Opinion Paddy Dow, can you see a pathway for him to break into our best 22 or are we resigned to losing him?

[V_23]

Former pick 3 that has been a slow build up until this point, but is looking impressive in the VFL. His deficiencies, from my point of view, are his lack of physical size, his endurance and his disposal efficiency can be average at times. His work in and around the contest is very impressive and if he can use his pace more consistently to burst out of stoppages, the sky's the limit with Paddy.

I want him in the AFL side but, there doesn't look to be a spot available in our stacked midfield, barring any injuries. Dow's best position is as an inside midfielder and, until this point, hasn't shown an ability to play in other positions. With that said, he's competing for a spot with: Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Kennedy, and Hewett.

Cripps: Lock
Walsh: Lock
Cerra: Lock
Kennedy: In career-best form and not looking like slowing down
Hewett: Been very impressive and adds a different dimension to our midfield with his defensive work

So, what do you think about Paddy's prospects? I can't see a way into the team for him unless a first-choice midfielder suffers an injury and that leaves me worried he may look elsewhere for his future.

 

[Malifice]

You need at least 8 mids these days, when factoring in rotations.

 

[jj1978]

We knew one day we were bound to lose a couple of good players due to our stock-piling. But if we are successful this season, Dow might choose to stay if he's starting to break in towards the end to taste some success. The clincher is how good our trading is at the end of season, where we maximise value for some players we are able to discard.

We could get some decent value for players like Fisher, Owies, Marchbank, Cunningham, Dow, Lob, Setterfield, Martin who are around the best 18-26 mark but replaceable by others on the list. Amazing how successful clubs always offload their excess for higher value, and that's where we should be aiming if we have some success this season.

 

[Coops93]

You need at least 8 mids these days, when factoring in rotations.

Cripps
Walsh
Cerra
Hewett
Kennedy
Setterfield
Docherty (I've notice him around contests and event the odd centre bounce)
Fisher
O'Brien
Martin

The thing with being a rotational mid is you need a secondary (or primary) position outside of being a follower. Setterfield, Doc, Fisher, Martin and O'Brien have been the rotations mostly, from the wings and half back/forward with Newman also hanging around the contest at times.

To get in the team Dow would need to supplant one of the genuine mids, so one of Cripps, Cerra, Walsh, Kennedy or Hewett really as he doesn't have the secondary position that the rotational unit do. Unfortunately for him he's likely depending on a injury to the primary mids to get a look in.

 

[Benaly28]

Cripps
Walsh
Cerra
Hewett
Kennedy
Setterfield
Docherty (I've notice him around contests and event the odd centre bounce)
Fisher
O'Brien
Martin

The thing with being a rotational mid is you need a secondary (or primary) position outside of being a follower. Setterfield, Doc, Fisher, Martin and O'Brien have been the rotations mostly, from the wings and half back/forward with Newman also hanging around the contest at times.

To get in the team Dow would need to supplant one of the genuine mids, so one of Cripps, Cerra, Walsh, Kennedy or Hewett really as he doesn't have the secondary position that the rotational unit do. Unfortunately for him he's likely depending on a injury to the primary mids to get a look in.

Correct.We also have Cunners and possibly Kemp/Stocker who may go through the midfield as well eventually.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[smashbox gill]

For the first time in his career he’s been made to earn his place. I’m happy that he’s being forced to play 2’s and develop his game. This is the way good sides develop young players.

He’s still so young. Let him keep working and then I’m sure he will get games at some point this year.

If he’s good enough he will play.

 

[Psychochook]

I'm more of the view that he should be given time to enjoy a role. I've always viewed him with a perception that he always feels out of place.
Obviously I'd have no idea at all on this but if he's enjoying his footy and starting to feel like a dominant force and a key cog in our VFL midfield then that has to be beneficial.
When he's truly ready, his form will be undeniable.
Cerra could always spend time on the wing while Dow wins a few clearances.
Crippa rests forward, Dow wins clearances.
Hewett drops back to the flank while Doc has a rest, Dow wins clearances.

There's always rotational options for quality players.

Fully embed that mindset of quality first.

Still early dows.

 

[Yubby]

I think the team always uses 7 midfielders, 5 on the field and 2 on the bench. Currently the fab 5 are taking 5 of these positions and the other 2 are LOB and Setters on the wings.

To me Dow gets in the team if someone loses form or is injured form the fab5.

If his form becomes too good to refuse, then the other option is if a fab5 pushes LOB/Setters out of a wing spot thus creating room for Dow back in the middle.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

If things stay the same he is gunning for Kennedy’s spot as the mid with lowest TOG. Can’t see him overtaking Bam Bam.

His running capacity and production over four quarters is an issue, as is the lack of a true second position.

Sadly I think he’ll be a good mid elsewhere.

 

[thylacine60]

when we get injuries we get shithouse injuries - injury cover might just see him with more games than ya reckon....

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

when we get injuries we get shithouse injuries - injury cover might just see him with more games than ya reckon....

Touch wood . .

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

I don't see how we fit him in unless there are injuries, despite how well he is going in the VFL so far.
I also don't see too many suitors for him if he decides to leave. Maybe the Tigers to play with his brother, given the instability around the Dusty situation and the fact that their midfield now seems quite weak.
I wish him well if he wants to leave for more opportunity. If he decides to stay, then I hope he just continues to put his head down and do what's required to be first in line if a spot opens up for whatever reason.

