I kept a close eye on him today. It was his 17th NRL game.
I kept an eye on him because some have said they don't think he's anything special. Just solid. I didn't agree with that assessment and he proved me right.
It's evident that Mitch is the chief play-maker and "go- to- guy" more often than not for this Parra team. Dylan has a 2nd possibly 3rd fiddle role (Guth being 2nd).
What I saw today was when Dylan gets the ball in his hands, it's like time stops. I shit you not, that how it feels. He seems to have so much time in his hands as if play have toned down to slow motion, the opposition is mesmerised. He steps, jinks, shimmy's, little left step, little right step, eyes the gap he's created and then plants a big left or right and darts through and between players. IMPACT! He rolls his body does a 360 degree turn and is free to plant the ball over the chalk. The last time I saw that from a Parra player was from Jarryd Hayne.
Yeah it was only the Titans but it's an NRL game and he's only 20. His defence? Probably one of the best one-on-one halves defenders in the comp. He rarely misses his man.
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I agree Parra fan. I think the problem was that he got a pay cheque based on potential and with age and time off for injury it will take him a while to reach that level. Therefore people are looking at his performance just back from injury and seeing it does not immediately stack up. Give a bit of time and his pay cheque will seem very reasonable.
Special player. Just has that footy timing in attack and defence. That bit of footwork he put on his opposite which gave Jennings a chance to put Sivo away but the pass went astray was early Benji Marshall like.
The sivo try came off a jennings pass but the pass immediately prior was from Dylan. If you get a chance to look at it you will have proof he has been listening to andrew johns.
The raw material is definitely there, the great thing is that having Mitch there allows Dylan to develop at his own pace.
I agree on that ability to slow the game down quality. I’ve only seen 4 other players with that quality, and 2 of them were Eels ... Andrew Johns, Cam Smith, Sterlo & Jason Smith. The ability to let the defence to make its decision before you make yours, it’s a gift that can’t be coached. Whether he ends up as great as them is entirely up to him.
He does have that certain Je Ne Sais Quoi.
Personally, I like the cut of his jib.
This is what Dylan sees when he eyes up the opposition with a quick head count either side of the ruck, calculating every position each man is standing whilst applying their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Haha excellent Parra Fan! I think he sees spatially and quickly too- quick footy brain seems to give him plenty of time! Very handy to have.
they all have skills but not all can stay composed enough to make the right decision quickly.
not sure you can train for coolness /composure?
Off the top of my head- Cronk and Cleary, Hayne and Dylan seem to have it naturally ... they make it possible for others to do their thing.
remember last year when plenty here were saying how much Mitch was missing Dylan? Dylan was approx a six game veteran at the time. The balanced pairing helps Mitch to do his own thing I reckon.
so glad he is ours!
How good was his kicking game
DB has played 80 minutes of realy good football against the side strongly tipped to win the spoon. But YES the kid showed good skills with ball in hand, defence and 2 perfect kicks.
Against the good defence from the Dogs he achieved nothing, woops his defence was good. Showed nuthin in attack and 2 shit kicks, 1 excelent kick.
Iam one wuo thinks over time DB will turn out to be a better than average player, maybe top 8 halfs in the game. But i doubt he will become a superstar. He will be a Foran style player. Just my thoughts.