Mark Blake: Redemption

[OldStyle2007]

After one of the most atrocious performances by a ruckman in Preliminary finals history in 2007, will Mark Blake return to the scene of the crime almost 2 years to the day in the same match against the same opposition and redeem himself?

 

[True Blue Cat]

He is going to have 35 hitouts 10 disposals (no clangers) and 1 goal (from a 50m penalty). Thats final!

 

[Catman]

After one of the most atrocious performances by a ruckman in Preliminary finals history in 2007, will Mark Blake return to the scene of the crime almost 2 years to the day in the same match against the same opposition and redeem himself?

Richards and Bryan were worse than Blakey that night and Blakey was poor.

But did we really need another Blake thread? We all know how quickly it will descend into another Blake-bagging session.

 

[True Blue Cat]

In the 2 games with the Pies this year (NAB + H&A) have we dominated in the ruck?

 

[Schmegg]

Whatever happens on GF day the only guarantee will be Blake in tears regardless. Whether they be tears of joy as a player, tears of sookiness behind the sunnies again, or tears again if we don't get up because he knew he dogged it on the day, much like last year.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Richards and Bryan were worse than Blakey that night and Blakey was poor.

But did we really need another Blake thread? We all know how quickly it will descend into another Blake-bagging session.

I think it's such a great opportunity for him to turn it around and shove it up everybody. You couldn't have scripted it better: same match, same opponent...... The rest is up to him

 

[JUBJUB]

After one of the most atrocious performances by a ruckman in Preliminary finals history in 2007, will Mark Blake return to the scene of the crime almost 2 years to the day in the same match against the same opposition and redeem himself?

There were many other Geelong players that had shithouse games that night,but I guess we won't mention them.

 

[Schmegg]

I think it's such a great opportunity for him to turn it around and shove it up everybody. You couldn't have scripted it better: same match, same opponent...... The rest is up to him

Would make a nice change for him to stand up when it counts. Ottens won't be rucking as much as 2007 to cover the 37 point deficit we had when Blakey was in the ruck that night.

 

[Patronus]

There were many other Geelong players that had shithouse games that night,but I guess we won't mention them.

Everything is Blake's fault.

In fact Blake almost lost them the premiership for Geelong in 2007. Lucky they kicked him out.

 

[Schmegg]

Everything is Blake's fault.

In fact Blake almost lost them the premiership for Geelong in 2007. Lucky they kicked him out.

This reads as sarcastic, yet completely plausible at the same time.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Everything is Blake's fault.

In fact Blake almost lost them the premiership for Geelong in 2007. Lucky they kicked him out.

Um, actually... he really nearly did. Are you forgetting the small but important detail that if we didn't win the prelim we wouldn't have played the GF? And as the Scmegg mentions, that the stats show we were about negative 6 goals with him in the pivot? Therefore, he nearly cost us the prelim and by default the 2007 premiership.

Don't make me rave on about it. What I'm saying is he has a massive opportunity in front of him

 

[goodoldcats]

he will cost us. no doubt about that. watch josh fraser push forward and kick easy goals while blake stands around the middle

if we make the grand final maybe he can redeem himself after last years effort of breaking even with a 5 game rookie.

 

[nohairandfair]

Not another Blake bake.

His inadequacies have already been extensively scrutinised and articulated. Redemption is implausible in a pressure cooker MCG final at night.

However, Mummies love the night and often do their best work. Any ghoul will tell you that.

 

[BigBadCam]

Not another Blake bake.

His inadequacies have already been extensively scrutinised and articulated. Redemption is implausible in a pressure cooker MCG final at night.

However, Mummies love the night and often do their best work. Any ghoul will tell you that.

I'm leaning towards Mumford to bash the shit out of the soft Pies ruckmen. They might get a few taps, but Mumford will offer more resistance around the ground, and I don't think they'd handle facing two 'bash and crash' style ruckmen in Ottens and Mumford.

 

[noclashjumpers]

I really would like Blake to have a chance to redeem himself.

BUT! I'm sad to say, I don't think he is actually capable of it.

Even when we beat the Pies earlier this year. Blake was carved up around the ground by Fraser. A big fat '0' touches, from memory.

Now given that Fraser's strength is his ability around the ground, We can't afford to go in with Blake + Ottens running @ 75-80%.

As an earlier poster has said, we might loose a few taps with Mummy, but he has a big show @ nullifying Fraser's impact around the ground.

