Not entirely sure about that.
Most seem to have made the observation that his form has been well down for weeks.
A couple of quotes in the article below also suggest both coach and player believed his form was actually an issue.
Irrespective, games like last nights are what everyone wants to see from him because when he is on like that we are a much better team.
At the same time though, reality is at 27 years old the odds are he is at the ‘known quantity’ stage rather than ‘full of potential’ stage.
The honest conversations that helped David Zaharakis escape from 2017 form slump
Ben Waterworth
May 14, 2017 12:07am
BEN WATERWORTH@bjwaterworth
Source: FOX SPORTS
DAVID Zaharakis didn’t need any reminders from anyone.
By his own admission, the Essendon midfielder was desperately out of form across the first two months of the 2017 season, racking up 20 touches or less in six of the club’s first seven games.
But some raw heart-to-heart conversations at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters during the week, as well as specific focuses at training, helped the out-of-contract Zaharakis eliminate the “self-doubt” that threatened to curtail his footy career.
Zaharakis was one of the best and most influential players on the ground on Saturday night, finishing with a season-high 31 disposals to help the Bombers cause an upset win over Geelong at Etihad Stadium.
A croaky and sore Zaharakis — he copped a high fend in the throat from Cats skipper Joel Selwood in the second term — admitted post-game he was under no illusions about his recent form heading into Saturday night’s clash.
“To be honest, I don’t open the paper or don’t watch any footy shows,” Zaharakis told foxfooty.com.au.
“I just knew myself I wasn’t playing good footy and I didn’t need to listen to anyone from the outside.
“Whether you’re playing at your best or you’re not individually, you need to be contributing for the team somehow — and that’s what I wasn’t doing.”
Joel Selwood left David Zaharakis sore in the throat after this fend in the second term. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Joel Selwood left David Zaharakis sore in the throat after this fend in the second term. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Source: News Corp Australia
As the outside world questioned Zaharakis’ place in the Essendon starting line-up and the man himself began to doubt his footy ability, Bombers players and coaches quickly wrapped their arms around the out-of-form on-baller.
And, in Zaharakis’ words, “it paid dividends” on Saturday night.
“‘Hurls’ (Michael Hurley) is my good mate and we had a good chat, Jobe (Watson) has been great with me, even young guys like Zach (Merrett) and Dys (Hepell) are great — they gave me that reassurance I still can play. That self-doubt, they just took it out of my head,” Zaharakis said.
“The boys have been really supportive, so have the coaches over the last couple of weeks. I know I haven’t been playing my best footy, so it’s good to get reassurance from them that they trust that I can produce some good footy and it was good to repay the favour tonight.”
The 27-year-old was electric on the outside for the Bombers on Saturday night, finishing with game-high uncontested possessions (25) and handball receives (17) to go with seven marks, five inside 50s and 411m gained.
As well as seeking advice from people that mattered most to him, Zaharakis said he “did a few different things” at training in the lead up to the Cats clash in an attempt to play himself back into form.
“It’s no use doing the same things over and over again and expecting the different result, which is probably what I was doing over the last three weeks,” Zaharakis said.
David Zaharakis finished with 31 touches against Geelong.
David Zaharakis finished with 31 touches against Geelong.
Source: AAP
“I changed it up a little bit, changed a few things, did more work on the track and it paid off.
“I’ve been playing wing a lot, so it was more just focusing on how I can impact in that role. Last year I played a lot more inside with the guys missing and this year it’s been a lot more in the wing.
“I had a big talk with the coaches about how I can play that wing role a lot better and it’s helped me reap the rewards (on Saturday night), so hopefully that can continue.”
Bombers coach John Worsfold said Zaharakis’ increased output on the field on Saturday night inspired his teammates to step up.
“He was certainly aware and disappointed in his form over the last few weeks. He narrowed his focus about what his strengths are and what he can bring to the team,” Worsfold said post-game.
“I thought he was outstanding. He set the tone for us in terms of his improvement and how we want him to play early.”
The Bombers produced a stunning first half to set up their win over Geelong, which takes their win-loss ratio to 4-4.
While the Cats came with a surge in the final term — Geelong outscored Essendon by 23 points during the fourth quarter — Zaharakis was pleased that his side managed to hold on.
“We knew they’d come strong in the second half. But we held on quite well in that third quarter and still played the way we wanted to play,” he said.
“The last quarter was a flurry early, but it was good we had the resilience to hold it and get a few goals back ourselves and continue to play footy rather than go into our shells.”