Past #32 Blake Leidler

[SwansProudly]

181 cm

Medium defender who can also go forward and have an impact. A strong contested ball winner who excels one-on-one, he also intercepts well. Mixed his football this year between college and club, with his dash from the back half of ground eye-catching in nine matches with the Oakleigh Chargers, where he averaged 13 disposals. Confirmed his athletic prowess with a slick 2.89 seconds on the 20m sprint and a sharp 8.15 seconds for the agility test at the state Draft Combine.

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[Adnico26Parker]

 

[BloodySwan]

Future all Australian

 

[caesar88]

Good luck

 

[Kiama Chris]

Welcome Blakey and good luck.

 

[Swansujelly]

Crouch 2.0?

 

[Crust]

Leidler 1.0

 

[Callipygian]

Leidler seems to be the most overlooked of our new recruits with the fewest posts, views and words on his thread. So I'm here to give him a little more love.

No doubt Leidler is a bit of a speculative pick (as all rookie picks are) but it seems he's got speed to burn and a fair bit of upside compared to a draft season where he was held back by injuries and illness. He looks a prospect who, in a rose tinted future, could be the future Nick Smith/Harry Cunningham.

Kevin Sheehan had this to say about him:

Medium defender who can also go forward and have an impact. A strong contested ball winner who excels one-on-one, he also intercepts well. Mixed his football this year between college and club, with his dash from the back half of ground eye-catching in nine matches with the Oakleigh Chargers, where he averaged 13 disposals. Confirmed his athletic prowess with a slick 2.89 seconds on the 20m sprint and a sharp 8.15 seconds for the agility test at the state Draft Combine.

Kevin Sheehan’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Small and medium defenders

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has profiled the top small and medium defenders in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft pool.

www.afl.com.au

And RMC said this:

STRENGTHS:

• Kick penetration
• One-on-ones
• Speed
• Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Composure
• Decision making

A dashing, daring defender who can also hold his own one-on-one, Blake Leidler has plenty of weapons in his arsenal. He proved during the APS season with Wesley College that he can go forward, has been tasked with shutting down dangerous opponents like Jesse Dattoli and Oliver Hannaford, and boasts electric speed - as shown by his 2.89-second 20m sprint at the state draft combine.

Leidler arguably played his best football down back and when not made to lock down on a direct opponent, showcased his aggressive rebound running ability. He's capable of relentlessly overlapping through the corridor and connecting the field in a flash, before compounding the metres gained effect by thumping a long kick forward. Such ability to go end-to-end suits the moderns game.

While his whirlwind attacking forays make for great entertainment, becoming a more accountable defender came with the education of being a touch less so. He could also be a touch more composed when setting off forward, which will help his decision making process and thus iron out his overall execution. Though, you don't want to take away all the positive instincts that make him so unique.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

Blake Leidler Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

Let's hope Blake enjoys and makes the most of his time at the Swans. Hopefully it's a 15 year stay!

 

[Kiama Chris]

Leidler seems to be the most overlooked of our new recruits with the fewest posts, views and words on his thread. So I'm here to give him a little more love.

No doubt Leidler is a bit of a speculative pick (as all rookie picks are) but it seems he's got speed to burn and a fair bit of upside compared to a draft season where he was held back by injuries and illness. He looks a prospect who, in a rose tinted future, could be the future Nick Smith/Harry Cunningham.

Kevin Sheehan had this to say about him:

Medium defender who can also go forward and have an impact. A strong contested ball winner who excels one-on-one, he also intercepts well. Mixed his football this year between college and club, with his dash from the back half of ground eye-catching in nine matches with the Oakleigh Chargers, where he averaged 13 disposals. Confirmed his athletic prowess with a slick 2.89 seconds on the 20m sprint and a sharp 8.15 seconds for the agility test at the state Draft Combine.

Kevin Sheehan’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Small and medium defenders

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has profiled the top small and medium defenders in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft pool.

www.afl.com.au

And RMC said this:

STRENGTHS:

• Kick penetration
• One-on-ones
• Speed
• Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Composure
• Decision making

A dashing, daring defender who can also hold his own one-on-one, Blake Leidler has plenty of weapons in his arsenal. He proved during the APS season with Wesley College that he can go forward, has been tasked with shutting down dangerous opponents like Jesse Dattoli and Oliver Hannaford, and boasts electric speed - as shown by his 2.89-second 20m sprint at the state draft combine.

Leidler arguably played his best football down back and when not made to lock down on a direct opponent, showcased his aggressive rebound running ability. He's capable of relentlessly overlapping through the corridor and connecting the field in a flash, before compounding the metres gained effect by thumping a long kick forward. Such ability to go end-to-end suits the moderns game.

