Jason Blake - what will happen

[send out the runner]

I think he has become a most reliable defender so far this season. A far cry from a few years ago, when some people wanted him gone to the likes of Gwilt, Jones, & McQuaterpounder. He has matured, become more confident in his strengths and understands his limitations. The Lyon, has somehow been able to get this from the other three I have mentioned above, as well as a couple of others whom only needed to believe.

My concern is when we get back Dempster, Clarke and maybe,couldbe,maynotbe Max, where do we utilise him. I think he would be a perminate pine specialist, pinch hitter.

Our backs have become a solid six and we have now some real depth to draw from.

[bigcarl]

i think he's well established as one of our best defenders and it will take injury or a dramatic loss of form for him to be displaced.

possession is nine tenths of the law and blake owns his spot atm.

[evertonfc]

I've been a massive critic of his skill level and decision making, but never his application.

But this year, his skills have risen markedly, his decision making has improved out of sight and his application remains as high as ever.

He's earned his spot and it's his to lose. I don't know how to say it any other way, but Matt, Max and Sean will just have to wait until their VFL form demands selection or our defenders taper off.

I can't believe I just wrote that. But it's true. Well done Jason.

[saintjake]

gotta remember blake can play anywhere.
foward back ruch wing
i dont see him being dropped
becuase when somethign goes wrong
max or king get injured or the foward line isnt working
he is used
keep trudging blakey

[stinger]

there are a couple of self proclaimed experts on here that bagged blake from pillar to post..........very quiet about him these days........

[True Blue Sainter]

Blake is just such a great player to have in our side. He is the perfect fit for the tall forwards that like to roam around the ground a bit (that's Cloke this week). He has a huge tank, is strong and can pinch-hit in the ruck! Has really cemented himself in the side after doubts were raised a couple of years ago. Kudos Blakey and keep it up!

[saintsRrising]

But this year, his skills have risen markedly, his decision making has improved out of sight and his application remains as high as ever.

.

I too was a critic..but his improvement has not been this year.

2008 was a very good year for Blake. This year has just continued on.

Blake 2008/2009...is much better than he used to be.

[send out the runner]

I am pleased people have the knackers to give credit when due, in the case of Blakey...........well earned.

The three I spoke about in the OP have also shown something. I just watch the game again, I really like the way these three are applying themsleves to the cause. At one stage on the wing Jonesy had no right in coming away with a ball at 30/70. Mc Q knows more about positioning and being smarter. Gwilt did plenty enough to suggest he has capability to be reliable, he has some geniune pace and his kicking style is as fluent as any

These guys will be better for this season, and I feel they will only go backwards if their heads get in the way

[Life Long Saint]

His disposal and decision making continue to let him down. They have been better this season but he has started giving away unnecessary free kicks and 50's. This has got to stop immediately. He gifted the Doggies a goal last week because he grabbed the player after he took a mark. Made sure of a certain goal. There have been similar acts against other teams this season (West Coast springs to mind).

However, his work rate is, and always has been, unquestionable.

He will need to work on these areas if he is to remain in the best 22. Maguire, Hudghton and Clarke are breathing down his neck. Dempster will come under consideration when he is fit too.

[rexy]

Agree that his improvement has been steady rather than dramatic. He is a very reliable player now and a better or more important player than I ever thought he would be. Would be one of the first picked and will hold his spot longer than Zac, the question is, can he hold out Max and Goose and if he cant, is their room for Blake, Max, Goose, King, Gardiner, Kosi and Roo all in the same side? Is that to many talls, is Blake versatile enough to be retained in favour of say Gwilt, Geary, Eddy should the premier defenders be deemed fully fit, in form and doing all the right things on match day? lots of questions I dont know the answer to.

[saintsRrising]

but he has started giving away unnecessary free kicks and 50's. This has got to stop immediately. He gifted the Doggies a goal last week because he grabbed the player after he took a mark. .

No..unfortunately that is not new to this year....it is one of Blake's few remaining bad habits.

[saint patrick]

there are a couple of self proclaimed experts on here that bagged blake from pillar to post..........very quiet about him these days........

