Ottens - The Key

[Jumping Jack]

Was massive against Port.

A great move to start him in the middle when the heat was on ..... the big body around the contests was significant in the 1st qtr.

A few people gave him a mention in other threads but thought I'd highlight him as he's just about the most important part of our premiership defence I reckon. Without him I think it's a wide open race for the flag - with him I think we are 15-20% ahead of the challengers.

No coincidence we've looked a better side since he's been back.

As much as I love the theatre and romance of Blake when he kicks a goal (or contributes) I just can't see us winning a flag with him as #1....... but he's a great foil as back up to Ottens.

 

[BlueNWhite]

Ottens - The Difference

Sensational player he is, lifts our team and provides excellent ground level work when the pill hits the deck after the bounce - how often you'll see Bottens scrambling at ground level to win the ball, it's like we have another inside midfielder extracting the pill!

 

[catempire]

Sensational addition to the team.

His first quarter or so yesterday was equal to the best I've seen from a ruckman all year. Great tapwork, taking contested marks, filling the hole in defence and creating an option forward.

Agree JJ. He places us ahead of the pack.

 

[fpm84]

Ottens has been getting better game by game and I was very happy to see him start on the ground yesterday.

Who knows - his injury could end up being somewhat of a blessing in disguise. By the time we reach finals his body won't have the usual wear and tear of a 22 game home and away season, and he should have reached full match fitness level well before then too.

Agree that he is far and away our most important player - we've been able to cover the losses of Scarlett and Ablett with minimum fuss this season but we always looked very vulnerable in the ruck without Brad.

 

[Kent_Kingsley]

couldnt help but laugh when the big guy was trying to lumber his way to a sixpointer in the goalsquare, in the last qtr i think...still way off proper fitness of course but he was very good in the first half.

 

[Hinkley29]

Welcome back Crackers

 

[Adelaide Hoops]

Let there be no mistake. Since Ottens has returned and Chappy has started to get to peak form , we are a much better team. Which demonstrates how well we have done to be on top at the mid way mark. It really should be blue sky from here.

But we will not go top if Ottens is not playing.

 

[Duskfire]

When Ottens is in full fitness, we'll be absolutely roaring along. One aspect we have over the rest of the teams in the top 8 currently is that we arguably have the best ruck combination. The other power ruckmen such as Cox and Lade and Mcintosh are all outside the 8 and/or injured. Thats going to help heaps come Finals time, provided Ottens can stay healthy.

 

[cat in sydney]

Ottens is definitely the key for us this year and next. He MUST be fit in September for us to have a chance.

However, having watched the Port game, Blake seems to be really improving in a lot of areas we've criticised him over. I thought his around the ground work was much better (esp being a link man at the HBF taking a mark out of defense then handballing on).
He still lacks defensive accountability, but most ruckman do.

I think if both of them are in form come September, we actually will have a better ruck combination than any team in the comp, and better than we did in the GF last year.

 

[geelong_boy]

Ottens is definitely the key for us this year and next. He MUST be fit in September for us to have a chance.

However, having watched the Port game, Blake seems to be really improving in a lot of areas we've criticised him over. I thought his around the ground work was much better (esp being a link man at the HBF taking a mark out of defense then handballing on).
He still lacks defensive accountability, but most ruckman do.

I think if both of them are in form come September, we actually will have a better ruck combination than any team in the comp, and better than we did in the GF last year.

Yeah no doubt the importance of Ottens to the team and its chances this year. Is it any coincidence that we're playing so much better since he's come back, or is it a combination of Ottens' (and others') form and the reaction to the Collingwood loss? In any case, it's a relief to see the team showing glimpses of the form it had last year.

I agree with your comments on Blake - his link man work last week reminded me very much of how he played last year before he was dropped/'rested'. Good to see and let's hope he can continue to improve and support Ottens as the year continues.

 

[Woof Dog]

Ottens is definitely the key for us this year and next. He MUST be fit in September for us to have a chance.

However, having watched the Port game, Blake seems to be really improving in a lot of areas we've criticised him over. I thought his around the ground work was much better (esp being a link man at the HBF taking a mark out of defense then handballing on).
He still lacks defensive accountability, but most ruckman do.

I think if both of them are in form come September, we actually will have a better ruck combination than any team in the comp, and better than we did in the GF last year.

Big call when Ottens and King smashed the 'best' ruck combo on the biggest day in the clubs history. Both were amongst the best players.

 

[Kent_Kingsley]

Ottens is definitely the key for us this year and next. He MUST be fit in September for us to have a chance.

However, having watched the Port game, Blake seems to be really improving in a lot of areas we've criticised him over. I thought his around the ground work was much better (esp being a link man at the HBF taking a mark out of defense then handballing on).
He still lacks defensive accountability, but most ruckman do.

I think if both of them are in form come September, we actually will have a better ruck combination than any team in the comp, and better than we did in the GF last year.

yeah Blake's hands were quite good on Sunday...still a shocking kick though and i still panic when he gets the pill in general play.

 

[SJ]

yeah Blake's hands were quite good on Sunday...still a shocking kick though and i still panic when he gets the pill in general play.

I don't think he is as bad a kick as people think.

 

[Motormouse]

Ottens - The Difference

.... how often you'll see Ottens scrambling at ground level to win the ball, it's like we have another inside midfielder extracting the pill!

This thought has crossed my mind more than once! I love watching a ruckman rove his own tap out.

 

[DanA]

Good thing about Ottens is his extra work at the stoppages. His desperation is probably responsible for stopping 2-3 opposition clearances while creating 2-3 himself.

It is even more pronounced when rucking in the forwardline as Blake while doing a fine job doesn't have the strength or scrapping ability Otto does.

My tip is we will have the most goals from stoppages come the end of the H&A season now that Otto is back.