Far more concerned about our midfield. Until we improve here, our forwards will continue to struggle.

He just needs to play his role.

Whatever it is...

People may bag Dawes but if he wasn't in the forward line making a contest we would be far worse.

_{Dawes is GOLD for Hogan. For that reason alone he must be one of the first picked every week despite his limitations.}

Dawes is a 3rd wheel and nothing more.

He does his job when the other parts are in place.

As has been said many times before,when the others are up to 4 quarters of footy,Dawes output will make them better targets.

Probably need to revisit this thread if we dont develop the rest of forward line or id Dawes doesnt hold up his end of bargin.

But so far so good.

Dawes is a 3rd wheel and nothing more.

He does his job when the other parts are in place.

As has been said many times before,when the others are up to 4 quarters of footy,Dawes output will make them better targets.

Probably need to revisit this thread if we dont develop the rest of forward line or id Dawes doesnt hold up his end of bargin.

But so far so good.

In an 18 man team there are very few players (and fewer currently at Melbourne) who are anymore than "3rd wheel and nothing more", most players value comes from the role they play in the larger machine.

Dawes, Lumamba, Cross, Jamar, etc...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-16/last-time-we-met-adelaide

This is what Dawes did to the crows last year.

Forget what Dawes did. What about the things JKH did.

The difference between Dawes being disappointing and a really solid player is his dropped marks. Don't get me wrong I still think he can do a job for us whilst putting a few down as my post earlier said, but if he could only hold a couple more each week he'd be really valuable. The frustrating thing is he's not incapable of holding them nor is he incapable of winning front position and getting his hands to the ball. The common thread to his drops is he hasn't timed his leap to get to the ball. I'm still hoping after a full preseason and with a healthy body he can hold more this year.

The difference between Dawes being disappointing and a really solid player is his dropped marks. Don't get me wrong I still think he can do a job for us whilst putting a few down as my post earlier said, but if he could only hold a couple more each week he'd be really valuable. The frustrating thing is he's not incapable of holding them nor is he incapable of winning front position and getting his hands to the ball. The common thread to his drops is he hasn't timed his leap to get to the ball. I'm still hoping after a full preseason and with a healthy body he can hold more this year.

agreed, but like I said earlier, it seems like he is never, repeat never, served it on a platter.. it is always floated above him and he is getting close attention from at least one KPD. Why can't we try to use him in a traditional full-forward way, play him out of the goal square with instructions to charge on a lead at the ball carrier, have the midfielders looking for him and make sure that JKH/Gartlett/Kent is at his ankles 100% of the time to mop up the ones that don't work, anything but what seems to be the current strategy of having him be spoiled and fall to ground 70 metres from goal, it's just not working

Forget what Dawes did. What about the things JKH did.

What kind of logic is that??

P.S. Note: This thread is about Chris Dawes

What kind of logic is that??

P.S. Note: This thread is about Chris Dawes

Settle chef.

Just pointing out that JKH played well that game. Setup/was apart of 5 or 6 goals in that highlight package. Maybe he is chance for a recall.

Thanks for that note. I forgot that I can't read simple English in a thread title.

agreed, but like I said earlier, it seems like he is never, repeat never, served it on a platter.. it is always floated above him and he is getting close attention from at least one KPD. Why can't we try to use him in a traditional full-forward way, play him out of the goal square with instructions to charge on a lead at the ball carrier, have the midfielders looking for him and make sure that JKH/Gartlett/Kent is at his ankles 100% of the time to mop up the ones that don't work, anything but what seems to be the current strategy of having him be spoiled and fall to ground 70 metres from goal, it's just not working

I think it's the way of modern footy that you have to be winning the ball out of the middle/transitioning it quickly through the middle to get any of those type of plays. We got a couple to Watts and Garlett in the first round. But unless a team is slack defending they should force the last kick in to the forward line to go over a man on a mark or over a player defending. It's very hard to get the forwards in the forward half and the ball coming in easily.

To counter this at the other end you suck all your forwards and midfielders back so the other team doesn't get simple forward entries. Even Hawthorn as probably the best team in the comp and delivering to their forwards score plenty of goals with the forwards running back inside 50 or team goals instead of the old fashion lead and mark.

Unfortunately I can't see the MFC reverting to 90's and early 2000's footy just to suit Chris Dawes. So it's more he'll have to just take a couple more of what he's getting. But if we have 2 big forwards in Hogan and Dawes taking enough strong marks plus a couple of good crumbers that will go along way to improving the teams confidence in the forward line. They'll then move it faster and kick it in to more one on ones (hopefully to advantage!) and good things might come of it.

