The Leon Davis Thread

[wmth 69]

Bit strong some of the comments on Leon. He's overcome some major deficiencies to become a very good player and all-Australian. Deserves more than that. Melbourne won't go after him, nor are we at the stage of topping up with 30 year olds, but I am not sure I subscribe to 'stunting development' of others. If you're not good enough, you play for Casey and if contending at all, Leon would be handy coming out of defence. Kick outs have been like extracting teeth for years, Leon had an efficiency of 100% for most of the year.

We need to develop our own 'Leon', but the guy can play, and could even play in our midfield.

[H_T 3,047]

You wouldn't get this kind of story happening at Geelong.

Leon has had a couple of good seasons now, and was rewarded accordingly with an AA. Part of it may well be wanting to return to WA, but certainly the cut that he has been reportedly offered by the Pies ($) would be a big part of it after the season he has had. Allegedly 1/3rd less from ~$320K/yr > ~$220K/yr is a big blow if correct and someone like Freo who had offered a heap for Clark (but not as much as the Dees) can afford him by picking him up in the draft.

Clearly things are tight at the Pies and the the beads of sweat exist on the brow of the Pies List Manager. A move by Davis may allow the Pies to keep the likes of MacCaffer.

At Geelong, everyone would have taken a bit of pain to keep players like this in the team (as they have done in the past), instead of one player taking a 1/3rd pay hit.

Anyway, good player but I don't think Leon Davis would be required at our club given he's probably only got 2-3 years left in him.

[simma02 53]

Something smells about this. BT said that Leon was not happy with Collingwood's offer. Liam Pickering then says it's not about the money, he wants to return home to WA to be close to the family. Pickering then goes onto say that Leon would be happy to talk to SA clubs!! Am I missing something here? What is going on? Is Leon leaving Collingwood to be with his family or is he looking for more money? Someone is telling porkies!

[Want a Flag 46]

If Ross Lyon and Fremantle didn't want him after Lyon's track record of recruiting players from other clubs, I hope we don't go anywhere near him. Gone missing too often in big games, wrong age profile and would only hinder development of younger players who are likely to get better. Davis won't.

[PRIME 41]

if we want a sweeper we already have one who won the 2008 B&F, Aaron Davey proved to be just as capable in that role....

Edited October 26, 2011 by PRIME

[dee-luded 2,959]

In 2011 i beg to differ there....Before that, absolutely correct.

Choker, off to the Saints??? will they shut the window or keep it ajar for one year. IMO they should look the the 2012 draft... so slip the fireman's pole to the bargain basement.

[The Chazz 4,077]

While he had a great season in 2011, you can't afford to have players that vanish in September/October if you want to win a premiership.

I think we have a couple like that on the list at the moment. I hope I'm wrong.

[H_T 3,047]

While he had a great season in 2011, you can't afford to have players that vanish in September/October if you want to win a premiership.

I think we have a couple like that on the list at the moment. I hope I'm wrong.

He played ok in the GF. Didn't vanish there.

And they won a Premiership the year before !

Edited October 27, 2011 by H_T

[rpfc 28,417]

While he had a great season in 2011, you can't afford to have players that vanish in September/October if you want to win a premiership.

I think we have a couple like that on the list at the moment. I hope I'm wrong.

How would we know?

We should probably try as a club to not go missing for entire months during the regular season before worrying about September...

[rpfc 28,417]

He played ok in the GF. Didn't vanish there.

And they won a Premiership the year before !

Yeah, he was dropped for the replay...

[The Chazz 4,077]

He played ok in the GF. Didn't vanish there.

And they won a Premiership the year before !

When I say vanish, I mean that he plays poorly in finals. Ask any Collingwood supporter and they would say they are better off without Leon in the finals.

Oh, and BTW, Davis played in last year's first Grand Final, but didn't play the replay game because of...POOR FORM!!!

[The Chazz 4,077]

How would we know?

We should probably try as a club to not go missing for entire months during the regular season before worrying about September...

It's my opinion RP, with no evidence to support my views. I'll just be happy to be proved wrong!

[H_T 3,047]

Yeah, he was dropped for the replay...

Ha. And his contribution was noted.... {Smiley emoticon for you}

[H_T 3,047]

When I say vanish, I mean that he plays poorly in finals. Ask any Collingwood supporter and they would say they are better off without Leon in the finals.

I knew what you meant. I like to double check....

Half my family are Pie supporters, they disagree.

[The Chazz 4,077]

I knew what you meant. I like to double check....

Half my family are Pie supporters, they disagree.

Poor them, and actually, poor you!

How did you edit your post without it coming up that it was edited?

[H_T 3,047]

Poor them, and actually, poor you!

How did you edit your post without it coming up that it was edited?

