Rumour Mark Blake?

[Junk Time]

What ratings?



Wouldn't you be? Play every game then miss the most important for a guy who was repeatedly dropped throughout the season. Yes, King was okay on the day, but he made little difference. We'd have pumped Port by 100+ with Blakey. The way people criticise him you would think he's the first player to be upset at missing a GF. Maybe you should have a chat with Derek Kickett one day.



King did actually knock back the 1-year deal. He wanted a two-year deal.

I fail to see how we've lost out in the deal. King has been very average while Blake has been serviceable and played a superior game to both St. Kilda ruckman in last years premiership.

Port beat us at our last home game with Blake who got destroyed by Lade and Brogan, I can see why they were reluctant to play him.

Also, King didn't knock back anything, he turned up to sign his contract and was told it had been taken off the table.

"To be honest, I am not really sure what happened. I know on the Monday of trade week I had a one-year deal on the table and by Wednesday it had mysteriously disappeared and by the Thursday I was getting calls from Geelong people telling me it might be a good idea if I retired," he said.

"I thought, 'Gee, that's a pretty quick turnaround. I didn't want to retire, but (manager) Ricky (Nixon) and I only had a day and a half to get somewhere else that I could have a kick at.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...essure-to-retire/story-e6frf9lo-1111115521654

 

[Junk Time]

Where was that article that said Blake was tapping at 10.5% last year whilst Mumford was going around 5%.

Mumford just taps to his feet and tackles the oncoming player. Nothing special.

I think the All-Australian selectors might disagree with you there

 

[The Casey Cat]

I think the All-Australian selectors might disagree with you there

Not last year they wouldn't.

 

[d_henderson1810]

Have to disagree. Cant see where we lost on trading Steven King. Maybe we see different stats but Steven hasnt set the world on fire at St Kilda and was struggling to hold his place earlier this year.. His body is also breaking down and I doubt he will be playing again next year.

Blake hasnt been consistent but has played some good games and has been wonderfully resilient. He plays week after week and has generally played his role. Yes, I agree he needs to do more around the ground in most games, and it would be good to see him taking contested grabs and kicking goals.

Blake was much more effective than Steven King in last years GF. Some have short memories.

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We lost by trading King by getting pick 90, which we didn't use. We should have played hardball with St. Kilda. They may have turned it down, but King is a premiership ruckman. We may as well have just delisted him, if we are going to give him up that easily.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

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We lost by trading King by getting pick 90, which we didn't use. We should have played hardball with St. Kilda. They may have turned it down, but King is a premiership ruckman. We may as well have just delisted him, if we are going to give him up that easily.

No because St Kilda took Charlie Gardiner's fat contract (ala Tenace) off our hands and in return we gave them King for free. We wouldn't have been able to delist Gardiner as we would have had to payout his contract in the cap and then we'd have been over the cap. I was annoyed about giving King for nothing too, but it was necessary.

 

[wombat01]

Bzzzt. Wrong y'all.

Take it from someone who knows.

Geelong did the very honourable thing of ensuring Kingy, H and Charlie were all guaranteed new homes and in exchange we took picks that we were never going to use. Though the 3 were no longer required we did the next best thing - gave them a new home rather than de-listing them.

As for Mummy, remember he was on the Rookie List (not Senior list)

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Bzzzt. Wrong y'all.

Take it from someone who knows.

Geelong did the very honourable thing of ensuring Kingy, H and Charlie were all guaranteed new homes and in exchange we took picks that we were never going to use. Though the 3 were no longer required we did the next best thing - gave them a new home rather than de-listing them.

As for Mummy, remember he was on the Rookie List (not Senior list)

That is all true. But you will find I am right in saying Gardiner was contracted, and hence we couldn't delist him (same reason we had to wait until the end of last year to delist Tenace because that was when his contract ran out).

 

[Vdubs]

Well yes, after all Bomber said "he needs to decide whether he WANTS to play our way". The bolded bit implies that whatever issue is between the coach and Bomber, as well as it being about performance issues, the coach has some issues with his attitude too. Whether he's right or not is another matter.

As you say, implies only, not factual. Can't trust what Bomber tells the media because only 3 weeks before he told us all how happy he was with Blake and how he had a role in the team, UNTIL OTTENS AND HAWKINS became available, so no, attitude is not the issue. Besides, we were referring to attitude back in 07.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Geelong did the very honourable thing of ensuring Kingy, H and Charlie were all guaranteed new homes and in exchange we took picks that we were never going to use.

This is how I remember it too. All three were great servants of the club and Geelong did the 'righty' by getting them other homes. - Another reason I am proud to be a Geelong supporter!

BTW Wombat, you're listed as a Carlton supporter but said 'we' in your text.?

