are we in troubke with zac down back?

[MC Gusto]

did he play above himself last season or will we see an even better zac this season?

i am a little nervous about zac this year. i am not here to knock the boy. think he did fantastically well last year and am really hoping for a repeat or even a increase but i just worry about the way he looked against the likes of barry this pre-season.

thoughts?

[saintlee]

did he play above himself last season or will we see an even better zac this season?

i am a little nervous about zac this year. i am not here to knock the boy. think he did fantastically well last year and am really hoping for a repeat or even a increase but i just worry about the way he looked against the likes of barry this pre-season.

thoughts?

I agree that Zac is a concern when matched up on the gorilla forwards like Hall....but I think he goes alright against most forwards.....

Basically Zac is best when he gets plenty of support from the other backs, and he offers a bit offensively which is his strength....

Are we in trouble with him? I don't think so as long as our team defense is working

[chook23]

For a starter needs to put back on the 6-8kg he lost over the summer......
illness?

bulked up a bit before last season......

looks the skinny kid again that was rag dolled before coming to saints.

[SENsei]

Zac will do okay against Jesse Smith.

Wouldn't have him anywhere near Daniel Bradshaw. Blake to Bradshaw.

[Bernard Shakey]

Our defence is not built on individuals, it is a team defence and Zac does his role admirably. Does need to put a few kilos back on though.

[ytw]

Zac will do okay against Jesse Smith.

Wouldn't have him anywhere near Daniel Bradshaw. Blake to Bradshaw.

I'm pretty sure Jesse Smith isn't quite ready to play.

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

[bigred]

He is part of the defensive unit.

It is not just Zac, it is the five other defenders, plus the mids that make up our defensive unit.

Far out we were the best defensive team in sixty years in 2009.

Can we at least play one game in 2010 before writing them off?

[saintlee]

He is part of the defensive unit.

It is not just Zac, it is the five other defenders, plus the mids that make up our defensive unit.

Far out we were the best defensive team in sixty years in 2009.

Can we at least play one game in 2010 before writing them off?

Not sure anyone is writing him off in this thread

[SENsei]

Zac will do okay against Jesse Smith.

Wouldn't have him anywhere near Daniel Bradshaw. Blake to Bradshaw.

I'm pretty sure Jesse Smith isn't quite ready to play.

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

Yes you are quite white. Wrong Jesse. I could've put Jesse James and then I'd have Sandra Bullock correcting me.

My point is that Zac will be able to compete body on body with White and then run off him. Bradshaw is too fast on the lead for him.

But that's only my opinion.

[degruch]

He is part of the defensive unit.

It is not just Zac, it is the five other defenders, plus the mids that make up our defensive unit.

Far out we were the best defensive team in sixty years in 2009.

Can we at least play one game in 2010 before writing them off?

Not sure anyone is writing him off in this thread

Well, 'Are we in touble with Zac down back?' does have a negative spin to it. What about 'Are we in trouble with Gilbert down back?', I've seen him have a few shockers too. As Big Red has pointed out, it's a definsive unit, even with one player down on form, we shouldn't have a problem, as long as everyone plays their part. I've seen nothing to suggest Zac isn't towing the team line.

So, in a short response to the OP. Nup.

[saintsRrising]

thoughts?

Zac has been ill and has lost mass and condition.

Lets see how he goes when he is fully fit and recovered again.

Also in the "real stuff" there wll be greater supporting pressure from his team-mates.

[Eastern]

For a starter needs to put back on the 6-8kg he lost over the summer......
illness?

This

We can only imagine the pain that Dave Misson would be inflicting on Zac in an effort to get him back to his playing weight/condition as soon as possible. I'm thinking (and hoping) that we will see a massive difference in Zac's confidence & form over the next 3-4 weeks !!

[SainterK]

Nice avatar Saint Lee.

You can disagree with me, but I don't think he has been so bad.

Kept Barry Hall to only two goals over three quarters in the NAB cup final, we then had two injuries to guys in our backline, one went off and one remained on...and obviously shouldn't of.

