He has excellent movement and leap. It was good to see him get a bit of experimental time in the ruck tonight, and it was OK.
His kicking is really poor. He’s too old now, it is what it is.
His only hope for a list position is as insurance for both the ruck and KPD. Like the last player on the list. You hope you never have to play him. And just pay him the bare minimum because if anyone wants to poach him, they’re welcome to him.
Clear out older players like Goldstein, Laverde.
I’ve even proposed trading Hayes, if anyone wanted him, because Blakiston is good enough to be that may-never-get-a-game option.
He’s a weird player. Weirdest I can remember. With a unique skill set (and lack of skill set). I’m not sure what to make of him and suspect the club can’t either.
If he was 23/24, I’d absolutely see him on the list next year, but as a 26 year old … genuinely no idea.
Tall and athletic, thats a popular description down Geelong way. I was pleasantly surprised at how he jumped over the top of that Easter Island statue known as Nank. Its probably the only way to beat a block of stone whose feet are bolted to the ground, but were any of his hitouts to advantage?
He is improving game on game, but playing down back is a tough gig in this version of our team. I would cut him some slack. Just quietly, I think he will play for all the remaining games this season; theres just no other option.
For a bloke only having played a handful of games at this level, he has exceeded my expectations playing as a key position back. Granted he has a flamboyant kicking action, but he’s hard at it, takes a good mark and moves pretty fluently for a 203cm ruckman who has never played in defence before. His decision making under pressure needs a tweak maybe. Considering our current predicament and options, young Lachie is looking pretty good.
I think most of us agree there’s quite a bit to like about him… Challenge is to find his position and can we develop a 26yo fast enough to make him a valuable contributor?
Depending on how the rest of the list management goes, I think an extra year could definitely make sense. He wouldn’t have to improve much to be indistinguishable from a lot of the backup rucks and key defenders of the same age who’ve been in the league since they were 18. With a side benefit that he might improve a lot.
There’s something so weird stylistically about him. He genuinely has that “civilian” look about him. More than anyone I’ve ever seen. Like he was sitting in the stands at half time and won a comp to have a go out there. It’s not even a criticism per se, just semi funny to watch