Geelong can't be held hostage an longer to the guilt they might feel about dropping Blake for the 07 GF.

 

[Cattery]

Geelong can't be held hostage an longer to the guilt they might feel about dropping Blake for the 07 GF.

You can't seriousely be suggesting they'd play one bloke ahead of another out of guilt?

And after watching Mumford in the VFL the other day I'm surprised anybody is still calling for his inclusion.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Even when we beat the Pies earlier this year. Blake was carved up around the ground by Fraser. A big fat '0' touches, from memory.

Nope, he played well. 27 hit outs, 12 touches, 2 tackles

IT was West that had 0 touches

I love this website
http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2009/040920090409.html

 

[winty]

I really would like Blake to have a chance to redeem himself.

BUT! I'm sad to say, I don't think he is actually capable of it.

Even when we beat the Pies earlier this year. Blake was carved up around the ground by Fraser. A big fat '0' touches, from memory.

Now given that Fraser's strength is his ability around the ground, We can't afford to go in with Blake + Ottens running @ 75-80%.

As an earlier poster has said, we might loose a few taps with Mummy, but he has a big show @ nullifying Fraser's impact around the ground.

Geelong can't be held hostage an longer to the guilt they might feel about dropping Blake for the 07 GF.

It was West that had duck eggs in that game, not Blake. Blake thrashed Fraser in the ruck, but Fraser killed him around the ground.

 

[noclashjumpers]

You can't seriousely be suggesting they'd play one bloke ahead of another out of guilt?

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows. But I'm sure that it played a small part in the decision to off load King and keep Blake.

Look, I'm not anti Blake. You can tell he works hard, and I respect that. However, he WILL get beaten by Fraser around the ground. To a point where it could become major fact in determining the outcome of the match.

 

[noclashjumpers]

]It was West that had duck eggs in that game, not Blake.[/B] Blake thrashed Fraser in the ruck, but Fraser killed him around the ground.

Apologies Blakey, my bad.

Just concerned about Fraser's potential influence around the ground, and Blake's inability to do anything about it.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

I just posted on the match preview thread how I thought the ruck selection was pivotal to the outcome of the match (I'd copy it over to here if I knew how). What I didn't say there is that I reckon there will be some foxing with the announcements of the team - Geelong waiting to see if Fraser is named, and Collingwood waiting to see our ruck line-up. Two certainties: Otto - yes, West - no.

 

[BigBadCam]

I just posted on the match preview thread how I thought the ruck selection was pivotal to the outcome of the match (I'd copy it over to here if I knew how). What I didn't say there is that I reckon there will be some foxing with the announcements of the team - Geelong waiting to see if Fraser is named, and Collingwood waiting to see our ruck line-up. Two certainties: Otto - yes, West - no.

I reckon of all the selection dilemmas, the ruck will be the most critical to the outcome of the match. Ottens almost single handedly won the '07 prelim for us in the absence of Fraser (and to all the Stokes critics - his 3 early goals proved invaluable). This year, in the absence of Ottens, Fraser ran riot. Now while Mark Blake did well with hit-outs, Fraser was most dominant when Blake was on him. West may have registered no possessions, but in my opinion put the brakes on Fraser's influence. I wonder if the selection panel will even consider Mumford?

On other issues, I wouldn't be relying on Collingwood's fatigue - they are a fit side and normally pull up well. The other factor is the Collingwood crowd - they are intimidating and are worth another body on the ground for them. That said, I am quietly confident that a focused Geelong side will win provided they come to play and do not under-estimate this Collingwood side.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Not another Blake bake.

His inadequacies have already been extensively scrutinised and articulated. Redemption is implausible in a pressure cooker MCG final at night.

However, Mummies love the night and often do their best work. Any ghoul will tell you that.

Give the Mummy a game at the night then

Be afraid Josh Fraser's knee, be very afraid

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows. But I'm sure that it played a small part in the decision to off load King and keep Blake.

Look, I'm not anti Blake. You can tell he works hard, and I respect that. However, he WILL get beaten by Fraser around the ground. To a point where it could become major fact in determining the outcome of the match.

Agreed, which is why I think Blake vs Mumford will make for a very long match committee decision on Wednesday.

It's well known that the Bomber wants Blake, but whether they can risk it against a more mobile ruckman is a big call.