17. blake grima

[mighty mick]

http://kangaroos.com.au/portals/0/images/players/125213af.jpg


Blake Grima


Fast Facts

Jumper No: 17
Height: 180
Weight: 84
DOB: 08/06/1984
Recruited From: East Burwood/Eastern U18
Career Matches: 5
Career Goals: 1
















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About

Played in three of the first five rounds, but then severely injured a shoulder and missed the rest of the season. An emerging midfielder, he broke through for two games early in 2004, but then had leg injuries and finished that season with VFL affiliate Port Melbourne. Will be looking for a change of luck in 2006.


Records

(as of the completion of the 2006 Season)
Games: 5 (Finals – 0)
Goals: 1
Brownlow Medal: career votes 0.

Player honours:
Draft history: 2002 National AFL Draft 3rd round selection (Kangaroos) No. 38 overall.

[Ted]

AFL Website 2007 Kangaroos Preview

Blake Grima - Has struggled with leg and shoulder injuries since being drafted in 2002. Has played only five senior games since his debut in 2004. However, Roos officials are keeping the faith and still believe he has what it takes to succeed as an AFL midfielder.

[ReturnOfTheKing]

Colin Wisbey draft notes:

Blake Grima (Eastern Ranges)

179/77 top-age right-foot (dual-sided) onball/utility.

Classy professional 5’10” long-kicking inside ball-magnet “ruckrover”.

Style like: Nick Stevens (?)

- Shoulder reconstruction Oct 2002 & can't train fully until Feb 2003 but still worth early 2nd round pick.

- A natural footballer, a thinker who is thoroughly professional in his attitude, focus, preparation and work-rate on and off field.

- Trademark is reeling out of traffic at midfield or half-back, running 20m, then a thumping direct kick at pace into half-forward.

- He often has the ball on a string, deep in the back line, deep in the forward line and in between. He covers a heap of ground and his disposal is generally good, especially by hand. A clearance specialist who brings others into the game and creates scoring opportunities by bursting from traffic and feeding to running team-mates or kicking long, hard and direct to quickly open up the forward line. Knows what to do under pressure. Natural onfield leader. Wish he was 6' instead of 5'10" and it’s a shame the shoulder will impair his 2003 (in which he could have had a few games) but he will still get drafted fairly early. I will be very surprised if he is not a 100+ gamer.

Off-field work ethic:
12 months ago he was a typical kid who played footy and was keen to see how things would turn out. He then reached a watershed point at which he decided to take responsibility for his future rather than wait and see. He made a commitment to leave no stone unturned in his preparation and focus. Put in a huge pre-season 2002 – strengthening, fitness, skills. Has a passion to learn, listens well and will get absolutely the most out of himself and his career. Already approaches his footy with a professionalism beyond his years.

Disposal, decision-making, smarts:
Serious footy brain, both at the contest and in understanding of game plan and tactics. Quick learner off-field and quick to sum up on-field.
Disposal by hand is excellent. He spots well and is very quick and reliable, either hand, short or long. Excellent at feeding out of traffic. And his handballs have the right power.

Disposal by foot is basically good, but a mixed bag. He is seriously dual-sided and has a nice kicking style. At its best his kicking is terrific. He is a thumping kick with either foot – and his kicks are powerful, not floaters. If you saw taped highlights of his kicking and the camera didn’t follow where the ball finished up, you’d be highly impressed. He does indeed have the potential to be a seriously good kick but needs to be become even more accurate. Kicking accuracy was a bit sub-standard in 2001 for his calibre of player but it has definitely improved greatly this year and is still rapidly improving. He occasionally hooks a kick (mainly on his non-preferred left) and a couple of times he’s got too close to the man on the mark but by and large his “inaccurate” kicks invariably tend not to be so much miss-kicks as kicks purely for distance without a specific target in mind. It is the one area of his decision-making which has let him down. When he actually has a target in mind he is a high probability to hit the target with a well-weighted pin-point pass, even at 45-50m. His kicking to a lead is very good and he can worm-burn a pass 45m. He is inclined to bomb long too often to anywhere though, sometimes to contests in which his team-mate is disadvantaged, sometimes just to a pack, and sometimes direct turnover. The greater majority of his kicks are terrific but it still leaves a significant enough proportion in which he lets himself down, albeit often bursting from traffic under pressure. My criticism is not that he is a poor kick. It’s just that he has such a good kicking style (set or on the run, on both sides!) and his good kicks are soooo good and he has such smarts generally that I think he is capable of an even better return. And the trend is in that direction, to be fair. Catch him on good days (which are often) and his kicking will blow you away.

Can kick a good, even brilliant, goal although is not a noted or bankable goal shooter. Last year you wouldn’t want him (5g-12b). This year he has kicked as many behinds as goals (10-10 in TAC games) and a few other misses but those stats are misleading. Most of his shots are either from long distance, or on the run under pressure on severe angles, or both. I’ve seen him kick about 6 pearlers this year and some great “just miss”s, including one monster and one amazing hook over his shoulder from a very severe angle at speed. In the dying seconds of a tight game he wouldn’t be my first pick to take a shot but chances are he would be the one who creates “that” goal by driving from half-forward or manufacturing from a boundary stop-play.

