Dean Polo - 2010 expectations?

[Beren]

 

You've lost me. "playing below his best"? What does that mean exactly

He played 21 games last year so you'd think he must have being doing something right to remain in the team. Take out round 22 against the Eagles (and I am sure you were there WAT) which was without doubt his worst game EVER (Iwas there and it was a shocker) -2009 would be his most consistent season.

He spent most of the 2008 running around at Coburg and despite being in its best players week after week, he didn't get picked. Who's fault is that exactly? Then when he did finally get promoted and played against the Dawks (in their premeirship year) and towelled up Bateman what did Tezza do to him the next week? Drop him! (BTW I remember he got 10 B&F votes for that game)

Did he crack the sads and asked to be traded NO - he worked his butt off to the point where they had to play him.

2007 was a write off because of shoulder reconstruction, 2006 was his first season of AFL and his first year at the club (2005) he started in the Coburg 2's, worked his butt off and made it into Coburg seniors and was named an emergency in round 22 of 2006 (should have played but they named Krakouer instead).

So I think to suggest he hasn't worked hard enough is not fair. He has "got on with it". 21 games in 2009 proved it

And as I said I reckon he will thrive under Hardwick

Spot on again WP.

[Mr Magic]

He has "got on with it". 21 games in 2009 proved it

Bloody great post Wil.

[mat073]

Despite finishing in the top 10 of the B&F in 09, I still predict that Polo might be fighting to remain on the list in 2011.

To borrow a new catch phrase on this forum......I see him as "Cannon fodder" in 2010.

If he does thrive under the under the guidance of Hardwick no one will be happier than me.

At the moment my gut feeling is he is not the type of player that will ever take us deep into September.

[MADTIGER2010]

Needs to bulk up a bit and play with more confidence. That should come in time, but he just needs to concentrate on removing the occasional turnover out of his game. Will need to improve or could be in trouble at the end of the season

[Judge Roughneck]

At least the lad is tough

[torch]

needs more muscle on him!

needs to improve his kicking!

 

[Jacosh]

needs more muscle on him!

needs to improve his kicking!

 

That could be said for over half the team Torch, and i think less for Dean than some of the others. I thought he was in pretty good shape when i saw him the other day at training and he is far from being the worst in the skills department.

I honestly think he just needs a kick up the bum and then given the chance to play his natural game which Wallace wouldnt allow him to do.

[WA Tiger]

A kick up the bum he does need, but he also needs a full pre season and that is what he has had so far, lets hope he takes full advantage of his pre season and takes it into the H&A season.

[tiga]

He has "got on with it". 21 games in 2009 proved it

Bloody great post Wil.

And where did we finish??

[Mr Magic]

And where did we finish??

So that's Polo's fault?
He is still a young developing footballer who showed some improvement last year.
Some of the recent departees have plenty more to answer for than Dean Polo in 2009.

[tiga]

And where did we finish??

So that's Polo's fault?
He is still a young developing footballer who showed some improvement last year.
Some of the recent departees have plenty more to answer for than Dean Polo in 2009.

Magic, we played poorly as a team, this thread is highlighting an individual. Therefore I feel validated in stating that his performance was not at a level that I would expect from a player who has had 52 senior appearances over 4 seasons. Playing 21 games in a poorly performing side is no outstanding effort. Did he improve?? Maybe. Will he improve more? I would like to hope so but I won't be holding my breath. Would he get 21 games at Geelong or St Kilda?? Probably not.

[the claw]

very average player imo lucky to survive the cull. lucky he was contracted. poor decisions ordinary kick no hurt factor.
5 yrs we have had of him still not truly established going into yr 6 he needs to step up or get the chop. we do like those who try hard and have a go at richmond unfortunately you need more than just having a go to play afl.

[crannyvegas]

I struggle with Polo, he isn't flashy & he isn't an in and under/tough player. Doesn't really own a position and you wouldn't put his number on your kids jumper. Personally i think some of this years recruits will be looking at his spot come the end of the year.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Polo is one of those players that evokes alot of passion within fans. There is no grey area just balck or white.

For me I think he had a serviceable 2009. I think many of his issues are in his head rather than a physical imperferction based on the psyche he has due to the previous coaching regime. I think with the right nurturing his confidence can increase markedly which will result positively in an on field sense. For years other than 2009 other than last year we have hoped to see him named only for him to be overlooked for someone who in all honesty was more inferior which again goes back to the coaching of a certain bronzed individual.

Not  His improvement will be surprising to some of you. Certainly not the worst on our list by a long stretch.

[WA Tiger]

Well folks this is one player as you will know that I don't believe can make it at AFL level, although I would love to see him get there he just lacks something IMO to make the transition from VFL to AFL.

Now leading into this game I was advocating Connors over Polo and IMO on Saturday Connors played 10 fold to the way Polo played. I have read many posts since the game on Saturday night and I think Polo has gotten off very lightly from posters that would rather crucify Deledio.

What are our thoughts on Polo now, I mean after one game if players like Hislop, Deledio, Tambling, Polak and the rest that accumulated more possessions and played better than Polo can be bagged then surley Polo needs looking at.