AFL Rd 11 2023 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney

[RiverRat]

Dow's strength at U18 level was his ability to burst away from stoppages and blow past defenders who usually didn't have the strength to drag him down. He was continually running and doing what he liked, didn't need many tricks or evasive skills and never had any composure at the end of his runs and just sprayed the ball. But when you get it 40 times a match no one was complaining if at least half of his disposals went in the right direction. He kicked a lot of goals for a mid too and hence he looked like a ready made player who would suit us. The problem is he has never adjusted his game from U18 level or gained the nous and awareness needed and I'm bemused what our assistants and VFL coaches have been doing with him.
He has needed so much more senior football and patience to bring him up to speed and change how he plays...LDU has had that at North and become a player, we have just given up on Dow and let him become a zombie with no identity at the club or at senior level. Its just been a complete development debacle.....

Those observations seem consistent with what he has brought to the table for the Baggers - when he has tried to run with the ball he has generally run in a straight line, which has made him easy to catch, and has not demonstrated any significant evasive skills, which might have been developed by coaching but never were.