It's his defensive running that is the problem. He's looked really poor when the opposition has it.
Rowell will have his injuries as an excuse for 5 years.
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Welcome to Tiger land Riley Collier’Dawkins
- Thread starter rinso17
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Rowell will have his injuries as an excuse for 5 years.
Well we certainly could have used some centre clearance help on Saturday, that's for sure.
Running is his issue - needs to run all day, both ways. Can find ball and use it. Just needs to get to contest after contest.
He is not a two way runner like The Meatball, who is sooooooo good at getting back to help the defense.
Are we too obsessed with defensive running?
I don't recall Dusty running defensively ever in his early games. or even now
Paddy Cripps wouldn't do too much defensive running.
Can we just harness RCD's strengths and see how he goes? His tank may improve with time and experience and confidence.
I get the feeling that we overplay this aspect of our players development. I get the well rounded game and all that but....
Rioli has shown what he can do when he doesn't have to chase arse and cover grass
Ross looks confused and buggered running up and down the wing
get runners to run and ball players to get the ball.
dunno - could be wrong.
I am not even sure a running coach will fix this issue.
Maybe he just cant run or ever have that aerobic capacity to be that transitional midfielder?
I see more upside in Martyn than RCD in being that transitional midfielder we need.
All fair points but I suspect the club and coach want the defensive aspects to be improved.
Wait. What?
Are you saying we should be comparing RCD to players his age and not our stars like Lambo and Dion?
Are you sure?
Tend to agree. I think RCD needs to improve defensively, but given his ability in the clinches to extract the ball I'd hope there's no requirement for it to get to Graham levels.
The trouble is you can't make exceptions for all but a select few otherwise no one does any defensive running.
That is quite possible, SA.
I hate seeing playing in the reserves. No coincidence that a few kids had their best games against the 18th team on the ladder.
Would like to see him play the last two games.
Would like to see him play the last two games.
I think is problem is finding the ball, it was his achilles heel as a junior. When you're predominantly in the middle you're alway going to get a clearance or two. Don't think he has a problem using it, particularly his quick hands.
I'm just mildly concerned that an inside midfielder in his 3rd year when most of our midfield was injured, that he only managed 8 games at 14 disposals and 6 contested a game.
Really when you look at it the VFL has been largely non existent for the last 2 years. Makes development of draftees problematic imo.
RCD still has a lot of development to come & time to do it.
That's right, there have been so few VFL games and very disjointed season this year after a lost season in 2020. Development of young players is very difficult at the moment.
DS
Yes and that's when the class comes out in times of limited development. I wouldn't say a lot of time to do it. Starts next year as a 22yo in his 4th year on the list. Graham is only 2 years older, Bolton 1 year, Stack is younger. Gives a bit of perspective. RCD is contracted next year and he'll want to start impressing, I don't think he'll be given the luxury of developing in the reserves for another 2 years. Time to shine.
I,da say that 14 disposals a game is reasonable for a young pup.
Contested ratio is good too.
BUT agree that next year is no more excuses and he has to show more
The club needs to be honest with where he is at, and perhaps make a tough call. If we look to bring in one or two midfielders with experience from other clubs (eg. Taranto and/or Cerra), it just relegates RCD further back in the pecking order. Right now, he has some trade value as other clubs will pay overs based on his potential. Another year wallowing in the VFL, and he loses virtually all trade value.
Average speed across the ground. May not be the fastest out of the blocks, but will keep it going all game. 
