News Mark Blake retires

[_Me_]

The issue in this thread is that people just want confirmation of their opinion. Otherwise they insult anyone with a contrary view.

And then there are a few who wish us to believe he was a gun. Kicking 15 out of 20 lol

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

That's exactly it, very good summary.



Agree, would it hurt people to show a little class? Most will look back on their posts in this thread with the passage of time and regret the tone of them. The right decision has been made, but none of the vitriol is right or necessary.

totally agree!
I always keep in mind that unless you've actually tried and played the game then criticizing those that have succeeded is a poor reflection on yourself as a person.
But personal opinions is what makes footy the game it is today and I do like to bag Collingwood as much as I can
just hate this type of stuff http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...eam-in-100-years/story-e6frf9jf-1226099319215 filling non-Collingwood supporters minds.

 

[Partridge]

Was a good tap ruckman.
The right decision was made in 07 to play King.
But it was also the right decision to trade King and keep Blake.

The game has just changed too much and we cant fit him into our style now.

Good luck Blakey !

Excellent summary. I'll add one more.....

It also was the right decision to play Blake ahead of Mumford in the 2009 finals.

Good tap ruckman, around the ground work didn't reach the level required. No hard feelings from me.

 

[catman 71]

Here are my thoughts on Mark Blake!:-

He used to frustrate me, and I think, at a lesser team, he would have been exposed. Geelong had the talent to "work around him", so his performance rarely, if ever, was the sole reason for losing the game.

Two positives I could find were these:-

(1) Mark Blake actually won a lot of hit-outs. He may have had few other things going for him, but his hit-out figures were pretty good. Remember in 2010, when Darren Jolly mocked Tom Hawkin's ruckwork in the press. Well, the response should have been to remind Jolly that Mark Blake thrashed him in the ruck earlier in the year. I saw stats, and Blake clobbered him, so that make Jolly's head deflate, or what?

(2) I think that Blake tried. I don't think his problem was lack of effort, rather a lack of ability.

I best describe Mark Blake as born in the wrong era. He would have been a 200-game player in the 70's or 80's, when being a tap-ruckman was all that was required. But in today's football, you can't get away with only being able to do the centre bounce and then go to the bench. Today's ruckman is required to go forward, or back, or play as a tall midfielder. One-trick ponies don't survive in today's game. Twenty years earlier, and Mark Blake could have been much more revered at Geelong than he is today.

 

[TheRealComptroller]

Was a good tap ruckman.
The right decision was made in 07 to play King.
But it was also the right decision to trade King and keep Blake.

Excellent summary. I'll add one more.....

It also was the right decision to play Blake ahead of Mumford in the 2009 finals.

I don't know how he could feel cheated about being dropped in 2007.

He was frighteningly bad in the PF and had been very poor against Port Adelaide in R21.

-----------------------------

Mumford also deserved to be out of the team in late 2009. When he was in the ruck the midfield was vastly less productive.

Take R21 vs Bulldogs

- Blake 12 disposals and 20 HO (but he did make a huge clanger with a horrible handpass intended for Woj that led to a WB goal )

- Mumford 5 disposals and 5 HO

As Otto was returning the next week the crappier ruck in this game lost the chance to be a premiership player.

---------

He's the only Cat who played in the 2009 flag that didn't play in either 2007 or 2011.

GF day for him for 3 years was an amazing ride: left out in 2007 , in 2008 he is selected and loses (and gets ridiculed by SMS from Steven King's brother ) and then in 2009 gets selected and the Cats win against King.

 

[JUBJUB]

Mark Blake will play for Mooroopna in the GVFL this year.
Go get 'em Blakey

 

[Beth]

Mooroopna has a new fan!

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Blakey was a real trier , damned good tap ruckman and very durable. Defenitely a victim of the sub rule and I would venture to suggest he would still be on the list today if not for that rule change.
We need to respect the effort and service he gave the Club and the role he played in the 09 Flag. I prefer to remember him as the cult figure who got the crowd going with those goals against the Tigers - still brings a smile to my face !!

 

[AM]

He will have big shoes to fill though with 2011 Lachie McGhie having a significant impact with his brilliant ruck work. McGhie has elected to return to Spotswood this season.

Let's hope he turns out to be as good as Lachie.

Good luck to Blakey.

http://is.gd/TzQ8la

 

[Vdubs]

Mooroopna has a new fan!

Or 2.

Hope he enjoys his footy this year away from the microscope. Still think his best is yet to come.

 

[_Me_]

Or 2.

Hope he enjoys his footy this year away from the microscope. Still think his best is yet to come.

no chance - he will go through the motions and keep fit
a few dollars - but could have made more in sa or wa

assume he will be a finance shark soon enough

 

[Big Fozza]

Blakey was a real trier , damned good tap ruckman and very durable. Defenitely a victim of the sub rule and I would venture to suggest he would still be on the list today if not for that rule change.
We need to respect the effort and service he gave the Club and the role he played in the 09 Flag. I prefer to remember him as the cult figure who got the crowd going with those goals against the Tigers - still brings a smile to my face !!

Good post.

 

[Vdubs]

Blakey was a real trier , damned good tap ruckman and very durable. Defenitely a victim of the sub rule and I would venture to suggest he would still be on the list today if not for that rule change.
We need to respect the effort and service he gave the Club and the role he played in the 09 Flag. I prefer to remember him as the cult figure who got the crowd going with those goals against the Tigers - still brings a smile to my face !!

Totally agree. Remember the '"cheers " he got in those early years when he actually kicked the ball. Glad you have similar positive memories.

 

[Hulk_Hawkins]

Mark Blake?

Just wondering if anyone knows what the big fella is up to this year with regards to his footy, has he signed with a local club or gone bush, or maybe even interstate. Haven't heard a thing on him so just wondering if anyone here knows. Apologies if this has been on before now but haven't logged on to BF in ages.

Looking forward to another great year in 2012!!

Go Cattas!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Re: Mark Blake?

Playing with Mooroopna in the GVFL.

 

[Hulk_Hawkins]

Re: Mark Blake?

Playing with Mooroopna in the GVFL.

Cheers MC - didn't really think he would hang around the GFL !

 

[Vdubs]

Re: Mark Blake?

Cheers MC - didn't really think he would hang around the GFL !

Think I read he is still living/working in Geelong during the week as an accountant/ financial planner. Not ideal preparation for a game with all that driving.

 

[_Me_]

Re: Mark Blake?

i thought i heard he was into telecommunications

 

[you pick one]

Re: Mark Blake?

i thought i heard he was into telecommunications

What as a telegraph poll.

 

[meto]

Re: Mark Blake?

Accountant/financial planner, won't be loosing any sleep over his future, but tried hard and gave what he had.

Should be remembered with respect as all GFC Premiership players should.