Nick Davis: Broken or Fixed?

[Bart]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
I did.

apologies then. I assumed you were blaming his recent omission (and Roos) for his current form. Showed glimpses tonight. I do believe he could be major factor in two weeks

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Bart
apologies then. I assumed you were blaming his recent omission (and Roos) for his current form. Showed glimpses tonight. I do believe he could be major factor in two weeks

Have you read the beginning of the thread? I was talking in the context of the thread. His confidence is down at the moment - for what ever reason. I hope it comes back. Also I think that he looked uncomfortable in the spotlight at the end, which again is unlike his earlier self. The whole saga seems to have had a negative effect on that part of his game - I hope the side gains more on the swings than it has lost on the roundabout.

[Sanecow]

I thought he tried hard tonight. For example, he handed off a handball outside the defensive 50, ran on for the old 1-2, didn't receive but continued in support (unused). It's not that he isn't trying but I think he's been (deliberately) brought back to the pack which is an incredible loss.

[NMWBloods]

Yes. He's serviceable now. However, he could be much more.

[timthefish]

i'd like to think he's being kept hungry and on the leash but it was a brave move not to inject his goal-hungry brilliance onto the field tonight.

on the other hand, if he is being deliberately held back, i don't believe it could be for any other reason.

[BigBadBarryNo1]

We're looking at a totally different proposition..

Past 2 games or so, he's been playing a defensive position spot against an attacking half forward/back, and he just isn't used to playing that way.

TO be honest, he doesn't suit that position, placing him in a full-forward / pocket position is where he really belongs, but the game has evolved so much that these kind of key position players just aren't as useful in those positions anymore.

[wyatt]

Didn't think he was too bad with limited opportunities. Shanked the kick at goal in the last quarter that could've proven disastrous.

[Snowy]

He was only on the ground for exactly half the game 62 out of 124 mins. So if he played the whole game on that average would have been the highest possession winner for the Swans, Kennelly had 22. Only Doyle had less game time. But seriously the only question mark is that he's looked a bit more tentative since he's returned although still looked classy. But is working harder. McVeigh did a great job on Cousins but only touched it 5 times so everyone has a big role. MOL and Hall got the goals but the rest of the team cleared out the space for them. It was essentially a team effort.

[Industrial Fan]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Spot on. None of Bolton, Ablett, McVeigh or Malceski could have got the side over the line v Geelong last year. Neither can Davis at the moment. Call it flair if you like, I see it as a combination of talent and self-confidence. The later has been seriously dented. Lets hope he gets it back.

???

Did you see mcveigh set up the goal? He spun around in traffic and nailed a pass under pressure...that was flair...the difference is he is prepared to work.

I think Roos has told him in no uncertain terms what he needs to do to play and contribute - and he is indifferent about it. He still feels that he is gods gift.

Look at Goodes - he plays with flair, but he does the team things too. Look at magic...

[NMWBloods]

I'm not sure if Goodes really does the team thing. He's just a super athlete he gets away with doing what he wants a lot of the time.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Marry me Goodes
???

Did you see mcveigh set up the goal? He spun around in traffic and nailed a pass under pressure...that was flair...the difference is he is prepared to work.

I think Roos has told him in no uncertain terms what he needs to do to play and contribute - and he is indifferent about it. He still feels that he is gods gift.

Look at Goodes - he plays with flair, but he does the team things too. Look at magic...

None of those players could have achieved what Davis did last year. Similarly Davis cannot do as Goodes does, or MOL, or even play the game that McVeigh, Ablett or Malceski do. They all bring different things to the side, at different times. Davis delivered plenty in limited opportunities from the half back flank last night. When he had the opportunity to star he looked sick with fright and kicked probably the worst set shot I have ever seen him take. At the moment he looks broken, that was the point.

[SimonH]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I'm not sure if Goodes really does the team thing. He's just a super athlete he gets away with doing what he wants a lot of the time.

Horses for courses. Goodes has been tried in a range of roles, and contributes most to the team in the one he has now, which can be summarised as 'Goodesie-- you're a genius-- do whatever, and go wherever, the @@@@ you want.' If he does that, he's doing the team thing.

The debate is really over whether this other horse (Davis) has been put on the wrong course. Something we may only have a better sense of as the next game/s roll on, because the way he's used can't be viewed in isolation from the game tactics as a whole.

For example, for Roos to play a massively open forward line with only 2 players (BBBH, MOL) or 3 (+ Schneider) in it for most of the last quarter, was a great move that arguably won us the match. Davis is a different type of player from those 3, and so he had no role in that forward set-up. A different opponent and different circumstances will probably produce a different set-up that will have more room for Davis in it.

PS In the context of the game, Nicky did us a favour by kicking it OOBOTF if he was going to miss. A point would have given the Weagles the opportunity to break fast on the far side, or go for the torp down the guts, both of which would have vastly increased our risk of disaster. Instead, they obediently paddled it down the wing where we were all set up to handle them. Davis in fact saved us again, albeit through a screw-up.

[anniswan]

Originally posted by SimonH

PS In the context of the game, Nicky did us a favour by kicking it OOBOTF if he was going to miss. A point would have given the Weagles the opportunity to break fast on the far side, or go for the torp down the guts, both of which would have vastly increased our risk of disaster. Instead, they obediently paddled it down the wing where we were all set up to handle them. Davis in fact saved us again, albeit through a screw-up.

Dr J and I had this discussion today, and in hindsight I agree, that him missing everthing was in our favor.

[bandwagon]

Originally posted by Snowy
He was only on the ground for exactly half the game 62 out of 124 mins.....

Snowy - where do you get the time on ground stats from? Are they online somewhere?
Cheers

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by anniswan
Dr J and I had this discussion today, and in hindsight I agree, that him missing everthing was in our favor.

I reckon a goal would have been alright.