#1 Leon Davis

[leon is #1]

no MM will give him a chance 2 prove himself and then they will go from there.

[Johnson#26]

Not this week, sorry mate. I can't see who else Magic can squeeze out, other then Ben Davies, who will be replaced (most likely) by Josh Fraser.

[leon is #1]

thats alrite but i dont think Fraser will b put bak into the side at least not this week i think cos fanning did a really good job MM will stick wif him and i dont know if Davies goes out who will replace him.

[DaVe86]

OK before everyone jumps on my back that i am a cameron cloke bagger, i am just looking at it practically. If Fraser comes back, i doubt Fanning will be dropped and with Trav and Tarrant looking a good mix up forward, walker and cam will probably struggle to find a spot. Id say leon will come in for davies after mick seemingly refused to give him game time on the weekend. Either that or we will try and play tall, but hawthorns midfield is operating well and we may have to have fresh running players coming off the bench. Although Peter Everitt is in unbelievable form and we may want 3 big ruckman to share the load. Fanning to start with cam and fraser up forward, or cam following everitt around the ground. Going tall may cause everitt to play accountbable instead of roaming free. Interesting to see selection this week. I am hoping davis gets a game, although id probably like to see yakka have a go ahead of him

[surfer1]

OK before everyone jumps on my back that i am a cameron cloke bagger, i am just looking at it practically. If Fraser comes back, i doubt Fanning will be dropped and with Trav and Tarrant looking a good mix up forward, walker and cam will probably struggle to find a spot. Id say leon will come in for davies after mick seemingly refused to give him game time on the weekend. Either that or we will try and play tall, but hawthorns midfield is operating well and we may have to have fresh running players coming off the bench. Although Peter Everitt is in unbelievable form and we may want 3 big ruckman to share the load. Fanning to start with cam and fraser up forward, or cam following everitt around the ground. Going tall may cause everitt to play accountbable instead of roaming free. Interesting to see selection this week. I am hoping davis gets a game, although id probably like to see yakka have a go ahead of him

DaVe86 that is a very thoughful and incisive bit of writing I agree fully

[Johnson#26]

thats alrite but i dont think Fraser will b put bak into the side at least not this week i think cos fanning did a really good job MM will stick wif him and i dont know if Davies goes out who will replace him.

Fraser is primed to return, from the mouth of MM.

Dave, well said. Cameron Cloke is horribly out of form and touch, not entirely his fault. I like the kid, what with all his passion and showmanship. He obviously loves the limelight, and will be a person who will be good off the field in the media. However, after rucking out rounds 2-6, then 8-9, he is physically gone, and so ealry into the seaosn, its important he rests. Give him a week or two's break, then throw him back into the action. Fanning has earnt his spot in the ruck on the back of his brave effort against the competitions most inform ruckman, Dean Cox. Our forward line now will look like this:

HF: Caracella, T.Cloke, Didak.
FF: Egan, Tarrant, Fraser.
R: Fanning.

I too, cannot see a place where Tex an currently fit in.

[sherrife]

I think its now or never for MM to find a position for Tex and leave him there. Clearly there is no room for him in the forward line on current form, so if he is to be a forward, he needs to be dropped and informed of this. As a forward, i doubt Tex has a future with the pies.

However if he is to be a backman, he needs to be played there for the entire game and told to focus on defensive stuff during training, for even as a defender he is struggling to find his niche.

Mick, give Tex some direction!

[DaVe86]

Yep tex needs direction. I think cam although has not done anything brilliant has been brave too. Last week fannings job was excellent but it must be noted that cam got 10 hitouts to fannings 8. Fanning was probably more effected however. Cam would still be pretty unlucky to miss out on selection, but if it comes down to a choice between fraser, cloke and fanning with only 2 to be selected, i think it would be fanning and fraser as they are two specialist ruckman whereas cloke is a forward. Id like to see cloke earn his spot up forward. With rocca out at the moment there is never a better chance for him. Unfortunately he has been outplayed by his younger brother for the centre half forward spot and if fraser comes back, josh will probably take the 3rd tall.

I really see a spot for cam in our future when rocca retires, but i think he should get a full game up forward in the ressies. Id love our forward line in the reserves to be cloke, leon davis, rusling and davidson. That may be the sort of forward line we will be using in the future if tarrant is out. Let them dominate the forward line there and once they start kicking bags of goals, promote them. Rusling has probably done enough to gain selection soon enough as well. Definately competition for spots, unfortunately i dont think enough has been shown at senior level by cloke and walker. Davis needs to find some touch as well.

All depends on the availability of josh, because if fit, he is a certain starter

[Johnson#26]

Agree on Tex. The guy is an athlete first, then a footballer. He has the complete package to become one of the best players in the league - except for two major componants - agression and a football brain. His height poses a problem for all, and his kicking is 'textbook' - pardon the pun - when he actually gets the ball. His home is the goalsquare as a full forward. He has a strong lead and good hands (generally). He looked great in the Wizard Cup leading from the square, and is normally accurate infront of the big sticks. But how does he generate the agression? I'm not sure. That blow landed on Akermanis in the 2003 Quallifying Final was brilliant, and has set his standards - showing us what destruction he is capable of. But can he do it consistantly? I'm not convinced. The coaches obviously think they have something to work with, recently signing him to a two year deal. If we were able to mix both his and Cameron Cloke together we would have one hell of a footballer. I'm afriad he has been squeezed out of a young and tall side, and it will be hard for him to find a way back at the moment.

[LaurieHolden]

Davis' journey of culture, connection and creating change
As a Noongar man growing up on Ballardong country, leaving his hometown in pursuit of becoming the Collingwood legend he ultimately became wasn’t an easy decision for Leon Davis

https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1 ... ing-change

[LaurieHolden]

While the entire show is worth watching for the players invited on as part of Sir Doug Nicholls round celebrations, from the 25-minute mark the Leon Davis interview is a cracker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaGr1mz ... FootyBits5