Player Watch #7: Ben Lennon

[Hot tigers]

Even seasoned campaigners blow up every year in their first few games after big pre seasons, the fact he's played very few AFL games and 2 interrupted pre seasons no one should be surprised...

A lot to like about this kid, keep playing him along with Cellis when he is ready...

 

[kozi]

Seriously considering giving it a shot. So deadly.

Will definitely give you a tougher look. Not too sure the girls will like it though.

The Bontempelli would suit you more imo

 

[Old M8]

Ben got a coaches vote!

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

Why can't Morris bob up for just one?

hard to bob up when he is diving at knees

 

[Fishfingahz]

Will definitely give you a tougher look. Not too sure the girls will like it though.

The Bontempelli would suit you more imo

Not too sure the Greasy Steve Buscemi look is in nowadays.

 

[theflea]

AFL match conditioning is fairly unique in it's requirement. VFL level match conditioning doesn't even come close. Only way to gain match conditioning is well... play matches at the same intensity level.

This is why sometimes vfl form by afl listed players arent necessarily good efforts. Fulltime v parttime players.

 

[Bobby Sands]

The split second decision making can't really be practiced either.

 

[Football Tragic]

Interesting to hear Dimma talk about Lennon in his Di-section this week. Was pleased with his offensive output but still felt he had a fair bit of work to do on his defense and learning the team structures/game plan.

 

[copthat]

Interesting to hear Dimma talk about Lennon in his Di-section this week. Was pleased with his offensive output but still felt he had a fair bit of work to do on his defense and learning the team structures/game plan.

Really didn't sound like he'd retain his spot to be honest.

 

[Sol23]

If he doesn't retain his spot with 3 goals it's a disgrace

 

[SumTingWong]

Interesting to hear Dimma talk about Lennon in his Di-section this week. Was pleased with his offensive output but still felt he had a fair bit of work to do on his defense and learning the team structures/game plan.

And that's fair enough. He's shown what he can do with the ball which is very impressive. But you can't get away with a purely offensive style game against the good sides. Can't wait for him to get fit. Will be a serious weapon for us.

 

[Mr Magic]

The kid is in his 2nd year...
IMO we judge our rookies harshly because of the impact that Dusty, Conca, C.Ellis and Vlaustin had in their first years.

What impact did Conca have in his first year?

I think we were just weaker and lacked more depth when Conca played tbh

 

[Mr Magic]

Interesting to hear Dimma talk about Lennon in his Di-section this week. Was pleased with his offensive output but still felt he had a fair bit of work to do on his defense and learning the team structures/game plan.

If that is the case I think Dimma needs to give the kids more slack and let them develop and learn in game time tbh.

Lennon is far more advanced than Menadue IMO. In fact he is more advanced than other more experienced players on our list IMO in a role forward

 

[tunksy]

Anyone else think this kid could be like lids?

 

[Tiger71]

Anyone else think this kid could be like lids?

Does not have the pace. IMO he will be more like a Goddard/ Dal Santo type.

 

[Hot tigers]

If that is the case I think Dimma needs to give the kids more slack and let them develop and learn in game time tbh.

Lennon is far more advanced than Menadue IMO. In fact he is more advanced than other more experienced players on our list IMO in a role forward

Doesn't run both ways and lacks defensive pressure.... Will be a player but certainly not more advanced than allot of players, in top 10-15 in talent yet plays mostly VFL (granted in 2nd year), still has a heap to learn and work allot harder, something Dimma lauded to in his dissection...

 

[Tiger7374]

It was good to see him...and he looked like a footballer...build wise.

Won't be out of place to keep him for the next 2 weeks...he will learn heaps about the game...a good game in either might see him first in line at #19 for the rest of the year.

 

[RichoRichoRicho]

It's clear to me that Dimma is riding these rookies harder and expecting more. Goes hand in hand with a step change in expectations for the club as a whole.

For gods sake he's played a handful of games. Looks the goods. Give him time. Has something different about him.

Loves the club. And sounds to me like he wants it bad. Will be a player. Give him some bloody time to come into his own. 50 games.

Look at Shane Edwards. Itd be nice if they were all Judd and won a brownlow third year.

 

[Tiger2709]

Does not have the pace. IMO he will be more like a Goddard/ Dal Santo type.

Traffic cop?

 

[Nostradumbass]

Haven't seen any of the game, how did he go apart from the goals?

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Why is anyone knocking this bloke??

He quite literally is in the top 5 most exciting players on our list. Yes he was a high draft pick, yes his fitness needs work, and yes he can look lethargic.

However lets look at the facts. He has had two serious injuries, he is already one of the best kicks in the club, he get's into dangerous areas and he kicks goals! Just for an extra layer, he uses the ball well and can pinch-hit in the middle.

We need to play him. AFL standard football is the only environment that his decision making can be put under pressure, and in turn improve his skill-set.
Games that are forcing him to run his guts off are surely better than seeing him pick up easy touches and outclass plodders in the VFL.

Did you see how up and about he was when he kicked the overhead? If we can bottle that enthusiasm we have a seriously good player on our hands, one that would cost us a shitload more to acquire from outside, and in a position / role that we are in dire need.

In business it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain an existing one. This is also true of footy lists, it is far more cost-efficient to work with the talent you have rather than acquiring new talent.

Am I missing something here?

We should be salivating over this bloke, and encouraging him to get as much game-time as possible.

He can be a seriously influential player at our football club.

Now Bobby, you should know good, common sense posts like his dont belong on these boards!!!!

Great Post

 

[Hank Heavenly]

Interesting to hear Dimma talk about Lennon in his Di-section this week. Was pleased with his offensive output but still felt he had a fair bit of work to do on his defense and learning the team structures/game plan.

If thats the case, it would work wonders to play the next two weeks.
It will show the kid what level he needs to get to... See him chase a Suckling or Ibbotson the other way.... Learns from mistakes against the best, not just from watching tapes.

 

[RichoRichoRicho]

Just to add. Lennon coming on (and Therefore us not needing a Motlop sort) would perfectly complement us picking up Treloar

 

[THE_GUN]

In all honesty Im starting to lean towards the Steven Motlop trade than the Adam Treloar

Treloar would cost $700k + 1st rounder + Knives
Motlop $500k + 1st Rounder

Motlop is more of a need atm and im starting to think that our mids are all a little on the smallish side and the mid that we probably need is the inside beast thats 191-193 90kgs type

Still think we should be making a play for Mathew Kreuzer as well (Maric starting to look like he probably has just 1 year left)

Kreuzer+Motlop would be a very good result

 

[Old M8]

2.0. 100% goal kicking efficiency, set up McIntosh's goal in the 2nd. He is the only player in our forwardline I have total confidence in when having an easy shot.

Good signs, keep it up Benny.