Player Watch #9: Luke Davies-Uniacke [Part II] - '24 SBM - [Ch9] LDU's camp 'working hard to get a deal done'

[roos_fanatic08]

Korn ripped into him tonight

* that guy but it was hard to defend (literally too)

I came in here to post the same thing. I hate Korns as much as the next person but the criticism LDU copped is more than fair.

For years we have been told, it's his fitness/strength, he'll develop ect. We can't use those excuses now, he is fit, he is physically mature and still there is a massive void between his best and worst. Is he being used poorly around the stoppages? Yes. Is our stoppage setup a mess? Yes....but these things shouldn't excuse LDU from showing more intent with his defensive running and accountability. The excuses for him have to stop as it's purely mindset.

LDU despite being ridiculously talented is one of the laziest players in the comp. He is a solid runner now, but I've been reliably told that his defensive work rate numbers in transition and in defence are the worst in the comp. The opposition know this and go through his direct opponent when moving the ball forward.

 

[Its a Process]

I came in here to post the same thing. I hate Korns as much as the next person but the criticism LDU copped is more than fair.

For years we have been told, it's his fitness/strength, he'll develop ect. We can't use those excuses now, he is fit, he is physically mature and still there is a massive void between his best and worst. Is he being used poorly around the stoppages? Yes. Is our stoppage setup a mess? Yes....but these things shouldn't excuse LDU from showing more intent with his defensive running and accountability. The excuses for him have to stop as it's purely mindset.

LDU despite being ridiculously talented is one of the laziest players in the comp. He is a solid runner now, but I've been reliably told that his defensive work rate numbers in transition and in defence are the worst in the comp. The opposition know this and go through his direct opponent when moving the ball forward.

Those efforts in that repeat entry were horrible to watch. Wonder if Clarko gives him a spell this week. He has been part of the worst performing midfield in the comp and they have to try something in there to mix it up.

 

[swaeney]

Those efforts in that repeat entry were horrible to watch. Wonder if Clarko gives him a spell this week. He has been part of the worst performing midfield in the comp and they have to try something in there to mix it up.

LDU isn’t the problem. Xerri is the problem, he can’t tap to advantage. He taps it to himself, fumbles it somewhere and our mids can’t read where it’s going - because Xerri doesn’t even know where it’s going. It’s hurting us bad because we can’t get clean clearances out of the middle.

 

[Epictetus]

Luke is literally walking around d 50 during multiple entries. He should be embarrassed by that.

 

[Event Horizon]

He hustles and bustles through the stoppage with the ball either in his hands or at his feet. None of our mids can access clean ball unless he fumbles it out or it's not near him after the ruck contest.

We basically have a 200cm midfielder who butchers the stoppage.

Monkhorst has got his hands full.

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Look, while this observation is spot on, it still doesn’t explain why our mids are struggling to clear it more than the opposition as it should be 50/50 roughly. He’s certainly not giving us any advantage but he’s not giving to the opposition either


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[roos_fanatic08]

Those efforts in that repeat entry were horrible to watch. Wonder if Clarko gives him a spell this week. He has been part of the worst performing midfield in the comp and they have to try something in there to mix it up.

It's been a common issue across his whole career. I've been critical of it for a long long time now (despite being

LDU isn’t the problem. Xerri is the problem, he can’t tap to advantage. He taps it to himself, fumbles it somewhere and our mids can’t read where it’s going - because Xerri doesn’t even know where it’s going. It’s hurting us bad because we can’t get clean clearances out of the middle.

Tapwork has nothing to do with LDU's lack of accountability and terrible defensive transition.

 

[swaeney]

It's been a common issue across his whole career. I've been critical of it for a long long time now (despite being



Tapwork has nothing to do with LDU's lack of accountability and terrible defensive transition.

You were probably one of the blokes crying about Ben Cunningtons outside game too. Is LDU to blame for Lloyd Meek kicking goals from the centre square too?

Mate he’s not the issue. Xerri’s poor disposal out of the clearance is giving the opposition mids the first chance of getting it out after the first clearance. Xerri - 10 clearances on the weekend, how many of those were fumbled disposals that put out midfielders under pressure for a turn over to go in Hawthorns favour?

 

[king rising]

You were probably one of the blokes crying about Ben Cunningtons outside game too. Is LDU to blame for Lloyd Meek kicking goals from the centre square too?

