Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

[Bornadog]

Tory had an unlucky 2014 with a nasty shoulder injury, but was a handy goal kicker the previous couple of seasons. This year there are many options for the forward pocket Half forward lines, so competition will be tough. I like Tory playing deep as he seems to get lost up the ground.

The advantage Tory has is some experience with 34 games and 48 goals, but realistically, is he best 22, and if not how many games will he play.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

I think he's a forward, which is an obvious statement. We have smalls, bigger and Boyd now across size and speed. I'm not sure whether he and Grant can both fit into the 22. But I like the competition for spots so he's one I hope puts his hand up for best 22.

[Axe Man]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Dickson has never been our leading goalkicker. Of course he has never played a full season either. If he plays something close to 22 games in 2015 he could well go close as he seems to be good for 2 goals a game when fit and in form.

That said he has some really stiff competition for a spot in the forward line, even with the departure of Gia. My guess is 10-12 games. He could be a possible candidate for the sub vest at times as well.

[Bornadog]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Dickson has never been our leading goalkicker.

Cheers, edited now to handy goal kicker

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

I'd have Dickson before Grant any day of the week. Grant has infinitely more talent and class, but we don't see it.

Unfortunately for Dickson, I think we'll probably see him spending most of his time in the Footscray team.

[Maddog37]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Really unsure on this one. Many a dangerous forward pocket has come and gone in a heartbeat though so the odds are probably not great.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

He's a really interesting player. Given the Gia retirement, there's certainly room for Dickson in our forward line, but given the number of options we have for marking players who are mobile (Stringer, Crameri, Bontempelli, and the small brigade of Stevens, Hunter and Hrovat who'll rotate through and are comfortable marking) I struggle to find a spot for him in our best 22. Grant faces the same struggle for mine, despite being a different player to Dickson.

The fact is, we still haven't seen the best of Tory and he may surprise this year if he can get some continuity with his football. He's a clever player who should go a bit better than a goal a game, and possibly a couple if given the chance, so if he finds his way in, we should be confident he'll go OK.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

The bloke just kicks goals. He just hits the scoreboard and finds a way to consistently do it. I would love him in best 22, I also think he will be.

[F'scary]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Dickson has a quite a bit to offer as he is a proven goal sneak, a reliable set shot within 45 metres and a more than useful smaller marking target in the forward line. The competition is tough but if Dickson hits good, consistent form in the VFL he may get a sustained run in the seniors perhaps as much as 11 games, maybe even leading to first dibs on a forward spot in 2016.

[josie]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Might be our next Gia/super sub.

I like the fact he is a reliable kick for goal. Good luck to him. He has had to work hard and although I know it's not relevant to whether he should be in side or not, I respect the fact he is a young father who has had to be sole parent.

Go Tory !! I hope you make the 22 early in season and cement your spot.

Also with Crameri possibly missing part of season I'm thinking it is more likely Tory will be in starting 22 or super sub.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

The problem with best 22 is you can only have 22. Whenever I see Dickson named in the squad I'm happy with the selection, but if reports are true of the preseason improvement in the likes of Bonti, Stringer, etc. then I can't see Tory getting a game once Crameri returns.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Dickson is playing in the wrong era. You simply cannot be a one trick pony (ie. forward pocket only), unless you're of absolute elite quality ala Ballantyne/Walters.

For that reason I can't see him playing beyond 15 games this season, or more realistically having a long term future. He's a specialist forward who does know where the goals are and is good in one on one situations, but if he's even 5% off his game he's basically irrelevant, because he's a liability up the field and isn't a creative forward (such as Dahl). He is a pure finisher.

He'll get his chances and he'll need to take them.

[GVGjr]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Dickson is playing in the wrong era. You simply cannot be a one trick pony (ie. forward pocket only), unless you're of absolute elite quality ala Ballantyne/Walters.

While I get what you are saying I really don't think we should call him a one tick pony given the injuries he has experienced each season which hasn't given himself a great chance of getting fit enough. To me he needs to get that chance of rotating through the midfield a bit more even if it needs to be at Footscray for a few weeks.

To me, he is in our best 22 and I am still happy to have him on the list.

I look forward to seeing how he performs in the early part of the season.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

If Dickson is playing it means we have got injuries. Not in our best team but very handy for depth.

[Greystache]

Re: Tory Dickson - What will his season be like in 2015

Barring injury I think he'll be a reliable goal kicker. If he can play 20+ games he'll get up around 40 goals. That will put him in the top couple at the club in 2015.

I shake my head at how readily people write Dickson off, yet in the same sentence pump up Jarrad Grant. Dickson is a better player who's done more with far fewer opportunities.