Agree with Bernard, there is no 'I' in defence

[saintlee]

Nice avatar Saint Lee.

You can disagree with me, but I don't think he has been so bad.

Kept Barry Hall to only two goals over three quarters in the NAB cup final, we then had two injuries to guys in our backline, one went off and one remained on...and obviously shouldn't of.

Agree with Bernard, there is no 'I' in defence

Thanks.

I don't disagree with you at all. I like Zac, I think he is the best choice for FB we have. I have consistantly supported him in my posts, but I am not blind to his weaknesses.

As I said in my first post on this threat, he offers offensive abilities which is a big plus, but he does struggle a bit with Gorilla forwards....

He is best when he gets plenty of support from team mates.

[Saintsfan]

Tomorrow night we might see how important Sam Fisher is to our defence. Without him helping Dawson out we might be in for a long night as signs towards the end of the season and the beginning of this season pointed out the problems within Dawson's game.

[bergholt]

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

zac's 194 or 195, depending on who you believe.

white's 196cm.

not that much difference between them in height, though white at 105kg is about ten kilos heavier.

[Saintsfan]

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

zac's 194 or 195, depending on who you believe.

white's 196cm.

not that much difference between them in height, though white at 105kg is about ten kilos heavier.

Jesse White is faster, stronger and heavier than Dawson.

[SainterK]

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

zac's 194 or 195, depending on who you believe.

white's 196cm.

not that much difference between them in height, though white at 105kg is about ten kilos heavier.

Jesse White is faster, stronger and heavier than Dawson.

Stronger and heavier I'll give you, faster not sure, nothing that can't be outplayed with skill and endeavour.

[bergholt]

And Jesse White - who i assume you're talking about - is significantly taller than Zac, so I'm not so sure he will do okay against him.

If I remember correctly, White was originally drafted as a ruckman.

zac's 194 or 195, depending on who you believe.

white's 196cm.

not that much difference between them in height, though white at 105kg is about ten kilos heavier.

Jesse White is faster, stronger and heavier than Dawson.

Stronger and heavier I'll give you, faster not sure, nothing that can't be outplayed with skill and endeavour.

i would have backed max in against white any day of the week, and max at his peak was only 191cm and 93kg. quick though - that's obviously the main query on zac.

[bobmurray]

How does someone "play above themselves".....

that phrase is such a crock.....

A player can only play to the best of his ability ,either consistently or now and then....

[St Fidelius]

did he play above himself last season or will we see an even better zac this season?

i am a little nervous about zac this year. i am not here to knock the boy. think he did fantastically well last year and am really hoping for a repeat or even a increase but i just worry about the way he looked against the likes of barry this pre-season.

thoughts?

Can you please tell me just how a player can "play above himself"????

and whilst you are there just how is that possible, ALL LAST SEASON???

As Sam Fisher said at the B&F...

"Zac is a Great player" (Just before he gave Zac a huge hug)

In most cases it's not just the one backman that plays on a good FF and more often than not that FF gets double teamed, unfortunately, Sam will not be in our defence for a little while.

Hall kicked 5 of his 7 goals in the last quarter and at least 3 of those goals were when our mid field eased up knowing it was pointless busting their gut as the pre season comp was over.

I really can't understand the worry about Zac and the constant posts about a replacement player to play at FB.

[busso mick]

Zac Dawson came off the rookie list at a new club, got picked in Round 1 last year and was playing all year for a place on the list. Now that he has that security he may have backed off a little in his intensity. Wait and see how he goes after the first 3 or 4 rounds, if he isn't producing then we all know what will happen. I'm sure SOS and the coaching staff will be able to get him playing the way we know he can play.

[Con Gorozidis]

thoughts?

Zac has been ill and has lost mass and condition.

Lets see how he goes when he is fully fit and recovered again.

Also in the "real stuff" there wll be greater supporting pressure from his team-mates.

can u give more information on the nature and duration of his illness?

can we get him on the weights and protein powders??

[Batnoe]

has anyone confirmed his illness or are we just speculating?

[borderbarry]

AT no time last season did I think Zac was a better player than Max, yet they kept playing him!