They undoubtedly did a longer apprenticeship than some liked but listening to Blakely describe how he feels it helped round out his game and make him a much more complete and confident footballer,alongside the development of the other two you mention,and the fact that Connor's just signed up for the rebuild and will likely commit to the club for his career,suggest another aspect to this supposed risk aversion.
Maybe the risk he's averse to is the risk the talented youngsters won't reach full potential,with as complete a set of skills as they're capable of if they're not developed judiciously.That they will not feel they are in the best learning environment with the most mature and focused footy education and future ahead of them and with a vision and strategy that they can commit their professional careers to.
Avert that sort of risk and you're paving the way to develop and retain your young talent and give your list and club best chance of actualising its potential and therefore chances for long term stability and success.
As you say they certainly don't appear stifled and are playing with a maturity and polish beyond their years.The creativity,penetration and hurt factor in Blakely's kicking in particular has just skyrocketed.
That said I don't mind a bit of playing the percentages.
Go ask a St Kilda fan how he liked all the development ol' rosco put into their youth. If we were middle of the road the last 2 yrs then half these young blokes that everyone is saying he has nurtured like little chickens would not even be getting a game. His hand was forced , he had no option but to do what we all were screaming for ....and wow what do you know some of these kids are better than his troopers and now you want to give him credit for it ?
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