Analysis Blair vs BenKen

[Unknown Identity]

Thought it might be fun and slightly depressing to keep a track of the form of our resident midget vs the midget outcast!..

We can only carry 1 midget into games and the choice was surprisingly Blair, lets see how the numbers stack up.

We also need to factor into our thinking that Blair is 26 and Kennedy is 22.

What was the thinking behind moving on Kennedy and sticking with Blair, was it the defensive efforts and tackling? What is Blair's role? Doesn't get enough ball to be a midfielder and doesn't kick enough goals (well zero goals this year) to be a small forward.

Is Kennedy's form due to his new sleeve and is Dane Swan at fault for not getting him into the parlour sooner?

Let's delve into the numbers.

Round 1

Jarryd Blair - 19 disposals, 2 marks, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 21 touches, 4 marks, 1 goal, 1 behind, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50's

Round 2

Jarryd Blair - 16 disposals, 4 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 21 disposals, 1 mark, 3 goals, 0 behinds, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Round 3

Jarryd Blair - 11 disposals, 1 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 15 disposals, 2 marks, 0 goals, 1 behinds, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Round 4

Jarryd Blair - 16 disposals, 1 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 22 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal, 0 behinds, 1 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Round 5

Jarryd Blair - 16 disposals - 4 marks - 3 goals - 2 behinds - 7 tackles - 1 Inside 50
Ben Kennedy - 14 disposals - 3 marks - 0 goals - 0 behinds - 2 tackles - 3 inside 50's
AVERAGES

Jarryd Blair - 15.6 disposals / 2.4 marks / 0.6 goals / 5.6 tackles / 3.2 Inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 18.6 disposals / 2.8 marks / 1 Goals / 2 tackles / 3 Inside 50's

 

[PieBeast]

The most damning thing here one is bound to improve while the other reached his potential in 2011 and been going downhill ever since.

 

[pablo disco bar]

Prefer kennedy always did...whatva short sighted decision

 

[nahnah]

It hurts because almost everyone could see who the better option was bar our team selectors

 

[1eon]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters, is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway. He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Blair is out of form & should probably be dropped. But it'd be great if we had a talented small forward to replace him though.

 

[The Dawes]

Opportunity + confidence = Kennedy's 2016 thus far.

Good luck to him

 

[mattys123]

I saw Ben Kennedy pushed away by a Bulldogs player late in the game at Etihad last year, just pushed aside like a little kid and the Dogs took the ball the length of the ground and scored.

That's the moment I decided I didn't care if we kept him or not.

As for Blair, well yeah, he's not much better either.

Ideally if you want to be a top 4 team competing for a flag you'd have neither of them in your side come finals.

 

[Finnishpie]

Thought it might be fun and slightly depressing to keep a track of the form of our resident midget vs the midget outcast!..

We can only carry 1 midget into games and the choice was surprisingly Blair, lets see how the numbers stack up.

We also need to factor into our thinking that Blair is 26 and Kennedy is 22.

What was the thinking behind moving on Kennedy and sticking with Blair, was it the defensive efforts and tackling? What is Blair's role? Doesn't get enough ball to be a midfielder and doesn't kick enough goals (well zero goals this year) to be a small forward.

Is Kennedy's form due to his new sleeve and is Dane Swan at fault for not getting him into the parlour sooner?

Let's delve into the numbers.

Round 1

Jarryd Blair - 19 disposals, 2 marks, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 21 touches, 4 marks, 1 goal, 1 behind, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50's

Round 2

Jarryd Blair - 16 disposals, 4 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 21 disposals, 1 mark, 3 goals, 0 behinds, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Round 3

Jarryd Blair - 11 disposals, 1 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 15 disposals, 2 marks, 0 goals, 1 behinds, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Round 4

Jarryd Blair - 16 disposals, 1 marks, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 22 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal, 0 behinds, 1 tackles, 3 inside 50's

AVERAGES

Jarryd Blair - 15.5 disposals / 2 marks / 0 goals / 5.2 tackles / 3.5 Inside 50's

Ben Kennedy - 19.8 disposals / 2.8 marks / 1.2 Goals / 2 tackles / 3 Inside 50's

Part of the problem is that it's not so clear how damaging those possessions are. I wish we'd stuck with Kennedy anyway -- and played him more last year so he wanted to stay.

