Rate a Tiger's year - 14. Dean Polo?

[one-eyed]

What did we all make of Deano's year?

He missed out on selection for the round 1 catastrophe but came in and cemented a spot as a back-pocket for the whole year. Polo earned 20 or more disposals on 7 occasions up to round 13 but never reached the 20-possie mark in the last 9 rounds.

           Games    Disp.   Marks   Tackles    G.B
2006:     17        15.4     6.4        2.4       6.6
2007:       8        14.6     4.8        2.0       1.1
2008:       6        15.4     4.0        1.8       0.4
2009:     21        17.3     5.0        2.2       4.2

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1639&SeasonID=ALL


Polo is contracted for 2010 btw.

[Go Richo 12]

I like him but he frustrates the hell out of me too! Solid this year, one of those players that flies under the radar a little! Not outstanding but not overwhelmed either.

[Hellenic Tiger]

When returned to the side in rd 2 against Geelong was solid and was adequately performing his job for the most part. His last month and especially his last game against West Coast was shocking, but he had alot of mates there as well. I gave him 5 and that is being fair I feel. Solid yet unspectacular. Skills are below par at times.

[mat073]

C -   

[Beren]

Thought he had a good year overall. He didn't get caught with the ball nearly as much as in previous seasons and seems to have worked hard on his game.

[WilliamPowell]

Thought he had a solid and improved year. Helped no doubt by getting played in one position and given time to settle. Thought round 22 was the worst game he has ever played (mentioned that to him BTW  ) but I thought 2009 was his most consistent year

It's amazing how having some confidence can also help performances - last year his confidence was "iffy" coming back from that shoulder reco. Throw in on top of that he played some good senior games late in 2008 but got dropped by TW. Example he was dropped after his best game against Hawthron in round 21 

I think there is improvement there and I hope Hardwick can bring it out in him.

WOuld love to see him kick the ball more too - and I am talking long kicks BTW 40mtr +, because he is actually a very good kick

[Dogga]

The season seems like a long distant nightmare now but I seem to recall Polo outmarking his opponent quite regularily this year. Made heaps less errors than previously and I would say that he took a step in the right direction this year. Needs to keep improving next year and beyond. I missed the last game so I gave him a 6 ... probably would have been a little less if I had seen his last game 

[WA Tiger]

Don't really rate Polo at all, I will admit that he played a couple of good games this year but nothing to rave about. Trade bait for mine!!!!

[mat073]

Problem is how do you rate Polo... by Richmond standards or by AFL standards.

[Dogga]

Problem is how do you rate Polo... by Richmond standards or by AFL standards.

That's a good point. I rated him based on the rest of our list (Richmond standards I guess). He would be in the top half of our list based on his performance this year.

As I mentioned previously, he still has a lot more improvement to become a good AFL player but I think he could do it.

[cub]

6 'll do for now

[Chuck17]

Yep I gave him a 6 as well.

Fairly happy in that he played fairly consistently all year.

[Smokey]

Gave him a 6 but was maybe a tad generous.  I liked his consistency in that he cemented a spot but it's not enough to cut it in a good side going forward.  Hardwick will make or break him in the next 12 months.