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

[jdstorm]

If we have genuinely picked him up with the express intent of playing him as a key defender it is one of the more impressive bits of madcap, left field recruiting I’ve ever seen.

He’s fun and goofy, offers far more utility to the list than Laverde due to his genuine KP size and ability to play multiple roles.

Unlikely given that at the time of the midseason draft McMahon was mostly playing as a defender for Carlton.

We needed a tall at each spot (KPD, KPF, and Ruck) and took 3 talls each playing in one of those spots (McMahon, May and Blackison)

I guess at some point during training someone saw something and the rest is history

 

[Yoda_]

Unlikely given that at the time of the midseason draft McMahon was mostly playing as a defender for Carlton.

what

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

If we have genuinely picked him up with the express intent of playing him as a key defender it is one of the more impressive bits of madcap, left field recruiting I’ve ever seen.

He’s fun and goofy, offers far more utility to the list than Laverde due to his genuine KP size and ability to play multiple roles.

But does he have a Twitch account?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Can he play forward?

Is that you Dodo?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Haven’t checked recently, haven’t really studied the new CBA except as relates to concussion protocols

Not good enough...jk

 

[ant555]

what

Collingwood.

 

[Cold Sober]

He's a scrubber having a fair dinkum crack, like the way he's gone about it.
Gives us more options with his versatility, will be more than a handy keep.

 

[Yoda_]

Want to see him given a chance in the ruck as to whether we are keeping him or not. I dont think we would bother investing in him as a KPD. As a ruck his skill set intrigues me. Liked what I saw in the limited viewing during the Richmond game.

 

[Call Me Cake]

Low footy IQ + can't read the footy, a kryptonite combo for a defender.

A duct tape fix who isn't worth persisting with considering he'll be the same age as Parish this year.

 

[Yoda_]

Low footy IQ + can't read the footy, a kryptonite combo for a defender.

Just one example,

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A duct tape fix who isn't worth persisting with considering he'll be the same age as Parish this year.

he is no upgrade on what we have

 

[Lore]

I mean he’s a ruckman that’s playing defence because we’re ****ed so

 

[ghostdog]

Low footy IQ + can't read the footy, a kryptonite combo for a defender.

A duct tape fix who isn't worth persisting with considering he'll be the same age as Parish this year.

Problem is we won't be taking a kpd in the draft this year, or trading one in.

We have an abundance on the list and will likely persist with LB, at least as back up, for now. If we keep Ridley, and if any of Ridley, Reid, McKay get fit and then injured for weeks again in '26, then I would expect a change. Blakiston will probably get a year I reckon.

 

[Doss]

It’s impressive that a mature-aged MSD stop gap has managed to attract a level of anti-fan as strong as CMC is on Blakiston in this short a time.

Considering he’s new to the top level and is playing back when he’s a ruck, he’s been handed an absolute rotten egg and I think expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.

He’s tried. He’s got some attributes. He’s also on an absolute hiding to nothing.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

He’s never had the luxury to play alongside another tall such as McKay and Reid and now having to play without Ridley. Playing for a team with a decimated backline and now decimated mid.

 

[King Patty]

Surely keeping Blakiston is the easiest decision, and just make Goldy full time ruck coach next year, essentially taking Goldy's spot.
Blakiston being able to fill in other roles than ruck is handy, especially given we will be starting the season without a number of players. I like his attack on the footy. Would be interesting to see him in a second or third tall defender role too.

 

[faible]

He’s never had the luxury to play alongside another tall such as McKay and Reid and now having to play without Ridley. Playing for a team with a decimated backline and now decimated mid.

Prime Fletcher would struggle to look any good in our current side; ball comes in with little pressure from the midfield, defence has no support whatsoever.

 

[JT_the_Man]

Can we hurry up and sign him for next year?

 

[WABomber]

You cant build a backline including ridley and reid without plenty of backup options. Got to sign him up for his versatility and just being available tbh.

 

[Gabe251]

Don't massively rate him. think he's required. going to be a squeeze next year...

 

[MiguelM]

Would like to see him more in the ruck. Who knows, with possibly no Draper, Bryan not til later next year and Goldy retired, we might need him.

 

[Chief Hopper]

For a ruck turned key defender in his first season, Blakiston has played well for us.

Better to have a defender thats on the field then one with all the ability thats off it.

 

[DERO]

The professor

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Don't massively rate him. think he's required. going to be a squeeze next year...

Agree. I've been less impressed than others have been with him.

 

[Happyskeret]

Agree. I've been less impressed than others have been with him.

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

 

[EnolaGay]

He's our best backline man-bun since peak Hurley.