With the possibility of Hogan, Watts, Garlett etc in behind him deep I'm hoping we see more of Dawes as a lead up CHF than the kick it long to a contest player. That's one thing I want to see more from his this week. Just breaking in to space and demanding the footy on a lead not worrying about who is next in the chain.

Really hoping that the win at this ground will fuel some confidence that no doubt got reduced after last weeks terrible second half. Dawes in particular, this game last year was probably his best performance for the club, not only played well but showed leadership at the right times. We need him to be that guy again if we are to have any chance.

Dawes must never be able to venture to the fat side, & must always stay within punching distance of the boundary line, defensive forward, job done

Dawes must never be able to venture to the fat side, & must always stay within punching distance of the boundary line, defensive forward, job done

Agreed. Drag all the opposition to the pocket. Open up the fat side for the Hulk.

Only issues are, the Melbourne midfield has to be smart enough to see this and then have the skills to hit the target.

When is Dawes contract up?

Hopefully he heads elsewhere at seasons end, we need to get our hands on a proper Key forward to support Jesse

Another poor player discussion we are left with because of Neeld.

There was a reason why Collingwood supporters where happy to see him go, he can't hold a mark.

I'm sure his off field influence and experience has been huge for the club, and he is a good bloke but he frustrates the hell out of me, he's paid big dollars to take marks and kick goals, he's not doing either, and I get out delivery isn't fantastic but hogan is already averaging 2 goals a game at AFL level, I hope Dawes can lift his game and start having a more serious match day influence consistently

When is Dawes contract up?

Hopefully he heads elsewhere at seasons end, we need to get our hands on a proper Key forward to support Jesse

cause there is so many available to draft and/or trade for.

How would he go as a defender?

How would he go as a defender?

Not good. Aerially he is very average and he can barely get off the ground. He'd be murdered by more nimble, higher jumping forwards.

I think Dawes has some great attributes, particularly his on field passion and physicality - he really throws his massive frame around, which we don't see very often. But the thing that frustrates me the most about him is the marking. I understand that it is not his strong suit but his attempts which involve just sticking the hands up and hoping, look feeble. I know he creates a contest but our small forwards are hardly good enough to win the crumbs on these, so it often ends in a turn over.

Marking ability should be something that is a given in a key forward. For this reason, I'd probably prefer to have Pedo in over Dawes unless we see marked improvement in his marking.

Dawes eh, just the name sounds like a butler! Dawes, fetch me a gin and tonic now!

The butler analogy falls apart on the football field though. Dedicated, loyal servant that delivers very little!

I wouldnt say donuts Al. There was actually some good work from Chris in that game, alas like most wasnt sustained and his arena dried up somewhat when we 'capitulated"

Unlike some he doesnt stop and mooch. he's not always as effective as we'd probably all like but the masses seem to want to paint him as cause raison !!

Is being a presence on the ground enough? Would of been handy to have when Watts made his debut. Watts has now grown into his body and Hogan can handle himself. Yes he presents/makes a contest/applied pressure but needs to start taking some marks and converting.

How would he go as a defender?

The modern defender does more than just punch the ball. At times some KP defenders will back themselves to mark the ball and then send the ball back into attack by either kicking it, offloading to someone running by or even taking a bounce and going for a run.

Is being a presence on the ground enough? Would of been handy to have when Watts made his debut. Watts has now grown into his body and Hogan can handle himself. Yes he presents/makes a contest/applied pressure but needs to start taking some marks and converting.

We had Brad Miller who i rate alot higher then Dawes for 2 years in Wattsy career. We got rid of him too early as well considering our next Key Forward was Watts.

How would he go as a defender?

I have previously posted with the same suggested. He has many if the attritubes, straight ahead, crash the pack style. Holding, wrestling of play provided there is a match up.

I have previously posted with the same suggested. He has many if the attritubes, straight ahead, crash the pack style. Holding, wrestling of play provided there is a match up.

Is he quick enough? Not every contest a pack forms.

Try again. He has many of the attributes of a defender. His style is straight ahead, crash the pack. He is well skilled in holding and wrestling. Provided there is a good match up it might be worth a try as it would esentially be like adding a new player judging by many of the comments here re his ability as a forward.

Is he quick enough? Not every contest a pack forms.

Yes I think he is quick in a straight line for a big guy. He grew up as a ruckman.