I think Leon polarises Pie supporters, because of his extremes in terms of performances - much like Sylvia has done for Melbourne, really.

I had forgotten to tick the box. fixed.

[45HG 1,539]

I thought H_T's point was that Leon Davis vanished in the finals last year, yet Collingwood still won, therefore disproving the theory that "you can't afford to have players that vanish in September/October if you want to win a premiership" - but I guess not.

[baysidedave 246]

BT is reporting on 3aw that talks have broken down between neon leon and collingwood. He has walked and may play in the wafl/sanfl next year.

Would be interesting if we told him to put a price on himself and pick him up in the psd. But I guess GWS would snatch him up first.

He had amazing kicking efficiency out of defence this year. Would love him as a demon if only for a year or two.

No, don't need him, too old

[Red&BlueBlood 61]

Would take up a sot that blease or someone would normally be in...

Has had flahes of brilliance but goes missing in big games.

[The Chazz 4,077]

I thought H_T's point was that Leon Davis vanished in the finals last year, yet Collingwood still won, therefore disproving the theory that "you can't afford to have players that vanish in September/October if you want to win a premiership" - but I guess not.

He vanished in the first Grand Final - they drew. They dropped him in the replay - they won.

HT's original post (the pre-edited version) read a bit different to what can be seen now.

[old55 23,570]

He vanished in the first Grand Final - they drew. They dropped him in the replay - they won.

That's not the reason why though.

[H_T 3,047]

HT's original post (the pre-edited version) read a bit different to what can be seen now.

Not sure why that needs mentioning given I initially edited it within a minute or two of posting it. (then later showed the edit). That is irrelevant anyway. It was a mis-interpretation of your post on my part - quite obvious.

And as old55 said, that's not the reason why they won.

Edited October 28, 2011 by H_T

[The Chazz 4,077]

That's not the reason why though.

What reason? For them dropping him or them drawing? I think it was well publicised that he was dropped for poor performance.

Not sure why that needs mentioning given I initially edited it within a minute or two of posting it. (then later showed the edit). That is irrelevant given the mis-interpretation of your post on my part.

And as old55 said, that's not the reason why.

What misinterpretation? I said that Davis goes missing in finals, and in particular the past 2 GF's that he has played in.

Your quote was;

"He played ok in the GF. Didn't vanish there.

And they won a Premiership the year before !"

Well, if you meant he played ok in this year's GF, I suggest you watch the replay and I'm sure you will change that opinion. And the year before, they drew the first when Davis played, he played terribly, they dropped him, and won the following week. Pretty much supports my opinion doesn't it?

Does make it hard when I reply to a post fairly quickly, and by the time I've finished my reply, you've edited your original post.

[H_T 3,047]

What reason? For them dropping him or them drawing? I think it was well publicised that he was dropped for poor performance.

What misinterpretation? I said that Davis goes missing in finals, and in particular the past 2 GF's that he has played in.

Your quote was;

"He played ok in the GF. Didn't vanish there.

And they won a Premiership the year before !"

Well, if you meant he played ok in this year's GF, I suggest you watch the replay and I'm sure you will change that opinion. And the year before, they drew the first when Davis played, he played terribly, they dropped him, and won the following week. Pretty much supports my opinion doesn't it?

Yes I "initially" referred to this years GF which was my point. And he did ok without starring. Hence....didn't vanish ! No need to watch a replay - I've done that too. Your opinion obviously differs from most.

Does make it hard when I reply to a post fairly quickly, and by the time I've finished my reply, you've edited your original post.

You do reply quickly, or maybe I should take less time in correcting my posts, either way, it doesn't really matter.

PS. Re: the misinterpretation - that was my doing in my original reply to your original post (pre-edit). (which you referred to in your reply to 45H).

Edited October 28, 2011 by H_T

[The Chazz 4,077]

Yes I originally referred to this years GF which was my point. And he did ok without starring. No need to watch a replay - I've done that too. Your opinion obviously differs from most.

Oh HT, I love this part. My opinion obviously differs from most? Did you need to put that in there to try and look like you are right and I am wrong? Davis was terrible in the Grand Final. Show me one match report that has him in the best.

I'll even go one step further HT, just for your benefit I have found the Hun's rating of each player in the Grand Final;

"LEON DAVIS - 43

Gave his opponents Grand Canyon-like space. The man who didn't get a touch in the '03 Grand Final didn't lay a touch on a Cats forward in the first term, with Varcoe and then Stokes making him pay. Provided rebound, but next to no accountability."

I find it more than interesting the highlighted the efforts of Leon in teh 2003 Grand Final. And that 43 rating - that's out of 100. But sure, I'm in the minority that thought his game was terrible.