Mark Blake

[forrrestGump]

Too slow for my liking, in mentally deciding what to do next and physically dishing it out to team mates. Everything he does looks like it’s in slow motion. The pace goes up a bit in the finals so I shudder to think how we would fare if Ottens wasn’t playing. Not hating, just stating how I see it.

spot on

 

[Cattery]

Most improved player (bartel, ablett the list will go on)

Being a bit pedantic there, those blokes were already very good players, whereas Blake, at the end of 06, was looking like a player going nowhere but who stepped up to become a regular in 07.

in years time might be playing in SA, needs to have a presence which he does not, need to sooner or later have a young AA ruck in this team

Don't know what you mean by "presence" at the moment he's doing exactly what's required of him, and that's providing back up to Ottens while working on his own game.

Of course it would be great to have a young AA ruckman in the team, but you point out who currently at Geelong is within light years of that position; at present Blake is clearly the number two ruckman we have.

 

[forrrestGump]

Blake needs to improve his presence around the ground. He needs to offer something to the team other than a tap ruckman, ie mark the ball in the forward line. He is light years from being a quality no 1, so let us not be deluded, have a look at how he competes when against quality rucks,
where he has been towelled up against quality rucks

he is in the afl, not little league

what is it with gfc fans who have a dillusional view of blake and prismall, if they were that good they would be playing elsewhere, obviously no-one wants them that bad

 

[Cohzee]

blake needs to improve his presence, he needs to offer something to the team other than a tap ruckman, he is light years from being a quality no 1, so let us not be deluded, have a look at how he competes when against quality rucks,
he has been towelled up against quality rucks

he is in the afl, not little league

what is it with gfc fans who have a dillusional view of blake and prismall, if they were that good they would be playing elsewhere, obviously no-one wants them that bad

That doesn't make any sense. But I guess that's par for the course with you.

 

[forrrestGump]

That doesn't make any sense. But I guess that's par for the course with you.

cause they were out of contract at end of last year, and neither received a too good to be true offer

is that ok

 

[Cattery]

blake needs to improve his presence, he needs to offer something to the team other than a tap ruckman, he is light years from being a quality no 1, so let us not be deluded, have a look at how he competes when against quality rucks,
he has been towelled up against quality rucks

he is in the afl, not little league

Thought that's what I'd been saying all along, he isn't "yet" a number one ruck, and he doesn't have to be with Ottens in that role.

He's doing his job as one half of the best combo in the comp'.

what is it with gfc fans who have a dillusional view of blake and prismall, if they were that good they would be playing elsewhere, obviously no-one wants them that bad

Afraid you've completely lost me there, why the hell would he want to be playing elsewhere when he's getting a regular game in the best side in the competition, which in itself speaks volumes for his ability.

 

[forrrestGump]

Thought that's what I'd been saying all along, he isn't "yet" a number one ruck, and he doesn't have to be with Ottens in that role.

He's doing his job as one half of the best combo in the comp'.



Afraid you've completely lost me there, why the hell would he want to be playing elsewhere when he's getting a regular game in the best side in the competition, which in itself speaks volumes for his ability.

no-one chased him, ie clubs can still chase players

so when will he provide a full display in 2020, the guy has 2 years max to step up, otherwise he will be peter street mark 2

 

[Cohzee]

no-one chased him, ie clubs can still chase players

so when will he provide a full display in 2020, the guy has 2 years max to step up, otherwise he will be peter street mark 2

We wanted Blake, not King. He is now playing the number 2 ruck role in the best team in the land and doing a fine job.

Get over it.

 

[forrrestGump]

We wanted Blake, not King. He is now playing the number 2 ruck role in the best team in the land and doing a fine job.

Get over it.

nah, he is awesome, without pier in his role
he is the reason the gfc is where it is at, well done
great player, will no doubt be a high rating individual in the b&f

 

[Cohzee]

nah, he is awesome, without pier in his role
he is the reason the gfc is where it is at, well done
great player, will no doubt be a high rating individual in the b&f

*shakes head*

 

[forrrestGump]

*shakes head*

at least you are moved by my comments

he is so good by the way, that i will buy his jumper at the next online auction, and wear it with pride

 

[thegerman]

I agree but I think if I had any criticism of him right now it is that he gets pushed aside far too easily.

Ahh CF, love your pirate look!

The only thing that annoys me about the guy is his lack in ability to go for the big guy marking contest. This is the reason why he was dropped before the GF, as when the Pies were coming there was a perfect occasion which he could have taken a grab and hold onto the ball. Instead he didn't go for it, the ball was turned over and we started to bite our fingernails.

He needs to go for those grabs, it's something I saw Westy do all day in the two's yesterday.

 

[catswhiskers]

WE are getting very picky!

