The young rookie from the amateurs impressed with his dash out of defence and should improve further with a second pre season under his belt.

 

Games MFC 2011 9 MFC Total  9 Goals MFC 2011 2 MFC Total 2

 

Games CSFC 2011 10 Goals CSFC 2011 5 

Daniel was pretty impressive in his early games, and I would expect him to progress further with another preseason and good conditioning staff.

It does show that playing against adults, albeit VAFA level, can prepare some players better than dominating boys at TAC level..

I have a lot of time for this bloke and consider that he has an enormous upside and will benefit greatly from the new coaching and fitness regime at the club. He could well end up a very important part of our midfield structure in a year or two.

Our very own KC from Casey recognised Nicholson's potential early in his days with the Scorpions:-

FIRST DAN

I think he's a certainty to be elevated.

Not sure that it'll happen this year though.

Love this kid. He has speed, determination and footy smarts. I have no doubt he will become very important to our midfield and backline rotations in the years ahead. A great pickup.

Already agreed to be a rookie next year to give us flexibility.

Will be elevated at the end of 2012 officially and elevated temporarily during 2012.

Now here is an investment I am all for being a HBF.

Rookie selection with pace and a great kick. Put him there and Blease in the middle.

His pace will be important, because it will allow him to play a role in our side. He's fairly strong too, which will help.

I don't think he'll ever be anything more than a role player, though. But if we play a very specific, highly structured game style then we're going to need players like him to do the dirty work.

Already agreed to be a rookie next year to give us flexibility.

Will be elevated at the end of 2012 officially and elevated temporarily during 2012.

Nice!

I'm taken back by how seamlessly he made the transition from VAFA to AFL, the kid is a real find.

Like the way he plays and like the way he uses is pace to take the opposition on. He got caught a couple of times but it didn't daunt him. Also he's not frightened to put his body on the line. Hope he is around for a long time.

Like the way he plays and like the way he uses is pace to take the opposition on. He got caught a couple of times but it didn't daunt him.

For sure. I like him, but I hope he's more than the next Simon Buckley.

He's one of those players that innately realizes that a football oval is a 360 degree space. While many fast players operate as if they were tied by a line running from goal to goal, the really nimble players know that the best way forward is whichever way will get you furthest from your opponents - whether that be in an arc or a circle or even a diagonal line down the field.

Wonder if we'll upgrade him this year just to be safe?

Competing with Bail for a spot in the side?

Maybe Nicholson will be a/the tagger, while Bail is released to a more general midfield role. Maybe.

Maybe Nicholson will be a/the tagger, while Bail is released to a more general midfield role. Maybe.

I note with interest that they were never in the team at the same time at all in 2011. Nicholson came in round 10 - Bail's last game before the big injury was round 8. Nicholson was out again by round 22 - Bail played round 24. I reckon they're very similar types and will be earmarked for similar roles. Furthermore neither are great kicks. I'm not sure there's room for both in the side and expect that Nicholson will play second fiddle to Bail in 2012, so long as the latter remains fit.

It's a good observation. I think that if we play a really structured game then midfield kicking may not be as important as it was last season. If Neeld wants us to kick to areas rather than hitting up specific leading targets then the kicking becomes less of an issue.

But Bail's kicking has improved too, so I'm not as worried about him with the ball as I am with Nicholson.

I can see Bail in the middle and Nicho down back but they are similar.

I can see Bail in the middle and Nicho down back but they are similar.

Nicholson and Bail training with the midfield today.

It's a good observation. I think that if we play a really structured game then midfield kicking may not be as important as it was last season. If Neeld wants us to kick to areas rather than hitting up specific leading targets then the kicking becomes less of an issue

So, there is hope for Bartram then ??

Nicholson and Bail training with the midfield today.

IMO the kid Has a great sense for where the goals are, I think it would be a waste to leave him in the back line.

I like the way he takes the game on. Appears fearless.

One thing you can be sure of he is not going to die wondering. He appears to give it 100% every week.

I hope he makes it

could nicho be used as the small crumbing forward where after?

could nicho be used as the small crumbing forward where after?

I wouldn't waste the tank he apparently has from his efforts in the recent time trial. Midfield or HBF.

Daniel has genuine pace, a great work ethic and a willingness to take the game on, which are strong attributes for a speccie rookie selection in his first season. I think he needs to work on his disposal and awareness, but improvements in these areas could come fairly naturally as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the AFL. I hope he can build on the promise shown in his first season, and become more than a bit-part player in our line-up, but at this stage I have no real feeling for where he might find his niche.