Player Watch #7: Ben Lennon

[richoatthedisco]

Stringer averages 2.1 tackles per game and Lennon 2.7........

That is a career average. He has played 73 games. He was dropped for what 2?

If you're going career average, Lennon averages 1.

Stringer averages almost 2 goals a game compared to Lennon 0.5. Stringer has explosive pace and power, Lennon doesn't.

I like Ben but he needs to get as fit as possible. His role will be to play the hit-up forward on transition. If he can average a goal a game doing that he'll have done well.

 

[HumanMeatball]

I actually really rate him tbh, he really should do a pre season and play from round 1. What I found really interesting is in his 3 games this year he averaged 6 marks, that's pretty good, griffiths averaged 4.5 this year. If he gets semi fit he will play.

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

I want to say he will have a breakout year next year but can see it going all wrong for him..

 

[El Tigre]

I actually really rate him tbh, he really should do a pre season and play from round 1. What I found really interesting is in his 3 games this year he averaged 6 marks, that's pretty good, griffiths averaged 4.5 this year. If he gets semi fit he will play.

I dont think most people question his ability, its probably more a question of his work rate. Hopefully with bringing in guys who have good workrates, that it helps "drag" along those that dont.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

hopefully this is a big wake up call to him. its all on him now knuckle down and get fit and prove you are worth a spot in the 22 or get delisted and piss around in some local comp like dan connors

 

[exceptional design]

Did anyone post how he did in the time trial after he was working on his fitness?
Or anyone know how he did?

 

[theflea]

I dont think you are getting exactly what im saying here !

He wants a fresh start and a new club, No club will want to take him if they need to pay him $400k and 1 more year of the way the last 3 has gone and its curtains for him - Finished career and off to sanfl or wafl

If he believes in his ability to play and is working hard at the things he mentiones in his promo lol , He would jump at going to another club and prove that he has ability and make a career for himself.

2017 if he doesnt pull the digit out of his ass and stop blaming others and actually works - He might just save his career otherwise its curtains for him.

No I do understand that, just saying giving up a lucrative contract to facilitate a change of performance by potentially 350k is dumb, particularly when even if he does this is no guarantee of success.

 

[THE_GUN]

No I do understand that, just saying giving up a lucrative contract to facilitate a change of performance by potentially 350k is dumb, particularly when even if he does this is no guarantee of success.

If he truly believes in his ability and believes that he has the talent and work ethic to make it at the top level but the club/coaches are the people that are letting him down and are ruining his career then its a no brainer - You get out

$350k pre tax is effectively $250k after tax
If he stays and has another year like his last 3 years his career is finished and wont get to play AFL (more than likely clubs wont look at him)

Move to another club and prove it wasnt your fault and become the player you believe you are and have a 10 year career !!

 

[Grockadoc]

He reminds me of Morton and Connors in that they have talent, and make things look easy at times, but just suffer a lack of professionalism and dedication to do the hard yards.

 

[Tigersfan35]

Ben is just another failed first round prospect, maybe he will come into his skin next year with another pre season under his belt but I can't see it happening.

 

[RememberRoyce]

Ben is just another failed first round prospect, maybe he will come into his skin next year with another pre season under his belt but I can't see it happening.

Not so certain myself. Unlike some spuds we have kept on our list, he has the skills, and if he gets a full preseason injury free, his confidence/motivation should be high.
Concede he may be a 'stuff this, its all a bit too hard' type. But sometimes those types once the external factors causing the negative attitudes are gone, they fulfill their potential.

We'll know in 12 months, but it needs to all go right for him imo.

 

[HumanMeatball]

He reminds me of Morton and Connors in that they have talent, and make things look easy at times, but just suffer a lack of professionalism and dedication to do the hard yards.

Thats a bit over the top. Morton had mental issues anxiety im pretty sure in the lead up to games, while connors was a piss head and flog. Lennon so far just needs to up his work rate a bit but he is nowhere near as bad as people suggest

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Lennon just has to get over the fact he doesn't rate Hardwick (fact). Hardwick knows this and thus doesn't play him when the opportunity arises. It's a personality clash. A guy who is as junior as Ben just has to let go of this clash, concentrate on playing good hard footy. He is the ideal high half forward with good hands and a great kick. He was an under 18 AA for a reason. He just needs to get back to the basics and put some energy into his footy as he has more skills than 80% of our playing list.