I thought watching saturday night what a big unit Blake looked. Probably because he was against inexperienced kids Marich and Tippet. But thats what its about. It takes these big guys many years to develop the strength and technique to dominate. I saw ottens play his first game in the ruck for richmond v pies as a teenager and he was scared. Not the case now.

Blake is going very nicely thankyou very much.

West needs a high jump coach if he is to be the next first ruck. He has the talent but not the size. Mumford is the big unknown he seems to have the ability and the size. But Both Ottens and Blake would love to take him on in a big game right now.

 

[Catman]

Im suprised knowone has mentioned this, but Blake doesnt have much awareness of whats going on around him, he lacks vision, where he lands, he will give the handball, without looking around for a better option..

That is quite possibly the biggest load of crap I've read on here since reading any one of forrest's posts.

 

[Clean Heels]

That is quite possibly the biggest load of crap I've read on here since reading any one of forrest's posts.

I suggest you actually watch him closely then, I dont have an agenda to downgrade the bloke - Im just pointing out what I seen from this yr..

He is a weak link in what looks to be a standout team of the competition, an ideal scenario would have Ottens Rucking an Nablett playing another tall in the forward line - but that isnt to be as yet, id love to see that still happen.

 

[sarah.13]

I suggest you actually watch him closely then, I dont have an agenda to downgrade the bloke - Im just pointing out what I seen from this yr..

He is a weak link in what looks to be a standout team of the competition, an ideal scenario would have Ottens Rucking an Nablett playing another tall in the forward line - but that isnt to be as yet, id love to see that still happen.

1. Nablett won't be playing Afl this year.
2. Who would play 2nd ruck when Ottens rests?
3. Geelong prefers to play 2 talls in the forward line.
4. You need to watch geelong games more carefully before you spout such crap on our board.
5. Blake has played very well since Ottens has returned and is currently 3rd in hitouts in the Afl.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

1. Nablett won't be playing Afl this year.
2. Who would play 2nd ruck when Ottens rests?
3. Geelong prefers to play 2 talls in the forward line.
4. You need to watch geelong games more carefully before you spout such crap on our board.
5. Blake has played very well since Ottens has returned and is currently 3rd in hitouts in the Afl.

I think my enthusiasm for Blake lifted when i went to see the Bombers game. Looked very impressive in the way that he presented himself around the ground (and verbally demanded the ball a few times). Sure he did not allways run to the best positions, but you could see him really trying to improve and impose (plus he really did outruck Hille that day, not a bad effort).

He has had a couple of poor showings since, but the consistency is starting to develop and people are right when they mention how he is learning to use his frame a bit better. Having Ottens there to help show him what is needed is still a big bonus. Ruckwork really has been first rate this year, round the ground stuff is developing as to is his presence. Donæt be suprised to see him take a grab or two in the forward line in the coming games, think his confidence is getting there!

 

[Pivo]

To wheel out an old favourite - leave him alone. All of you. ALL OF YOU

I tried not to add to this thread but in the end the temptress that is Mark Blake won out.

He has not had a bad year, he is improving and he is a more than handy 2nd ruckman as evidenced by his preformances since Ottens has returned.

Yes, he could do more aorund the ground but I think he is starting to do that a bit more since Ottens came back. His tapwork has been pretty good most of the year.

The 2nd ruckman's spot is his, it is up to West, Mumford and D. Simpson to take it off him.

 

[JUBJUB]

Im suprised knowone has mentioned this, but Blake doesnt have much awareness of whats going on around him, he lacks vision, where he lands, he will give the handball, without looking around for a better option..

Dude,stick to watching your pathetic Melbourne team.You clearly have no NFI on Geelong.

 

[Clean Heels]

Im free to express my opinion on Blake, I havent bagged Geelong as a team - and quite the opposite, only pathetic thing is yourself making it personal and bagging a team sitting last..

 

[Spot1]

Would be interesting to poll opposition ruckmen to see who they prefer not to ruck against when playing Geelong. I bet most would find Blakes genuine contest in the middle a tough afternoon out. Atleast he applies vigour and hardness at ball ups, for mine he is better at that than King/West/Ottens/Mumford. King always seemed apologetic on the rare occasions he showed any menace.

 

[forrrestGump]

That is quite possibly the biggest load of crap I've read on here since reading any one of forrest's posts.

catman feel free to card forrest anytime
as for this forrrest i would have been banned for months for such comments

by the way i agree with all of them

 

[Catman]

i would have been banned for months for such comments

Not fair, is it?

by the way i agree with all of them

Of course you would.

 

[thejester]

Props to Blakey yesterday - 17 possessions, 8 marks and 15 hitouts at 47%. Given the flogging he copped from Sandilands last time it was quite the turnaround.

 

[madcat001]

he was everywhere in the second half yesterday, loved seeing him take a bit of authority and grab hold of the footy on a few occasions and dish it out to a runner, shame he wasn't in the ruck when the interchange violation occured.