Great traffic management. Stop-play clearance specialist, especially centre bounce (although he doesn't always put it where it should go by foot). Is great at rushing into traffic and coming out the other side with the ball. Also mops up well from just behind play.

Reads the play well.

Reads the ball well – especially inside traffic or a pack or at the spill. He roves a pack (including throw-ins) extremely well.

Excellent evasion skills, both body evasion and on the run, even under the most severe pressure.

Awareness, poise under pressure. He generally seems to have a good feel for how much pressure he is under.

Hands:
Very clean, quick, reliable hands at any height or pressure. Good ground skills.

Marking:
He is only 179cm and marking doesn’t figure in his stats much or in his style. He is more likely to be front and square or waiting behind. However, he is no slouch aerially. He does position well in a marking contest, has soft hands overhead, and is equally comfortable charging in from the front or side of a pack or taking a speccy over the top of a tall. Don’t expect to see a lot of attempts but don’t assume he has any problem if given the right opportunity.

Athleticism, intensity, ethic:
In summary, quite good speed, excellent stamina and on-field work ethic. Runs hard and far to present and hard and far to apply pressure or defend. Works hard when his team has it and when it doesn't, and when he has it and when he doesn't. Chases hard. Is very good at keeping the ball in the contest – his priority seems to be to not let the opposition take the ball away. His main benefit doesn't show on stats – 2nd, 3rd, 4th efforts - he just keeps the ball from the opposition, holds it in, paddles it along, etc. Is fierce at the contest, works very hard at stop plays. Good team man.
Looks a bit bow-legged but has good pace without being a speedster. Would definitely beat Salopek, could even be with Winderlich over 10m in the right circumstances, but wouldn’t see Wells for dust. He moves well and likes a little dash.

Is excellent at getting the ball from beneath the pack. He is strong over the ball, fights on well on the ground, keeps his feet. Good balance over the ball and through traffic, even while being bumped or tackled.

Excellent recovery.

Desperate. 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts, smothers, chases, lays his body on the line. He throws himself at ball and opponent and will knowingly crash into the front of a pack to take a mark. He has a good combination of courage, desperation, team ethic and smarts. eg. against SA, the 195/91 CHB Smith was set for an easy mark but Grima threw himself fearlessly under Smith's back, taking Smith's feet from underneath him - clever, courageous and intense.

He butters up. And he does so with a purpose and intensity. He is likely to deliver a pass then bob up at the next play running 20m flat chat to slide into a chest mark.

He does the team things – blocking, chasing, linking up, etc.

AFL Versatility:
He is a born onballer, a traditional mobile vanilla-size ruck-rover. His skill-set and work ethic can make him sound like an ideal AFL half-back as well (particularly his smarts and his ability to kick over the lines), and that may be where he starts his AFL career, but he s only 5’10”. I’m not sure he is much more than those roles though. I don’t see him as a FP or BP. Could be handy on a HFF but I don’t see that being as good a fit as onball (or even HBF).

Query:- Consistency of accurate kicking (although it has improved greatly since last year). Kicks too often tend to be formula - kick as long as he can downfield to wherever it goes - doesn't seem to target his kicks often enough. Admittedly many of these kicks are under great pressure breaking from traffic but he doesn't show enough discretion often enough. Does have a nice kicking style though and is seriously dual-sided.
- Any legacy of shoulder injury?

Some interesting stats:- Average 27 disposals in 18 TAC games (up 60% on last year, in similar roles), a high (for his type) 70% of which are kicks (60% last year) and a lowish 13% of which are marks. Ultra consistent throughout the season – 30 or more disposals 9 times in 18 games, quietest game 11 disposals (quite some time on the bench), 2nd quietest 19. No major mid-way trend although he did handball more in 2nd half of season. Average 3.4 marks, 3.4 tackles .
- Not a regular or solid goal scorer (Total 10g-10b this year, 5g-12b last year).
- Average 14 disposals in 3 consistent U18 Championships games. (13, 14, 15). Total of only 6 marks.

Other stuff:- Winner 2002 TAC Coaches Award (40 votes)
- TAC Team of Year 2002 (centre)
- 8 votes (polled in 3 games) in 2002 Morrish Medal.
- Shoulder reconstruction Oct 2002 & can't train fully until Feb 2003.

[GrimasGirl]

Blake will be playing for North Ballarat this weekend.

[giantroo]

Blake will be playing for North Ballarat this weekend.

Oh yes, great news.

[giantroo]

Spoke to blake today. Will play for NB this week and could be back against the hawks. It all depends on his form for NB.

[mighty mick]

saw the reports on the game 6 goals in a losing side not a bad effort from newspaper reports.

[GrimasGirl]

saw the reports on the game 6 goals in a losing side not a bad effort from newspaper reports.
ummm you're talking about the wrong Grima.

Blake didn't kick any goals on the weekend and wasn't named in the 'Best Players' section.

Todd Grima on the other hand, kicked 6 goals for Geelong reserves against Tassie and was named in the 'Best Players' section.

