In the modern era the 100 goal a season milestone is lamented as a relic of the past, thanks to modern day structures and full ground press tactics. Some wonder whether we will ever see another 100 goal season again, whereas some believe it's cyclical, and that at some golden point in the future we'll again see the return of the full-forward centurion.
But maybe the milestone might not be achieved by a full forward. And Joe Daniher might just be the man of the moment.
Obviously the first reason why this thesis is going to be derided is his kicking. And that is a very valid criticism and it may well be true. If Daniher doesn't improve his set shot kicking for goal he will never come close to the century. Fair call. Acknowledged. Yes I heard you, you're right. You don't need to go on about it. Well, ok then, maybe you do.
See, the thing is, everyone can see the guy has an absolutely beautiful kicking mechanic, when he's on the run. Seeing him pin the ears back outside 50 he rarely misses. Hell, the guy can sell candy and dob them from outside 50 off just a step or two. So it's a matter of whether he can translate that obvious ability to his set shots that are going to be his biggest challenge.
That will be closely followed by the quality of the delivery he gets. Up until recently it hasn't been great. Hopefully it can be good enough moving forwards not to be an issue, at least for large blocks of time. But this isn't going to be as big an issue as you might think, and as it might be for most other players.
Here's why Daniher is overwhelmingly the most likely player to kick 100 goals again:
He has the capacity to generate enough shots.
It's that simple.
He's already doing it now. If he could convert a good number of misses and OOBs to goals he is already a good chunk of the way there.
Because Daniher is an extraordinarily mobile player who can play a combination of ruck and CHF, he is not held back by structures in the same way that other players are. He isn't dependent as much as others on how the ball is coming to him. He can generate the shots.
There are some other remarkably talented forwards in the comp, and let's hope there are some others who can do it too if he can. But Joe Daniher is almost the complete package.
Can he do it? If so why? If not, why not? (Yes I can still hear you, kicking - got it!) Who else can do it, and why? Should I be keeping it in my pants or is it a valid topic for discussion? I can't wait to find out
But maybe the milestone might not be achieved by a full forward. And Joe Daniher might just be the man of the moment.
Obviously the first reason why this thesis is going to be derided is his kicking. And that is a very valid criticism and it may well be true. If Daniher doesn't improve his set shot kicking for goal he will never come close to the century. Fair call. Acknowledged. Yes I heard you, you're right. You don't need to go on about it. Well, ok then, maybe you do.
See, the thing is, everyone can see the guy has an absolutely beautiful kicking mechanic, when he's on the run. Seeing him pin the ears back outside 50 he rarely misses. Hell, the guy can sell candy and dob them from outside 50 off just a step or two. So it's a matter of whether he can translate that obvious ability to his set shots that are going to be his biggest challenge.
That will be closely followed by the quality of the delivery he gets. Up until recently it hasn't been great. Hopefully it can be good enough moving forwards not to be an issue, at least for large blocks of time. But this isn't going to be as big an issue as you might think, and as it might be for most other players.
Here's why Daniher is overwhelmingly the most likely player to kick 100 goals again:
He has the capacity to generate enough shots.
It's that simple.
He's already doing it now. If he could convert a good number of misses and OOBs to goals he is already a good chunk of the way there.
Because Daniher is an extraordinarily mobile player who can play a combination of ruck and CHF, he is not held back by structures in the same way that other players are. He isn't dependent as much as others on how the ball is coming to him. He can generate the shots.
There are some other remarkably talented forwards in the comp, and let's hope there are some others who can do it too if he can. But Joe Daniher is almost the complete package.
Can he do it? If so why? If not, why not? (Yes I can still hear you, kicking - got it!) Who else can do it, and why? Should I be keeping it in my pants or is it a valid topic for discussion? I can't wait to find out
