone else about his lack of opportunities, but he should get a few games this year. I think he's only just out of the best 22, but if Anthony got hit with an injury he'd be the logical choice to step in.

I actually think depending on what our best side is and his VFL form, he is probably further back in the pecking order then that.

For example last year we played a 2 tall foward line of Cloke and Anthony. With Jolly, Wood and Fraser to ruck it seems Leigh Brown is going to be used as a foward and probably on form, experince and playing style is more suited then Dawes. If we play with a 3 man tall foward line of Brown, Cloke and Anthony and one of Anthony or Brown get injured we may well just use the 2 tall structure from last year.

On top of that Rusling may or may not end up in the mix and Fraser may be used to stop gap.

There really is no opening for him to just get lucky and get gifted a spot for experince. He is going to have to earn it and really perform to hold his spot.

 

[didaka]

He will if he takes his netball skirt off.

 

[Michael_knoth]

Heart says yes but head says no. I think it's just that he doesn't seem to be given the opputunity. If he gets a fair crack this year then yeah. Just needs to be give. 3-4 games minimum in a row. I could only imagine what it would do to his confidence after that freo game where he actually looked alright. He's got the body to be a dominant forward and I don't mind he's kicking for goal. Only time will tell though

 

[Histrionics]

He will if he takes his netball skirt off.

I think it suits him

 

[TradeDraft]

He will be a Gun

Though I agree the his Best Role is what T Cloke is playing as a CHF as he seems to get Lost as a FF playing Deep.

I think his overhead marking will be good enough and I think he has a very good Kick on him

 

[didaka]

I think it suits him

As long as he wears bloomers underneath I'm cool with it.

 

[TradeDraft]

I've cheekily voted for the "only if Jack and Trav go to GC17 option".

In all seriousness though, I have doubts about Dawesy. I love him as much as the next person but he is miles behind Cloke and Anthony. He is also behind Rus IMO. The only thing he has going for him ahead of Rus is that he isn't cursed with injury.

IMO, this is a big year for Dawes.

It speaks volumes that he was the only "tall" we were prepared to part with during the trade period. Everyone else was considered off-limits.

Yeah it is a big year for Dawes as he need to be given a Chance to see if has a Future at AFL Level

 

[HFF]

Didn't take Dave long to emphatically back his man.

We'd love for him to become a gun but I think he is our 4th best option at the minute based on what he has shown at senior level behind obviously Cloke and Jack and then behind Rus.

Also, another thing that will count against him is that we aren't in a position to be "giving" opportunities to players to see whether they have a future at AFL level or not.

We are challenging for silverware. Every player needs to earn their spot on their merits. Nobody will be gifted a spot in the team.

 

[The Dawes]

When he kicks 5 on GF day to win us the flag sometime between now & 2017, Swan Lager will have to re-launch the, "They said you'd never make it" ads, complete with cheesy jingle.

Have faith people!

 

[Zahki]

I think whether or not Dawes is behind Rusling skill wise is irrelevant at this point as Rusling will never actually get a game since he's always injured.

 

[TradeDraft]

I actually think depending on what our best side is and his VFL form, he is probably further back in the pecking order then that.

For example last year we played a 2 tall foward line of Cloke and Anthony. With Jolly, Wood and Fraser to ruck it seems Leigh Brown is going to be used as a foward and probably on form, experince and playing style is more suited then Dawes. If we play with a 3 man tall foward line of Brown, Cloke and Anthony and one of Anthony or Brown get injured we may well just use the 2 tall structure from last year.

On top of that Rusling may or may not end up in the mix and Fraser may be used to stop gap.

There really is no opening for him to just get lucky and get gifted a spot for experince. He is going to have to earn it and really perform to hold his spot.

I know you are not a Fan of Dawes but I have him ahead of Rusling and Even with L Brown(Practice Games to see who get's the Gig Round 1).

Our Best Forward Structure last year was with Dawes,Antony and Cloke.

 

[didaka]

Chris Dawes has areas where he is talented, and areas where he is not.

To compensate for those areas where he is not, he needs to become a little more ruthless and toughen up a little.

If he can find that edge, he should make it, but he really needs to attack the pill harder.

 

[Old Spice]

I am a big fan especially after his first game against the saints two years ago. I like that he has size, likes a bit of push and shove, can kick goals under pressure Adelaide in Adelaide final year before last (after Cook hit the post from the Goal square.

I'm not so sure about that. Is a behemoth and looks scary but isn't nearly physical enough in my opinion. I'd like to see him a bit more angry like Neagle or better still give a bit of John Brown jabber about coming down to stick a knee into anyone who's in his way.

 

[Zahki]

There was a great part in Side by Side where Malthouse calls Dawes a "****ing brighton grammar ponce"

 

[TradeDraft]

There was a great part in Side by Side where Malthouse calls Dawes a "****ing brighton grammar ponce"

What Page?

 

[Old Spice]

There was a great part in Side by Side where Malthouse calls Dawes a "****ing brighton grammar ponce"

That's quite amusing.

 

[smiddaz123]

I'm confident he will. Doesn't attack the ball hard enough as Didaka said, but his foot skills are very, very good. He's athletic and very, very strong. Best of all though, he can play in pressure moments.

He has too much going for him to not make it. It's all a matter of whether he will be a solid full forward who can kick 35-45 goals, or something more. There's no doubt in my mind he is potentially better than Cloke.

 

[Zahki]

what page?

282.