Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

So who is Dylan suited to playing against? Slow, small guys? Basically he offers next to nothing offensively and as a negating small defender can only play on slow, small guys. If only we could match him up against Gia each week!

It's a fair enough point that he's fairly limited in who he can play against, but he's played some good games this year, so there must be a role for him somewhere, some weeks. When there is, he does it well. Perhaps if we had a better list he'd be a horses for courses/depth player at this stage, but right now he's one of the few defensive smalls we have. He's never going to be a star, but he can play a role.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

I think we are judging Dylan harshly on his game against Brisbane. The truth is that no-one really does well on a leading forward who gets the ball delivered perfectly.
Dylan was a victim of the overall lack of pressure.

He has had a consistent year and while he won't ever be a match winner, every team still needs foot soldiers.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

Vez is a prime example.

On Vez, I'd agree if it were trying him forward. As a defender, he isn't strong defensively, and offensively, we have Murphy, Wood and Howard ahead of him. All 3 are either better/younger, and at the moment I can't see Vez coming back as a defender unless there's an injury.

[Greystache]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

On Vez, I'd agree if it were trying him forward. As a defender, he isn't strong defensively, and offensively, we have Murphy, Wood and Howard ahead of him. All 3 are either better/younger, and at the moment I can't see Vez coming back as a defender unless there's an injury.

Agree.

His best form in AFL footy has been shown as a forward. He should be given a run there and if he can't cut it he should be delisted. He's a similar type to Gia and Higgins, and with Gia appearing to be on his last legs and Higgins' body always questionable he could fill a need as a midsized leading forward.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

On Vez, I'd agree if it were trying him forward. As a defender, he isn't strong defensively, and offensively, we have Murphy, Wood and Howard ahead of him. All 3 are either better/younger, and at the moment I can't see Vez coming back as a defender unless there's an injury.

Agree.

His best form in AFL footy has been shown as a forward. He should be given a run there and if he can't cut it he should be delisted. He's a similar type to Gia and Higgins, and with Gia appearing to be on his last legs and Higgins' body always questionable he could fill a need as a midsized leading forward.

Agreed with both of the above.

I liked the trial down back, but he's much better suited to a role up forward.

[GVGjr]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

Definitely agree with your sentiments, Addison has, overall, been good this year. He's not really suited to playing on a guy like McGrath who still has a bit of pace off the mark, and Addison got exposed on the weekend, but he'll bounce back.

As far as those questioning the signing, whose to say that we hadn't put an offer that was slightly lower than Addison and his management wanted, he played a stinker on the weekend, and they reconsidered? Either way he wasn't going to be delisted and this way we know exactly what we have to play with as far as TPP. I think it's a reasonable outcome.

1: Dylan has had 2-3 times as many good game as poor ones this season.
If we could say this about every player, we would have had more wins than losses.

2: Name me one player on our, or anyone else's list, that is always successful week in and week out playing on every type of opponent. Even Judd and Ablett could not claim that.

He has his faults and weaknesses, but sh1t, so does every other player in the league.
But you cannot doubt his courage, or his effort.
Is it fair to expect more than that of any player?

No he will never be a champion, but if he continues to do his best, continues to improve because of effort, and continues to contribute, I for one would have him in the team. Certainly until we find some one who can and will give us more, which is not the case at present.

[Mantis]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

No he will never be a champion, but if he continues to do his best, continues to improve because of effort, and continues to contribute, I for one would have him in the team. Certainly until we find some one who can and will give us more, which is not the case at present.

If our back 6 had been at or close to full strength this year I doubt Dylan would have played many games.

[Doc26]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

But you cannot doubt his courage, or his effort.

Is it fair to expect more than that of any player?

Certainly until we find some one who can and will give us more, which is not the case at present.

Paulv, in a round about way I think the Dylan nay sayers would be in general agreement with you. The point of difference, if any, is should courage and effort be enough to warrant selection in our Top 22 moving forward without demanding far more in other critical elements that relate more to skill and decision making ?

1. No one can question Dylan's courage or his effort. He has this in spades over most on our list.

2. I would not expect any more from Dylan per se to what he gives us regularly. With that said, courage and effort will take you so far, the key to this point is that he has obvious limitations with his skill level and decision making, particularly under pressure, that as a Club we should ultimately demand greater excellence from players in our Top 22. He's ~25 now, we're not going to see a step change shift in his skill development.

3. At this point Dylan has arguably been in our Top 22 for 2012 given injuries and gaps in our list, that is, I can accept it without necessarily being an advocate. I also accept that he's an easy target that can assist others in escaping more deserving critical assessment.

When we become a serious contender there will not be a spot for Dylan in our Top 22.

[always right]

Re: Western Bulldog Dylan Addison is returning to Sydney - just for the weekend

If our back 6 had been at or close to full strength this year I doubt Dylan would have played many games.

I imagine our first choice back six would look like this....

Hargrave Lake Austen/Morris
Murphy Williams Wood

Of these six, Addison is probably competing against Hargrave, Wood and Murphy. Of these three Murphy and Wood provide good defensive run which Addison doesn't. This means he is really competing with Hargrave for the last spot.

Addison has certainly outperformed Hargrave this year although how much of that is due to injury is not certain. At his best, Hargrave gives our side more than Addison although some might argue that this could be Hargrave's last or second last year so it makes sense to invest time into Addison.

Addison has made the most of his opportunities and I have a soft spot for him but it's difficult to see him being part of any potential premiership tilt in the next three years. On the other hand we are going to be introducing new players into the back six in the next few years so perhaps the coaches see a need for a reliable lockdown, strong bodied defender whilst they build the defensive structure for the future.