It was only last season that I was trying to spruik the possibility of Dale Thomas having a good year.
I wasn’t suggesting he would necessarily get back to his All-Australian form, but I thought he would do enough to prove some of the doubters wrong.
Three years into a four-year deal at the Blues and it seems the jury is still out on not only whether Thomas is in Carlton’s best 22, but whether he will still have a spot on the list beyond this year.
2017 by default will take on more importance for the midfielder given he is out of contract at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old reportedly has a clause in his contract to trigger an extension for 2018 if certain requirements are met.
However, Carlton supporters can breathe easy; if the contract is extended it will be on a reduced wage and not $700,000 a season.
Statistically, 2016 was a good year for ‘Daisy’.
While injury has been a major issue for Thomas in recent years, the ex-Magpie played 18 games in 2016, averaging 18.5 disposals per match. This was his highest disposal average since the 2013 season and a good return of games given he only played five games in 2015.
Yet, Thomas is certainly not the player he was at Collingwood. He is nowhere near as damaging or dynamic with his disposal. In 2016, Thomas won less contested ball and had less score involvements compared to previous years.
There can be a tendency to focus on youth during a rebuild, and Carlton is currently in its own period of transition.
But there is always a place for experience at AFL level provided form warrants selection.
Thomas is currently the only premiership player on the Carlton list, and one of just four current Blues to have played over 150 games, along with Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson and Bryce Gibbs.
There will be plenty of competition for spots with new draftees who will be eager to prove themselves.
But Thomas could also be battling someone like Rhys Palmer for a spot in the senior side, after the 28-year-old crossed over from GWS.
So has Carlton got good value from Dale Thomas since his arrival in 2013?
Based on Thomas’ output and wages, the answer is no. But that doesn’t mean he cannot offer something to the club.
He cannot be blamed for his remuneration. It was the Blues that offered the ridiculous contract in the first place.
Thomas enters 2017 in a similar position as last year with many cynics believing his time is up at the top level.
He surprised many last year by playing 18 games, and if he does the same again in 2017, he may very well be donning the navy blue for another year.
Pete
Guest
Unnessarily long article that could have been summed up with one word. "NO"
Gecko
Guest
Glad Clokey didn't do that in 2016 and end up staying with us in 2017. Instead, he's gonna put a big defensive hole in the Bulldogs' reserves forward line in 2017.
Bretto
Guest
Both Wellingham and Thomas were far better players when at Collingwood. Although they may just have turned average in the same timeframe if they stayed at Collingwood. For the money paid, Carlton have been dudded big time.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
Let's see how he goes in first 10-12 games then decide if he has a future. If his form warrants it he should go on. If not, dump him.
Lofty
Guest
Personally I think Daisy's days are numbered.The club is moving forward and I would not think that Thomas is part of our plans other than a 1 year contract after this year.. When we recruited Thomas my pies mate told me he was a good pick up. He added that x factor to the team. I'm still waiting to see it. Thomas.is just another reminder of poor decision making by the club that goes hand in hand with the Malthouse recruitment. Yes, I still get grumpy over this but that's the way things go. On a more positive note. GO BLUES
SOS
Guest
I have some sympathy for Daisy. He faces challenges as an aging player who has had injury issues when he is playing in a very weak and non competitive side. At the same time there is high expectations that he can lift a very ordinatpy side. Give the guy a break.
Macca
Guest
Steve only 22 players on a 46 man list can be best 22, the most successful clubs have plenty of players who can play a role - Graham could be that player.
2ndeffort
Guest
Daisy is not the future at the Blues, he wont be part of our next era of success. Unfortunately for him he is the last remaining legacy of Mick's disastrous tenure at the helm. He may have a role on reduced $$ passing experience on to the next generation but he is no longer elite. If he can hold down a spot until the emergence of Fisher, Petrevski Seton, Poulson, Cunningham etc then I will be happy. Let's not go anywhere near Jaksch or Jones. Both will surely be gone at season's end.
steve
Guest
I will be massively disappointed if either are still on the list in 2018. Jaksch has been nothing short of disappointing since he arrived, Graham may be above VFL level but he is below AFL level. That's his problem. He is never going to be best 22 for any AFL club IMO.
Macca
Guest
Steve - I am happy to stamp Thomas and Jones right now but Graham & Jaksch get the season to show if they can cut it. Graham is clearly a cut above VFL and Jaksch is still young for a Key position player.
steve
Guest
Thomas, along with Liam Jones, Kristian Jaksch and Nick Graham should all be first out the door at seasons end.
ken oath
Guest
Has his best season this year with Carlton, takes a reduced pay next year, has the mentality that he owes us something more for the investment made, then yes I would have him there next year. If he doesn't play well this year, simple. Boot of goose.
Macca
Guest
Cat - Bolton has been charged with reinvigorating the club as a whole and the club has bought into to his vision, the idea that he would accept or the club would enforce him playing a player simply because he is getting paid big money just doesn't marry up with anything else going on at the blues. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/carlton-coach-brendon-bolton-has-changed-the-club-not-just-the-team-20170213-gubu87.html
Cat
Roar Guru
Maybe Bolton wouldn't, but head coaches alone do not make selections.
Macca
Guest
"Bolton said he would use the preseason to experiment and give the kids a chance to prove themselves and get some game time." He has definitely done that this week. I am hoping 2 blokes who only got a half last week but showed a bit, Fisher & Pickett build on that form and really make a case for round 1 selection.
Macca
Guest
"He got played because hes getting paid" I don't for one minute Bolton would follow this selection process - he played last year because there wasn't a lot of depth at the club and there wasn't a lot of competition for his spot - this year the blues have brought in a lot more players in his position (because of the lack of depth) which will make it a lot harder for him.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I think he will be gone at the end of the year. He will be 30 and doesn't really fit into the big picture scheme of things. Bolts is looking at youth that can be moulded rather than older players. Bolton said he would use the preseason to experiment and give the kids a chance to prove themselves and get some game time. If they have to go backwards this year to get the younger players some game time, then so be it. We will certainly make up that lost ground in 2018 if the kids have more games under their belts which also translates into team unity.
Cat
Roar Guru
He got played because hes getting paid. If he was on a reasonable contract maybe the Blues would have made his earn game time, his stats, or lack of, show how much he was gifted time he didn't earn.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Quality observation there Brian
Brian
Guest
Otherwise known as wellingham syndrome