The truth about the Nick Davis saga?

[Go Swannies]

Putting his pinpoint kicking in our midfield last night was an act of genius.

[stellation]

Originally posted by mja
Post Davis goal - Kirk was first to give him a hug. Best mates?

To go with that I also noticed in that great 10 minute burst from Davis that
1. Schneider missed a shot on goal that had been setup by Davis run/bounce/pinpoint kick from HBF, then Davis running hard to get the ball back and get a long kick inside 50 perfectly for Schneider. Kirk was clear to acknowledge Davis' effort
2. as Kirk was going back to the centre after MOL's goal (that Davis had setup), Davis was heading back to the wing and Kirk was shouting to Nick, clapping and giving him the thumbs up to acknowledge his effort

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by Lucky Knickers
Annie - I hope you are eating your words, our scarf and your hat - he was excellent tonight.

Definitely an egg on face statement.

[Piobaireachd]

Originally posted by Lucky Knickers
Annie - I hope you are eating your words, our scarf and your hat - he was excellent tonight.

He was not excellent. it wasn't until late in the third where he pulled his finger out. He was way down in confidence until then. Lets say for 10 minutes of the game we had the old excellent ND back. And didn't he love it. I think he found his fire late in the game and he will take that into the GF and be very good.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Piobaireachd
He was not excellent. it wasn't until late in the third where he pulled his finger out. He was way down in confidence until then. Lets say for 10 minutes of the game we had the old excellent ND back. And didn't he love it. I think he found his fire late in the game and he will take that into the GF and be very good.

Don't write off what he did before that spell in the match also. I felt he really took his game to another level last night by "doing the team thing".

Early in the game when he first came on he got a few early touches and seemed to not only be clean with his dispossal but did so under extreme pressure and wasn't worried to take the knocks from the Freo players when he did get rid of the ball. Basically he was drawing his man and then firing out the ball to an open man who if it wasn't for our poor kicking in the first quarter could of had Davis down for at least 2 goal assists.

He then went quiet for good reason a) because he had time on the bench and b) he took his turn to run to Full Forward to drag Heath Black down deep into defence to take his run away from Fremantle's gameplan. McVeigh, Schneider, Buchanan and even Malceksi did this at some stage though the night and durng the second and early part of the third quarter Nick had his turn and "did the team thing"

Then of course he lit up for 10 minutes in the midfield, set up a goal, nearly set up another and kick one himself and basically it was game, set and match Sydney - all because of Nick's work rate during that late 10 minutes in the third quarter.

His last quarter he work just as hard as he had all night and played in the midfield and didn't put a foot wrong, just didn't get a chance to set anything else up. But the signs are there that come next Saturday he'll be ready to peak and thats what the coaching staff would of been wanting all along.

[Snowy]

Actually after Doyle (52 mins) he had the least amount of game time (75), with Fosdike in the 80's. So his 15 possessions were good value for time spent on ground. Spent the last part of the game on the bench so might have incurred some niggle. Leo Barry needs to lift his game, thought he really struggled last night. Might have lost a yard or two.

[liz]

Originally posted by Snowy
Leo Barry needs to lift his game, thought he really struggled last night. Might have lost a yard or two.

We all see games in different ways - which I guess is why it is fun to discuss them.

I thought Leo's performance on Pavlich was highly commendable. Yes, Pavlich 'beat' him, but he (Pavlich) is one of the best three or four forwards in the league and when on song he is as unstoppable as Hall. Leo's work in limiting the damage Pavlich was able to inflict was pivotal, IMO. At ground level he had the better of the match-up and it shouldn't be too surprising that he struggled to match Pavlich in the air, given the size difference.

After Lou-Bob was cut up early, the only other choice would have been B2 and clearly Roos didn't want to sacrifice what Bolts was doing to keep the equally dangerous Farmer quiet.

[Snowy]

Originally posted by liz
We all see games in different ways - which I guess is why it is fun to discuss them.

I thought Leo's performance on Pavlich was highly commendable. Yes, Pavlich 'beat' him, but he (Pavlich) is one of the best three or four forwards in the league and when on song he is as unstoppable as Hall. Leo's work in limiting the damage Pavlich was able to inflict was pivotal, IMO. At ground level he had the better of the match-up and it shouldn't be too surprising that he struggled to match Pavlich in the air, given the size difference.

After Lou-Bob was cut up early, the only other choice would have been B2 and clearly Roos didn't want to sacrifice what Bolts was doing to keep the equally dangerous Farmer quiet.

Fair enough, but while some players have definitely improved this year I think that Leo is one who has slipped. I still think the key defensive positions look the most shaky part of the team structure.

[Young Blood]

Originally posted by liz
I thought Leo's performance on Pavlich was highly commendable. Yes, Pavlich 'beat' him, but he (Pavlich) is one of the best three or four forwards in the league and when on song he is as unstoppable as Hall. Leo's work in limiting the damage Pavlich was able to inflict was pivotal, IMO. At ground level he had the better of the match-up and it shouldn't be too surprising that he struggled to match Pavlich in the air, given the size difference.

Agree. I thought Leo played well - unfortunately Pavlich played better.

[Big Al]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Agree. I thought Leo played well - unfortunately Pavlich played better.

Not a defender in the comp that would have controlled Pavlich or Hall with the form that they were in. It was an old fashioned shootout between 2 quality key forwards.

[Young Blood]

Originally posted by barry
Lets all take a breath and remember that their were a lot bigger passengers than Davis in that Adelaide game....including Kirk himself.
The dropping of Davis and the recall of Matthews cost us the WC game. Ok, in the end it didnt really matter, but selection policy cost us a game.

The selection policy may have cost us the game, but might yet be one of the things that help us win a premiership - and hopefully help Nick take his game to an even higher level in seasons to come. It was always a move for the long term.

[Young Blood]

Re Nick's game last night, certainly he did some nice things, but his failure to chase Peake in the 3rd quarter cost us a goal.

Noticed after the game as the players were giving their thanks to the crowd that Nick gave Kirk a very enthusiastic hug.

[stellation]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Re Nick's game last night, certainly he did some nice things, but his failure to chase Peake in the 3rd quarter cost us a goal.

Every goal comes about from some indecision, he looked to gamble to corale in another player after he was in a 2 on 1 but Peake just got away from him.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Re Nick's game last night, certainly he did some nice things, but his failure to chase Peake in the 3rd quarter cost us a goal.

What Stella said. And he chased. Are you going to criticise him for not being able to run as fast as Peake? Peake got away, as players get away from other players in every game on either side.

Originally posted by Young Blood
Noticed after the game as the players were giving their thanks to the crowd that Nick gave Kirk a very enthusiastic hug.

Can you blame him. He knows who picks the team and he wants to play in the GF.

[Q...]

Originally posted by Young Blood
Re Nick's game last night, certainly he did some nice things, but his failure to chase Peake in the 3rd quarter cost us a goal.

I was saddened by that at the time.