Leon Davis... What to do?

[Smoky]

Let me start by saying I rate Neon Leon as the greatest goal sneak after Daicos to have worn the black and white stripes since Daics. (Obviously if Dids was permanently stationed in the pocket he would probably go close to equalling the man who truely deserves the nickname "God" - but he's on his own mission to become the greatest midfield kick in the world.

Being such a big game last night and all the talk of Neon last week promted me to watch his game with a magnifying glass. Last night was the best possilbe chance for him to silence his critics (the critics he himself gave credit to for being right about his lack of big game performances. Leon was not beaten last night... quite simply he lost (and badly). He had no movement around stoppages, aprt from a bit of hustle and bustle with his opponent he didn't really move at all, he didn't create space for himself and provided no target for the ruckwork.

Where was the any crumbing work from the bigmens marking contest. At times his ability to convert from these types of scenareos, that at times our big men don't even bother to attempt the mark and simply tap the ball in his direction for him to do his thing.

He had no pep in his step at all. Looked to be 60% with his physical attributes, created nothing at all and tryuley looked to being consoled by his team mates at the end of the game.

Brings me to thinking Collingwood have 3 options with Neon

1. GONE - Drop him now, get games into a replacement for Finals

2. LAST CHANCE - His spot in the team to depend upon his performances in the first 2 finals. Must earn Grand Final berth in those games (if we make it)

3. AUTOMATIC INCLUSION - He is fully aware of his issues in Big games. He stays full stop, even if it means we make the Granny and he hasn't performed in Finals... He could just win us the Granny of his own boot.

4. THE DAICS FACTOR - Bring back Daics for the Granny (Only joking - get him back now!)

 

[PieBeast]

inb4 "he provides forwardline pressure"

I've had it with him.

 

[StillWaiting5689]

inb4 "he provides forwardline pressure"

I've had it with him.

Second.

I have no doubt that if he stays in the team before finals he will have a couple of decent games but when it comes to the big stage is anyone really confident of him doing anything?

 

[Zahki]

Every player is expected to chase, tackle and pressure on top of winning the ball and scoring. I really can't see how defensive pressure, no matter how good it is, is enough to keep him in the side if he's not getting the ball. If he was doing a purely defensive role like Presti, Toovey or Macaffer, fair enough, but I don't think he is.

Medhurst has been fixing his defensive pressure, maybe it's time to give him a chance.

 

[rose jam]

In our last encounters against the top 6 teams

Geelong - poor
St,Kilda - good
Bulldogs - B.O.G
Freo - OK
Carlton - good

pretty healthy mix of form

 

[wicksy]

Should be rested to trial Medhurst.
Next year, Dick should replace Davis as that small forward.

 

[Smoky]

In our last encounters against the top 6 teams

Geelong - poor
St,Kilda - good
Bulldogs - B.O.G
Freo - OK
Carlton - good

pretty healthy mix of form

There is no doubt last nights game was "the Big stage"... St Kilda was "the Big stage" also... the rest were big games.

(And putting Carlton in amongst the other names is out of line)

 

[StillWaiting5689]

Medhurst has been fixing his defensive pressure, maybe it's time to give him a chance.

I never watch VFL but if Medders was travelling alright I'd be tempted to bring him in as he hits tackles pretty hard.

The only concern is without Leon in the forward line there is no one down there with really quick pace off the mark for forward pressure.

 

[Smoky]

Should be rested to trial Medhurst.
Next year, Dick should replace Davis as that small forward.

He won't be rested... he needs hands on the Footy. If he doesn't play seniors I'd put him on the ball in the VFL.

 

[Smoky]

I never watch VFL but if Medders was travelling alright I'd be tempted to bring him in as he hits tackles pretty hard.

The only concern is without Leon in the forward line there is no one down there with really quick pace off the mark for forward pressure.

So effectively last night we had no one down there with really quick pace off the mark for forward pressure and he didn't kick goals! Last night Corrie would have been more useful to us.

 

[sr36]

From an attacking point of view, I'd much prefer Meadhurst in his role. Too often this year, Davis has had the ball kicked long to him in a contested marking situation and been uncompetitive in the air. Sure Davis shouldn't be used in that situation, but the reality is that he does often get used in that situation. It's a situation where Meadhurst is infinitely more dangerous than Davis. As a forward pocket, where Davis has been playing, I think that Meadhurst is a much better option than Davis.

I live overseas, thus am a tv watcher, so I can't really tell about the structure, team rules and defensive pressure side of Meadhurst and Davis's games.

One thing that seemed obvious after last night is that it won't be Macaffer that makes way for Meadhurst. When it comes to contested finals style footy, Macaffer is a gun.

 

[wicksy]

He won't be rested... he needs hands on the Footy. If he doesn't play seniors I'd put him on the ball in the VFL.

Yeah sorry that's what I meant.
Medhurst In, Davis to play on the ball in the 2nds to get some confidence back.

 

[mrmagoo]

Must say I was puzzled why MM left him on the ground for so long when he was doing absolutley nothing.

I think it's time to give Medhurst a go and send Leon to the VFL.

I have no doubt that if he stays in the team before finals he will have a couple of decent games but when it comes to the big stage is anyone really confident of him doing anything?

