Trent West - Will He Be Given An Opportunity This Year

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jess_555

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#2
Yep, he needs to show us what he's made of. He would be next in if (dare I say it) Otto or Blakey gets an injury. No doubt he is going to need to step it up a notch to play in the seniors but I have complete faith in him. Like lots of our VFL guys they just need to be given the chance so we can really see if they are fit for it.
 

Copernicus

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#3
It is certainly a possibility. Of course, there are two blokes ahead of him, so he'd be relying on injury, poor form on their part or stellar form on his part. I would not be surprised to see him get a gig in the NAB Cup, though.
 

Rosso

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#4
From what I've seen he looks to be coming along well. Got a good rap from Otto a few days ago saying the his filled out and his ruckwork has continued to improve.

Unfortunately for him, his best game so far was probably when we played against Port over in England at the end of 2006. From memory he was named BOG but thanks to TV rights being in dispute the game wasn't televised so he missed out on a bit of fan fare.

Showed in the VFL finals series that he can handle himself with his mobility and disposal very good for a bloke of his size.

Geelong has always invested a lot of time into our young ruckman with Street and Chambers given plenty of time to develop on the list. He's only just turned 20 so it's not really make or break at this stage. Should team up with Blake early on in the NAB Cup. That'll give us a better indication of where he's at.
 

madcat001

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#6
maybe he means round 1 of the NAB.

not make or break yet for westy, he hasn't had a chance in the seniors for anyone to doubt him so he's pretty safe at the moment.
 

The Sim Dog

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#7
I have no doubt he will play seniors at some stage. Rucking is very tiring and at some stage Ottens and Blake will need a rest or get injured just like late in 07.
 

rizzo

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#9
West is a much superior player to Blake. It wont take long before he surpasses Blake for the second ruck spot.
 

cats2rise

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#11
How is it a make or break year?

I can see him not playing a game in the seniors, but we will still retain him.

FWIW I think he will get a game this year as Otto may be rested on the odd occasion to be cautious.
 

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Team Chemistry

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#12
West is a much superior player to Blake. It wont take long before he surpasses Blake for the second ruck spot.
Completely agree with ya Rizz. Blakey is quite good, but when I watch West i get the feeling he could become a Dean Cox for us. Far better athletically, in the air and has much, much better foot skills, compared to Blakey who can be a bit of a liability when he isn't in the ruck.

TC:eek:
 

The rabbi

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#13
Completely agree with ya Rizz. Blakey is quite good, but when I watch West i get the feeling he could become a Dean Cox for us. Far better athletically, in the air and has much, much better foot skills, compared to Blakey who can be a bit of a liability when he isn't in the ruck.

TC:eek:

I am another who is in agreement with Rizzo. I still think that Blake is a tap ruckman and nothing more. West can move well for his size, can take a contested mark and can kick.

I don't think that for one minute it is a make or break year for Westy. My only question, is could he eventually play KP as per Salmon?
 

Turbocat

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#14
The make or break comment is rubbish.

Very few players now will be condemned without showing their worth or lack of it at senior level , especially talls. How long were Charlie and Spencer on our list , how many chances did they have , how many times did they show their mediocrity and still they were kept on the list. West has not even had a chance to fail once , let alone fail over and over and prove he is beyond improvement.

West's main job is to be ready in 2010. He must be ready to be a main stream super tall midfielder when Ottens body catches up with him going by this year its probably another 2 years min. Sure if we have the dreaded injuries he may get a chance to show his stuff but its not by any means certain. For him to improve his selection chances he really needs to show more as a key position tall. Maybe , the club can see this in him because with Mumford and DawsonS he may well get the chance to work on this in the VFL.

The key will be if he can play as tall mobile forward not just another lump to kick the high ball to in the square , sort of play the role they asked H to play but hopefully with a lot more skill. If he could come in , take a mark or two in the forwardline , pull a defender to him then he may well get a gig a lot earlier.
 
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