Collison was a clutch player this year. He came up big and scored the winning goal in a couple close games last year.DocBarrister wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 11:29 pm
Here’s a play that would make Collison a first team AA:
Take a pass on the high wing while covered by a SSDM. Initiate a hard wing dodge, drawing three defenders. Before they crush him, pass to a teammate high on the opposite wing. Teammate passes to another teammate who is free on the crease, who scores.
In that second play, Collison wouldn’t even get a point on the stat sheet, but he’s the one who basically generates the goal by initiating the dodge. THAT is a first team AA play. Don’t need elite speed for that. What he does need is to be enough of a proven dodging threat to get the opposing D’s immediate attention.
Collison doesn’t really merit that attention now. Opponents know he will not dodge most of the time. That’s by design.
As Potomac says, Collison “absolutely can dodge.” He can get better at moving the ball (or shooting) off the dodge, but he needs more reps (more dodges) in games to build those skills.
He’s not the only one who can do that. Pretty much all the middies can. Don’t need elite dodgers. Just need to have them dodge more frequently and more aggressively. Passing aimlessly on the perimeter won’t cut it. Tulip Ball won’t cut it.
DocBarrister
You have a lot of dodgers next year, English, Ayers, Bauer, and Melendez, you don't necessarily need Collison to do that.
While he's capable of generating his own shot, the thing he needs to do is move the ball before he get's doubled or tripled. This turns a potential turnover into a potential scoring opportunity.
Collison is capable of becoming a force, but he also needs to fit into the scheme of a motion offense especially with quick dodgers like English, Ayers, and Bauer who can get open and draw slides.
I would definitely like to see this group push transition next year especially with elite shooters like Melendez and H. Chauvette at attack who can can open looks.