#13 Dale Thomas

Robbo.D.yobbo · Post by **Robbo.D.yobbo** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:09 am

he should definantly play in NAB cup and maybe in round 1 against the cows

happy new year evry1 ive been at queensland for 3 weeks on holiday

loki04 · Post by **loki04** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:50 pm

The longer players play in an inferior grade (VFL) and don't play at a higher grade (AFL) the slower they come on I reckon exspose him to AFL asap in a pocket roving off Rocca ,Tarrant, Rusling and T.Cloke as much as possible if the 4 of them can't look after him no 1 could.

Zakal · Post by **Zakal** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:33 pm

Yeah agreed.
THe Hawks of the 80s used to develop all their players at Box Hill for ages before they let them loose into the Seniors..but that doesnt seem to be the case anymore.

Especially not for someone considered good enough to go at No.2 in teh draft.
Players like Cooney, Wells, Hodge, Coughlan, Franklin, Deledio etc were all thrown into the deep end from the word go.

If I was Thomas, I would get more confidence from being selected in the Seniors, even if it meant a lot of bench time, than being left at Willi.

Give the kid a chance if he deserves it, if he needs to be dropped back after a few weeks, do it. He cant possibly expect to be a permanent fixture in the side in his first year, but he can expect a chance. Especially if he's working hard for it.

Culprit · Post by **Culprit** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:36 pm

If we had a real Reserve squad I would agree keep him down. Willy is pretend Reserves, half the squad are not Collingwood players and VFL standard is overated.

Lazza · Post by **Lazza** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:48 pm

Culprit wrote:If we had a real Reserve squad I would agree keep him down. Willy is pretend Reserves, half the squad are not Collingwood players and VFL standard is overated.

I agree. IF the club believes that he is good enough, play him in the seniors first up. I remember much younger players like Rene Kink and Stephen Clifford playing Collingwood seniors at around 16 years because they were good enough. The youngest player to play for the the 'pies was 15. If he is good enough, play him. Simple as that.

Robbo.D.yobbo · Post by **Robbo.D.yobbo** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:58 pm

we did that to matty lokan and look at him now im sure he is sweeping the streets somewhere dont worry

Lazza · Post by **Lazza** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:18 pm

Robbo.D.yobbo wrote:we did that to matty lokan and look at him now im sure he is sweeping the streets somewhere dont worry

You missed the most important bit, "IF he is good enough". Obviously Matty Lokan wasn't. In my very humble opinion, Thomas will be HEAPS better than Matty Lokan.

Zakal · Post by **Zakal** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:29 pm

Hang on...whatd we do to Lokan?

He joined us at 20...Thomas is 17 (from memory)....What were we going to do with Lokan...play him antoher 2 years at Willi?

(well if you ask me...even that would have been a waste of time..but anyway)

Two different situations...two completely different players...and please god let that be the last comparison drawn between our #2 draft pick and Lokan.

Post by **RudeBoy** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:15 pm

There doesn't seem to be any doubt that he's good enough, but that's not the issue. The question is whether his physique is mature enough to withstand the physical demands of senior AFL footy. I don't know a lot about the kid, but he himself has said that he needs to beef up a bit to play senior footy. If he's physically up to it, then i say play him, otherwise wait until he is ready. Remember, that circumstances (injuries to so many other players) forced Collingwood to play Rusling last year before he was quite physically ready, and he ended up with a severe shoulder injury. I'd hate to see Dale get smashed, at this early stage. Apart from the risk of injury, it could dent his confidence. Remember, we've hopefully got a 10 year player here, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to rush. Whichever way it goes, I reckon Mick will make the right call.

Post by **Cam** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:36 pm

The VFL is no place for very talented young men. Play Egan there, but play Thomas in the ones plz.

Zakal · Post by **Zakal** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:20 pm

Johnson#26 · Post by **Johnson#26** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:51 pm

Zakal wrote:Whats that about him being a long term prospect? I thought we didnt get Ellis cos we didnt wanted someone who could play in the shorter term?

Both are long term prospects. Thomas will play in 2006, though. All class.

The VFL is no place for very talented young men. Play Egan there, but play Thomas in the ones plz.

Can't agree more.

ad4eva · Post by **ad4eva** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:25 pm

Personally i thought he played really well...

http://collingwoodfc.com.au/default.asp ... eid=247824

Carders · Post by **Carders** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:14 pm

Fire Up · Post by **Fire Up** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:25 pm

of course he has not experienced noise like that in the final qtr. it was his 1st game of afl footy not the under 18 comp. if he wants more he has to play well

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#13 Dale Thomas

Dale Thomas - Held up well