He’s basically showing what he showed in his first VFL game for us.
Very awkward kick but outstanding closing speed and super agile for his size. There is something there as a KPD for sure.
Whether Essendon will commit the time to developing it, dunno.
It’s like he lets the ball go and when it’s on its way down he decides which foot to kick it with.
And he’s been ok. Kicking action is off putting
Yes, he disproves the rule that “lefties always look graceful”.
Many more positives than last week…I hope he enjoys the ride of AFL-level football.
I don’t really know what our plan is for him. Surely this is not why we grabbed him.
He tries hard and may be a valiant battler but he’s not a total blanket nor super athletic and his kicking is heart in mouth stuff.
Not having a go at him, I kind of feel sorry that thisis how his opportunity was given to him
Disagree with this. Watching from the ground he covers well and is quite agile.
Completely agree….surely we weren’t scouting Aus wide to find a 26yo who had never played as a key back before.
Kind of feel sorry for him.
Yeah, it’d be harsh if he finally gets his chance at AFL, and all he gets is in a position he’s never played before in a team getting spanked.
Surely they’ll look at him in the ruck later in the year?
Tbf we drafted him to backfill two positions. We’re getting some key defenders back after the bye, we’re not getting any more ruckman returning this year.
Didn’t mind his game.
Hope he gets a good go in the ruck in the VFL when Reid comes back.
If we used pick 5 on this guy, I would be equally outraged.
I don’t think we recruited him for playing in ruck as the primary role. My read on this is club is trying him as Tom Stuart.
Did not draft for short term.
Thought he did pretty well all things considered. The tap of the ball back into play near the boundary that went straight to a Freo player showed his inexperience as a backman. I think he’ll only get better, not sure if he makes it though?
His kicking reminds me of Dylan Clarke.
Has a crack which is all we can ask.
I’d rather we keep him than Laverde as seasons end. At blakiston has scope to improve
In a comfortable Freo win, I thought Blakiston fairly and squarely beat Amiss…who completely missed out on the goal fest.
Last two weeks I’d have like Blakiston to at least have rucked a little, but until Reid or Rids are back there is just no cover down back.
I think he’d be a handy player if he worked on his kicking and handballing with his opposite hand. Good athleticism and hard to beat coz of his height. Did really well tonight considering he hasn’t played the position before.
Reckon I’d rather him than Lav on the list next year.
With the reduced list size and the likely departure of both Goldy and laverde him showing some ability at FB might see him given a spot next year as a versatile depth option
He’s never played CHB in his life. Why did we decide this 26 yo Ruck is the best CHB prospect in the country?
Edit: and not to put too fine a point on it but… Tom Stewart? Where is that coming from? His hair?
Don’t think we did. He is depth at two positions we needed.