Analysis Dale Thomas

[Impromptu]

No one will doubt that Dale Thomas of Collingwood has raw talent and SuperCoach potential. But will SuperCoach potential turn to actual?

Name - Dale Thomas (COL)
Position - MID/FWD
Price - $515,800
Average - 96.4 (17), 109.3 (19), 94.1 (22), 74.1 (19), 78.6 (20)
Draw - NTH, CAR, HAW, RIC, ESS, STK, FRE, GEE, SYD, BRIS, MEL, WBD, BYE

Daisy Thomas forms part of the elite midfield of Collingwood and plays a role in the 'Collingwood Conundrum'.

After having Thomas in my SuperCoach team in 2012, I must say Thomas would be the most frustrating player to have in your team as a MID. I actually watched a few of the Pies games and Thomas definitely has talent, however unfortunately he is a very inconsistent player. If Thomas was categorised as a pure midfield, he would be a straight-up 'No'. However, in SuperCoach 2013, Thomas has been categorised as a MID/FWD which again brings him back into my calculations, 'Entrapment' (which was coincidentaly on TV tonight) at its best!!

REASONS FOR DALE THOMAS

In the last 3 years, Thomas has averaged 96.4 (17), 109.3 (19) and 94.1 (22) and as a forward that is possibly a fringe top 6 forward, possibly a top 12 forward.

Now I am probably clutching at straws by trying to put up an argument for Thomas but Thomas' average of 96.4 includes a score of 23 (SYD), where Thomas was subbed off. Thomas' average of 96.4 also includes scores of 64(CAR) and 69(GEE), which are Thomas' score before and after Thomas' 4 week ankle injury and a 62 against Hawthorn, where he missed the following week. If you don't include those 4 scores of 23, 64, 69 and 62, Thomas' average jumps to 109.

Before I get shot down for picking and choosing which scores to include and exclude into my calculations, all I'm saying is if you are injured and you finish the game off, you generally don't play at your full potential nor score well. Also generally if you have a 4 week injury and come back you don't normally play at your peak.

Remember, this year, we are comparing Thomas with other forwards and not midfielders and I reiterate an average of 95 while is not great is decent, if you are priced at 95 and compared with other forwards.

Also, looking at the Rowsus' analysis of the 'Collingwood Conundrum', it appears that Thomas actually benefits when all 6 of the noted midfielders play with an average of 102.5 across 13 games, which I accept includes Sidebottom and Beams' scores in their early years.

REASONS AGAINST DALE THOMAS

As aforementioned, Thomas is a party to the 'Collingwood Conundrum' with the obvious question, how will Luke Ball impact Thomas' scoring? The answer is we don't know but based on past statistic Thomas' SuperCoach scores actually improve with Ball in the team.

Thomas can also be inconsistent and I have seen patches where Thomas was MIA (unfortunately). Thomas is one of those players where you don't really know what Thomas can do with a very low trough and a very high peak. Furthermore, Thomas is not that durable.

If you choose Thomas in your team, be expecting some brilliance in some passages of play and lots of frustration from Thomas. I distinctly recall Thomas taking a great mark in his defensive goal square, then played on (when he didn't need to), then kicking the ball and his ankle got caught and was injured. The ball ricochet and I vaguely recall the end result was the other team kicked a goal with Thomas' play on. Obviously, having Thomas in my team, my first question was, why did you play on when you were in the defence goal square!

Another thing that must be considered is with Ryder, Cox, Naitanui and Roughhead all having RUC/FWD DPP attributes, the question is do we play these rucks in the forward who appear quite consistent. I think Thomas' selection will depend on when Naitanui commences his pre-season training as 'Naitanui underwent Groin surgery' in the pre-season. It will be a domino effect depending on Naitanui.

Also note that 'Thomas recent had an operation and was a Moonboot', so I'll be monitoring Thomas over the pre-season carefully.

However, for me the fact that Thomas is a MID/FWD is very enticing.

My current verdict is Watch(3) and near Likely(2) in selecting Daisy Thomas.

Verdict: WATCH(3)

 

[OzRulesFootball]

When I look sat the FWD/MID options Thomas I place in a category of choosing out of him, Bartel and Stevie J. I think I MIGHT take one of them but not convinced whether they represent good bang for buck situation or their prices are basically on the mark of what they should be.
I sense Thomas being younger has more upside in what he might return for me than the other two. However Rockliff I think can score bigger so I think he is my 1st choice FWD/MID player. Sylvia respresents a cheaper option so I think most of us will atleast have 2 out of these 5 players but as you say the initial price spent in forward will depend oh how much we invest in the FWD/RUC rich options to pick as forwards.
He is also in my watch category.

 

[IDIG]

Very frustrating player to have but as a DPP is a completely different proposition. Definitely does have the upside but i think he illustrates how a player with potential upside can be affected by those around him. Less time in the middle again for him this year i wouldve thought.

 

[Nk29]

Any interest at all died when I found out he had an ankle injury. Prefer Rockliff or Johnson at his price.

 

[Goodie's Guns]

Any interest at all died when I found out he had an ankle injury. Prefer Rockliff or Johnson at his price.

Will take Rockliff ahead of him, to inconsistent for mine and shares him time between midfield and defence. Also the 'Collingwood Conundrum' and with Ball added back in his midfield time could be even more on the down.

 

[johno686]

Like Daisy and will be watching over the preseason comp to see if he can get a starting gig in my side.

 

[supergirl]

Unlikely but watching. Dale Thomas, I cannot see breaking out a reasonable amount of high ceilings in 2013. And with Bucks style of play going through the guts more often the little tacker Dale on the wing will not see so much of the boundary. When he does get the ball on the wing he is likely to do more 1%'ers and spot up targets in CHF rather than get in and under and be a magnet. Way to many onballers in Pies to get decent points. However having said that his fwd position may give you the stability you need in fwd line.

 

[BuddyLove]

Great write up as always

Lets assume he overcomes his injury and plays a preseason.
If you were happy to take Daisy in 2012 priced at 109 as a mid only then surely he is an absolute certainly to make your team as a DPP priced at 96?

 

[Nk29]

He's fairly inconsistent so could make a good upgrade target, especially with an injury affected preseason.

 

[mpollock]

I am deciding between Thomas, Robinson, Bruest and S.Johnson.

I think Bruest has the potential to beat all of these players if he gets midfield time ... but that is a big if.

Not sure if the NAB cup will show us much to split these guys ...

Don't see a lot of upside in Bartel and S.Johnson to be honest ...

(Already think Rockliff and Martin are locks.)

 

[Rowsus]

I am deciding between Thomas, Robinson, Bruest and S.Johnson.

I think Bruest has the potential to beat all of these players if he gets midfield time ... but that is a big if.

Not sure if the NAB cup will show us much to split these guys ...

Don't see a lot of upside in Bartel and S.Johnson to be honest ...

(Already think Rockliff and Martin are locks.)

Agree with you on Breust. Unfortunately, NAB Cup can be just as misleading as it can be a tool for finding information.

 

[mpollock]

Yep. He is training well and was running around his teammates like they were "witches hats" apparently. Just no idea what his role will be. Even as a forward however he could average around 90 ... wouldn't expect to lose money on him.