Mate he’s not the issue. Xerri’s poor disposal out of the clearance is giving the opposition mids the first chance of getting it out after the first clearance. Xerri - 10 clearances on the weekend, how many of those were fumbled disposals that put out midfielders under pressure for a turn over to go in Hawthorns favour?

Stop deflecting. Xerri is not at fault for Davies Uniacke continually waving the white flag when the going gets tough.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

You were probably one of the blokes crying about Ben Cunningtons outside game too. Is LDU to blame for Lloyd Meek kicking goals from the centre square too?

Mate he’s not the issue. Xerri’s poor disposal out of the clearance is giving the opposition mids the first chance of getting it out after the first clearance. Xerri - 10 clearances on the weekend, how many of those were fumbled disposals that put out midfielders under pressure for a turn over to go in Hawthorns favour?

Hahahahaha mate….a quick look at my positing history and you’ll quickly realise I was one of Cunners and LDU’s biggest supporters earlier in their career when they were being unfairly criticised.

However, if you watched the Kane Cornes clip in this thread you can quickly see that his defensive intensity and effort simply isn’t good enough.

It’s blatantly obvious that our stoppage setup needs work, but that doesn’t give LDU the right to just give up running defensively. His lack of accountability is a big big part of the overall problem.

 

[koshari]

He's not as good as you think he is.

possibly, however ita also not a lock that you would be trading him for something better.

 

[koshari]

LDU isn’t the problem. Xerri is the problem, he can’t tap to advantage. He taps it to himself, fumbles it somewhere and our mids can’t read where it’s going - because Xerri doesn’t even know where it’s going. It’s hurting us bad because we can’t get clean clearances out of the middle.

so how did geelong dominate the comp for so long effectively sharking the oppo ruckman as they went with effectively an extra ruck rover in the guts??

little to simplistic assessment for me.

 

[giantroo]

Roos’ direction to dictate if LDU stays or goes​

Jay Clark

4 - 5 minutes

---

North Melbourne superstar onballer Luke Davies-Uniacke

9

Luke Davies-uniacke

Age

25

Ht

188cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.1

3star

K

6.5

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

7.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

CL

2.0

4star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

1.2

4star

is on track to become the most sought-after player in the game as he holds off on contract talks until next season.
The jet ballwinner will be a restricted free agent in 2025 and will consider his options including guaranteed blockbuster seven-figure offers from Victorian rivals next year.
The Kangaroos are keen to re-sign Davies-Uniacke early to thwart poaching raids from a long list of interested clubs including St Kilda, Essendon and Adelaide who want more top-line talent.
The Saints are desperate to add more A-Grade midfielders and are certain to come hard for the Rye product, who also has links with Bombers’ coach Brad Scott at Tullamarine.
The strong interest means Davies-Uniacke, 24, is certain to defer any talks on his contract until next year when clubs will zero in on him as the likely No. 1 free agency target from the 2025 crop.
North Melbourne’s direction will be a key factor in Davies-Uniacke’s contract decision following just 18 wins from the first 91 games of his career.
Davies-Uniacke is arguably the most important player at North Melbourne after finishing second in the best and fairest in 2022 before soft-tissue injuries hit him last year.
And talent experts believe at 188cm Davies-Uniacke has the power and burst speed to become one of the most damaging on-ballers in the game in a competitive team.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd said on 3AW a “sense of hopelessness” had set in at Arden St this year after a winless start to the season including Sunday’s 45-point loss to Hawthorn.
“Aside from playing the kids, I don’t see a direction,” Matthew Lloyd said on 3AW.
“It’s hard to see what they are trying to do and you would hope that (coach Alastair) Clarkson could have taught them to defend at least, but they are all over the shop behind the ball.”
Making up the group of 2025 free agents, GWS Giants have made progress in talks with Sam Taylor

15

Sam Taylor

Age

25

Ht

198cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.1

4star

MG

130.5

2star

D

8.0

2star

K

2.5

1star

HB

5.5

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

60.8

1star

D

8.6

3star

K

3.0

1star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.8

5star

MG

110.8

2star

’s new Sydney-based manager, Brisbane is confident it can lock away Cam Rayner, while Fremantle and West Coast have high hopes about extensions for Andrew Brayshaw

8

Andrew Brayshaw

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

9.3

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

2.1

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

3.1

4star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

0.8

3star

(Dockers) and Oscar Allen

12

Oscar Allen

Age

25

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

(Eagles).
Davies-Uniacke could consider following Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

out the door at Arden St with the fullback enjoying a fresh start at Essendon ahead of Thursday’s Anzac Day blockbuster at a sold-out MCG.

