Trent West

[bionicsasquach]

I am interested in finding out how Trent West is performing and how close is he to a senior game. Or any comments

 

[Jack-Packenham]

I am interested in finding out how Trent West is performing and how close is he to a senior game. Or any comments

Realistically wouldn't play senior footy this year or next year barring injuries to Ottens, King and Blake at the same time. Gets limited opportunities in the ruck in the VFL with either KIng or Blake present. Moves well, but it will be 3 or 4 years before we know if he has the goods to play AFL.

 

[grantyc77]

I have to agree with Jack, He played well in the VFL finals last yr, but is still developing, certainly a good prospect if we can hang onto him. Does anyone know how long he is contracted at the club for?

 

[Jack-Packenham]

I have to agree with Jack, He played well in the VFL finals last yr, but is still developing, certainly a good prospect if we can hang onto him. Does anyone know how long he is contracted at the club for?

He would be into the second year of a standard two year contract for new draftees.

 

[SriLankanCat]

Can the boy kick?

If so bring him in now, Blake is a good rucman but he cant kick!

 

[Budda 230]

Can the boy kick?

If so bring him in now, Blake is a good rucman but he cant kick![/quote

Blake doesn't need to kick. He has been good value for Geelong this year.

 

[Rockford]

Can the boy kick?

If so bring him in now, Blake is a good rucman but he cant kick!

Blake's kicking is coming along, he is getting more confidence with every game and his delivery by foot hasn't been that bad.

 

[crosby123]

Blake's kicking has been fine. I can hardly believe anyone would suggest dropping him for West, considering his form.

 

[jess_555]

Westy is a good player and he definitely has plenty of potential. With Kingy looking like he is at the crossroads I hope we will be searching for another ruckman because I can't see West playing in the seniors for a year or two.

 

[thegerman]

It is hard to think of much about Blake, he is a really good tap ruckman, but it seems as though he doesn't tap to anywhere near our guys. He does have heaps of potential, and really looked good against the Tigers, but so did all the team.

Are our midfielders just flat footed when he taps ?? I am starting to think this, as usually midfielders are sort of on the burst to get the tap and be already running towards goal or away to clear space.

Selwood, (I know he will be great), is already doing this. He is moving and slicing through a pack whilst getting the ball. I read in another thread, can't remember who wrote it, but I totally agree that Blake and Selwood seem to have something together, they just have a knack of picking each other out. Maybe that is Selwood's skills also, he just has the ability of moving to and taking the ball from the ruck.

But that isn't the point of the thread, West. He won't get a run unless there is a major injury to King, Blake or Otto, he will not get any game time.

 

[Live in hope]

From what I've seen of West -

- mobility and marking/kicking skills look good;
- not tall enough or (at this stage) strong enough or have a sufficiently big leap to shape as a dominating ruck

Think that worth persisting with although will have to develop ruck skills greatly - may worth trying as a key position/second ruck - will need to improve running/fitness.

 

[rizzo]

followed the VFL for the last few years, and probably one of the stand outs has been West. If he continues to develop at the rate he is atm then he will be a very very fine ruckman.

He is the Modern ruckman. He is great around the ground and can pinch hit up forward.

Ideally he will play the year in the VFL, then next year i would like to see him play 1-5 games. Or even just the Wizz Fizz Cup.

 

[a.f.k.a.y.o.p.]

It is hard to think of much about Blake, he is a really good tap ruckman, but it seems as though he doesn't tap to anywhere near our guys. He does have heaps of potential, and really looked good against the Tigers, but so did all the team.

Are our midfielders just flat footed when he taps ?? I am starting to think this, as usually midfielders are sort of on the burst to get the tap and be already running towards goal or away to clear space.

Selwood, (I know he will be great), is already doing this. He is moving and slicing through a pack whilst getting the ball. I read in another thread, can't remember who wrote it, but I totally agree that Blake and Selwood seem to have something together, they just have a knack of picking each other out. Maybe that is Selwood's skills also, he just has the ability of moving to and taking the ball from the ruck.


But that isn't the point of the thread, West. He won't get a run unless there is a major injury to King, Blake or Otto, he will not get any game time.

Yeah - that was me.
Noticed it Sunday - Selwood moving and Blake regulalry picking him out. Particularly in the centre - and given the amount of goals we kicked against that RABBLE there was plenty of opportunity to witness it!!

 

[Rosso]

followed the VFL for the last few years, and probably one of the stand outs has been West. If he continues to develop at the rate he is atm then he will be a very very fine ruckman.

He is the Modern ruckman. He is great around the ground and can pinch hit up forward.

Ideally he will play the year in the VFL, then next year i would like to see him play 1-5 games. Or even just the Wizz Fizz Cup.

Watched the replay last night and must say that I was impressed by his agility and his ability to control the footy below his knees. A couple of times he actually went into a pack and ran out the other side with the ball in his hand. Fairly impressive for a big man. His kicking as previously stated is very good and showed by kicking a few 40 odd meter stab passes.

I also commented on him after seeing our round 1 game (only saw the last quarter) in the VFL where he was very impressive in the ruck and around the ground.

I know that Crackers Keenan rated him and did some ruck work with him at his junior club a year or so before he was drafted. He seems to be progressing well and looks like being a more mobile sort than what we're use to. Which isn't a bad thing.

 

[GeeCat]

I haven't been to a VFL game live this year yet, but if the talk of his improved disposal is true, then he's certainly come a long way from last season. Was very, very average by foot.