Blake v King

[Cattery]

Blake
FF: 10
FA: 17

King
FF: 4
FA: 2

To be honest I don't think there is a hell of a lot that separates the two and with King having only faced dud ruckmen the last 2 weeks I don't think we have enough information to go off of.

Thanks for that info mate; conceding one free per game, how does that compare with the overall average, on the low side? medium? high?

Must say I'm firmly in the Blake camp, he has the runs on the board while King has done nothing in the last two weeks to suggest he should get the nod ahead of him.

 

[Cattery]

He deserved a little latitude after snaring that bag against the Tiggies.

You know what they say, Cattery, one man's hesitancy is another man's composure. Quick handball? Very cool under pressure? I do think you're guilty of gilding the Blakey, but what adds validity to your interpretation is the way he tackled the challenge of King's return by standing up and playing with confidence, rather than meekly conceding his position. Hopefully he takes a similar approach into the finals, should he be chosen.

We'll know more by 1800 Sunday.

Yeah I guess we could make a solid case for him playing permanently out of the goalsquare.

I think I'm being realistic, watched him very closely, and honestly believe he's very good in tight situations, seen him numerous times turn down the first option for a handball to dish it off to someone in a better position [ the long handball away from goals to Milburn a few weeks back that resulted in a goal just one example ] but perhaps you see him not taking the first option as hesitancy on his part, as you say though, it's all in the eye of the beholder.

 

[cellis84]

its a tough call, it really is, i wouldnt have a clue who will get the nod come september. as much as i love blakey, maybe it would b better 2 go with experience come finals. on the other hand however, you could say, if it aint broke, dont fix it...........i really dont know. i love all of our 3 ruckmen and i will b feeling 4 whoever misses out at the pointy end of the season

 

[DanA]

Yeah I guess we could make a solid case for him playing permanently out of the goalsquare.

I think I'm being realistic, watched him very closely, and honestly believe he's very good in tight situations, seen him numerous times turn down the first option for a handball to dish it off to someone in a better position [ the long handball away from goals to Milburn a few weeks back that resulted in a goal just one example ] but perhaps you see him not taking the first option as hesitancy on his part, as you say though, it's all in the eye of the beholder.

I agree. I think Blake has good vision and displayed great hands. Both King & Blake could take a few more contested marks and do more around the ground.

 

[Stripey PJs]

We'll know more by 1800 Sunday.

I think I've learned enough, Cattery, and it's only 1600.

 

[Barabbas]

I thought King wasn't too bad today. I'd still have Ottens/Blake as the better duo, but at least King's being played into some form just in case. I hope Blake plays next week though.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

King/Blake issue

- Mooney confirming after the game on K-Rock that Blake was squeezed out.
- King had one kick today

Discuss.

Who will and who should play?

 

[winty]

Re: King/Blake issue

Blake for mine, for three main reasons.

1. Younger and fitter. He can actually jump, whereas King rarely does, plus, as a caller on K-Rock pointed out, King only goes up left handed as his right shoulder is totally stuffed.

2. Fits into the game plan better. Has been used well in the past as a linkman through the midfield, and although he rarely kicks, his handballs rarely miss the target, and some of them are actually quite attacking.

3. The fans love him! He gets the crowd involved, which surely must get the guys fired up a bit.

 

[thehoff]

Re: King/Blake issue

Blake hands down!

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: King/Blake issue

Blake hands down!

Yep. I'm afraid Kingy just doesn't seem to have it in him any more, which is sad.

Blake's skills suits our game style so much more. He has great handskills, which has been a bog part of our attack this year (handballing through the corridor). King has nowhere near the effect that Blake does through that part of the ground.

 

[Duskfire]

Re: King/Blake issue

King has been given three chances now to perform well, and those three chances have been sub-par at best. It is obvious - at least to me - that we are a stronger side with Blake around.

 

[My5t3r10u5]

Re: King/Blake issue

- King had one kick today

Discuss.

How about starting the post in an un-biased way? Yes, King only had one kick but he had 8 handballs, 5 marks, 9 hit outs, 3 tackles and gave away 1 free kick. Still not great stats, but you make it sound like he did nothing. I actually thought he was reasonably solid today, did some nice things, stuffed a few things up (like trying to mark against Macintosh instead of punching). I think Blake probably has his nose in front but it's not as clear cut in my mind as some are suggesting. FWIW, I'm sure there have been a number of games that Blake as only had one kick!

 

[year of the cat]

I reckon there is not much in it. I would go with Blake next week and see how he goes against two quality ruckmen in Lade and Brogan. I still have reservations as to whether Blake may struggle in the extra pressure of a finals match.

King's lack of mobility concerns me. His disposal by foot is obviously far superior to Blakes, but it is whether he has the fitness to get to contests that worries me about him.

I still don't know the answer and I'm guessing that Bomber doesn't either yet.

 

[jess_555]

Speaking of ruckman...
Did anyone else notice Otto get up a bit gingerly from a contest? He got up fairly slow off the ground and appeared to have hurt his hammy (when he stood up he immediately put his hand on his hammy). Soon after the club doctor was out to him. It's probably nothing more than a bit of a twinge if anything but we don't wanna risk him.

 

[Cattery]

I think I've learned enough, Cattery, and it's only 1600.

Just looked like a guy well past his best didn't he?

Surprised to see some still think it's touch and go which of the two will make the final cut, on the evidence of the last three weeks it's really no contest as I see it, Blake is that far ahead; think we've seen the last of Kingy in the senior side, been a very good servant of the club but his time's come I'm afraid, hopefully he can at least bow out with a flag in the reserves.

