Player Watch #7: Ben Lennon

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Rodney Dangerfield

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Heard some very positive reports in relation to how he has been training, best 22 easily if fit. Better talent then lloyd
Geez that's a big call. He might be some things but lloyd is one of the most talented players on the list.
He lacks in areas but talent isn't one of them.
He's a natural.
 

Goldust

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No he doesnt have to play 100 games at Richmond , He just has to play 100 afl games which he has played 19 so far , So another 81 games to go.

If he does get to 100 games it will be for Richmond as i dont believe any other clubs would be interested in him if he fails again in 2017, His time will be up and at most will only get a Rookie offer ( same as this year)

People keep going on about how he was playing well before he got dropped and seriously it might be a good idea to go back and watch those games , He was never dominating he was just OK , Its now been made out that he was in stellar form and was dropped.

I have seen alot more from Kane Pettifer at the same stage than from Lennon , If he does end up making the grade and becomes a good player i would more than happily concede that i was wrong about him and pay up the bet - I usually dont lose bets and dont take sucker bets either

What you guys need to accept and understand about my views on Lennon is that i dont deny his talent, He certainly does have the talent to make it but he has flaws in his game and doesnt work hard enough to fix them and is the type of player that believes he has a right to game time because he is ben lennon #12 and should be given games

My angst towards his work ethic in games is more from what i seen of him the last 2 -3 years at lower level that what i seen at AFL level ( which isnt that spectacular either) But his refusal to do the team things and his arrogant approach to working hard on the track as well as his lazy attitude when ball is not in his area is what annoys me most.

I hope the new coaches have or will get this self entitled attitude out of him as if they dont he has no chance to go past 2017 and will find himself at Bulleen playing local football
You're money is safe. Won't get to 70 let alone 100, simply does not work hard enough, especially off the ball.
I just don't see it with Lennon ... 18 games, one really good one against Essendon, the rest mediocre and without any particular moment or piece of play standing out.
Plenty in his draft have gone past him!
 

TigerImposter

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Heard some very positive reports in relation to how he has been training, best 22 easily if fit. Better talent then lloyd
Two completely different players so stop listening to these voices that spit out dribble. If I had a dollar for every player that's trained the house down in the off season I reckon I'd have a hefty piggy bank account.
I'm backing Ben in to make it , but it's entirely up to him and not hearsay if he wants to.
 

Squibbs

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Surely Lloyd and Lennon can play in the same team? Both great talents, Lennon can become our forward flanker, and have Lloyd and Rioli in the pockets because of their great goal sense. If Lennon can come on that significantly improves our small/medium forward rotations, with Caddy/Dusty/Edwards all coming through also.

It sounds pretty hopeful, but if Lennon can pull his finger out and show us what he's capable of, our forward line suddenly becomes much more dangerous.
 

TJTIGER

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Ben may have talent....But it's his application & sense of working within a team that concerns me most. In my mind he has some bridges to build & ground to make up.......I can just see it that if he doesn't make inroads in 2017 he may find himself as trade bait in a bigger deal.....(Just my 2c worth )....
 

Tiges1229

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Ben may have talent....But it's his application & sense of working within a team that concerns me most. In my mind he has some bridges to build & ground to make up.......I can just see it that if he doesn't make inroads in 2017 he may find himself as trade bait in a bigger deal.....(Just my 2c worth )....
Doesent he want out anyway ??
 

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ize_

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Ben may have talent....But it's his application & sense of working within a team that concerns me most. In my mind he has some bridges to build & ground to make up.......I can just see it that if he doesn't make inroads in 2017 he may find himself as trade bait in a bigger deal.....(Just my 2c worth )....
Can you give some practical examples of this? Not including hearsay off BigFooty.
 

TJTIGER

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Can you give some practical examples of this? Not including hearsay off BigFooty.



It's mostly my feeling about Ben ( the footage I've seen of Ben from before and after he was drafted), But it's a combination of his contract negotiations & an attempt to seek a trade during this years period that concerns me. If there are issues around the selection processes? I hope Balme can stamp himself on those. Either way I hope we get to see either a highly committed Ben or traded so both he & the club can move on, if that's what's best....
 

matt_y106

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Having said that, Lennon is an exciting talent. If he gets his head right could be anything, think Gunston with actual talent.
I don't know about you, but i would be more than happy with Gunston. When played as a 3rd tall, (Definitely not key position or loose man in defence) is an absolute gun and nightmare for defenders
 

Livonski

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I don't know about you, but i would be more than happy with Gunston. When played as a 3rd tall, (Definitely not key position or loose man in defence) is an absolute gun and nightmare for defenders
He's good, no question, but in my opinion he's one who is elevated by the team around him. Would be so much less impressive in a bottom 8 side.
My point was that in terms of natural talent, marking, kicking etc Lennon is more gifted. And if he had Gunstons work ethic would be a better footballer, by a considerable margin.
 

