My impression is in attack DB either passes or kicks immediately or if nothing is on the he runs into the defence. Would like to see him probe the defence and pass and kick at the line. He does not mind getting smashed and could provide much more in attack. He reminds me of a young Foran and would like to see him play like that - in term of passing at the line. Younger Sam Walker set up Butcher in the Roosters game in a play that Dylan should be perfect for - ran towards his outside defender, got on his outside and committed him and then passed to his outside (Butcher) who only had one to beat - and an overlap was created for other options.
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Analysis is spot on. He either passes as part of a block play or pre determined sweep play or runs. He doesn't play ''eyes up' and pick the moment to pass or run dependant on what the line is doing. That tends to be something you either have or don't have to be honest. It's hard to coach into a player. Not impossible - see cooper Cronk - but hard. Having said that even if he never develops into a ball player he still brings a hell of a lot of upside.
What I am, noticing different from last year to this year is that he is not doing his little straighten up and getting on tthe outside shoulder and popping balls. He is runnng into defenders or passing. Think he is confused what he needs to do in terms of the team. He also plays ball very close to chest for ball security but telegraphs he is not passing which is not good for a pivot. Joey needs to work on him with ball in front and eyes up . Think he is getting 20 metre balls still which negates the middles where he needs to attack. Work in progress.
IMO the best defensive half in the competition by far. When Cooper Cronk came into grade as a 14 for his early part , he played similar to Dylan. Concentrated on defense. Then it went to support play - and finally game managment. I think he needs to pick targets out each week and have a t least one or two decent one on one cracks at them. The forward ( middle ) who turns his back , the middle that does move sideways as good. The sprinter out of the line . COOK from souths aimed twice at the middle that turned his back and ran straight at the line. Bingo .
His running game will improve as he gets stronger. At the moment he isn't powering through the line but that will come.
Defensively he is one of the best 5/8's. In attack he has much to learn. He appears to be going through what Moses went through, not knowing when to run, when to pass off, when to kick, when to create, when to be selfish. To me, he came into first grade as a running 5/8 " thats all that was expected of him" and now appears he has the weight of expectation to do more for the team on his shoulders, which is weighing his game down. Its a learning curve unfortunately.
I've been a critic of Dylan's as last year I thought he became predictable, too often selling a dummy and diverting infield, right into a waiting back rower. Also, he wasn't always getting himself to first receiver if Moses was caught with the ball late in the tackle count.
To his credit, Dylan has improved on both counts. But there is a fair way to go, attack-wise. Defense is excellent.
It seems what is going to be important for Dylan's development is the ability to play a contained role next to Moses as dominant half. As we saw against the Sharks, with Moses off, playmaking is shared by Gutho, DB and Mahoney. Note Cooper Cronk praised this aspect of the Eels' play. Threats all over and hard to shut them down completely.
I guess the question is how patient we are to let him continue to develop, and also, can the Eels go all the way with DB playing the bit part role?
I think we'll see him do much more as the season progresses. We all know he can do more. He has a simple game plan at the moment. He will let loose 2nd half the season.
I have no problem waiting - save some surprises for the finals. We can get to the finals doing what we are doing well. But to win we will need more.
I think Dylan's confidence went down last year he looks a bit unsure at times. That been said gutho lane marata and fergo have all been getting good early ball this year
Thankfully DB can tackle, is tough, has miles of heart and never-say-die attitude and he's fast. That all keeps him in first grade and he's in no way a liability.
But his attack is extremely limited. I'm not sure what BA wants from him in attack. Maybe he's simply playing to instructions right now and doing everything correctly? However as a mere observer I'd like to see two things.
1) Run to the line, draw a couple of defenders and put someone through a hole.
2) Off a fast play the ball, don't hesitate just take off (like Gutho does).
He used to engage the defensive line a lot more before putting his back rower through a hole but now he only seems to pass well before the line OR dummies and runs himself fooling no one.
Again maybe BA just wants a very simple game for now?
Brown was up against a out on their feel sharks side Last week and he still could not do anything in attack , he might be a excellent defender but he is utterly useless in attack .
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