I hope he can knuckle down as he is the ideal replacement up forward for Lids. Time will tell.

 

[THE_GUN]

Lennon just has to get over the fact he doesn't rate Hardwick (fact). Hardwick knows this and thus doesn't play him when the opportunity arises. It's a personality clash. A guy who is as junior as Ben just has to let go of this clash, concentrate on playing good hard footy. He is the ideal high half forward with good hands and a great kick. He was an under 18 AA for a reason. He just needs to get back to the basics and put some energy into his footy as he has more skills than 80% of our playing list.

I hope he can knuckle down as he is the ideal replacement up forward for Lids. Time will tell.

Really !!! More Skills than 80% of our list - wow
you see something there that we have all missed in his 19 games and 9 goals in 3 years

He is currently not in our best 22 after 3 years on the list with Kids like Menadue,Rioli,Short,Markov all having past him even though all have been on the list a year less and all not physically developed as Lennon.

When you say skills , I would say skills would consist of things like Speed,Acceleration,Tackling,Kicking,Marking,Handball,shepherding as well as the defensive running and chasing aspects of the game these days. Rioli,Markov,Menadue & Short would have him covered in most of these with just the contested marking i would give to lennon.

I would have Lennon in the bottom 25% of talent at the club on performances he has shown from when he arrived to now and bottom 5% for his work ethic and determination.

 

[Football Tragic]

Just leading speed and defensive mindset that has keep him out of the team that and then his self entitled attitude. I agree that he would be a wonderful replacement for Lids. He has all the skills we need and is a beautiful mark and kick. Never understood why he was dropped for Conca and Griff in that final - always thought we were a better team with him in it.

If he can prove to Dimma and the coaches that he has changed his attitude and has improved his fitness, I can see him playing most games this year. Lloyds form has also kept him out of the team but now Lids is gone - the spots his if he deserves it

 

[Bobby Sands]

Really !!! More Skills than 80% of our list - wow
you see something there that we have all missed in his 19 games and 9 goals in 3 years

He is currently not in our best 22 after 3 years on the list with Kids like Menadue,Rioli,Short,Markov all having past him even though all have been on the list a year less and all not physically developed as Lennon.

When you say skills , I would say skills would consist of things like Speed,Acceleration,Tackling,Kicking,Marking,Handball,shepherding as well as the defensive running and chasing aspects of the game these days. Rioli,Markov,Menadue & Short would have him covered in most of these with just the contested marking i would give to lennon.

I would have Lennon in the bottom 25% of talent at the club on performances he has shown from when he arrived to now and bottom 5% for his work ethic and determination.

*rolls-eyes.*

 

[guruisatiger]

Simple Equation
If ben has the desire. Passion. And hard work attitude to be a afl player then that is what he will he
If ben gets the sooks and has a half arsed attitude to training and playing. Then he will leave the afl at the end of the year.
He has the talent no 2 ways about it
Does he have all the other tangibles
Hope so

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Really !!! More Skills than 80% of our list - wow
you see something there that we have all missed in his 19 games and 9 goals in 3 years

He is currently not in our best 22 after 3 years on the list with Kids like Menadue,Rioli,Short,Markov all having past him even though all have been on the list a year less and all not physically developed as Lennon.

When you say skills , I would say skills would consist of things like Speed,Acceleration,Tackling,Kicking,Marking,Handball,shepherding as well as the defensive running and chasing aspects of the game these days. Rioli,Markov,Menadue & Short would have him covered in most of these with just the contested marking i would give to lennon.

I would have Lennon in the bottom 25% of talent at the club on performances he has shown from when he arrived to now and bottom 5% for his work ethic and determination.

I don't think anyone would agree with you that speed and acceleration are skills lol. They are physical traits. I'm talking about kicking, marking, reading the play and putting yourself in the right position on the field. In those areas he is very good. It his application that has been poor and that is because of a clash with the coach. He needs a rocket up his behind no doubt, but if you go and watch him handle a footy you will see that he is very good. Not so good on the pushing himself physically at this stage though.

 

[THE_GUN]

I don't think anyone would agree with you that speed and acceleration are skills lol. They are physical traits. I'm talking about kicking, marking, reading the play and putting yourself in the right position on the field. In those areas he is very good. It his application that has been poor and that is because of a clash with the coach. He needs a rocket up his behind no doubt, but if you go and watch him handle a footy you will see that he is very good. Not so good on the pushing himself physically at this stage though.

