He's an interesting player in that most of his strengths and limitations are obvious. Previously I've thought that we were better with him, and I think he still has value as a horses-for-courses proposition when we play a team of giants - but there aren't many of those teams.
In his defence, few players come off such an interrupted start to the season and perform at their best. Also, our inability to move the ball from defence stems from the fact that of our entire defence, only Johnno is an above average kick or decision maker. When we lost Duff to age / slowness, it really exposed the other players - Dawson is the most obvious victim of that, but consider how rubbish AA Luke was with ball in hand this year. Ibbo, Sutcliffe and Spurr are all serviceable kicks at best, and poor at worst.
If we could somehow snag Bennell, I'd be tempted to give him a role across half-back, and maybe free Sutcliffe or Sheridan to the mindless running-up-and-down-the-ground stuff. I think it's a better way to get numbers in space, whilst leaving the creative stuff to someone who has it in them. In such a system, there could still be a place for Dawson in the right circumstances.
