Blake may have found a new role

[FullMonty]

Great game by Blake on Friday I thought.
Looking at him play ruck the last few years I have been unsure of what else he can offer but the back flanker role is something he may be able to fill quite well. 100% effort every week too.

[bobmurray]

He may well be suited to this position but there is a bit of a queue for
back flank positions.......

A rebounding back flanker nowadays should have well above average disposal because turnovers are dynamite....

[esaint66]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

[barneyboyz]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

[Eastern]

I think Blakey fits the bill of;

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER !!

[carn_sainter]

It seems paradoxical that in an age where player skill is rising exponentially that an unskilled player, like blake, can thrive

But i really think this new age footy suits blake

here's why:

he is a robot. fitness, heart and a clear (perhaps vacuous) head...put it together and it means Jason Blake will do, because he is physically capable of the large demands placed on him, exactly what he is told.

He is selfless, has no further desire than to play out his role to a T...like an enzyme or something...nothing fancy, no pretensions to fame and crafty goals...just work

exactly like a race horse...rossy gives him a pat on the head and that's all he needs

He is disciplined enough to do the job, to effect contests in such a way that the crafty ones can thrive, to provide a link for them...its a very important type of player to have and blake has a lot going for him in this regard...

[Armoooo]

Can you imagine Blakes attitude with Gram's skill and pace, now THAT would be a back flanker...

[esaint66]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

[Armoooo]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

It's a tough one, if we were to take Gram out of the backline I still think there are players that would be put in their ahead of Blake...
Gram, Goddard, Maguire, Fisher, R.Clarke, Baker, Hudghton, Gilbert...
IMO all starting 22 players, but we only need 5 or 6 backman, so with those guys in the team we are going to always have atleast 2 or 3 defenders playing in the midfield, forwardline or on the bench, there is no need to find a way to get more players in the backline... If Blake isn't good enough to break into the midfield or the backline he simply shouldn't be getting a game...

[esaint66]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

It's a tough one, if we were to take Gram out of the backline I still think there are players that would be put in their ahead of Blake...
Gram, Goddard, Maguire, Fisher, R.Clarke, Baker, Hudghton, Gilbert...
IMO all starting 22 players, but we only need 5 or 6 backman, so with those guys in the team we are going to always have atleast 2 or 3 defenders playing in the midfield, forwardline or on the bench, there is no need to find a way to get more players in the backline... If Blake isn't good enough to break into the midfield or the backline he simply shouldn't be getting a game...

yeh i agree i respect balkes efforts but ive never really rated him hes one of those players that just doesnt stand out in any position. IMO goddard is the only defender that should have a full time position in the midfield, on the wing i think.

[barneyboyz]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

It's a tough one, if we were to take Gram out of the backline I still think there are players that would be put in their ahead of Blake...
Gram, Goddard, Maguire, Fisher, R.Clarke, Baker, Hudghton, Gilbert...
IMO all starting 22 players, but we only need 5 or 6 backman, so with those guys in the team we are going to always have atleast 2 or 3 defenders playing in the midfield, forwardline or on the bench, there is no need to find a way to get more players in the backline... If Blake isn't good enough to break into the midfield or the backline he simply shouldn't be getting a game...

If I remember, there was a discussion recently where people were saying Gram wasn't defensive enough; now we seem to agree (which wasn't immediately recognised), that Gram will pick up the loose ball. Ok here's the thing, Friday night showed that we are again having an "effective" forward line; this being the case, Blake plays H/B and Gram plays floater.also, this is a perfect position for Fiora, they could swap, create confusion as they both can play forward as well as back & middle, throw Blake forward as well and now you have the second rotations (without even thinking about the forward rotations). Mucking Fatherless!

[esaint66]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

It's a tough one, if we were to take Gram out of the backline I still think there are players that would be put in their ahead of Blake...
Gram, Goddard, Maguire, Fisher, R.Clarke, Baker, Hudghton, Gilbert...
IMO all starting 22 players, but we only need 5 or 6 backman, so with those guys in the team we are going to always have atleast 2 or 3 defenders playing in the midfield, forwardline or on the bench, there is no need to find a way to get more players in the backline... If Blake isn't good enough to break into the midfield or the backline he simply shouldn't be getting a game...

If I remember, there was a discussion recently where people were saying Gram wasn't defensive enough; now we seem to agree (which wasn't immediately recognised), that Gram will pick up the loose ball. Ok here's the thing, Friday night showed that we are again having an "effective" forward line; this being the case, Blake plays H/B and Gram plays floater.also, this is a perfect position for Fiora, they could swap, create confusion as they both can play forward as well as back & middle, throw Blake forward as well and now you have the second rotations (without even thinking about the forward rotations). Mucking Fatherless!

yeah i agree we shoudl swap fiora for blake because i remember against the bombers last year he was played up foward and i totally under estimatted him he kikced very well, but i just dont think hes quick enough to play as a half back.

[barneyboyz]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

to me grams like a fullback in rugby union he picks up the lose ball and passes it off after a bit of a run and sometimes just does it all himself. i love to see him play on the half backline because as a player myself i have modelled my game on his. i just think hes better suited playing down back we already have a good set up so lets keep it like that. just think who would you rather have on the half back line blake or gram?

