Davidson earns right to play finals footy: Coach
JORDAN GERRANS PORT Douglas Croc Ashley Davidson has not liked some of the feedback he has received over the years about his style of play.
Crocs coach Brad Cooper, a noted lover of contested footy, wanted the son of dual Crathern Medallist Rod Davidson to work harder defensively and lift his tackling intensity.
Ashley, a stylish outside runner, broke into the Crocs senior team as a 17-year-old but was forced to spend much of 2017 in the reserves on the back of the strength of the Port Douglas side, as well as some honest advice from the premiership coach.
“Ash has not liked the feedback at times,” Cooper said this week ahead of the club’s qualifying final against Cairns Saints.
“He was very good offensively but I demanded for him to improve on the defensive side of the game.
“He is a massive talent but he needed to play both aspects of the game.”
After playing 24 games in the seniors across 2015 and 2016, Ashley was forced to feature in the early kick-off for all but two games last season.
“I knew I was capable of doing it and playing seniors all the time but it was about getting a little bit better,” Ashley said.
“I knew I wanted to play senior football and I knew I could, it was just about getting a go.
“I just had to work on my weaknesses, tackling and my defensive side of the game.”
The 21-year-old has become a permanent fixture in the Crocs senior side in 2018, on the back of his improved defensive workout, with regular watchers of Port Douglas noting he has been as good as any of their squad in the second half of the campaign.
“I am happy for him and excited to see him play finals football because he has made huge strides,” Cooper said.
“His challenge is to now do it again in finals.”
The Davidson name is synonymous with the Port Douglas club, dad Rod was the best and fairest player in the AFL Cairns competition in 1990 and 1991, Ashley is a regular contributor in the seniors and younger brother Daniel, is considered one of the best emerging talents in the region.
Daniel hurt his knee last Saturday against Cairns Saints and is a chance to return later in the finals campaign.