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

[WFGodot]

Whether it be through weight of numbers at VFL level or injury, Dow will play games in 2022. As to whether he becomes a regular, ask yourself where Kennedy was 12 months ago.
I still think he has scope to contribute, how much is anyones guess. And, if he is limited for opportunity, he may well be good trade bait. I have not given up on him.

 

[Stamos]

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

And Kennedy is 2 and a half years older than Dow

 

[footyfan1978]

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.

Basically what it comes down to.
There are ways for him to break into the side but he is purely inside mid. Some mids such a Cerra can probably play high half forward role and wing a bit too, so although right now there no available spot with Cripps, Walsh, Kennedy, Hewett and Cerra in team, if anyone drops off any form like Cerra did a little on weekend and does not command being in centre square or can do well enough on a flank or wing it leaves room for Paddy to break in. If wings get injured such as O'Brien or Setterfield then there is scope for someone else to move to wing via moving the magnets around and Dow ends up in middle.

If he continues to perform and someone gets injured he will break into the side.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

If he is good enough, he will find room in our team somewhere.

With Boyd most likely going out this week for Saad, maybe if Pittonet doesn't get up, Dow might get a run and we add more speed to our team.

As previously stated, if good enough he will get a run

 

[thebluenewdeal]

I don’t know whether we keep him or not but he’s such a damaging footballer. There’s times where he looks unplayable and the oppo has no answers for him. Then there’s times where he looks like he’s bereft of confidence and looks lackadaisical. All in the same game. I think he just needs to focus on keeping it simple and play consistent 4 quarter footy. I feel he tries to stand out a little too much and it taxes him during the game. Cripps has this same issue at times as well but I think the intention is right. I believe he’s fighting for a spot against cerra and Hewett. Cripps with his size, Kennedy with his overhead ability and Walsh with his match winning ability all have a point of difference that I believe hewett and cerra don’t. So if Dow matches the work rate of these two then I’m sure the coaches will be forced to put him into the midfield. Not at the expense of anyone but just to add to the mix. He’s too damaging to ignore.

 

[Yubby]

And Kennedy is 2 and a half years older than Dow

Good point, i think a lot of us have been more bullish about Dow than we ever were about Kennedy. Imagine Dow taking the next step like Kennedy did at the end of last year and this year? Has a lot of natural talent so would be great to see him 'do a Kennedy'!

 

[Bletch]

Dow will get plenty of game time. It's common for teams that are 3-4 games clear on top to rest key players in the lead-up to finals. Good chance for him to come in then.

 

[KnobHead]

Be great to see Dow come in at some point, but not keen to “move players round” just to get him in. Moving Cerra or Walsh to the wing just to get Dow in (and dropping LoB or Setters), makes little sense. Cerra or Walsh are more effective in the middle than they would be on the wings, given the way we’ve been using our wingmen.

If Cerra, Kennedy, Cripps etc get injured (and one will), then would be great to see Dow come in and grab his chance. Also one of his issues has been consistently, so putting together a string of good ressie games won’t hurt him.



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[La Dispute]

No idea what Paddy’s mindset is like but I was him I’m not sure how keen I’d be to move after spending years in a rebuilding side who’s only just starting to gel together and in the mix of sides to make the top 8.

I don’t think our midfield is the finished product either and the club will need to spend some time working out our best midfield mix. We are using LOB and Setterfield on the wings at the moment, and neither are guaranteed to make it - especially when we have Walsh and Cerra as options for those spots.

 

[Metalcrusher]

Paddy Dow

15

Paddy Dow

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

7.1

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.6

4star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

12.4

4star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

is Nick Graham V2.0

Too good for VFL, not good enough for AFL.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

Paddy Dow is Nick Graham V2.0

Too good for VFL, not good enough for AFL.

I thi k nick was good enough for afl skill-wise. Just too damn slow by hand and running.

Dow has lightning hands and is fast. Don't see that one metal head.

 

[Metalcrusher]

I thi k nick was good enough for afl skill-wise. Just too damn slow by hand and running.

Dow has lightning hands and is fast. Don't see that one metal head.

Wasn't a direct playing style comparison SHT, just his form and output in the AFL.

 

[agro]

Paddy Dow is Nick Graham V2.0

Too good for VFL, not good enough for AFL.

Dow is light years ahead of Graham.

 

[gbatman]

He's improving, he will either be a part of our future or a part of getting in a player who will be.

You need players in reserve who can play and are pushing hard each week for selection.

If there is an injury he's in, but I can't see him cracking it in our teams midfield. Needs to learn another position like half back, would he have been better than Boyd last game if he was developed there?

 

[Metalcrusher]

Very very one dimensional.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

Very very one dimensional.

That's the big concern. Can he add some layers.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

That's the big concern. Can he add some layers.

I don't see that he can/will. But do think there's room in our team if he improves

 

[BigFrizz36]

Of course he will get opportunities, people will get injured. Then it will be up to him as to what he makes of it.

Has attributes that differentiates him from our other midfielders. Has weaknesses that brings him back to the field.

I personally think that he will be a regular starting mid by the time we play finals.

 

[Cripptonite]

If Dow keeps performing well enough and consistently enough in the VFL then there’s no doubt he’ll get a chance in the seniors.

Let’s hold off on the list management assessments/contract talks until Dow’s had a chance to prove himself under Voss’ game plan. He’s only 22 or 23 and once he builds up his body and tank he still has great potential at AFL level. I’m hoping we can keep him but no doubt there will be interest from other sides for he and Kennedy.

 

[Blueballs38]

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.

Would love to see him come in for this game too.

 

[Blueballs38]

Whether it be through weight of numbers at VFL level or injury, Dow will play games in 2022. As to whether he becomes a regular, ask yourself where Kennedy was 12 months ago.
I still think he has scope to contribute, how much is anyones guess. And, if he is limited for opportunity, he may well be good trade bait. I have not given up on him.

That’s the thing, if he takes it on the chin like Kennedy and works to be what he knows he can, he will make it, if he goes all sooky la la he won’t. I think he will.

 

[Blue Reaper]

I’m eager to see what Dow can eventually do with the new system, coaching & structure, and alongside the improvement of the fab5. Add natural development, and I think he’ll come along in leaps & bounds.

Yep, I’m bullish.

 

[TENACIOUS]

Only my opinion...

Pretty clear Dow is a required player and is in development in the VFL...
Needs to developing his defensive game, learning to run both ways and to run out a full game...

His offensive game has been a real weapon this year in the VFL... So far averaging
Disposals - 31
Clearances - 11 (15 on the weekend)

Long Term - If he can build his defensive game and get fit enough can see him taking a LOB or Setterfield's spot,
allowing Cerra and Walsh to run through the wings.

Short Term - If a midfielder is injured, can see it being between Carroll and Dow to take the next spot

 

[Blueballs38]

Paddy wow gonna come out with his BSD when selected and gonna show why he is a star

 

[Blueballs38]

Only my opinion...

Pretty clear Dow is a required player and is in development in the VFL...
Needs to developing his defensive game, learning to run both ways and to run out a full game...

His offensive game has been a real weapon this year in the VFL... So far averaging
Disposals - 31
Clearances - 11 (15 on the weekend)

Long Term - If he can build his defensive game and get fit enough can see him taking a LOB or Setterfield's spot,
allowing Cerra and Walsh to run through the wings.

Short Term - If a midfielder is injured, can see it being between Carroll and Dow to take the next spot

+1