It's a tough one, if we were to take Gram out of the backline I still think there are players that would be put in their ahead of Blake...
Gram, Goddard, Maguire, Fisher, R.Clarke, Baker, Hudghton, Gilbert...
IMO all starting 22 players, but we only need 5 or 6 backman, so with those guys in the team we are going to always have atleast 2 or 3 defenders playing in the midfield, forwardline or on the bench, there is no need to find a way to get more players in the backline... If Blake isn't good enough to break into the midfield or the backline he simply shouldn't be getting a game...

If I remember, there was a discussion recently where people were saying Gram wasn't defensive enough; now we seem to agree (which wasn't immediately recognised), that Gram will pick up the loose ball. Ok here's the thing, Friday night showed that we are again having an "effective" forward line; this being the case, Blake plays H/B and Gram plays floater.also, this is a perfect position for Fiora, they could swap, create confusion as they both can play forward as well as back & middle, throw Blake forward as well and now you have the second rotations (without even thinking about the forward rotations). Mucking Fatherless!

yeah i agree we shoudl swap fiora for blake because i remember against the bombers last year he was played up foward and i totally under estimatted him he kikced very well, but i just dont think hes quick enough to play as a half back.

The only thing is that Blake has had the misfortune (or fortune??) of having to fill the Ruck role in the last several years, if we can give him time to fulfill his own position, I think he will come out the other end. If only for his utility reasons, he's worth keeping, IMO

[Granny Mae]

Great game by Blake on Friday I thought.
Looking at him play ruck the last few years I have been unsure of what else he can offer but the back flanker role is something he may be able to fill quite well. 100% effort every week too.

That's what he was recruited for, to play in the backline, not to be some half arsed ruckman

[Armoooo]

If I remember, there was a discussion recently where people were saying Gram wasn't defensive enough; now we seem to agree (which wasn't immediately recognised), that Gram will pick up the loose ball. Ok here's the thing, Friday night showed that we are again having an "effective" forward line; this being the case, Blake plays H/B and Gram plays floater.also, this is a perfect position for Fiora, they could swap, create confusion as they both can play forward as well as back & middle, throw Blake forward as well and now you have the second rotations (without even thinking about the forward rotations). Mucking Fatherless!

I think you might be just about spot on, we have the luxury of being a very versatile team ATM and I think that the coaching staff wil be taking full advantage of this with lots of rotations around the ground, if players prove they can play strongly in many positions it would be a huge boost as we would be almost impossible to prepare for

[FullMonty]

I think the thing we are all noticing now is that we have flexibility with all the new additions.
Blake has a big tank and can run all day.

[bobmurray]

Granny Mae...

That is the best avatar i've seen...

[Otiman]

Blake can tag tall mids, if we require guys like Dempster in the backline. Guys like Crawford that he tagged last year would be first on his hitlist for '08.

[saintsRrising]

Blake can tag tall mids, if we require guys like Dempster in the backline. Guys like Crawford that he tagged last year would be first on his hitlist for '08.

Not saying that Dempster will be preferred to Blake.....but Dempster has also been used to tag

[Otiman]

Correct, they'll both be chosen based on matchups more than anything, I believe.

[saintsRrising]

Correct, they'll both be chosen based on matchups more than anything, I believe.

On the "both".....I could see that happening if our midfield is not really up to scratch.

If Ball is fit and X can transform into a mid on top of our other mids I would only see room for one, and perhaps none.

Birrs will also be putting his hand up for the role of tagging mid who can win his own ball....which may give him the edge over Blake and Dempster...who have the edge if say another backman role is desired.

Back to the midfield group.

A fit and in form:

Hayes, Dal, Joey, Ball, Banger, Schneider, X may well see RL making the midfield more attacking in 2008 and in particular as it would now appear that King and Gardiner can mount a credible ruck division.

To the above mids...also add Fiora and BJ......and later in the year Baker.


So for mine playing both Demspter and Blake for a lot of games would be unlikely unless our midfield group falls over and RL then goes with few taggers.

There are many ifs though.....

[Otiman]

I should choose my words more wisely. Replace "both" with "each"

They'll each be chosen based on matchups more than anything,

[saintsRrising]

I should choose my words more wisely. Replace "both" with "each"

They'll each be chosen based on matchups more than anything,

or I should think more laterally when reading

[F_Q_F]

Could Armitage be given a run with role this season?
Looking at the game against Richmond he didn't get a lot of the ball but his pressure on the opposition player was good.
Maybe give Armo the role to teach him what he needs to do.

[Huzzad]

half back line already filled by gram, fisher and maguire.

What if Gram moves to the middle as has been suggested? at any rate he should be alright starting off the bench, he is in my belief, to the team, a Schwarz type player , the heart and soul (should have been kept), these are the types of players that all premiership teams have and without giving examples, IMO this is why both Grant and now Ross have kept him; if we win a premiership in the very near future, he will have contributed.

Criticism?

Problem with Gram in midfield: Harvey, Dal Santo, Ball, Monty, Lenny, BJ, Fiora, Birss, Armitage, Jones et al. We already have an abundance of midfielders, as great as Gram is, I love him off half-back, gives us so much run. With him in the center, we have Sam Fisher running off half-back alone, which is good, but also easy to tag if he tries to play loose. Keep Gram where he is to provide us with the run and with options. Plus he has the experience now and the awareness. Gram is amazing, but so is our midfield. If we shift Gram to midfield, I do not think Blake can take his place.

Worthy idea, but we have a great midfield, so lets put as much fire-power in our backline as possible. We have had such a vulnerable backline since forever it has seemed, so lets not go back down that path in 08.