Davis' development

[Bleed Red Blood]

Would Nicky D be a different player if he'd stayed at the Pies? Better player?

He's into his third season with Sydney, in his time hear he hasn't really gotten better. Shown what he can do, and been hampered with injury.

BUT, could he average 20 possies a game elsewhere? Should he have more of a midfield role? Has Roos' been to soft with him?

[dimelb]

Re: Davis' development

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood


He's into his third season with Sydney, in his time here he hasn't really gotten better.

Oh yes he has. What have you been watching?
People used to say Nicky was soft. Absolute crap. In the last few matches he has outpaced defenders, pushed off blokes bigger than he is, kicked some spectacular goals, flattened the occasional opponent (although I think the Kanga took a dive) and loves every minute of it if I'm any good at reading facial expression. At the moment he is a forward option other teams would kill for.

[Chubby Muffler]

I believe this year is by far the best year Davis has had at the Swans. He is fit, keen and the last half of this year has seen him step up to a new level. I was looking at him on Friday night nd he has obviously been working on his strength, he seems a really solid build but looks as though he has toned up. The midfield seem to trust him now and give him more ball, which is awesome because Davis has one of the best kicks in the game. He finally looks as though he wants to play week in week out.

Of course, do not want to get too far ahead of myself, just ask a Collingwood fan how frustrating having Davis in your side can be. But he looks very good at the moment and if he sticks with it has the potetial to become a devestating forward. Just needs consistancy.

How do you guys think he would go as an attackijng midfielder? Could be an replacement for Willo....or are we better off keeping him closer to goal. He is such a long accurate kicker, do you waste him up close?

[Charlie]

He floats in and out of seasons. He's good enough to be in the best 20 players in the AFL. Is he? No. Will he ever be? Almost certainly not.

His last three weeks have been very good. In fact, he's been much like Nathan Brown, who I've always thought that Nick should be emulating.

The difference between the two is that Nathan Brown is brilliant every week. Not every now and again.

[liz]

You seem to forget he was injured for most of his last season at the Pies too.

Davis looms as our wildcard in this finals series. His last month has been nothing short of sensational.

He seems to have a good relationship - at least onfield - with Hall. They each look genuinely delighted whenver the other kicks a goal.

And if footage of the team song a couple of weeks ago (after Brisbane game?) suggests he also has a good relationship with Phil Mullen, one of the hidden gems of the Sydney football club. If Mullen has taken Davis under his wing, we can look forward to a lot more of what we've seen recently.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Re: Davis' development

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
Would Nicky D be a different player if he'd stayed at the Pies? Better player?

He's into his third season with Sydney, in his time hear he hasn't really gotten better. Shown what he can do, and been hampered with injury.

BUT, could he average 20 possies a game elsewhere? Should he have more of a midfield role? Has Roos' been to soft with him?

He's a self confessed fast food junkie, the swans recently hired a chef and dietry expert to work with him and I think he lost about 7 or 8 kilos which has seen his fitness improve greatly. While this is good I think the fact that he doesn't have the disipline to get himself fit doesn't speak well for his commitment to the team. He reminds me of Dale Lewis, a great natural talent who struggles to perform to his potential on a consistent basis.

He is improving though and steped up on Friday night when our captain couldn't. Next season he really needs to keep it going if he's going to prove his critics wrong, lets just hope he can.

[Tuesday]

Re: Re: Davis' development

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
He reminds me of Dale Lewis, a great natural talent who struggles to perform to his potential on a consistent basis.

But wasn't Dale on drugs?

[ugg]

Those goals from the boundary throw-ins were sensational, and were deliberately planned as well. You could see Ball enjoyed it as much as Davis did. I also loved his spiral torpedo kick-in, makes a big change from the usual chip it to the back pocket. (Yes I know it was a last throw of the dice option, but it worked!!)

[stellation]

Re: Re: Davis' development

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
He's a self confessed fast food junkie, the swans recently hired a chef and dietry expert to work with him and I think he lost about 7 or 8 kilos which has seen his fitness improve greatly. While this is good I think the fact that he doesn't have the disipline to get himself fit doesn't speak well for his commitment to the team.

Actually it was Nick who took it upon himself to start having all his meals prepared at a friend's place (Zippo's) to help him avoid his fast food traps, so that does speak for his commitment.

[Snowy]

I think that over his career he's always been committed when he's fit and focussed, his problems start when injury sets in. If he continues to play very well, enjoys his footy, and stays injury free he might eventually reach his potential. BTW, just on his playing position, there are people in the 'footy industry' who suggest that Roos undersells him by allowing him to spend so much time in the forward line. The theory they expound is that he can get lazy when there, or down on himself if the goals aren't flowing. They believe that if he plays on the ball more, or at least behind the ball he will kick goals anyway. And Liz is right, he had op in his last season with the Pies from memory and missed pre-season in 2003. Last year he seemed to be set to go and got that kick on the ankle. It's up to the officials or whoever to ensure he keeps his focus. Think he's also a confidence player.

[NMWBloods]

Davis has the potential to be one of the 3 or 4 best players in our team.

I think Roos needs to throw him into the mix a bit more this week as Davis seems to be pretty fit and raring to go. Adds a bit of class our midfield desperately needs.

[Rizzo]

A geniune excitement machine. Loves playing with Hally. He's played pretty damn well this year, particularly the latter half of the season.

[Sanecow]

At the risk of being cheesy, Davis was one of only two Swans players (Tadhg being the other) with the "Eye of the Tiger" on the Weekend IMHO.

[hammo]

At 3/4 time I was thinking to myself that Davis could be the player to win us a flag.

Of course he still might be but I fear by allowing those thoughts to enter my head I may have cursed the Swans for 2005.

[Big Al]

Originally posted by hammo
At 3/4 time I was thinking to myself that Davis could be the player to win us a flag.

Of course he still might be but I fear by allowing those thoughts to enter my head I may have cursed the Swans for 2005.

No Hammo it wasnt your fault, my lucky shirt was in the wash Friday night so it was all my fault. Ive already penned a letter of apology to Roosy and the boys. It wont happen again