On past performance - NO!

 

[alfio]

It seems to me its a confindence issue. In either his body or his ability. Its now round 20 next week I think he really needs to go back in the magoos and run around and dominate. Because everytime this year his been dropped he hasent gone back and played twos. Its time he does.

 

[ExodusAU]

Last year he was getting more time in the middle - could be wrong, but it seemed that way. That could be the issue, he got his hands on the ball early and got his confidence up.

 

[mattys123]

I think the one thing we discovered (once again) last night was that Leon Davis can not play against Geelong.

He has a great record against the Dogs, has a decent record against StKilda, yet he is shithouse every single time against Geelong.

Simply put, if we play Geelong in the finals, Leon can not play, if we play anyone else, he plays.

We have to be ruthless, playing Leon against Geelong is like play 21 1/2 players, as all you get out of Leon is some defensive pressure, you get no stats, no effectiveness whatsoever.

Leon had better hope we aren't playing Geelong on GF day, because if MM is "ruthless" and honest, Leon can't play against Geelong.

 

[Smoky]

I think the one thing we discovered (once again) last night was that Leon Davis can not play against Geelong.

He has a great record against the Dogs, has a decent record against StKilda, yet he is shithouse every single time against Geelong.

Simply put, if we play Geelong in the finals, Leon can not play, if we play anyone else, he plays.

We have to be ruthless, playing Leon against Geelong is like play 21 1/2 players, as all you get out of Leon is some defensive pressure, you get no stats, no effectiveness whatsoever.

Leon had better hope we aren't playing Geelong on GF day, because if MM is "ruthless" and honest, Leon can't play against Geelong.

He can't play Grand Finals either.

 

[rose jam]

I'm guessing they might tune him up in the midfield a little more in the next few weeks to make sure his body is right this september and reduce the load on Didak and Swan a little bit.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

inb4 "he provides forwardline pressure"

I've had it with him.

Instead of making press conferences and promising articles in the media - it's about time he bloody delivered in the big games. His potential could've been massive but he'll never get there after ~10 years in the game the "big stage". Enough is enough.

 

[Thommo 42]

he's averaging 12 touches this year, clearly playing a different role. So big games don't have a great deal to do with it.

He crumbed the ball quite nicely last night for a poster and another behind. Had they been 2 goals, he would have been deemed to have a good game.

I can only assume the coaching staff know more about what he's being asked to do than we do, so I'm happy for them to stick with him.

 

[StillWaiting5689]

His role isn't really that different from what he has done in the past. He has played majority of his career as a permanent forward so it isn't like forward pocket is some new concept for him.

The reason he is in the team at the moment is forward pressure and perceived forward pressure. IMO someone else should come into the team for a couple of weeks and see if we really fall away in this category or whether his absence hurts us at all.

He is lucky that Dick isn't fit and in form as he wouldn't even be considered for a place if Dick was able.

 

[Thommo 42]

different role to last year where he was an almost permanent midfielder

 

[Liljohnz]

I think Leon has to go...

I would put him out for the rest of the year, with a injury... I.E. Back injury or something, and hopefully fool a few other clubs and hopefully trade him at the end of the year... Might get a good second round draft pick or something for him.

Leon has been pretty good this year, home and away specialist. But he has done his work. Pies are in the finals, with a top 4 spot. Put him away now, and dont let him play finals...

If we go into the finals, with that kind of liability, it will more than likely come back to bite us in the ass.

He has played nearly 20 finals in his career, with less than a handfull of good games. If he hasnt played good finals at 27, he isnt going to do it at 28 is he?

He wont win us a grand final because he doesnt do the hard running, and position himself well enough, during the big games.

For whatever reason it is, it doesnt matter. If I was the coach, I would be risking him...

Possible replacements with a better track record:
John Anthony, Paul Medhurst, and Tarkyn Lockyer

Even if we brought in shane o'bree and gave sharrod or thomas or someone more time in the forward line... Anyone will probably be better than Leon.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

I'm torn.

33.3% of the time, Lockyer would be the better option.
33.3% of the time, Davis is the better option.
33.3% of the time, Medhurst is the better option.

For mine, it depends on the dynamics of the side. If we want consistency, Lockyer's the man. The gap between his best and worst isn't as wide as Davis/Medhurst.

Medhurst has the uncanny matchwinning ability when on song, and is the most likely to turn the game, but when he's off song we may as well put a witches hat in the forward pocket in his stead.

Davis has a very poor track record in Grand Finals, finals and matches against Geelong, but as a defensive forward is the best of the trio. Has played all right as a defensive forward while out of form, but his worst is worst than Lockyer's worst.

I'd start with Davis in the finals, but if he dogs it in either the QF/SF/PF, I'd get Lockyer into the side. Not a sensational finals player, but plays his role adequately and his disposal going inside 50 is probably the steady asset that we'd need on a nervy day.

 

[Swooop]

So many good posts, so many different opinions!

He's always been an enigmatic player our Leon.

The overarching principle should be what match ups you want for that particular game.

Dogs probably, Cats no, Saints I'd say probably yes ( given pressure on their backs may be the key to beating them) Hawks don't know enough how he goes vs them.

But this week, I think you have to bring Medders in, so we can see what he'd offer now.