Gards
Jaws
Hasn't been the same since those injuries/suspensions mid year or whatever whenever it was. Was in and out of the team and battling fitness
Tackle % fallen from typical mid/high 90% (Tolman tier) to somewhere in the 80% range (2021 Rudolf Tier) + handling errors crept into his game
I think his carries with the ball the last 2 games (finals) have actually been pretty good, maybe as good or better than even earlier in the year. He seems to have put his energy and intensity into that part of his game at least and perhaps his injury doesn't hamper him as much in that regard.
Was going to say something last week which might have been controversial but I don't think it would seem that controversial now, was kinda along the lines of I don't think Dale has been that amazing for us.
It's too early to be saying he is past it though or that 4 years is too long, he was good first half of season and was fairly typical Dale so I think it's fair to give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he comes back in 2023. He didn't just suddenly regress as a player or lose all that experience he has accumulated - more likely fitness/temporary form slump.
His leadership and passion is an asset and will be even more crucial with Fifs moving on and depending what happens with Wade. In his early 30's in theory he should be around his prime now as a forward.
A few weeks ago Dale was not playing (suspension IIRC) but he was still on the sidelines during our warmup barking instructions and encouragement. I love that sorta stuff from players.
Was it a mistake for Fitz to select him for the finals? That's speculative and hypothetical at this point.
Dale would be keen as guts to play and would do everything he could to convince Fitz he was good to go and for our coach it would be hard to leave out a player of Dales quality if he is available for selection, especially when we have ended up going down a forward or 2 from injury. Plus Dale is a tough bugger and their would be input, guidance and support from medical staff.
Play one of young forwards in his place, maybe they have a rough night at the office as well.
It wasn't quite at the level of picking Paul Gallen with one working knee and shoulder because there was no one else. Sometimes you roll the dice either way and it can work or not and as I already said Dales carries were actually strong IMO so it wasn't all bad.
I felt sorry for Dale missing that tackle, he is better than that. Don't get me wrong I was filthy he missed it and we expect that tackle to be made. It makes it look even worse when it happens up field and the ball carriers gets to streak away smiling all the way to your try line.
Tackle % fallen from typical mid/high 90% (Tolman tier) to somewhere in the 80% range (2021 Rudolf Tier) + handling errors crept into his game
I think his carries with the ball the last 2 games (finals) have actually been pretty good, maybe as good or better than even earlier in the year. He seems to have put his energy and intensity into that part of his game at least and perhaps his injury doesn't hamper him as much in that regard.
Was going to say something last week which might have been controversial but I don't think it would seem that controversial now, was kinda along the lines of I don't think Dale has been that amazing for us.
It's too early to be saying he is past it though or that 4 years is too long, he was good first half of season and was fairly typical Dale so I think it's fair to give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he comes back in 2023. He didn't just suddenly regress as a player or lose all that experience he has accumulated - more likely fitness/temporary form slump.
His leadership and passion is an asset and will be even more crucial with Fifs moving on and depending what happens with Wade. In his early 30's in theory he should be around his prime now as a forward.
A few weeks ago Dale was not playing (suspension IIRC) but he was still on the sidelines during our warmup barking instructions and encouragement. I love that sorta stuff from players.
Was it a mistake for Fitz to select him for the finals? That's speculative and hypothetical at this point.
Dale would be keen as guts to play and would do everything he could to convince Fitz he was good to go and for our coach it would be hard to leave out a player of Dales quality if he is available for selection, especially when we have ended up going down a forward or 2 from injury. Plus Dale is a tough bugger and their would be input, guidance and support from medical staff.
Play one of young forwards in his place, maybe they have a rough night at the office as well.
It wasn't quite at the level of picking Paul Gallen with one working knee and shoulder because there was no one else. Sometimes you roll the dice either way and it can work or not and as I already said Dales carries were actually strong IMO so it wasn't all bad.
I felt sorry for Dale missing that tackle, he is better than that. Don't get me wrong I was filthy he missed it and we expect that tackle to be made. It makes it look even worse when it happens up field and the ball carriers gets to streak away smiling all the way to your try line.