LUKE DAVIES UNIACKE​

WINS: 18
LOSSES: 72
DRAWS: 1
TOTAL GAMES: 91
DRAFTED: Pick 4, 2017
Free agent in 2025
Weighing in the Kangaroos’ favour is the loyalty the midfielder has already shown at North over his first seven years and his strong friendships with teammates.
Davies-Uniacke is arguably the most important player at North Melbourne but the lack of team success would be a major frustration for the line breaker.
Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

29

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

showed enormous patience with the Blues before the club finally took off under coach Michael Voss in Cripps’ ninth year narrowly missing finals in 2022.
The closest the Davies-Uniacke has come to playing finals was his first season in 2019 when the Roos finished 9th under former coach Scott and interim boss Rhyce Shaw

Rhyce Shaw

Age

43

Ht

182cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.8

4star

K

12.0

4star

HB

5.8

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

313.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.4

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

1.6

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

.
The Roos have since gone backwards winning 10 games in 2019, three (2020), four (2021), two (2022) and three (2023).
Their average losing margin this year is 52 points a game. Davies-Uniacke has averaged 27 disposals and six clearances a game for the last-placed Kangas this year.

More Coverage​

Former North Melbourne great David King said “Kangaroos’ fans are sick of the meandering” and questioned the rate of progress under Clarkson.
“Alastair came as a high-priced acquisition to fix this and it is second-year now and we need to start seeing some that makes us proud,” King said on SEN.
“(We are) Too quick to say he (Clarkson) knows the answers, he has got the answers. I don’t see it. You need evidence at some point.”

 

[HBFlanker]

We 100% need to do whatever we can to keep him.

Obviously defensively has some downfalls but is a very very good footballer.

On his day he is our best player.

 

[Harris 10]

If he starts putting his body on the line and commits to realising his potential then LDU will dictate the direction of the football club.

Not the other way around.

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

No surprise. Money will only grow for him.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Can’t lose him but not close to a 1m a year player


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[Flawed Genius]

So nothing there is actual a quote from LDU or his management and just Ralph making shit up to suit his agenda.

 

[bennymate]

He will leave and its gonna hurt the most.

 

[big_e]

Someone needs to sit him down and say this is your club now. It's your midfield, you are the leader. At 24 and coming up to 100 games, you need to stop looking for everyone else to step up. If it means you put the club on your back and drag them along with you, so be it. That's what makes the greats great. And you can be a great, but nobody can make you great but yourself.

 

[Ashley B]

Because of our predicament we will lose players . We lost McKay and even though JHF was seemingly never invested he wasn’t willing to hang around and help us rise . It’s the new group that will lead us forward hopefully . In saying this I hope both LDU and Cam stay.

 

[shinboner spiggs]

Perhaps it’s best for both parties to part ways.

I just don’t see how LDU can turn on the attitude we need for the ship to turn around. The poor guy must think to himself that each game is just another loss, and his chance of success is slipping. By the same token, he has become a key issue to our club; our senior players, and dont think he should be exempt from criticism. Perhaps we can get on the front foot and read the room at seasons end?

 

[kirbonavich]

If he doesn't sign on by the end of the year, trade him - Clubs want LDU 5500 points. Don't like it, F*** Off.

Better than him bailing the year after for a token pick which will barely be replacement value, not even factoring in the time and resources lost in developing him.

Been the whipping boys of the league for years.

 

[Disco Dew]

 

[toepoker]

Lot of overreacting to a Jon Ralph article about a bloke who's not out of contract until the end of 2025 anyway.
Funny how old mate Ralphy has written it this week of all weeks.

 

[archereleven]

Look, while this observation is spot on, it still doesn’t explain why our mids are struggling to clear it more than the opposition as it should be 50/50 roughly. He’s certainly not giving us any advantage but he’s not giving to the opposition either


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The opposition are getting clean ball from their ruckman tapping to advantage. What's to get?

Xerri isn't tapping to advantage, he is smothering the stoppage with follow up work or pulling it out of the ruck and being tackled immediately.

True 50/50 balls that escape Xerri's influence are probably being halved..

Our mids are working hard for clean ball. It's just not happening.



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