 

[darren forssman]

Re: King/Blake issue

- Mooney confirming after the game on K-Rock that Blake was squeezed out.
- King had one kick today

Discuss.

Who will and who should play?

king shirked a contact issue when he was trying to pick the ball up and still cant get off the ground and centre bounces. he could not even shield brent harvey with his body in a marking contest. i would like to think that he would he would run into form but it really looks like he is struggling.

and the run of the roos in the 4th coincided with king being in the ruck.

 

[Solstice Raver]

King will definately be our #3 ruck in September.

Blake has been "rested" as he is a kid in his first stand out year. Bomber is getting him cherry ripe before he is unleashed on the finals.

I think there might be a little "advertising" going on with King. There are a few teams despirate for a ready to go ruckman. I.E. Collingwood, Doggies, StKilda.

Personally, if the three rucks want to remain on the list and the policy is to only play 2 a game in a rotation next year we will be the force in clearances next year. That has been the new policy this year. The Cats only want players on the list if they want to be there.

Any way you slice it, we have depth in a proven finals winning position that other teams are going to struggle to contend with.

 

[The Hulkster]

Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

After watching Steven King very closely in the last 2 games i think it is time to bring back Blake and put King back to the 2's.

On Sunday he had just 1 kick and about 7 handballs.

He also only had 9 hit outs.

Mark Blake can't even kick and he gets more. And Blakes ruck work is far superior than King's.

There was an occasion when King failed to put his head and body over the ball. I would habve thought with his place in the side at stake he would have done a lot more and been a lot harder. And he cost us a goal when he refused to punch from behind in the goal square.

And for a ruckmen King hardly ever jumps off the ground in a ruck contest.

Did anyone else notice who was in the ruck when North were making their comeback - it was King. He just wasnt getting his hand on it. Then they bought back Ottens and bang off we went.

I believe we cant play 3 ruckmen in the same side.

Ottens and Blake has worked great all year so why change.

King had a chance i feel he is not as good as Blake so bring back the dopey bugger.

King is an solid back up but thats all.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

Im not sure what the stats say but i rekon play the three ottens seems to make the most of his shorts spells in the foward line and nathan looks off so i rekon bang otto in the square with moons rotate CHF with each other and let blake and king ruck there harts out kings disposal is better than blakes IMO but blakes hand ball to other players offten brings a better result than king's disposal. otto at FF is amazing and i cant help but think this is one of bomers ace's up the sleve for finals we all seen his one arm marks and use of his big body i can see it i just hope it works out.

 

[Stripey PJs]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

Did anyone else notice who was in the ruck when North were making their comeback - it was King. He just wasnt getting his hand on it. Then they bought back Ottens and bang off we went.

Yes. Don't forget the Roos' effective niggling strategy saw Moons, Chappy and Johnno dragged, but that was definitely a killer moment. Bomber wasn't confident enough to trust him when the game tightened, and Otto was subsequently forced to spend more time on the ball than was desired.

As someone who lent towards Kingy, Hulky, I'm officially in mourning. I'm feeling some sadness for King, that he couldn't recapture the potential I thought still existed. Kudos to the selection panel for giving him a decent chance to sell himself after dominating at VFL level, but his lack of mobility's proving a hindrance in the quicker paced AFL. I don't believe the ol' fella played poorly, his performance was strongly team-oriented and he showed a lot of heart, tackling fiercely etc, but he didn't do enough to usurp Blake.

There's little difference between the two, but Blake's done most of the grunt work this season and his last performance, despite being against the lowly Tigers, was his best to date. To continue keeping him out of the side would be unjust. He should be refreshed after his two week hiatus, and ready to resume the second ruck duties with confidence. There's one more tough battle against Lade and Brogan, then it's the easy pickings of Brisbane. Charman's unlikely to play in Rd 22 after straining a calf, leaving the raw Leuenberger and either Cam Wood or an unfit Beau McDonald to defend the fort.

One thing's for sure, we'll have a kick-arse ruck steering us home in the magoos. Kingy will be a massive presence for opposition rucks to counter come finals. He, along with Pris and maybe Tenace, will compensate for the losses of Owen and Sam Hunt.

Now be a good fellow and pass me the tissue-box.

 

[DanA]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

One thing's for sure, we'll have a kick-arse ruck steering us home in the magoos. Kingy will be a massive presence for opposition rucks to counter come finals. He, along with Pris and maybe Tenace, will compensate for the losses of Owen and Sam Hunt.

Now be a good fellow and pass me the tissue-box.

I think I am correct in saying Blake can't play VFL finals, played too many AFL games.

 

[Stripey PJs]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

I think I am correct in saying Blake can't play VFL finals, played too many AFL games.

Either you've misunderstood me, Dan, or that was a quip drier than a flute of Brut.

 

[darren forssman]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

Yes. Don't forget the Roos' effective niggling strategy saw Moons, Chappy and Johnno dragged, but that was definitely a killer moment. Bomber wasn't confident enough to trust him when the game tightened, and Otto was subsequently forced to spend more time on the ball than was desired.

i actually think that bomber may have thought we were 6-7 goals up and victory was assured and that he could afford to leave ottens resting on the bench and play king nearly the whole quarter.

but his hand was forced when the game got a bit too close for comfort and ottens returned.

 

[CF]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

watching the game again I agree that most of the times during the match where the Roos get a run on in play and kick goals coincided to when King was in the ruck. Interesting. I think we miss Ottos around the ground work when he is on the Bench as Kings tap work is ok.

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: Steven King - Surely Blake is the better option

Agree CF. I have hope that Bomber was watching all that very closely. And the fact that the Kangas were coming at us, and he needed to put Otto back in the ruck, and we kicked another couple could not have gone unnoticed surely.

Blake to return this week... I hope.