Rumour Mark Blake?

[Cataholic]

And West is "only" 7cm taller than Joel Corey.

It's a fair bit.

Wow - it really is a game of millimetres!

I didn't realise such small height differences were so big!

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I realise that Simpson is listed at 206cm, bit in an article on gfc.com this year he stated he now stood at 208cm/108kg. If he works on his timing at centre bounces he has the potential to be the next Sandilands with a few more years under his belt. Of course he also has the potential to be the next Peter Street, but I'm an optimist.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It seems strange that West is perceived to have a significant height disadvantage when in fact he's only 80mm (3") shorter than Simpson!

I would've thought other variable factors such as superior inherent skill and vertical leap would easily negate such a minimal height difference. Not saying West has that necessarily, but I'd assumed a greater height difference between the two until now.

Vardy seems to have some respect and excitement - do you feel he needs another year to put on some weight or are there other factors in holding him back?

I agree. I think the issue is that 'shorter' ruckman are only considered to be capable if they have the 'springheeled jack' type jump (think Jeff White etc). Because West is only 198 and he doesn't look like he has that vertical leap (I mean he can jump, but you don't watch him jump and then think 'geez, nice spring there' means he gets so people tend to write him off. Reality is he often competes against taller ruckmen at VFL level and doesn't get smashed in the taps, so I don't see the issues that others do, and indeed he has around the ground skill much more so than Blake or Dawson (at this stage anyway). Regardless of whether he makes it he's certainly earnt the right to be around next year, so hopefully what Bomber said a few weeks ago about being pleased with him was not empty praise.

Vardy creates excitement because while also short, he does have the vertical leap going, and also the ability to play well as a forward, so he offers that versatility that you want. He is still quite slender though and definitely you couldn't throw him in seniors til another couple of years of gym IMO.

 

[Cataholic]

I think JPod's indiscretion tonight (assuming his suspension) will give Blake a reprieve over the next couple of weeks. His 'necessity' in JPod's absence will take some of the scrutiny off his performances.

Having said that, I thought there were some encouraging passages of play tonight where Blake attempted to apply defensive pressure and involve himself around the ground more.

All in all though, I judged his game to be no more than 'serviceable' and think his bacon's been saved in the short-term by JPod. However, he's going to have to show some improvement over the next couple of weeks to hold his spot after JPod's return.

 

[SmothOperRaider]

Wow we looked so much more free flowing when Hawk was in the guts tonight.

Not '07 prelim better, but as in 'we're not playing with 17 guys' kind've better.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I agree. Blake was okay and will play against the Saints with Pods suspended, but I still reckon he'll be the one out when Pods comes back.

 

[DanA]

Wow - it really is a game of millimetres!

I didn't realise such small height differences were so big!

7 cms at the head, add wing span and its 12-13cms. That's the difference between cleanly palming the ball down and losing the battle in the ruck. It makes a huge difference over the course of 30-40 ruck battles.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Was ok last night.... i am a blake fan and still think we play our better football with a more established ruckman around the centre. He is never going to be a gun, however if he can lift that 5% extra and put a bit more defensive pressure around the contests then we can be relatively happy.

Hawk was excellent last night though - inparticular his ground work amongst the contest. Whilst Pods is going to be suspended, Blake and Otto' will ruck with Hawk pushing forward again. When Pods comes back in, Blake will go out. Pretty clear now.

 

[Claude Balls]

Interesting - I thought last night showed pretty clearly Blake is not up to it, at least when contrasting our clearance work to when Hawkins was rucking.

I've never understood why Blake is regarded as a "good tap ruckman" by most on this board. He gets 20-30 taps a game sure, but it's clear he spends 90% of his effort just making contact with the ball, with only 10% left over to apply any sort of control or direction. One of the more ingrained and enduring myths IMO, probably born of the assumption that if he's played this many games he must have at least ONE string to his bow.

 

[Gogeelong]

I've never understood why Blake is regarded as a "good tap ruckman" by most on this board. He gets 20-30 taps a game sure, but it's clear he spends 90% of his effort just making contact with the ball, with only 10% left over to apply any sort of control or direction.

Can anybody gives us actual stats of his ruckwork compared to Hawkins and say Mumford. If he is such a great tap ruckman lets see if it is so?

 

[thejester]

Looking in todays age he had 21 hitouts at 48% to advantage against Hawkins' 9 at 22%, where (IIRC) to advantage is defined as a hitout that goes to a teammate who then has an effective disposal. Warnock had 19 at 42 and Jacobs 18 at 17.

SJ might have the stats on him over the season but pretty sure he's 6-7 in the league for hitouts to advantage.

 

[meto]

I thought against twin Carlton giants he did great, and forgoodnasake let him kick the B***** ball............every time he kicks it he finds a geelong player.

It only puts pressure on him to find a player with a handpass on every occasion, and he does kick effectively.

He may not dive into packs, but he screens the likes of Selwood so they can get clear. You carn't do both.

I think if people asked Brad Ottens, would you like to have Blake as your backup, I'm sure he'd say, absolutely.

If he plays, Ottens can rest or play FF/FP. Hawkins is a Ruck/Rover. Giant HF/Midfielder.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Has Mark Blake done enough?
I thought he was woeful early in the match, but did improve over the game. We were getting hammered in the clearances early and I understand Carlton won them for the match. I just felt we were more competitive with Hawk in the ruck (despite the stats). Blake will get another week or two with Pods out, although I'd like to see Westy, using his athleticism to get a run next week (against NicNat and Cox)

 

[Belisarius]

I thought he was better last night. He ran to receive a bit better, tried to tackle more and paid more attention to his opposition. I still favour Hawkins over Blake but whatever happens I think the good news is that Mark will probably contribute a bit more to our side than he has done before.