I have watched him at afl level and probably 10+ games of VFL level

Never disputed his ball handling,kicking and marking - After that there is 'NOTHING'
when the ball is not in his area or he is not involved he does nothing and doesnt create or work for his team mates and adds no pressure to the opposition when your team doesnt have the ball.

Reminds me of the school yard superstar who wants the team to play to him and get the credit for the result, The amount of thimes i have seen Lennon with both hands on Hips or on his waist or on his head looking exhausted after giving a 10 mtr chase and turning his back just sh!ts me to tears.

How many here have actually watched him at VFL level or at a live game and follow what he does - I would say not too many

 

[Ancient Tiger]

I have watched him at afl level and probably 10+ games of VFL level

Never disputed his ball handling,kicking and marking - After that there is 'NOTHING'
when the ball is not in his area or he is not involved he does nothing and doesnt create or work for his team mates and adds no pressure to the opposition when your team doesnt have the ball.

Reminds me of the school yard superstar who wants the team to play to him and get the credit for the result, The amount of thimes i have seen Lennon with both hands on Hips or on his waist or on his head looking exhausted after giving a 10 mtr chase and turning his back just sh!ts me to tears.

How many here have actually watched him at VFL level or at a live game and follow what he does - I would say not too many

I sort of said the same thing as you. Mind you he is not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to working hard off the ball at our footy club.

 

[THE_GUN]

I sort of said the same thing as you. Mind you he is not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to working hard off the ball at our footy club.

Well then you would understand that there have been hundreds of players with natural skill that were just too lazy and never worked for the career and natural skill / talent does not make you an afl player and the chances are he will also fall by the wayside for this reason.

The comparisons to Lids are just Ridiculous as apart from marking and kicking , I really cant see any similarities
Kane Pettifer was a very good kick as well as a strong mark for his size but his work ethic and inability to do the hard work was what let him down and i seen alot more desire from kane than i have seen from ben at the same age.

What annoys me the most is that this kid gets defended simply because he was our 1st round selection, Menadue ,Markov,Rioli,Short show me more as an afl player making the grade than Lennon has ever shown.

This buisness about him at odds with the coach is another thing that sh!ts me, A 2nd /3rd year player has no rights to argue or dispute the coaches demands and should just be trying to do what the coaches want and demand. He is 21 years old maybe he can worry about that side of things when he retires - Thats just so stupid and just shows me that he is not a coachable person that doesnt follow team rules and creates issue's
If my some miracle he turns out to be a player , I would be over the moon but i honestly have more hope of Butler becoming a 100 game player for Richmond than Ben Lennon

 

[theflea]

If he truly believes in his ability and believes that he has the talent and work ethic to make it at the top level but the club/coaches are the people that are letting him down and are ruining his career then its a no brainer - You get out

$350k pre tax is effectively $250k after tax
If he stays and has another year like his last 3 years his career is finished and wont get to play AFL (more than likely clubs wont look at him)

Move to another club and prove it wasnt your fault and become the player you believe you are and have a 10 year career !!

And what happens if he gets injured? He is in the same boat for the year after, it may all be finished for him but 350k worse off. I would never cut the nose off like that.

 

[theflea]

Lennon just has to get over the fact he doesn't rate Hardwick (fact). Hardwick knows this and thus doesn't play him when the opportunity arises. It's a personality clash. A guy who is as junior as Ben just has to let go of this clash, concentrate on playing good hard footy. He is the ideal high half forward with good hands and a great kick. He was an under 18 AA for a reason. He just needs to get back to the basics and put some energy into his footy as he has more skills than 80% of our playing list.

I hope he can knuckle down as he is the ideal replacement up forward for Lids. Time will tell.

If it is true that he doesn't rate DH then he truly needs to grow up. Its as if the entire workplace have always liked their bosses. Fair dinkum.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

If it is true that he doesn't rate DH then he truly needs to grow up. Its as if the entire workplace have always liked their bosses. Fair dinkum.

Agree. Really needs to pull his finger out this year and not whinge about things. He has a position in the team if he really wants it.

 

[Snooza 100]

Lennon=Lemon.