I think Dykes had plenty of time in three seasons, injuries included, to try and shape this club backline into the way he wanted, to suit his style of attack as five-eighth. He was our "marquee buy", a 5-8 of the year old enough not to have to be considered a developing talent, or in need of more experience.
He was to be Brian Smith's "main man" in attack post-JT/2001... but basically he couldn't marshall the outer backs to play to his style. His was one of the biggest falls from playing grace, injuries aside. Sure, the forwards needed to give good go forward too, but someone of Dykes' class and credentials should have still been a stand out in the games he played, even in beaten sides. He never wanted for the ball no matter who was our half-back, but couldn't really establish that attacking combination with Lyon and/or Freshie (or anyone) over the whole three years.
Dykes sure has got individual talent, he can sometimes do some things better than anyone else on the park, but overall he couldn't establish those vital combinations that made others fear our team's attacking potential. And he's certainly not a Fittler/Lockyer type that could do it all himself. He's tried at halfback this year, with no demonstrable change (but admittedly with fill-in guys at centre and covering for injuries in the pack). But if he's fit I'd still play Dykes for the rest of the year, what have we got to lose?
For next year we don't seem to have a replacement, no marquee five-eighth signing to put all of our hopes behind. But from what I saw of Morris-Witt in the halves (and their combinations with other backs) during the back end of 2003, and with the added cover of Riddell at hooker, I'm at least equally confident in our chief playmakers as I was with Dykes in the pciture at the start of this year.
It's a choice between Dykes or Riddell, in reality. And based on what I've seen since 2001 I'd choose Riddell.
