Speaking after the Pies 14-point win over the Sydney Swans in the quarter finals of the NAB Cup, Lappin is confident Davis can recapture the form that saw him win All-Australian honours in 2009 with a change of scenery down back.
“He had a week and a half away from the club because of personal reasons, so for him to get through that game tonight was a really good effort and he’ll get better from that,” he said.
Lappin - standing in as coach for Mick Malthouse - admitted the Pies main focus during the pre-season was to develop versatility in their squad to counter the rule changes to the interchange bench for season 2011.
“One less player on the interchange means that you need versatile players in your group, so we’re using the NAB Cup as an experimental time to see how some certain guys go in different positions.”
Lappin also warned Pies supporters to expect to see Heath Shaw play more of an attacking role this season, with the rebounding defender spending a majority of time in unfamiliar territory up forward against the Swans.
“He looks to me like a forward trapped in a back's body,” Lappin said.
“He is another one who will float back and forward as the season goes on, as we try to get as many versatile players in our group as we can.”
Despite winning the last nine encounters against the Swans, Lappin knew his side was facing a tough encounter and felt the match was an ideal preparation as the Pies move one week closer to their round one clash against Port Adelaide.
“They brought a really strong side together and they are a competitive, proud group who are playing for their new coach,” he said.
“I was really pleased the boys were able to get back over the top of them and end up with a hard fought win.”
The performance of rookie Shae McNamara - a former American football and basketball player - also earned praise from Lappin, but the former Carlton assistant coach admitted the ruckman is still a work in progress.
“He is coming from a long way back given that he had never kicked the footy until 14 or 15 months ago,” he said.
“He’ll walk away saying ‘I can contribute at this level’ but he will also see exactly how he needs to improve and in what particular areas to get himself up to the level.”
The result means the Pies will face the winner of the West Coast Eagles and Gold Coast encounter on Sunday for a place in the NAB Cup Grand Final.
