STRENGTHS:

+ Accumulation
+ Creativity
+ Forward craft
+ Goal sense
+ Running patterns
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Decision making
- Set shot goalkicking
- Size

Dattoli’s versatility with the ability to hit the scoreboard makes him a prospect for many clubs, but also the fact he can be used in more than one position with great effect shows how much upside he has to impact sooner than others at the next level. While not usually an outside midfielder, Dattoli performed the wing role for Vic Metro at times, especially in the decider. While it wasn’t a high possession game for him or his teammates, Dattoli finished with 20 touches in the final, playing a key linking role running up and down the wing showing his strong running in transition and finished with a total of 320 metres gained, second to Jagga Smith. Dattoli’s coverage of the ground was a highlight of the season for the Knights.

Dattoli’s creativity was also on display in both postseason games. After his Knights were beaten at home by the Ranges the previous week, in non-ideal conditions at Ballarat he produced his best performance of the season in the Wildcard Round game which reversed the previous week's result. While his influence in the quarter final against Oakleigh was quelled being up against, he still managed to show his effectiveness from the limited opportunities provided to him, especially by hand. While not known to be a prolific tackler either, he had his highest tackle counts individually throughout the season with six in the Wildcard game and five in the quarter final.

His consistency was also shown throughout the season averaging 23 disposals from just the seven games never managing less than 15 disposals and managed to hit the scoreboard on all seven occasions too, with the only occasion he was held goalless being against the Chargers in that quarter final where he could only muster two behinds.

While Dattoli does lack a bit of height and is lightly framed, he will be able to have the benefits knowing what a strong preseason can do to ensure he can compete at the highest level when he seizes the opportunity, so that area of improvement will come. Another area of improvement for Dattoli though is his set shot kicking for goal. In the championships in both games based in Melbourne, played in both wet and day conditions, he missed a few gettable set shot kicks for goal, highlighting that as an area of improvement in games that were both hotly contested.

While Dattoli has been known for his creativity, decision making is another area of improvement. Throughout the season, there were times where he did turn the ball over and where he could have gone for better options in front of goal as opposed to going for goal, and vice-versa.