 

[Robroy22]

So....you're saying Blairy would be playing better if he was at Melbourne....ohh ok

 

[loki04]

Id love to ser how many of Blairs tackles actually effecter the person with the ball...

I'd hazard a guess most would of got a clean disposal off.

Its well known id have kept Kennedy specially over Blair.

 

[mike123]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

Nah mate the board remembers every player that used to play for Collingwood.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters, is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway. He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

He's kicking has looked fine whilst at Melbourne, and as of now it Melbourne who shouldn't try and emulate us

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Our problems lie deeper then just Ben Ken but he would certainly help.

 

[mike123]

Part of the problem is that it's not so clear how damaging those possessions are. I wish we'd stuck with Kennedy anyway -- and played him more last year so he wanted to stay.

Really Kennedy should have played ahead of Blair back in 2014.

 

[jatsad]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters, is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway. He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Blair is out of form & should probably be dropped. But it'd be great if we had a talented small forward to replace him though.

Are you for real. Blair can't kick 45 meters either, is shorter, can't stick a tackle, doesn't kick goals and is basically useless. He's the reason Kennedy left. He kept Kennedy out of the team because of his so-called defensive pressure.

If we had player development at the moment like we had when Richardson and Beveridge were around, Kennedy would still be at Collingwood. And so would Ceglar for that matter.Grundy and Witts still cannot mark consistently above their heads as there is no development, or even a ruck coach for that matter.

But the boys club of Rocca, Lockyer and Grice (who), still continue to be line coaches. And don't get me started on Ben Hart. Since he's taken over the defense, we have no kick in strategy, guard space more than 20 meters away from an opponent and can't kick a pass from the defensive half.

Yeah, all is looking up.

 

[danielnajdek]

Blair hasn't kicked a goal all year.

Must be in for his non existent pressure acts.

 

[Number 10]

Id love to ser how many of Blairs tackles actually effecter the person with the ball...

I'd hazard a guess most would of got a clean disposal off.

Its well known id have kept Kennedy specially over Blair.

A tackle is only counted if the player being tackles turns the ball over or a stoppage is caused or a free kick is paid to the tackler.

Don't let yhe facts get in the way of a good story though.

In fact, this is a rubbish thread. Blair one a premiership at Kennedy's age and all Kennedy gave us was a number of bogus games where he would CONSISTENTLY handball to the feet of teammates or kick it out on the full.

Good luck to him but being an ok player in a shit side does not make him a superstar.

Blair isn't either but he deserves some ****ing love from this club for once!! Judging by this board we're just a bunch of ingratious flogs.

 

[Apex36]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters

Yes he can.

is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway.

He'd be best 22 ahead of a few players at this point.

He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

You mean the Melbourne that gave us a hiding last week? That Melbourne?

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Maybe not, but that's not the point. The point is he is a superior player to the likes of Blair, but was never given the chance to settle in the senior squad. He was mismanaged.

 

[Greening Magic]

Ummm Blair wouldn't be getting a game if Elliott was fit and/or Broomhead was available/form, either would Kennedy.
Blair & Kennedy are both bog ordinary.
What Round do you think Kennedy will get dropped, I'm picking 10.
It's like Blues fans lamenting the loss of Shaun Grigg. Sure he gets a game for the Tigers and plays a decent role but he's symbolic of their issues.
There simply aren't better players to push him out.
The Pies kept Fas, Elliott and Broomhead Blair, instead of Kennedy ........... big deal.
Ben Kennedy the saviour, things are bad when a thread gets started lamenting his loss. (and yes, things are bad)

 

[mike123]

What Round do you think Kennedy will get dropped, I'm picking 10.

quoting for future reference

 

[pablo disco bar]

Melbourne supporters lovin him

Are we lovin howe?

