Goodbye Nick Davis

[Triple B]

There were no suggestions during that time that he was lazy or no good or should be dropped.

I think even back then there were plenty of suggestions that he was lazy, certainly amongst my circles, but certainly agree that nobody thought he was 'no good' or he should be dropped for it.

Even now I guess most of us, even those like me who have no issue with him leaving us, don't for a minute think he is 'no good', just that he hasn't delivered on his potential.

[NMWBloods]

The issue of laziness is a mixture of perception and reality. I think he appears far more lazy than he is because of his demeanour.

It also seems that he has not fully achieved his potential. But players should be benchmarked against what they deliver and the rest of the team, not some theoretical potential.

[ScottH]

It also seems that he has not fully achieved his potential. But players should be benchmarked against what they deliver and the rest of the team, not some theoretical potential.

I think is is more the case.
The old "could try harder" from the school report concept.

Promised more than he served up. Many others like him.

[connolly]

I was thinking about this yesterday again and you're definitely right.

From '03-'05, Davis averaged per game 12.2 disposals, 3.7 marks, 1.5 goals, 66% accuracy, 1.2 tackles.

There were no suggestions during that time that he was lazy or no good or should be dropped.

From '06-'07, Davis averaged per game 12.7 disposals, 4.6 marks, 1.6 goals, 65% accuracy, 1.6 tackles.

And now suddenly he's lazy, doesn't tackle or chase, doesn't get to enough contests, etc.

No doubt that one quarter in 2005, which was critical in our quest for a flag, ruined Davis' career by setting the benchmark too high.

Basically the game changed after our 2005-2006 success. Small forwards had to become strong running defenders. Our success had been built on a running half back line. The opposition adjusted and played very quick and strong tackling small half forwards. Small forwards had to defend against rebounding defenders. Davo simply didn't adjust and his defensive inadequacies which had always been there were by mid 2006 glaringly obvious. The game and time passed him by. Apart from totally ignoring the change in the strategy of the game to counter the defensive counter attack, the fact that small forwards were expected to chase and defend and footy has changed from the prop and cop kick it long of the glory days of yore, your pop psychological theory of high expectations has a lot going for it.

[NMWBloods]

The game changed after 2005-06, hence why was he dropped mid 2006?

[swantastic]

The game changed after 2005-06, hence why was he dropped mid 2006?

Wasnt it because he was a lazy tool?

[dimelb]

Pinched from a post by Swantastic on the O'Keefe thread:
"Roos said Davo's last quarter against Geelong was the best qtr of football in a final he has ever seen."
(It said 'Ross' but I assume he meant 'Roos')
Late, but better than never.

[connolly]

The game changed after 2005-06, hence why was he dropped mid 2006?

He was dropped in 2006 because he was not accountable and failed to man up against Adelaide at the SCG (from memory). By 2007 he was simply too slow, too lazy and too undisciplined to be part of the modern game. Funny but a lot of other clubs seem to agree with the Bloods coaching staff.We actually perserved with him too long. His Andy Warhol quarter kept him at the club longer than it should have. He's done very well out of us and good luck to him in his career in the VFL.

[573v30]

Ego trip perhaps?

[swansrule100]

He was dropped in 2006 because he was not accountable and failed to man up against Adelaide at the SCG (from memory). By 2007 he was simply too slow, too lazy and too undisciplined to be part of the modern game. Funny but a lot of other clubs seem to agree with the Bloods coaching staff.We actually perserved with him too long. His Andy Warhol quarter kept him at the club longer than it should have. He's done very well out of us and good luck to him in his career in the VFL.

do you think we should of kept nick davis?

[giant]

That SMH interview might just about be his finest moment - well, not finest but you know what I mean...

One last reminisce...that last qr was one of the most exhilirating sporting events I've been present for. I was with my cousin under the old Dougie Walters Stand, all of us miserable because we couldn't believe the season could end like a damp squib. The old dear in front of us said she'd travelled four hours just to get to the game and she couldn't accept it ending that way - she spent the three qr break saying quiet prayers - by the end of the game she was as big a hero as Davo in our section of the SCG.

Looking back, these weren't just lucky opportunistic goals - he absolutely "imposed" himself on the game as the commentators like to say. And the goals were special - everyone loves that last "blink and you miss it" snap where he never quite has control. But for mine that second goal - snapped across his body, 40m out and running away from the goals, etc - I've said it before but I can only imagine Aka, maybe Johnson and very few others who would have the control, strength, technical skills and sheer gall to kick a goal like that.

So what if we never saw it again - none of us that were there will ever forget - good on ya Davo, and best of luck wherever you end up.

[Bas]

I still think he has been given the opportunity to advertise early for other Clubs to pick him up in the draft. Otherwise, we might re-list him at pick 61,62.

Just a guess. We did it with Bucky.

[DST]

Looking back, these weren't just lucky opportunistic goals - he absolutely "imposed" himself on the game as the commentators like to say.

And there you have Nick Davis all rolled up into one neat quote.

Had the skill to be an absolute star, but not the will or temprement to impose himself on the game other than brief spurts of brillance. And we are not talking chasing and tackling here, just the desire to a) go and get to as many contests as possible and b) do something when got there.

Which is a shame, becuase you don't need to look far to see talented but wayward players such as Medhurst and Leon Neon who have somehow worked it out.

DST

[swantastic]

Pinched from a post by Swantastic on the O'Keefe thread:
"Roos said Davo's last quarter against Geelong was the best qtr of football in a final he has ever seen."
(It said 'Ross' but I assume he meant 'Roos')
Late, but better than never.

No i did mean Ross Lyon...nah only joshin i did mean Roos but i agree with him.

[Flash>Goodes]

He might go to the NFL but you never know. We would love him at the Roos.