 

[YeahGnar]

He is performing well at VFL and needs game time in AFL sooner rather than later, otherwise he steps up into a crucial role due to injury with no first-team match fitness if one of the mids goes down. If that happens against a top team, then he may struggle first game in sicne he hasn't played properly with either Hewett or Cerra.
Since Walsh can drift to a wing, and Cripps forward every now and then I see no issue with fitting him into the team starting on the bench and starting to rotate him through.

We are delusional if we think we can have 4 out of our 5 main mids playing every round (only Demons got that lucky last year). Dow will have to play eventually, so needs to become part of the machine ASAP so he can fit right in when more is required of him.

 

[Arr0w]

Nothing wrong with adding components to his game at VFL level, hopefully he gets a chance soon, before he just becomes a VFL player

 

[Faz 2000]

I think his recent form in the magoos shows he's too good for the level. I'm fine for him to wait a month or two before either forcing his way in, or being a readymade call-up when someone gets hurt.

Given his different skillset (speed!), I think there's absolutely a path that sees him take a primary midfield slot in due course.

 

[YeahGnar]

GC is perfect game to include him and see what he can do within the current system. GC will be humid so the extra rotation will help the other mids perform for longer.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

These guys are out of contract this year and more likely to get offers. Need them signed up before we let Paddy go or we might be needing him anyway
Kennedy
O'Brien
Setterfield

 

[thylacine60]

no-one's coming for LOB or the Saddler.......

 

[chunkylover53]

These guys are out of contract this year and more likely to get offers. Need them signed up before we let Paddy go or we might be needing him anyway
Kennedy
O'Brien
Setterfield

Essendon would be absolutely nuts to not throw the kitchen sink at Kennedy. In fact they should have done it 2 years ago when we delisted (re-rookied) him. Dodo is a dodo. Hopefully he wouldn't be tempted though.

I see Dow breaking into the side through injuries or something, but I can also see a Richmond, Essendon, maybe Sydney or even Adelaide having a crack at him. Full-time mids are in hot demand.

 

[jj1978]

It could be a factor of "once he's in, he's staying in", hence a potential pro-longed stint in the VFL. Diesel was praising his abilities in the pre-season, and I'm sure Voss and the mid coaches have a plan for him. There is no word of disgruntlement leaking, and I think seeing LOB got his chance, Cerra same draft and seeing our success at present if he's driven, should buoy him to take that level we suspect he's capable of. Someone's form will drop, someone will have a COVID related week off, someone will have tightness in the hammy or the flu, he'll get a chance and when that time comes he'll be ready.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

I rate Dow highly as much as he's been a bit of a mess developing. Hasn't owned it enough and hasn't been supported enough. Lets himself down defensively etc.

If all of that has turned/is turning. He's the potential to be a better player than Kennedy and can take his spot in the team eventually or get traded.

All this talk of injury backup is well and good but players know their value and a starter at 15 or 16 of the clubs is not gonna sit and twiddle his thumbs in the vfl at the one club he can't get a starting spot.

 

[Blue1980]

Essendon would be absolutely nuts to not throw the kitchen sink at Kennedy. In fact they should have done it 2 years ago when we delisted (re-rookied) him. Dodo is a dodo. Hopefully he wouldn't be tempted though.

I see Dow breaking into the side through injuries or something, but I can also see a Richmond, Essendon, maybe Sydney or even Adelaide having a crack at him. Full-time mids are in hot demand.

Dodo would probably try to low ball Kennedy.

 

[Blue1980]

I rate Dow highly as much as he's been a bit of a mess developing. Hasn't owned it enough and hasn't been supported enough. Lets himself down defensively etc.

If all of that has turned/is turning. He's the potential to be a better player than Kennedy and can take his spot in the team eventually or get traded.

All this talk of injury backup is well and good but players know their value and a starter at 15 or 16 of the clubs is not gonna sit and twiddle his thumbs in the vfl at the one club he can't get a starting spot.

He’s never shown anywhere near what Kennedy has shown first 3 rounds and pre season. Though neither had Kennedy until this year.

 

[Jeremias]

A few points:

1) I am a Dow fan but right now he's behind Cripps, Hewett, Kennedy, Cerra and Walsh. All are fit and performing extremely well and it's no shame being next in line.

2) Let's not forget the season is still very young, we're only approaching round 4. Dow will get his chance as will several others.

3) We need to stop with the idea that playing in the VFL is bad. It's not. Sure everyone wants to play senior football but there are only 23 spots available each week so it's inevitable players will miss out.

For so many years our VFL program was sub-par. I very firmly believe setting up our own standalone side was one of the best decisions we've made as a club in many years. A massive, massive step in the right direction.

Set that up correctly and there's a very clear development path at VFL level. The past few years have been a struggle but now there's clarity and a path forward. It's only a small sample size but our VFL team has started the year extremely well and Dow has played a massive part in that.

His time will come.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

He’s never shown anywhere near what Kennedy has shown first 3 rounds and pre season. Though neither had Kennedy until this year.

That's why scouting isn't easy. You have to extrapolate from what they have shown...

Speed is a weapon. If Dow can get the ball 25-30 times a game he's shown his hands are as good/better. His clearance work is on par if not better and his burst is better. He just needs consistency and defensive effort. I can live without the aerial presence. Although I've seen Dow take some really good overhead marks.