2011 Countdown: Leon Davis

[ossie85]

Leon Davis

2010 Stats
Games: 18
Total Score: 1247 (Ranked 215th overall, 107th amongst midfielders, 51st amongst forwards)
Average Score: 69.28 (Ranked 275th overall, 139th amongst midfielders, 70th amongst forwards)
High: 125 (Round 2)
Low: 16 (Round 19)
Standard Deviation: 32.47
Centuries: 5 out of 18
Starting Price: $591,700
High Price: $591,700 (round 1)
Low Price: $287,200 (round 16)

Summary:

Leon "Neon" Davis, although now a technical premiership player due to playing in the Grand Final, he won't be remembered as such - and to his credit has stayed away from the Premiership hype. Always a player with much hype due to his freakish goal skills, Leon always gets more pressure than he probably deserves. In 2008 he had his 'break-out' fantasy year, averaging 95.3 in SC, before really turning it on in 2009 averaging an incredible 111.4 and making the All-Australian team.

However, in 2010, his role changed. No longer a part of Collingwood's midfield rotation, Neon was permanently placed in the forward line. And unlike early in his career, had a much more defensive role. When asked about Neon's form, the Collingwood coaching staff would always point to Leon Davis tackling stats - and an average of 3.83 tackles per game is certainly very good for a forward. However, he simply was not influencing games anymore. Davis (yet again) had a poor finals series and was dropped for the Grand Final replay.

Leon's price lost almost $300,000 during the year, and although he did score 5 centuries, had a whopping 9 scores of 63 or less. Coaches who picked him up were livid. Simply not good enough for a player that expensive and would have derailed quite a few seasons.

The Crystal Ball:

Based on last year's magic number
Price: $367,900

Based on m0nty's fanplanner
Price: $350,300

Position: FWD/MID or FWD

The fanplanner currently has him listed as a FWD/MID MPP. But I would bet he will lose that and simply be classed as a forward. He only averaged 12.72 disposals per game, and for the vast majority of the season played in the forward line.

Leon Davis, still a marquee player at Collingwood, was not in Collingwood's best 22 at the end of the year. With the arrival of Andrew Krakouer, the continued development of John McCarthy and Brad Dick, and new arrival Alex Fasolo - it isn't going to be easy for Davis to make his way back into the team. Malthouse put a lot of players out to pasture in 2010 (including his favourites Fraser, Lockyer and O'Bree) and Davis will find himself playing a lot of VFL. Does Davis have the hunger to play in a winning a Grand Final? I'm not so certain. With the Pies looking to sign up Premiership Players Swan, Pendlebury and Thomas for 2012, I'd bet on the highly paid Davis having his last season at Collingwood and the AFL.

Decision:

Unlikely. His current role does not provide him job security or consistent scores, and is aging. You never know however, I may get a concussion on the eve of the season and have a moment of madness.

[roo boys!]

For your sake, and for your teams sake, please don't get a concussion before lockout :P

[Fletch74]

Haha, Neon Leon, you are not worthy of making my team.

He won't be even coming close to my team. One good year has caused me a lot of grief, NO way!!

As you clearly state Ossie, he can't even make it into the Pies best 22 either...

[Torress]

i picked him up very late last year and he actuall saved me a doughnut or two in the last 4 weeks - well finals. his mpp came in handy and i think he scored like 90 a couple of times for me.
but that was my last trade, and it was only for bench cover in my midfield and i ended up using his mpp in my forward line as luke shuey got up.
but a big and defininte NO to selecting leon davis in 2011

[RiOtChEsS]

pmsl... i think the highlight of neon's year is this write up u gave him mate :)

[DamenS]

He wont touch the ball and I won't touch him (that's what SHE said).

[Justin Bieber]

Lol Damen ;D.

Touch and Go for me. He's capable of great things but not in this role.

[RiOtChEsS]

he will struggle to get a game...

[Junktimer]

*Mr Ollivander* No, no definitely not!

[SydneyRox]

burnt me too much to go back, his job security really has to be questioned after GF2

[MajorLazer]

No chance. He's one of the select few I have already ruled out.

[Maca24]

Id be picking any1 before neon.

[Junktimer]

yeah he would be one of my last picked

Training Scout now XD

[pyronerd]

probably not, again in the deadly price range of awkwardness  :P

[MajorLazer]

Nice Junk. As I said before, he's not being picked by me. I don't think even auto-fill would pick him. :P