So a win win really IMO.

However last night also showed that we miss Ottens and our midfield just does not operate as well without him being 65 % on the ball.

 

[Vdubs]

Has Mark Blake done enough?
I thought he was woeful early in the match, but did improve over the game. We were getting hammered in the clearances early and I understand Carlton won them for the match. I just felt we were more competitive with Hawk in the ruck (despite the stats). Blake will get another week or two with Pods out, although I'd like to see Westy, using his athleticism to get a run next week (against NicNat and Cox)

Fairly typical response, as you said, despite the stats you FELT we were more competitive with Hawk in the ruck. Even the commentators, not Blake fans, noted his strength at often hitting the ball directly to a running Chappy and Selwood, which created many inside 50's. But if you don't feel like acknowledging his strength in that area, so be it. It comes down to Blake or Ottens. And the answer is obvious, IF Ottens is fit. If Pods is available, it looks as if they'll go Ottens/Hawkins/Mooney/Pods.

But next year, Blake would be ready to take over the #1 spot if Ottens goes.

Westy is not that athletic either. Don't know who you've been watching. Blake's overstated awkwardness and slowness is not that bad. Watch last night's replay with open eyes

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Fairly typical response, as you said, despite the stats you FELT we were more competitive with Hawk in the ruck.

So, seeing as Blake was the number one ruckman how do you FEEL about the fact we ended up with less clearances than our opponents. Were Blake's hitout less than effective? Or was it our midfielders who let us down?

 

[Vdubs]

So, seeing as Blake was the number one ruckman how do you FEEL about the fact we ended up with less clearances than our opponents. Were Blake's hitout less than effective? Or was it our midfielders who let us down?

He didn't spend enough time on the ground, AS USUAL. Did you not read the previously mentioned stats about %effectiveness?

 

[RegHickeyStand]

He didn't spend enough time on the ground, AS USUAL. Did you not read the previously mentioned stats about %effectiveness?

Maybe Bomber has his reason for not giving Blake too much time on the ground.

The stats made no sense to me. If you add up the effective HOs and the amount there is, no way they had had more clearances than us. So, if they had more clearances, there is something wrong with those stats.

 

[meto]

We need two rucks, like every other team.
Ottens cannot be expected to do it all alone.
Hawkins is not and never will be a genuine ruckman, he's a big bodied utility that you play on ball and fwd, but he can help out in the ruck if needed, that's it.
He plays his best footy up the ground as a lead up target, he's a vital power element of our team.

Blake is the best ruck option, by far.

 

[Vdubs]

We need two rucks, like every other team.
Ottens cannot be expected to do it all alone.
Hawkins is not and never will be a genuine ruckman, he's a big bodied utility that you play on ball and fwd, but he can help out in the ruck if needed, that's it.
He plays his best footy up the ground as a lead up target, he's a vital power element of our team.

Blake is the best ruck option, by far.

True, and we were able to win a very difficult flag last year with Blake contributing.

 

[Vdubs]

Maybe Bomber has his reason for not giving Blake too much time on the ground.

The stats made no sense to me. If you add up the effective HOs and the amount there is, no way they had had more clearances than us. So, if they had more clearances, there is something wrong with those stats.

What about getting a copy of the game and objectively watch the hitouts and clearances yourself, and see if you have the same feeling.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

What about getting a copy of the game and objectively watch the hitouts and clearances yourself, and see if you have the same feeling.

Yeah, I was working late. Didn't get to see the game on the box. Just saw the second half. Blake did ruck well. Hawkins was poor in the ruck. Blake did a few good things too. He is still clumsy and slow moving. He cannot help that, and I don't think he will ever improve from my personal experience coaching talls in b/ball. You can teach them co-ordination to a certain extent, but not speed and agility. Watch him carefully as he labors to organize his body when he is about to kick or handpass. You will see what I mean. The way he dropped Waite was really unco. Bomber wants something out of him he can't give.

 

[Partridge]

We need two rucks, like every other team.
Ottens cannot be expected to do it all alone.
Hawkins is not and never will be a genuine ruckman, he's a big bodied utility that you play on ball and fwd, but he can help out in the ruck if needed, that's it.
He plays his best footy up the ground as a lead up target, he's a vital power element of our team.

Blake is the best ruck option, by far.

Not by far. It's a simple decision, if they want a 2nd ruckman capable of winning hitouts, then it's Blake. Easily. But if they want a 2nd ruckman capable of contributing around the ground, and pushing forward and kicking goals, then it's Hawkins. Just as easily. And Hawkins is looking better and better too.

That's the situation.

 

[meto]

Not by far. It's a simple decision, if they want a 2nd ruckman capable of winning hitouts, then it's Blake. Easily. But if they want a 2nd ruckman capable of contributing around the ground, and pushing forward and kicking goals, then it's Hawkins. Just as easily. And Hawkins is looking better and better too.

That's the situation.

Exactly, that's why they both fit, Blake is the ruck, Hawkins is the ruckrover/ midfield/fwd.
Blake screens standing up, Hawkins gets into the packs like Ottens.
I believe we need their strength and size, and definately Ottens needs a genuine buddy in the ruck.

 

[Lana]

I am worried about hawkins ability to contest against top shelf like jolly or even regular rucks like Gaedaneer. But at least for the next two weeks we have no issues but i still think that every hitout Hawkins gets to will improve him.