[mighty mick]

ummm you're talking about the wrong Grima.

Blake didn't kick any goals on the weekend and wasn't named in the 'Best Players' section.

Todd Grima on the other hand, kicked 6 goals for Geelong reserves against Tassie and was named in the 'Best Players' section.

i can dream then:thumbsu:

[Star]

Can we claim them for Blake anyway? :o

[mighty mick]

Can we claim them for Blake anyway? :o

hope jyd makes the same mistake.

[RoyalBlue]

Psssssttt.....

Could be a bit more to post here next week.

[giantroo]

Happy to see him play this week.

[mighty mick]

Psssssttt.....

Could be a bit more to post here next week.

keep the sources coming rb, ill take chilli :)

keep the posts coming ill be away.

[RoyalBlue]

Psssssttt.....

Could be a bit more to post here next week.
*nods*

[mighty mick]

*nods*

ill give you that one rb, great news too, all the best grima lets hope you can stay in and make my game reports easier. cant make it easier this week im up on the gc for holidays.

crikey.

[rooboy_88]

congrats 2 blake, hope he pulls up well and puts in a good 1 .

[GrimasGirl]

Psssssttt.....

Could be a bit more to post here next week.
http://www.totally-amazing.net/notworthy.gif

:D

[year of the roo]

Blake didn't kick any goals on the weekend and wasn't named in the 'Best Players' section.
Interesting that he earnt a promotion based on that, not that I'm complaining of course. I reckon he'll do well tonight if his body doesn't let him down.

[RoyalBlue]

Interesting that he earnt a promotion based on that, not that I'm complaining of course. I reckon he'll do well tonight if his body doesn't let him down.
Those 'Bests' are rarely accurate tho.

[Chadwiko]

Showed great signs tonight. Silky smooth disposal

[giantroo]

Superb Stuff and i have been waiting for him since he done his shoulder against the hawks in 2005

[rooboy_88]

how far is blake away.

would think a fortnight in the magoos id be the go

[Thommo4pm]

What is going on with this fella...he is a very good in and under player!! i cant see why he got delisted, they picked him up again as a rookie, which shows they obviously see something in him....
Whens he going to get a game??????

[jschwag]

He played seven games at senior level last season and got injured again.

He's playing himself into full fitness and he has now done an entire pre-season without injury for the first time! Let's hope that all of his injury problems are behind him. The doctors and trainers are very positive about him for the first time.

[Thommo4pm]

That is great news!
but hes on the rookie list....which is shame....lets hope harding gets injure again :eek::D in jest

(havent forgiven Harding for missing that goal from the goalsquare a few years ago in the dying moments vs westcoast at telstra dome) :thumbsd:

[kangalover]

What is going on with this fella...he is a very good in and under player!! i cant see why he got delisted, they picked him up again as a rookie, which shows they obviously see something in him....
Whens he going to get a game??????


You are getting confused with your Grimas.

Blake Grima is not on the rookie list in 2008. Yes he was delisted at the end of 2007 but picked up again.

Nathan Grima is the Grima on the rookie list,(Nathan and Blake are not related by the way).
Nathan did his knee during a training session early in 2008.

Blake has been playing with the Roosters and hopefully should be fit and ready to play quite a few senior games this year.
Blake does have talent but unfortunately he is very injury prone, but I am hoping this year he can get in an injury free season.

[Thommo4pm]

Oh, thanks for clarifying that! even better, hope to see him in action this year. would be a great player for us if his body allowed, similar to the Swallow mould.

[jschwag]

You are getting confused with your Grimas.

Blake Grima is not on the rookie list in 2008. Yes he was delisted at the end of 2007 but picked up again.

Nathan Grima is the Grima on the rookie list,(Nathan and Blake are not related by the way).
Nathan did his knee during a training session early in 2008.

Blake has been playing with the Roosters and hopefully should be fit and ready to play quite a few senior games this year.
Blake does have talent but unfortunately he is very injury prone, but I am hoping this year he can get in an injury free season.

Exactly. Blake is now in the midst of his longest ever injury free streak. let's hope he keeps it going. (Longest since being drafted, anyway)

[Hearts to hearts]

Small world, but Blake's brother delivered a new fridge for me this week. Said Blake has no injury troubles now, he's ready and just wants to get a senior game. I said supporters would love to see him back in the ones, and he said Blake would be pleased to hear that. I know it's not inside news, but it made my day!

[1jasonoz]

Small world, but Blake's brother delivered a new fridge for me this week. Said Blake has no injury troubles now, he's ready and just wants to get a senior game. I said supporters would love to see him back in the ones, and he said Blake would be pleased to hear that. I know it's not inside news, but it made my day!


Yep i really hope Blake gets a chance this year, and come's through uninjured-loved the games i have seen him play, definatley has the talent just need's to stay uninjured.

[Thommo4pm]

Where is he at???

[rickety]

Where is he at???

Hmmm, am half way thru watching the north ballarat game and he is going ok. not getting a lot of the ball in general play, but is doing very well in the clearances. Had 7 handballs and 1 kick to quarter time - he is very good in and under. hopefully will get to see the other half today! :D