Blight ready for the challenge

[Dave The Man]

Jarrad Blight, at only 17 years of age, has taken to his new life at the Collingwood Football Club like a seasoned professional.

Blight was drafted by Collingwood with pick 45 in the AFL National Draft after playing at the Swan Districts where he averaged 21 possessions in the Colt’s side this season.

“It’s great. Everything is really well organised, training’s not bothering at the moment,” Blight told CTV.

The new draftee was not perturbed by his new football regime at the AFL level, highlighting his experience at Swan Districts as a good launching pad to professional football.

“The training is pretty similar actually. One of our assistant coaches (Chad Morrison); he actually played a few games for Collingwood over here.

“The way they run it there is really similar to here. Like today we were doing some centre set-ups and stuff like that and it’s pretty much like we did at the Swans.”

The 189 centimetre versatile midfielder, arrived in Melbourne on Sunday and is currently staying with Collingwood’s Ben Reid.

“I didn’t really know where I was staying. I hopped on the plane on Sunday afternoon and when I got here Simon Lloyd (club psychologist) was picking me up and I was sure where I was going.

“I ended up staying with Ben Reid. He has got a great joint where he lives. It’s really enjoyable staying with one of the players who has been here awhile and basically he takes me everywhere and looks after me really well.”

Blight averaged 16 kicks, five marks and four tackles in his 21 appearances for the Swan Districts. He stressed the importance he places on moving the ball by foot.

“I had a really good year this year. Picked up a fair few possessions. I started off quite slowly but worked my way in. I spent a lot of time in the midfield which helped me a lot. And as you said, I kicked the ball a lot.

“It’s the first thing I think of. Getting the ball down the ground and hitting a target. I had a pretty good year.

“I am looking forward to the year and hope I can do the club proud and hopefully get a game soon.”

Video to come later this Afternoon

Story Here

 

[BEEG]

Never seen him play but what i have heard about him sounds very impressive

 

[Dave The Man]

Video:

[YOUTUBE]-zS6STOBG68[/YOUTUBE]

 

[~TheScout~]

Good player BUT runs himself into trouble and therefore limits his options of effective delivery way too often.

I think he will end up a GREAT servant for Collingwood due to his run and sure hands...but he will get busted big time if he tries that 'take me on' stuff too often.

 

[Camo1902]

I really liked the way he spoke.

He looks like one of those raw kids that could develop into anything.

 

[Thommo 42]

don't rate this new CTV reporter.

 

[Jabso]

He's ok. His accent is off-putting but he knows his stuff and interviews and does voiceovers just as well as Hulett.

 

[Kirby]

I really liked the way he spoke.

He looks like one of those raw kids that could develop into anything.

Yeah, he sounds very mature for a 17 year old.

 

[shawthing09]

Good player BUT runs himself into trouble and therefore limits his options of effective delivery way too often.

I think he will end up a GREAT servant for Collingwood due to his run and sure hands...but he will get busted big time if he tries that 'take me on' stuff too often.

I think that he will learn his limitations a lot quicker at AFL level. Dale Thomas improved in that regards over the course of the year and hopefully continues to do so. With some extra playing maturity I have no doubt he will get a better hold of his limitations, where to run, when to run and most importantly when to trust his team mates.

 

[DoubleO7]

Is the interviewer Canadian?

 

[Jabso]

Is the interviewer Canadian?

Don't know. Perhaps New England area of USA (bit of an Irish sound). I'm not an expert on american accents except for the obvious ones.

 

[Thommo 42]

He's ok. His accent is off-putting but he knows his stuff and interviews and does voiceovers just as well as Hulett.

I just hear a foreign accent and immediately assume they have no idea about football.