Dawes is probably the smartest player at the club.

He would have known Neeld was a terrible coach who was killing the team and would have wanted him gone ASAP.

I don't think so. He would've seen the work Neeld did with Collingwood and also would've had a lot of faith in the Collingwood game style and moving the ball quickly via the wings from defence then long and fast into key forwards.

I'm sure he would've preferred Neeld to have a better relationship with more of the players but I think guys like Garland, Jones and Dawes who played very well under Neeld probably had a good rapport with him.

The thing about Dawes is he can't ruck. He is also a CHF. He is at his best using his work rate and smarts to lead hard to space. His marking isn't amazing but his positioning to get after the ball is very good. Therefore he was always going to competing for a spot at Collingwood with Cloke.

Buckely has committed to an ultra high pressure style game plan that means you can't carry 2 rucks and 2 forwards. Maybe a more mobile smaller 3rd tall like a Howe or even a Jack Riewoldt would get by but really Cloke and Dawes with Dawes rucking was a bad combination and Clokes, Dawes and a resting ruck would've been worse.

The problem for Collingwood is not getting rid of Dawes per se. The problem is that Lynch has turned out to be on his last legs - not unusual for a key forward/ruck who's the wrong side of 30 and played a stack of games. At the same time Witts isn't ready for that job, their best 3rd tall in Goldsack is injured and their other option as a forward/ruck in Keeffe is injured.

Dawes will be of use to us but I still think it's a win win trade. The real losers of the Dawes trade (if you believe the rumours that they were very keen) has been the Bulldogs.

Thanks for selling him Filth.

He is what you lack.

Enjoy the Q stick

[censored].

I get the feeling you don't like Collingwood?

Now sell them Jamar while he has currency and they are desperate for a ruckman - Jolly is nearing the end and they have Hudson as a back-up.

Give them a double whammy and grab one of their mids in a trade in which we come out the winner.

I'm really happy to hear him talking up the future with coaches, I was a bit concerned that he had a really close relationship to Neeld and would be disgruntled by his sacking. From last nights performance couldn't be further from that.I swear I'm starting to see bits of his game rubbing off onto Watts. Dawes has been really good at cajoling and forced the ball forward. I know this is a Dawes thread but there was a moment, didn't lead to a goal but the ball was in dispute and Watts picked it up and was being tackled by two doggies and he just kept moving and managed to forced out to one of our guys.Can't wait for Dawes, Clark, Watts, Howe, and Hogan to play together. Get the midfield right and opposition defences will be [censored] themselves.

IMO Dawes' best asset isn't his marking and goal kicking. It's his second and third efforts. His defensive efforts when the opposition have he ball. As the old saying goes if he doesn't mark it he will bring it to ground. Once it's on the ground he will fight to keep it in our advantage.

This is something I think watts can learn from Dawes. With his pace over 20m and size/strength he will become a weapon

I love watching Dawes after the ball goes to ground in front of a pack - he is the first to react and barrels forward towards the ball in a dead straight line, and you can just tell that he is hoping someone will get in his way.

I must admit that when getting him to Melbourne was first brought up on Demonland some four or so years ago, I was dead set against it, but I can see what the fuss was, fortunately he was able to develop before we got him because God knows what we would have done to him if he started off with us.

He is one who should be considered as Captain of the club along with Clark, Garland and Jones.

I must admit that when getting him to Melbourne was first brought up on Demonland some four or so years ago, I was dead set against it, but I can see what the fuss was, fortunately he was able to develop before we got him because God knows what we would have done to him if he started off with us.

He is one who should be considered as Captain of the club along with Clark, Garland and Jones.

People seriously don't give Jack Grimes enough credit as a captain. I really rate his leadership. Trengove, not so much; but Grimes is great.

People seriously don't give Jack Grimes enough credit as a captain. I really rate his leadership. Trengove, not so much; but Grimes is great.

I agree that JT is not quite captain material just yet. But check out the jumper presentation video for Clisby. He speaks exceptionally well for a young man. He has some strong credentials.

Grimes is never on the park. I'd be dividing it between Garland and Jones personally.

I think every year, we should make the captain the best player from the previous year. Better yet, we could change it on a week-by-week basis based on the best player from last week. Good luck this week as skipper against Sydney Wattsy!