 

[Cataholic]

Many comments about our ruck stocks, in a variety of threads by members who are far better judges / informed than I, have given me the impression that the majority are still to be convinced that either West or Simpson will make the cut.

Have I read the general opinion correctly?

Common opinion seems to be that West has more mobility than Blake, but ultimately does not have the size or skills to be a specialist ruckman.

Many are impressed with Simpson's size, but again, there seem to be many questions on the quality of his rucking skills.

I understand ruckman take longer to develop, but both have been around for a while now and therefore wonder if this general (?) opinion suggests neither are showing sufficient yearly improvement to give hope that they'll make the grade?

What would be the contingency plan if they don't make it and we were to lose Blake in the meantime? Does it mean the club must keep Blake at all costs?

 

[Cataholic]

Many comments about our ruck stocks, in a variety of threads by members who are far better judges / informed than I, have given me the impression that the majority are still to be convinced that either West or Simpson will make the cut.

Have I read the general opinion correctly?

Common opinion seems to be that West has more mobility than Blake, but ultimately does not have the size or skills to be a specialist ruckman.

Many are impressed with Simpson's size, but again, there seem to be many questions on the quality of his rucking skills.

I understand ruckman take longer to develop, but both have been around for a while now and therefore wonder if this general (?) opinion suggests neither are showing sufficient yearly improvement to give hope that they'll make the grade?

What would be the contingency plan if they don't make it and we were to lose Blake in the meantime? Does it mean the club must keep Blake at all costs?

 

[Cataholic]

PS: when I hit 'post reply', I sometimes get a message telling me I must wait 20 seconds
between posts, even if its my first post for the day. It results in me posting twice,
as I've just done!! What am I doing wrong?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Many comments about our ruck stocks, in a variety of threads by members who are far better judges / informed than I, have given me the impression that the majority are still to be convinced that either West or Simpson will make the cut.

Have I read the general opinion correctly?

Common opinion seems to be that West has more mobility than Blake, but ultimately does not have the size or skills to be a specialist ruckman.

Many are impressed with Simpson's size, but again, there seem to be many questions on the quality of his rucking skills.

I understand ruckman take longer to develop, but both have been around for a while now and therefore wonder if this general (?) opinion suggests neither are showing sufficient yearly improvement to give hope that they'll make the grade?

What would be the contingency plan if they don't make it and we were to lose Blake in the meantime? Does it mean the club must keep Blake at all costs?

We would need to recruit someone else.

Blake is really not 'surplus to our needs' unless we can.

 

[Cataholic]

We would need to recruit someone else.

Blake is really not 'surplus to our needs' unless we can.

If the club sought to recruit someone else, would it be because of a lack of confidence in Blake himself, or West and Simpson as back-ups? Or maybe both?

How would this affect the relationship between Blake and the club if it were perceived that way?

Are there any ruckman on the recruiting radar? I seem to recall Dean Cox may be on the market, but assume he'd only have a couple of years left......

 

[Pure_Ownage]

If the club sought to recruit someone else, would it be because of a lack of confidence in Blake himself, or West and Simpson as back-ups? Or maybe both?

How would this affect the relationship between Blake and the club if it were perceived that way?

Are there any ruckman on the recruiting radar? I seem to recall Dean Cox may be on the market, but assume he'd only have a couple of years left......

I would say it would be because either a) Blake walks out or b) based on comments in the media they've made they decide his type of ruckman is obsolete to us, and try to trade him.

Realistically Cox is the best you could get. Eagles have said he's not up for trade but they're rebuilding so they'd trade him for the right price. You'd prefer to do what Sydney did and get someone young enough to give you 7-8 years, but those types, such as Clark, Leunberger, Ryder, Goldstein etc I don't think we could get. So really while I don't rate Blake, there's not many other options and considering $$$ a recruit would cost too, we're better off keeping him.

Hence if he leaves I believe it will be his decision, not the club's.

 

[Cataholic]

I would say it would be because either a) Blake walks out or b) based on comments in the media they've made they decide his type of ruckman is obsolete to us, and try to trade him.

Realistically Cox is the best you could get. Eagles have said he's not up for trade but they're rebuilding so they'd trade him for the right price. You'd prefer to do what Sydney did and get someone young enough to give you 7-8 years, but those types, such as Clark, Leunberger, Ryder, Goldstein etc I don't think we could get. So really while I don't rate Blake, there's not many other options and considering $$$ a recruit would cost too, we're better off keeping him.

Hence if he leaves I believe it will be his decision, not the club's.

It seems there may - just may - be some tension between Blake and the club already, so what would be your take on things if Blake were to walk out and we were unable to recruit?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It seems there may - just may - be some tension between Blake and the club already, so what would be your take on things if Blake were to walk out and we were unable to recruit?

