Dawes struggles to find the ball for the most part and when he does have it, he's underwhelming to say the least.

When he doesn't have the ball, he's okay. Chases and tackles.

There for the structure and that's about it. We should be looking for an upgrade ASAP.

He is best 22 at the moment but I expect that to change over the coming years.

He will still be a handy depth player over the next 4-5 years and I don't think there is any point trading him unless it's a deal well in our favour (which is unlikely).

If you expect him to be anything other than a decoy that is going to attract the opposition's next tall defender, then chances are you aren't pleased with his output.

He was never a big goal kicker or a big marker. But yes, harsh reality is that he is merely a decoy, someone there to push up so Hogan doesn't have to. If our mids were better crumbers and better at stoppages than Dawes would be more valuable because he brings the ball to the ground. If he takes the markand gets us forward, even better. But if he can contest and work to keep the ball forward of center, he has done his job. We could play Howe in that role but he is lazy. Dawes at the very least gets to position and does what is required.

A decoy, albeit an expensive one, but a decoy nonetheless. Without him we'd be even more clueless going forward.

Edited August 2, 201510 yr by praha

With all respect to the player that will come and go through that forward line over the next decade - they are just role players floating around a central entity. They may be some of those that played in there today - they may not.

I am loathe to be so dismissive of role players but Hogan's arrival means that all we need to do is provide foils, space, and to help him when the footy hits the deck.

With all respect to the player that will come and go through that forward line over the next decade - they are just role players floating around a central entity. They may be some of those that played in there today - they may not.

I am loathe to be so dismissive of role players but Hogan's arrival means that all we need to do is provide foils, space, and to help him when the footy hits the deck.

As long as Hogan doesn't get majorly injured.

Decoys work until the opponents become suspect of the worry.

Any team is better off denyinv Hogan at the little expense of paying lip service to Dawes. Decoy value...bargain bin at best.

He is best 22 at the moment but I expect that to change over the coming years.

He will still be a handy depth player over the next 4-5 years and I don't think there is any point trading him unless it's a deal well in our favour (which is unlikely).

He is currently 27 years old. 4-5 years will make him 31-32.

He has a dodgy calf.

If he is playing in 4-5 years I hope it is not for us.

You are right, no point trading him as no-one will take him.

I hope our team is solid enough when his contract expires (eos 2016) we can 'delist' him.

Another club can give him a 'life-line' as a 'Delisted FA'.

Will cost them nothing.

We get freed up salary cap.

If we need his 'depth', sign him to 1 year contracts based on his performance, injury etc

But I reckon he will be out of the game by 30.

This is partly where personality comes into play re: recruitment.

Do you want to recruit another KPF who wants to be the man? An alpha?

Or do you now set your sights on a B-type personality, who is happy to play second fiddle and sacrifice his own performance in order to make the forward line work like a well-oiled machine?

One who is happy to be a part of the success rather than drive it? (When in fact driving it in their own way)

Dawesy is an enigma. He has been scratchy this year & generally not much better than Pedo. Give him his due though he was very good on Saturday & has also been very good in some of our other wins.

Like Garlett he will probably frustrate & entertain in equal measure.

I think that if other forwards lift their game & the delivery to the forwards gets better then Dawes will become a better player.

Dawesy is an enigma. He has been scratchy this year & generally not much better than Pedo. Give him his due though he was very good on Saturday & has also been very good in some of our other wins.

Like Garlett he will probably frustrate & entertain in equal measure.

I think that if other forwards lift their game & the delivery to the forwards gets better then Dawes will become a better player.

The only frustration with Garlett is that we don't have more like him.

This is partly where personality comes into play re: recruitment.

Do you want to recruit another KPF who wants to be the man? An alpha?

Or do you now set your sights on a B-type personality, who is happy to play second fiddle and sacrifice his own performance in order to make the forward line work like a well-oiled machine?

One who is happy to be a part of the success rather than drive it? (When in fact driving it in their own way)

I think we need a forward/ruck for the role 'Mach5'...

The only frustration with Garlett is that we don't have more like him.

His set shots can be pretty damn frustrating. Overall accuracy for the season is something like 54%.

His set shots can be pretty damn frustrating. Overall accuracy for the season is something like 54%.

Which is flattering given how many goals he has kicked over the back.

Dawes struggles to find the ball for the most part and when he does have it, he's underwhelming to say the least.

When he doesn't have the ball, he's okay. Chases and tackles.

There for the structure and that's about it. We should be looking for an upgrade ASAP.

Dawes should be competing for the 3rd forward spot, not the 2nd... we need a genuine 2nd marking forward to assist Hogan.

