That said, it might sound strange to suggest that it has taken until round 16 of the 2024 Goulburn Valley League season for him to have his “break out game”.
But that’s exactly what the statistical sheet against quality opposition, fourth ranked Mooroopna, suggests.
His 163 ranking points game included 21 disposals, 11 marks (five of those inside 50 metres), seven tackles (again five of those inside the front 50 metre arc) and five goals.
He laid all five of those forward 50 tackles in the second term and then kicked four of his five goals in a second half that included five contested marks.
Kyabram senior co-coach Corey Carver said Dodos was only now starting to realise all the weapons of his own arsenal.
“He has built up his tank and now knows he is strong enough to mix it up with the bigger bodied players,” Carver said.
“He started the year down back, but has spent a month now in attack.”
Carver said Aidan Robinson had been able to cover the loss of Jason Morgan, which meant Dodos could ruck for five minutes a quarter and spent most of his recent time in attack.
“He will play forward in the finals this year and I think that will be his best spot in the future,” Carver said.
“He’s only young and still learning, so his upside is huge and he will be able to play anywhere.”
After showing plenty of promise in 2021 (nine Under 18 games and 11 goals) he continued the upward trend with 27 goals in the first eight games of the 2022 under-age Goulburn Valley League season.
He was rewarded with his first senior game in round eight, having backed up his under-age form with 16 goals in five reserve grade games (regularly backing up from the earlier game).
Dodos kicked two goals in that senior debut and backed that up with a second appearance at the top level.
Like a lot of tall youngsters he suffered from injury problems and played only two more games with the Bombers after that round nine senior game - one Under 18 game and a grand final with the Bombers reserve grade team.
In 2023 he had a full book of football activity, playing seven senior games (mostly in defence and occasionally on a wing), appeared on 10 occasions as a 19-year-old player in the Coates Talent League with Bendigo Pioneers also also played one reserve grade finals game.
This year he has become a valuable swing man, starting in defence before kicking three goals in round five against Mansfield and another two against Shepparton Swans in round eight.
In that Mansfield game he had 18 disposals, five marks, seven hit outs and amassed 117 ranking points. Between rounds nine and 12 he topped the 100 ranking-point mark every week, but the round 16 game was a clear stand out.
His five goal return now has him fourth in the club goalkicking (despite spending many games in a key defensive post) behind the league’s leading goalkicker Anthony Depasquale (64 goals), Brad Mangan (21 goals) and co-coach Kaine Herbert (17 goals).
Other break out games this year:
Bohden Learmonth (round 15 versus Shepparton United): Hasn’t missed a game this season, but in this game had a season high 23 disposals, took nine marks, three tackles, two clearances and kicked a goal.
Nick Jephson (round four versus Shepparton United): Kicked 3.4, had 11 score involvements, 20 disposals, six inside 50s and took four contested marks (three inside 50). Three weeks later he took 12 marks and had 123 ranking points against Tatura, kicking two goals and having seven inside 50s.
Will Burnett (round five versus Mansfield): Has played every game since debuting in round one, but in round five had 17 disposals and had 22 hit outs when he was the go to ruck for the game. Had five clearances, four inside 50s and backed up the game a month later with another 16 disposal/seven mark game.
Archie Watt (round nine versus Shepparton): It could be argued that Watt’s end to last year’s season announced his arrival. He had 17 disposals in the grand fnial loss to Echuca, took severn marks and had 105 ranking points. In round nine this year, however, he had 27 disposals against the second ranked team (Shepparton), took 11 marks, racked by 133 ranking points, had five inside 50s, three rebound 50s and kicked a goal - fully announcing himself as a future star of the competition.
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