 

[Finnishpie]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters, is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway. He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Blair is out of form & should probably be dropped. But it'd be great if we had a talented small forward to replace him though.

He kicked a goal from outside 50 the other day.

 

[Finnishpie]

No disrespect meant by this, but seriously? If Collingwood were going well a lot of posters wouldn't even remember Ben Kennedy's name unless he won an award.

The truth of the matter is that Kennedy can't kick 45meters, is short and would be a fringe player in our team at the moment anyway. He's playing at Melbourne, a team we shouldn't be trying to emulate in any way.

Collingwood have issues, but Ben Kennedy on the list would not solve any of them.

Blair is out of form & should probably be dropped. But it'd be great if we had a talented small forward to replace him though.

Here you go, goal 3 in this package, from 55 out, sails through 10 meters over. 2nd goal is good too.

 

[ThePhantom777]

Here you go, goal 3 in this package, from 55 out, sails through 10 meters over. 2nd goal is good too.

This is what happens when the coach believes in you and you don't sit in a sub vest or the VFL rotting every week.

He should have been given a chunk of 10-15 games where he wasn't the sub and been played through the midfield and forward.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

This thread reminds me of all the nonsense that can get pedalled when we are going badly.
Seriously, if Ben was in our side today? Difference a big fat zero!
He's ok, but just another player.
He's not suddenly Paul Kelly or Paul Williams.
If Blair is in he's just another player getting games, no star.

So why did Kennedy go and not Blair.
I'd suggest kennedy was always liked by Melbourne and had some small currency whilst Blair is not on the currency market.
Neither are great, elite or even very good players.
At best they're OK.

Good luck to Ben maybe he'll be ok, but doubt he'll ever be elite or an outstanding player. Therefor he's no cost to us overall. To say that is just to keep the theme going "that everything Colongwood does is bad and it's all that evil genius' Buckleys fault". Each to their own.

Blair at least will always be a premiership player, so good luck to him.
That said, I'm happy for him to pligh his trade in the VFL.

 

[1eon]

Are you for real. Blair can't kick 45 meters either, is shorter, can't stick a tackle, doesn't kick goals and is basically useless. He's the reason Kennedy left. He kept Kennedy out of the team because of his so-called defensive pressure.

If we had player development at the moment like we had when Richardson and Beveridge were around, Kennedy would still be at Collingwood. And so would Ceglar for that matter.Grundy and Witts still cannot mark consistently above their heads as there is no development, or even a ruck coach for that matter.

Didn't give Blair a wrap at all mate. I actually agree with you.

Yes he can.

He'd be best 22 ahead of a few players at this point.

You mean the Melbourne that gave us a hiding last week? That Melbourne?


Maybe not, but that's not the point. The point is he is a superior player to the likes of Blair, but was never given the chance to settle in the senior squad. He was mismanaged.

I just watched that goal & I agree it was impressive, I'd never seen him kick very far at all! Yeah I do mean that Melbourne, the Melbourne we should have beaten, that Melbourne. Pretty sure six weeks ago you'd penciled this one in as a comfortable win mate. The whole reason we have problems is because we're not likely to make the eight. Making the eight means beating inferior teams Pex. As I said getting flogged in that game lies a little deeper than individual fringe players (maybe the coaching staff?).

I think the point remains that we got rid of a player that didn't show much with us (for whatever reason & that isn't the issue in this thread). Whatever it is in Kennedy, it has inspired him to play better. Whether it's playing VFL standard players in Essendon jumpers or playing 20 possession games against mid-tier teams. My point is though I don't rate him (but good on him for grabbing his opportunity at his new club) or even those stats that much. And we shouldn't cry over spilt milk.

Josh Thomas is pretty similar and no one is waiting with baited breath for him to come back. Just my opinion though.

It's like half the people in this thread are calling Blair crap and half saying we needed a better version of Blair with more upside to replace Blair. I'm saying lets forget the Blair model altogether and come together to complain about other things.

 

[mike123]

Just because there are other things to complain about doesn't mean we shouldn't complain about this.