Blue Vain wrote:
It's the perennial Paddy Dow time of year.
We all go into the new season hoping he has stepped up and overcome his demons.
But the practice game of 3 weeks ago told the same story. He plays elite instinctive football in the VFL and when he steps up the next level he succumbs to the mental demons that prevent him from playing instinctive football and he second guesses his every move.
He is so averse to kicking the ball that he goes backwards, in circles or simply stops waiting for an option to present.
Bringing him up and down every second week does nothing for his mental health, nor his game.
He has 22 games left in his career at best to salvage his AFL career IMHO. Personally I would reprogram him in the VFL and forbid him to handball the ball. Force him to kick no matter the situation. Then later in the season, I would bring him into the seniors with the same instruction. Re-establish his instincts with kicking only. That is his only hope IMHO.
Once he plays on instinct, he has the ability to become a high quality AFL player. He's strong, reads the ball well in contested situations and he has superb hands.
But until the space between his ears is repaired, he's going nowhere. The match committee made the right decision to leave him out, in my opinion.
As for selection, I suspect Plowman may come in for Martin as the 7th defender, Doc into the midfield rotation and I wouldn't be overly surprised to see the ruckman as the sub.
Great post. Agree with all of it.
I get a feeling that Dow Vossy situation has a bit of the Ratten Fisher feel about it.
Last Thursday Dow looked really strong and was strong. He brushed off bigger players and kicked goals. He has a long kick on him. Can kick from 50, like Honey almost.
Honestly I wrote him off years ago, but hoped he could live up to expectation/ potential. He looked like a man against boys out there. That’s what stood out to me. He looked different. He just needs a little bit of toughness and two way running in his AFL game. Only one way to prove it though. He’s not even an emergency.
Maybe Vossy is reconditioning him.