Davey Behind the ball

[DeeM 42]

I've said this many times and it finally happened in the Richmond game.

Davey to play behind the ball like he did under DB in '08.

He is our best user of the footy, and while he probably will get some very cheap kicks, they are VERY effective.

If MN continues to do this it will mean opposition clubs will have to put some time into Davey, freeing up Jones, Grimes, Sylvia et al.

I don's see a downside to this at all.......

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,952]

And he started in the centre for one post-goal ball up. I'd like to see him in the centre like that once or twice a quarter. I appreciate that he can only do that if his fitness levels allow.

[DemonWA 3,936]

In 2008 Davey was fit enough that he got to almost every uncontented marking situation to recieve a handball and distribute by foot. If he's fit enough to play this role again it could be worth a try.

From my perspective Jones has been getting these handball recieves this year and thus his numbers have been good.

I think Davey's game yesterday was the right mix of time spent in the 50m arc and time playing with more freedom. If byrnes comes back in it will be interesting to see what happens. IMO byrnes is probably a better candidate to play more midfled time than Davey at the moment.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Davey behind the ball is fine (kicking is one of best in the league still), so long as we don't become too reliant on him as we did in the past.

[Giles 181]

How does someone like Davey become unfit? Is it is own personal fault or is everyone in the team unfit because of our substandard fitness program? How long does it take to get fit? We've been hearing Davey has not been fit enough for years.

[DemonWA 3,936]

How does someone like Davey become unfit? Is it is own personal fault or is everyone in the team unfit because of our substandard fitness program? How long does it take to get fit? We've been hearing Davey has not been fit enough for years.

Leg injuries mate

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

Davey behind the ball is fine (kicking is one of best in the league still), so long as we don't become too reliant on him as we did in the past.

reliant on him ? if only....

[DeeSpencer 26,098]

How does someone like Davey become unfit? Is it is own personal fault or is everyone in the team unfit because of our substandard fitness program? How long does it take to get fit? We've been hearing Davey has not been fit enough for years.

1. Never had a high fitness base, this is due to a combination of three things

1.1 Not a natural aerobic athlete

1.2 Poor fitness training across the club and individually

1.3 Poor standards at the club set by coaches/players - ie. no Geelong Ablett/Stevie J moments

2. Knee injury - Davey has a degenerative knee injury that got worse around 2011

3. Davey not coming back in good shape at all following knee injury in 2012 preseason

The reason Davey doesn't play more time up the ground is perfectly highlighted in the passage of play where Vlastuin runs off him and kicks a goal.

[drdrake 3,194]

Davey wasn't behind the ball he played forward and in the midfield, what Aaron did was decide to work hard

[Gorgoroth 13,145]

Still think he gets burnt by his opponent behind the ball, needs to play high half forward pushing into mid up to half back.

[Giles 181]

Leg injuries mate

OK. I thought that was sorted. Thought it was an aerobic thing.

[Giles 181]

1. Never had a high fitness base, this is due to a combination of three things

1.1 Not a natural aerobic athlete

1.2 Poor fitness training across the club and individually

1.3 Poor standards at the club set by coaches/players - ie. no Geelong Ablett/Stevie J moments

2. Knee injury - Davey has a degenerative knee injury that got worse around 2011

3. Davey not coming back in good shape at all following knee injury in 2012 preseason

The reason Davey doesn't play more time up the ground is perfectly highlighted in the passage of play where Vlastuin runs off him and kicks a goal.

Nice response. Thanks.

[Pates 9,661]

1. Never had a high fitness base, this is due to a combination of three things

1.1 Not a natural aerobic athlete

1.2 Poor fitness training across the club and individually

1.3 Poor standards at the club set by coaches/players - ie. no Geelong Ablett/Stevie J moments

2. Knee injury - Davey has a degenerative knee injury that got worse around 2011

3. Davey not coming back in good shape at all following knee injury in 2012 preseason

The reason Davey doesn't play more time up the ground is perfectly highlighted in the passage of play where Vlastuin runs off him and kicks a goal.

Also fair to point out that he's getting on in years (in football terms) so there will be a natural degeneration in fitness as time goes on. He has a very tough period in the last 5-6 years with injury starting with that hammy tear off the bone at docklands, ever since then he has never had the same pace or fitness. But still he showed there's still life in him and I couldn't be happier. Would really like him to finish his career being admired by the fans rather than constantly bagged.

His game yesterday was a highlight for the year so far.

[Glenn Molloy 494]

Good topic. His kicking would be top notch for all teams but in ours it shines like a beacon. The one yesterday where he had a couple of different options but split it open with the kick to Strauss who set up Dawes was absolutely superb. He's never going to get it 30 times a week but if he can apply defensive pressure to his man and get the pill 15 times he's going to be hugely damaging. We almost need two of him, one up forward for the crumbs and one at half back to set up play. I tend to agree with the suggestion of playing him high half forward/wing as I think that's where he will be most value.

[Tony Tea 2,814]

What was the breakdown of Davey's numbers from the first half to the second half? He was free to roam up until the half and was dangerous across the ground, but after half time he was picked up and did not appear to have much effect. That has always been Davey's big problem - can't handle a tag and goes missing when he cops heat.

[Suzanna 72]

Also fair to point out that he's getting on in years (in football terms) so there will be a natural degeneration in fitness as time goes on. He has a very tough period in the last 5-6 years with injury starting with that hammy tear off the bone at docklands, ever since then he has never had the same pace or fitness. But still he showed there's still life in him and I couldn't be happier. Would really like him to finish his career being admired by the fans rather than constantly bagged.

His game yesterday was a highlight for the year so far.

I thought it was just me who could see the change after the hamstring injury at Docklands - I am pleased to see that I am not imagining things, but still sad that this injury happened in the first place. I am so glad we don't play there much, it is a terrible ground. I still remember seeing Davey for the first time in summer at Sandringham, thinking "wow this kid is fast, can he kick?". Ah, memories!