Mark Blake

[chapmanmagic35]

It's good to see him standing up. He's rucking much better since Ottens has come back.

 

[Exhale You]

The fact he had the most possessions he's ever had was great, but his hitouts to advantage percentage (near 50%) was the best part of his game.

Most impressive was the fact that whilst his percentage was nearly 50%, Sandilands was kept to something like 10%.

Well done Mark.

 

[passthebottle]

After today there cant be any doubt about the decision to trade King to keep Blakey.

I think as his confidence grows he really grows as a player.

Love it in the last when he took possession on the flank and hit up Chappy(i think) for a goal.

 

[forrrestGump]

king has been good for the saints

 

[madcat001]

king has been good for the saints

he's also missed 3 games already this season versus blake's 0. If Geelong was to keep King, he would've been hanging up the boots shortly after and blake would've been off developing to be a servicable ruckman for 10+ years at another club. We simply couldn't manage it to keep them both, one had to go, and Geelong made the right decision.

 

[Copernicus]

I liked his game yesterday. He is doing better and better around the ground - some of his linkwork really set up blokes into some space and his ruckwork was pretty good, although Otto is still clearly the superior of the two of them in that regard.

 

[Exhale You]

Congrats to Mark on 50 games.

He put in yet another good performance and it's clear for all to see that he's developing extremely well.

 

[thejester]

My old man complained that last night was too much like the prelim for his liking - Cats looked nervous in front of a big crowd, etc etc etc.

I sort of agreed, but then realised there was a huge difference. Blakey was good in the ruck, showed a clean pair of hands and good decision making. That passage of play where he tapped it into the path of Kelly as he was running through the corridor whilst being tackled was awesome, IMO. Just continues to come on in leaps and bounds.

 

[Exhale You]

He is far more composed than he was last year.

He is also imposing himself more on the game and provides an option now.

The rapid improvement from 2007 to 2008 in those areas is great, and if he continues to improve (and you combine it with his already excellent tapping ability) he's going to be a quality AFL footballer.

I commended the club for it's decision at the end of 2007, and it's really starting to reap the dividends.

Well done GFC.

 

[crosby123]

Needs to give Mackie tips on how to gather and dispose of the ball under pressure. Was very solid last night, great back-up for big Brad.

 

[deadfish]

Great game from blakey! His tap work was awesome, and his skills are surprisingly good and he doesn't really fumble the ball much. Come on leaps and bounds the last few months especially.

 

[TGTOA]

Great game from blakey! His tap work was awesome, and his skills are surprisingly good and he doesn't really fumble the ball much. Come on leaps and bounds the last few months especially.

No coincidence that Blake's improvement has corresponded with Ottens' return to the team. Blake looked lost as the number one ruckman earlier this year, but as back up to Ottens he's been able to develop without having the pressure of being the frontline ruckman, and what he's shown in the last month has been impressive. I would still only rate him as a good second ruckman, it remains to be seen whether he can develop into the ruckman we need to step into Otten's place.

 

[darren forssman]

he was good but starting to believe in the cult of himself, i think it was the first quarter when he could have handpassed to varcoe (who is a much better kick) running past but went for glory himself.

 

[TheTimeCometh]

f___ oath - definitely glory seeks from time to time.

shoulda given it over to varcoe - way outta line with regards to how the rest of the team operate, y'know sharing it around at all costs.

 

[thejester]

No coincidence that Blake's improvement has corresponded with Ottens' return to the team. Blake looked lost as the number one ruckman earlier this year, but as back up to Ottens he's been able to develop without having the pressure of being the frontline ruckman, and what he's shown in the last month has been impressive. I would still only rate him as a good second ruckman, it remains to be seen whether he can develop into the ruckman we need to step into Otten's place.

It's helped but it's not like he suddenely gone from bad to good since Ottens return. Has played some good footy (albeit incosistently) throughout the year.

 

[Brasil2007]

It's helped but it's not like he suddenely gone from bad to good since Ottens return. Has played some good footy (albeit incosistently) throughout the year.

Absolutely, he towelled up Hille, who is a cert to be AA.