Alternatively, we could go down the very radical route of accepting that our young captains were chosen for good reason, and stick with the decision we made instead of pissing about with it. Just a thought.

Who else loved the double fist pump over the heart after his goal?

I noticed several occasions when the ball was locked into our defence for a throw-in or ball-up and Dawes was basically acting as an on-field coach, organising the set up of the forwards, directing the positioning of Fitzy and Watts.

"Don't get dragged to the ball, Fitzy, come back about ten metres. That way if there's a quick kick forwards you can attack it, rather than have it land on your head. Jack, you stay in the middle of the park to leave space on the wing, so you can choose to lead into that space or slip out to the fat side for an easy switch of play." (Making up the words, obviously, he was doing it all with his hands.)

Saw him do the same thing with Hogan in the half-game against North in the NAB cup as well. He keeps us organised, and over time he'll make all the other forwards into better players. Worth every cent? God damn right.

IMO Dawes' best asset isn't his marking and goal kicking. It's his second and third efforts. His defensive efforts when the opposition have he ball. As the old saying goes if he doesn't mark it he will bring it to ground. Once it's on the ground he will fight to keep it in our advantage.

This is something I think watts can learn from Dawes. With his pace over 20m and size/strength he will become a weapon

Spot on Josh!! This Guy....If you watch Closely...once he brings the ball down to ground will give the 2nd & 3rd efforts..you are correct!!!

Not sure if many are noticing this but it is crucial to winning clearly and if all of our guys learn to do it we will be a team to be reckoned with!!!

I see him chase everytime even if hes been sheparded off the ball he gives the bloke a clip and keeps chasing...then he goes back and presents a lead in case we have retreived the ball anyway.

So he is worth ever cent and Watts is feeding the good energy off his presence!!

Who else loved the double fist pump over the heart after his goal?

Yess loved it....Made me think of the Schwartz days!!! He used to do that sort of thing!

Yess loved it....Made me think of the Schwartz days!!! He used to do that sort of thing!

I also saw a guy playing like Schwartz for Casey on the weekend...The commentators were saying "Dare we say it he is playing ala Carey atm"...

We must MUST sign Hogan to a Five year Deal IMO!!!!! FAST!!!

I was all for the Dawes trade last year, then when the injuries came I thought, great we've done it again. But isn't it a different story now. As soon as that hammy strain was under control, the man let lose. Dawes has been fantastic all round and a great get for us.

Least we cant thank Neeld and Brown for this. They really done some great work bringing him over.

He is a leader and he hates losing. Tick.

Thanks for selling him Filth.

He is what you lack.

Enjoy the Q stick

[censored].

I definately got this one wrong, I could not understand why we paid what were, I thought, massive overs for him. Now I can't understand how the Filth were happy to ditch him for the Q Stick; the Q certainly doesn't stand for quality!

Dawes is, by all accounts, a very smart cookie. Hearing him speak and hearing about how he is percieved by the players and the club, leads me to think we have had a massive win here.

Been great, looks awesome in a Dees jumper.

People seriously don't give Jack Grimes enough credit as a captain. I really rate his leadership. Trengove, not so much; but Grimes is great.

Sure.....and regardless of title, Dawes IS a great leader.

Brings far more to OUR team than just his feats with the ball.

Encourages and guides the younger guys.

Good pick up, Neeld.

His value is amplified by the Mitch Clark situation.

It's already feeling like he's always been here.

His value is amplified by the Mitch Clark situation.

I will have goosebumps if the two ever get to play in the same forward line, especially if when our mids improve.

People seriously don't give Jack Grimes enough credit as a captain. I really rate his leadership. Trengove, not so much; but Grimes is great.

I have the utmost respect for both Grimes & Trengove and think they will improve dramatically under Craig, but I just think the pressure of the captaincy is a bit much for them at this time in their careers.

I'm not suggesting, as Nasher implies, that we should have a new captain every year but it should go to someone that can lead from the front and Grimes has had one injury after another and Trengove has lost a lot of his early form and is crucified in the media.

Dawes is already leading out on the field and I reckon the players would follow him anywhere.