Mark Blake

[dascman03]

What is the consensus among Geelong supporters concerning Mark Blake? Will he be a star of the future? Will he even be anything good? Or is he a dud?

Just interested considering he was a highly rated kid as an 18 year old.

 

[jim boy]

Doubt he will be as good as his dad. Needs alot of developing still, but at worst should be a resaonable second-string ruckman. The trading of Chambers was a strong signal by the club of where they see Blake in 3 or 4 years time.

 

[DBAH0]

To me, he showed more as a tap ruckman and his skills and reading of the play around the ground than Chambers did.

Needs to still put on at least an extra 5-10 kgs, and work on building up his fitness, but it was promising he played senior football in 2005 albeit because of injuries.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

will take a lot away from his limited 2005 experience. Knows how the big boys play now, and has acknowledged in an interview that he needs to put on about 5 - 6kg. I would expect him to be a much improved player next season.

 

[Sammy D]

Jury is still out IMO. See how he goes over the next two seasons. Thought he could hold his high with how he went this season. Didn't expect him to even feature at all

 

[catempire]

I remember watching his first game and being surprised at how self confident he seemed to be. He really had a crack and tried to take on blokes a couple of times when he got the ball. It seemed like he thought he had a point to prove. Problem was, it was as if his body hadn't yet caught up with his brain and the unco factor was still too great.

His body still looks very immature but to me, the signs look excellent if he matures physically over the next couple of years. There's still plenty of time for him.

 

[thehoff]

I remember watching his first game and being surprised at how self confident he seemed to be. He really had a crack and tried to take on blokes a couple of times when he got the ball. It seemed like he thought he had a point to prove. Problem was, it was as if his body hadn't yet caught up with his brain and the unco factor was still too great.

His body still looks very immature but to me, the signs look excellent if he matures physically over the next couple of years. There's still plenty of time for him.

Well said. I agree fully.

I saw him earlier in the year in a practice match against Hawthorn at Optus and he showed he has great potential. He skills at ground level and his quick hands for a big man was exceptional. I know it was only a pre-season game and the intensity was not as it is during the season but he impressed me.

I don't think he will be a superstar, however i think he will give us a good 5-6 years as a tap ruckman.

 

[WestCat]

I think he could be a very good ruckman. He positions well but struggles to hold his ground. A summer in the gym will help this, but he's got to keep his leap, a 2m ruckman with a huge leap and good positioning is a handy asset. He seemed to have a pretty good set of hands as well.

 

[Rosso]

He showed some great signs in the game against the Saints where he had close to double figures in possies and also racked up a few taps. He was pretty stiff that game also giving away a few free kicks for ruck infringments where I think the umpires simply gave it to the more experienced player (it was the worst umpired game of the year!!!).

With some extra bulk he will be a solid ruckman but the thing that impressed me was the fact that he got the pill around the ground and continually presented. Something that a lot of ruckmen don't do to the detrement of their teams. Give him another two years to fill out and he'll make it.

 

[Tweak Talent]

Like many people have said he needs to bulk up in the gym over the off season, he competes very well at the centre bounce but once the ruck contests/boundary throw ins become a battle of strength he is too easily outmanouvered atm.

Could be quite a handy player once he fills out.

 

[iameviljez]

I don't think anyone will know until he does fill out more - a bit like Playfair, Mackie et al. Still, whilst King's at the club, it's hard to imagine him doing anything more than a Flanigan but there's no doubt that he's being groomed as his replacement.
Not many KPPs, even ruckmen have shown anything by the age of 20, though. Not unless they're freaks like Riewoldt or Carey.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

As with many talls, they take a while to develop and become consistent footballers.

Blake will become a good ruckman, and the trading of Chambers confirmed what Geelong think of Blake.