While his whirlwind attacking forays make for great entertainment, becoming a more accountable defender came with the education of being a touch less so. He could also be a touch more composed when setting off forward, which will help his decision making process and thus iron out his overall execution. Though, you don't want to take away all the positive instincts that make him so unique.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

Blake Leidler Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

Let's hope Blake enjoys and makes the most of his time at the Swans. Hopefully it's a 15 year stay!

Exactly the kind of player you use a rookie pick on. Some outstanding traits but a fair bit of development needed. Do we see him as a defender or a potential small forward? Hard to see him and Paton in the same team.

 

[rustycrate]

Exactly the kind of player you use a rookie pick on. Some outstanding traits but a fair bit of development needed. Do we see him as a defender or a potential small forward? Hard to see him and Paton in the same team.

I see him as a small defender.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Very well spoken

“He’s probably the hardest person I had to match up against this year.” - Leidler

Hear from Swans draftee Blake Leidler as he speaks to the media around joining the club and what we can expect to see from him in the future.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[RainMachine]

Very well spoken

“He’s probably the hardest person I had to match up against this year.” - Leidler

Hear from Swans draftee Blake Leidler as he speaks to the media around joining the club and what we can expect to see from him in the future.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Exactly what i just came here to say!

 

[caesar88]

It's endearing and relatable that both he & Bice forgot questions asked of them in their pressers, but what was really encouraging is that they both had the confidence to speak up & ask for the questions to be repeated to them. It might not seem like much, but to me it is impressive to be able to just confront something uncomfortable on the spot, and calmly and maturely get on with it, rather than avoid it and pretend it didn't happen.

It also shows a level of respect and attention to detail. They wanted to answer the reporter's question genuinely, and weren't content just giving a half-arsed answer to get it over with.

 

[SydneyBlood]

The more i read and see about Blake and the more I've hear from him, I like this pick more and more. A bunch of small/medium defenders drafted by the Swans in recent years haven't amounted to much, if anything at all. However, the combination of supposed pace and agility give me hope that he might buck that trend.

 

[anotherletdown]

The more i read and see about Blake and the more I've hear from him, I like this pick more and more. A bunch of small/medium defenders drafted by the Swans in recent years haven't amounted to much, if anything at all. However, the combination of supposed pace and agility give me hope that he might buck that trend.

Me too. Sounds like a guy who's pretty switched on and self aware

FYI - It's not supposed pace. It's legit

 

[SydneyBlood]

Me too. Sounds like a guy who's pretty switched on and self aware

FYI - It's not supposed pace. It's legit

'Supposed' was the wrong choice of word. 'Reported' or similar would have been more accurate, but yeah looking forward to see what he can provide.

 

[Kiama Chris]

'Supposed' was the wrong choice of word. 'Reported' or similar would have been more accurate, but yeah looking forward to see what he can provide.

Buzzy

 

[liz]

The more i read and see about Blake and the more I've hear from him, I like this pick more and more. A bunch of small/medium defenders drafted by the Swans in recent years haven't amounted to much, if anything at all. However, the combination of supposed pace and agility give me hope that he might buck that trend.

He might, but we’ve drafted a plethora of skinny HBFers/small defenders over the years who’ve come with similar raps.

I’m always optimistic about our draftees but we need to see him transfer his decision making and skills to the far higher tempo and pressure of, first, VFL and then hopefully AFL.

 

[Kiama Chris]

He might, but we’ve drafted a plethora of skinny HBFers/small defenders over the years who’ve come with similar raps.

I’m always optimistic about our draftees but we need to see him transfer his decision making and skills to the far higher tempo and pressure of, first, VFL and the hopefully AFL.

If he and/or Paton have been recruited to replace Cunningham they might have a wait. Harry has just turned 31 a week ago and shows no signs of falling off the twig just yet. That said, another two seasons could be it for him and a nice incubation period if Leidler shows the right stuff. Another story if Harry gets injured and maybe Paton comes more into the picture.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[rustycrate]

If he and/or Paton have been recruited to replace Cunningham they might have a wait. Harry has just turned 31 a week ago and shows no signs of falling off the twig just yet. That said, another two seasons could be it for him and a nice incubation period if Leidler shows the right stuff. Another story if Harry gets injured and maybe Paton comes more into the picture.

or maybe Wicks who is currently training with the defenders.

 

[Ticky009]

or maybe Wicks who is currently training with the defenders.

Interesting. I hope it goes well.

 

[caesar88]

That seed answer is genuinely the smartest thing I have heard a footballer say

 

[hairy biker]

Not on injured list, not in reserves line-up

All very strange.
Not even listed out with 'personal issues'.

 

[giantsully]

Not on injured list, not in reserves line-up

All very strange.
Not even listed out with 'personal issues'.

View attachment 2272055

Maybe, like me, they simply forgot we drafted him.