Dawes should be competing for the 3rd forward spot, not the 2nd... we need a genuine 2nd marking forward to assist Hogan.

And I believe he will be in 2016

There just is no one else at present with our current injuries.

I have reconciled with myself that barring an injury he will play the last five games of 2015

Next year I pray is a different story.

I'm hoping Frost will be that 2nd forward target.

Dawes should be competing for the 3rd forward spot, not the 2nd... we need a genuine 2nd marking forward to assist Hogan.

Can't remember - have we had Hogan, Dawes and Pedo in the same side at all this year?

Can't remember - have we had Hogan, Dawes and Pedo in the same side at all this year?

once against sydney. we scored 50 points total

Edited August 3, 201510 yr by budge

Against Collingwood Dawes played the best game I can remember him playing all year. However, that's a sad indictment on what he's offered the rest of the year. In the St Kilda game he was getting the ball and butchering it with his disposal. Against Collingwood it was a much more rounded performance. He was even holding (some of) his marks. If he's a "confidence" player (and I'm not even sure I subscribe to the idea that some players perform better or worse depending on their confidence levels) then perhaps he will continue to improve.

There are three other aspects of his game which provide value beyond his primary role. First, he provides a foil for Jesse Hogan by running defenders away from Hogan; secondly, in my opinion his assistance to Gawn is now at a better level than Pedersen in pure rucking terms; thirdly, he provides a big body, something we are still deficient in overall.

Edited August 3, 201510 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

Can't remember - have we had Hogan, Dawes and Pedo in the same side at all this year?

problem there is that both dawes and pedo are in reality competing for the 3rd forward position. neither are really 2nd position quality

How many other teams have two 'Big' capable forwards, one of whom can deputise decently in the ruck?
North (Brown), Sydney (Tippett), Adelaide (Jenkins), Richmond (Vickery) - any others?
This is a very quick guesstimate.

Interesting that Dawes only gets praise after wins. Plays at an acceptable level once we're in front, rest of the time he looks like he shouldn't be out there.

He's not Robinson Crusoe mate! Who else gets praise on this forum after a loss?! Even Nathan Jones cops it when we lose!

Against Collingwood Dawes played the best game I can remember him playing all year. However, that's a sad indictment on what he's offered the rest of the year. In the St Kilda game he was getting the ball and butchering it with his disposal. Against Collingwood it was a much more rounded performance. He was even holding (some of) his marks. If he's a "confidence" player (and I'm not even sure I subscribe to the idea that some players perform better or worse depending on their confidence levels) then perhaps he will continue to improve.

There are three other aspects of his game which provide value beyond his primary role. First, he provides a foil for Jesse Hogan by running defenders away from Hogan; secondly, in my opinion his assistance to Gawn is now at a better level than Pedersen in pure rucking terms; thirdly, he provides a big body, something we are still deficient in overall.

He actually had a 1st gamer in Scharenburg on him when he was leading up the the ground, so that shows how much respect the opposition have for him. When the ball went in deep, Hogan was quite often double teamed. His foil/decoy role is overrated. If Frost comes into the team as a backman/2nd ruck, I'd play Tom Mac as a forward.

Against Collingwood Dawes played the best game I can remember him playing all year. However, that's a sad indictment on what he's offered the rest of the year. In the St Kilda game he was getting the ball and butchering it with his disposal. Against Collingwood it was a much more rounded performance. He was even holding (some of) his marks. If he's a "confidence" player (and I'm not even sure I subscribe to the idea that some players perform better or worse depending on their confidence levels) then perhaps he will continue to improve.

There are three other aspects of his game which provide value beyond his primary role. First, he provides a foil for Jesse Hogan by running defenders away from Hogan; secondly, in my opinion his assistance to Gawn is now at a better level than Pedersen in pure rucking terms; thirdly, he provides a big body, something we are still deficient in overall.

he provides nothing for Hogan, Hogan's best bag came in a losing games that Dawes did not play.

we also won 2 from 6 without Dawes , & Hogan played well kicking 2 & 3 goals.

if anything Hogan's results have been better without Dawes or par at worst

Edited August 3, 201510 yr by budge

problem there is that both dawes and pedo are in reality competing for the 3rd forward position. neither are really 2nd position quality

True, though on his good days I think Pedo could be a serviceable second tall.

Again, I'm hoping we can find a good alternative so that we don't have to play both of them next year. Tomlinson or Casboult would be good pick ups I think.

True, though on his good days I think Pedo could be a serviceable second tall.

Again, I'm hoping we can find a good alternative so that we don't have to play both of them next year. Tomlinson or Casboult would be good pick ups I think.

i don't mind casboult. strong hands and can leap.