Certainly we couldn't win the flag in 2011 with West and Simpson as starting ruckmen. We may even struggle to make the finals. I would think necessity, being the mother of all invention, would require the recruitment of another ruckman because Hawkins cannot afford to play ruck long term, and I don't want to see Vardy thrown in too early.

I would think if Blake leaves, the club would certainly look to recruit another decent ruckman, that is if we have any room in the cap, which we probably won't. So better off keeping Blake.

 

[Cataholic]

Certainly we couldn't win the flag in 2011 with West and Simpson as starting ruckmen. We may even struggle to make the finals. I would think necessity, being the mother of all invention, would require the recruitment of another ruckman because Hawkins cannot afford to play ruck long term, and I don't want to see Vardy thrown in too early.

I would think if Blake leaves, the club would certainly look to recruit another decent ruckman, that is if we have any room in the cap, which we probably won't. So better off keeping Blake.

Does this give Blake the upper hand in negotiations with the club? I recall reading a suggestion somewhere that he's already on an inflated contract after the King episode.....

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Does this give Blake the upper hand in negotiations with the club? I recall reading a suggestion somewhere that he's already on an inflated contract after the King episode.....

Assuming he's contracted for 2011 (as some suggest) then there will be no 'negotiations'. Then he doesn't have the upper hand b/c particularly given if he's contracted he can't walk, so it would only happen if we were happy to let it happen.

 

[CatTricks]

Simpson will become an awesome ruckman i rekn, just needs to work on a few things.. I think that once Otto pulls the pin, the club should employ him as a ruck coach. As far as Blake commanding things - He can walk - His a tap ruckman.. nothing more nothing less.

 

[Cataholic]

Simpson will become an awesome ruckman i rekn, just needs to work on a few things.. I think that once Otto pulls the pin, the club should employ him as a ruck coach. As far as Blake commanding things - He can walk - His a tap ruckman.. nothing more nothing less.

What must Simpson work on, and when do you reckon he'll be up to scratch?

I'm interested in why you've formed such a high opinion of him. I've only seen him on tv once, so know nothing about him.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Has Vardy had a go in the VFL... and if so, how far away is he?

I know its only his first year, but wasn't he touted as a possible round 1 pick, and one of the best ruck options in last years draft.

Anyone know?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Common opinion seems to be that West has more mobility than Blake, but ultimately does not have the size or skills to be a specialist ruckman.

Many are impressed with Simpson's size, but again, there seem to be many questions on the quality of his rucking skills.

I understand ruckman take longer to develop, but both have been around for a while now and therefore wonder if this general (?) opinion suggests neither are showing sufficient yearly improvement to give hope that they'll make the grade?

What would be the contingency plan if they don't make it and we were to lose Blake in the meantime? Does it mean the club must keep Blake at all costs?

I don't agree with the West opinions. I just think he's had few opportunities and little continuity and the ones he's had this year he's done well. I think people just write him off automatically because he's 198cm. Let's see how he goes next year.

I don't rate Simpson as highly as AKONER does, certainly he's been ok in the VFL and does have more around the ground skills than his fellow giant Blake, and while I think he may make it in time, I've seen nothing that says to me he's ready to handle a full season of AFL next year, whereas there's others such as Taylor Hunt I've watched in the VFL and seen exactly that.

Vardy I think will be great and is athletic but I wouldn't be throwing him in at 19. And goodness knows we don't want Hawkins rucking long term.

So all that combined for me = you can't fling Blake unless you recruit someone else, and henceforth we don't consider trading Blake (even if he wants to go) unless a) we get a ridiculously good offer from another club and b) we have a suitable recruit lined up.

 

[Cataholic]

I don't agree with the West opinions. I just think he's had few opportunities and little continuity and the ones he's had this year he's done well. I think people just write him off automatically because he's 198cm. Let's see how he goes next year.

I don't rate Simpson as highly as AKONER does, certainly he's been ok in the VFL and does have more around the ground skills than his fellow giant Blake, and while I think he may make it in time, I've seen nothing that says to me he's ready to handle a full season of AFL next year, whereas there's others such as Taylor Hunt I've watched in the VFL and seen exactly that.

Vardy I think will be great and is athletic but I wouldn't be throwing him in at 19. And goodness knows we don't want Hawkins rucking long term.

So all that combined for me = you can't fling Blake unless you recruit someone else, and henceforth we don't consider trading Blake (even if he wants to go) unless a) we get a ridiculously good offer from another club and b) we have a suitable recruit lined up.

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?

 

[SJ]

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?

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

It's a fair bit.