NZ_Tiger

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He's good, no question, but in my opinion he's one who is elevated by the team around him. Would be so much less impressive in a bottom 8 side.
My point was that in terms of natural talent, marking, kicking etc Lennon is more gifted. And if he had Gunstons work ethic would be a better footballer, by a considerable margin.
He kicked a bunch on us in his first starting season at the Crows. Put "the next Richo's" career into the ground.
 

Azzleberry

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It's mostly my feeling about Ben ( the footage I've seen of Ben from before and after he was drafted), But it's a combination of his contract negotiations & an attempt to seek a trade during this years period that concerns me. If there are issues around the selection processes? I hope Balme can stamp himself on those. Either way I hope we get to see either a highly committed Ben or traded so both he & the club can move on, if that's what's best....
He has the talent and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that his fitness has only been an issue due to glandular fever. With Deledio gone he should have the opportunity to play on the forward flank but I'm not positive that he will take the opportunity.
If he doesn't come on in 17, he won't be at the club in 18- it's simple
 

THE_GUN

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Ben Lenno does have talent and nobody has ever disputed that and you dont get to this level without talent BUT Talent alone doesnt make you an AFL player for a long time and you need to eventually produce that talent on a consistant level.

Lennon cant play as a small foward as he doesnt have the speed or the agility to do that role, His most suited Role is the HFF goal kicker ,Back in the 80's he would have been a star but these days the HFF cant just sit on the 50 and wait for the ball, The need to run up and down the gound from the foward pocket to the half back line to create options and to press up. Ben just doesnt work hard enough

Lenno also needs to build a tank to be able to play midfield as well , These days apart from the 6 KPP/Ruck all players will need to run through the midfield and offer rotational options - He is a big kid and MUST develop his midfield game by the way this Delidio replacement thing is just stupid extremely different players both in make up and playing style not to mention work ethic

Things Lennon does not do and unless he makes a dramatic change and starts working harder and doing these things will not get many games at 'ANY CLUB'
Run both ways and work alot harder when the ball is not in his area or he is not the person in play
Chasing not just token chasing but really putting pressure on the player thats hes trying to catch
Play midfield and to do that he needs to bust his ass now

He doesnt have a big tank and lacks speed as well as doesnt work hard enough without the ball, He needs to rid this self entitled attitude as he isnt a walk up start and is not even in our best 22 atm, Clearly no other team rates him as they virtually could have had him for nothing but didnt take /trade for him

What he needs to do this year to get an extentsion :- Play to the game plan and run both ways + Kick 30+ goals

Even though i bet against him making 100 games - I really do hope he does ( for Richmond ) otherwise he can eat shit as far as i care
 

richoatthedisco

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He's good, no question, but in my opinion he's one who is elevated by the team around him. Would be so much less impressive in a bottom 8 side.
My point was that in terms of natural talent, marking, kicking etc Lennon is more gifted. And if he had Gunstons work ethic would be a better footballer, by a considerable margin.
Gunston runs at a level we're yet to see Lennon is capable of. Gets up and down the ground and wears his man out.
 

theflea

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Gunston runs at a level we're yet to see Lennon is capable of. Gets up and down the ground and wears his man out.
Agree, Gunston isn't a traditional fwd really, he is a tall sized half fwd/wingman who runs the flanks so as to burn his oppo up and then get free on the spread. He rarely takes big strong marks in the fwd 50.
 

smurfin

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He has simply been given a gift with Lids leaving. That is his spot and he must grasp it with hands.
I agree with this. I hope the thought has occurred to Ben as well - no Deledio & no 3rd tall - the mid-sized forward role is his for the taking. Head down and work your ass off.
 

TJTIGER

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Rarely the big pack ones...just regulation marks over out of position opposition players..

If you work hard enough to blow your direct opponent up. You don't need to take pack marks. You just lead into space , play the percentages rather than risk injury climbing a pack, kick goals (which is exactly what he does) proves his value to the club & has a long career through no injuries. Everyones happy!
 
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