AFL Player 46: Lachlan Blakiston - Re-signed for another year! - 10/9

[Wahooti Fandango]

Same I want to like him but so far to me is ok in the ruck and defence but not great.

He gets pushed off the ball very easily for a guy his size.

 

[Yoda_]

I really do not know what to make of him as a key defender and not having an opportunity to see him as a ruck is making it so hard to gauge what we have.

 

[ant555]

I really do not know what to make of him as a key defender and not having an opportunity to see him as a ruck is making it so hard to gauge what we have.

I think it is easy to judge him as a key defender. It is not natural and he will only ever be a third choice as far as that goes.
As far as ruck goes we know that despite his short comings as a defender he is agile. When he does not have to defend one on one he can take an intercept mark. You would think he can get around the ground based on what he is doing in defence. Who knows as far as tap work goes as there has not been a lot of that. Have had a look back at a few of his WAFL games and he is okay.
Personally I think what we have is the perfect guy to be a cheap back up. He should benefit with a full pre season and maybe be a little better for his experience this year but he will only ever be a C grade workhorse.
He is not going to be your finals KPD. Probably not even your finals ruck.
What he will be is good depth for a couple of seasons.

 

[Vindicater]

Agreed.

He can basically be a backup ruck and backup KPD in one.

Worth keeping.

 

[FlyingV]

He’s a really good athlete, nearly covered 16kms last night

 

[ant555]

He’s a really good athlete, nearly covered 16kms last night

That is something that should help him as a ruck

 

[Beerfish]

I thought he was pretty good considering. There were at least 2 goals that resulted from his good work in defence.

 

[craffles]

Keep. We need big bodies as back ups for our rucks and defenders.

 

[Howard Moon]

It's weird, at one point he was standing alone in the def goal square and Clarke nominated for the ruck 3 meters away. And he's seemingly always taking a smaller man than laverde or Redman.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

I thought he was pretty good considering. There were at least 2 goals that resulted from his good work in defence.

This. Never played defence and no pre season with the club and walks in to a depleted defence. His performances don’t get enough credit. Saved us a few times last night. Scott has expressed his approval ..he’ll definitely get a spot on the list

 

[crackers65]

This. Never played defence and no pre season with the club and walks in to a depleted defence. His performances don’t get enough credit. Saved us a few times last night. Scott has expressed his approval ..he’ll definitely get a spot on the list

I definitely think he’s worth a contract. Started from a fair way back and a full pre season, training as a KPD will do him wonders.

 

[jannissary]

not to make sweeping comparisons but he moves unbelievably well for a big bloke, give him more time on the list

 

[Nicholas61]

not to make sweeping comparisons but he moves unbelievably well for a big bloke, give him more time on the list

I don't know if I said it here earlier but I don't think I have seen a big guy with that lateral movement. Some are incredibly quick but don't side step opponents. Crazy he ran 16km because he also seems to have good burst speed and no pre season which shows how much is dictated by natural genetics.

Being a bright guy off field so should pick up subtleties with a good pre season and development (not a given with us) , relatively recent to senior state footy seems a no brainer to sign him just need to clear some spots.

 

[The Airing of Grievances]

Another thing to bear in mind is that although 25 he has had very little experience even at WAFL level. He basically played amateur footy until 3 years ago and had only played 17 senior games at 2 WAFL clubs in the 3 seasons including this up to when picked him in MSD. While he needs to come on a lot, you'd think there was significant potential for improvement from a full preseason in a professional environment to build on some of the positive signs he has showed so far.

 

[fairbump_playon]

not to make sweeping comparisons but he moves unbelievably well for a big bloke, give him more time on the list

Serious athlete

It really never hurts

Also he reads the ball in the air well, finds ways to be involved and generally has good instincts

Learning quickly. I wouldn’t limit his upside yet.

 

[brutus76]

Very much like Judd Lalich

Needs to fill out the upper body

I like the boy

 

[Yoda_]

Very much like Judd Lalich

Needs to fill out the upper body

I like the boy

hes 27, i dont think he's got to much improvement both physically and ability wise

 

[jmoo wan]

i reckon he was pretty good tonight

 

[bennyg12]

Keep the lad

 

[7zark7]

Very much like Judd Lalich

Needs to fill out the upper body

I like the boy

Lalich was absoloute garbage. He is already better than him

 

[bacon buster]

Very much like Judd Lalich

Needs to fill out the upper body

I like the boy

You like him. Yet you compare him to Lalich

 

[brutus76]

Lalich showed glimpses. Couldn't get his body right

 

[ant555]

hes 27, i dont think he's got to much improvement both physically and ability wise

Apart from being in a full time system and the fact he has not been playing WAFL since he was 18.
Players can improve in a professional environment.
He is no star but he can get fitter and stronger and also gel with the team a bit better with a pre season.

 

[Zach Package]

My proposed upstart coterie called the 'Blakistonians' may have to be paused for a while.

I would keep, I'm not sure we will be able to, he would look much better playing beside a combination of Ridley, Reid, McKay and Hayes.

 

[jdstorm]

Lav replacement as VFL depth.

Has shown enough that your happy enough to see him at AFL level if required but would rather he wasnt