After the Crows pulled off a memorable 11-point win, the coach’s show of faith in the 19-year-old was justified.
His efforts in keeping Mooney to just nine possessions and two goals not only helped Adelaide to its best win of 2010 and kept its season alive, but also earned him the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round 16.
“It was a pretty good experience,” Davis told afl.com.au as he reflected on a big night at AAMI Stadium.
“He’s [Mooney] played in 200-plus games and in three premierships, so it was a good learning experience.”
Mooney, the Cats’ enforcer and go-to man in attack, weighs in at almost 100kg and was returning from suspension.
Davis, who at a deceptive 195cm looked the Cat in the eye, said he thought better of trying to antagonise his opponent.
The youngster, who at a comparatively leaner 91kg given his two summers in the Crows’ gym, knew not to get in a wrestling bout with his opponent.
“He’s got me by a fair few kilos, and a fair bit of strength as well, so I thought I’d just keep to myself,” Davis said.
“He’s a big boy and a strong unit as well, so I had to keep my distance.”
Davis used his trademark footy smarts to negate his opponent, zone off when he could and plug holes in the Cats’ forward zone.
And he says he has had some pretty good teachers in his first two years.
Teammates Ben Rutten and Nathan Bock have seen to it that their heir apparent is appropriately schooled in the ways of being a top-line key defender.
“If I can be half the player they are, I’d be pretty happy,” Davis said.
Skipper Simon Goodwin, Graham Johncock and Scott Stevens are others who have taken a keen interest in the former North Adelaide junior, ensuring his development remains on track as his club nursed him through an interrupted first year.
Now, having seemingly cracked a regular berth in the Crows’ defensive line-up, Davis is intent on taking his game to the next level.
“I probably want to move into a more key-position role,” he said.
“I feel as though I can hopefully put on another five or six kilos, fill out a bit more but hopefully keep my agility if I can and keep that flexibility where I can play on the smaller opponents as well as the taller opponents.”