True...and I'm proud to say I was never one of them...

Have always supported him from the early days and have enormous respect for his guts and versatility...

In my view he shown the way to some of his teamates in terms of defensive pressure and just not giving an inch..

That said I have to admit his decision making and skill level have increased significantly this year...

You've gotta love the Blake

[perfectionist]

Hard to understand why he can't be perfect!

Look at TOG. Look at goals kicked against. Look at .... well almost any other indicator.

We know that Grant Thomas threw away our best chance of a premiership by disregarding Jason Blake's contribution to the team mix - until it was too late. Fortunately, our current coach knows which way is up. Thomas only knows which way is up his arse, as evidenced by his pathetic media performances. I never criticised him as a coach, except for his decision to drop Blake for rounds 11 and 12 in 2004. I was wrong. Everything he has done since indicates what a creep he is. No wonder he succeeded in the insurance industry!

[plugger66]

Hard to understand why he can't be perfect!

Look at TOG. Look at goals kicked against. Look at .... well almost any other indicator.

We know that Grant Thomas threw away our best chance of a premiership by disregarding Jason Blake's contribution to the team mix - until it was too late. Fortunately, our current coach knows which way is up. Thomas only knows which way is up his arse, as evidenced by his pathetic media performances. I never criticised him as a coach, except for his decision to drop Blake for rounds 11 and 12 in 2004. I was wrong. Everything he has done since indicates what a creep he is. No wonder he succeeded in the insurance industry!

Yep very sensible post. No doubt we would have won a flag under GT had Blake played in rounds 11 and 12.

[clarky449]

I always been a fan

[maverick]

I think Blake has carved out a very good career and has been very solid down back.

I think his disposal, decision making and positioning on the field is as good as most back there, which is a credit to his and the coaches development. The only concern I have is that he can give away the occasional foolish free kick, and can go to ground a bit too easily in a contest.

He deserves his spot and is very valuable because of his ability to adapt to many roles.

[Enrico_Misso]

I'm guilty


I bagged him.
But he has been terrific this year.

Always tries.
Personified by his smother in the dying minutes on Sunday night.
But now seems to have found better skills and judgement.

He is now definitely in our best 22.
And there to stay.

And I'm happy to be wrong about him.

[JABBER]

we got a settled back six at the moment He is improving with every game
and will hold his place in the side
Max needs a few games in the twos like the goose at the moment and Raph
usally gets injured

[perfectionist]

Hard to understand why he can't be perfect!

Look at TOG. Look at goals kicked against. Look at .... well almost any other indicator.

We know that Grant Thomas threw away our best chance of a premiership by disregarding Jason Blake's contribution to the team mix - until it was too late. Fortunately, our current coach knows which way is up. Thomas only knows which way is up his arse, as evidenced by his pathetic media performances. I never criticised him as a coach, except for his decision to drop Blake for rounds 11 and 12 in 2004. I was wrong. Everything he has done since indicates what a creep he is. No wonder he succeeded in the insurance industry!

Yep very sensible post. No doubt we would have won a flag under GT had Blake played in rounds 11 and 12.

Glad you agree.

[Goose is king]

I'm amazed how Blake seemed to improve very quickly last year at his age. He went from a whipping boy to consistently good player and even matchwinner (verses Hawks in H&A). His improvement this year has been in line with the teams and although he is one who is keeping my man Goose out could not be happier for him.

[BigMart]

Preface this by saying......I am biased towards Jason as he is an ex-student of mine....but....

Very poor against the dogs.......except the great smother which made up for his error.....

I have never seen a player fall over as much as Jason, he is extremely clumsy....

lost his opponent a ridiculous amount of times, and continued to give away soft free kicks....

he has been OK this season without being great......has given away too many kicks with hos M.O. which is running his opponent under the ball....

he has courage in spades.......and is a VG athlete....which makes him a good CHB......

He had a brilliant 2008 and was NEVER beaten (top ten B&F).......and was a country mile ahead of Goose.....his form has dropped off a bit, and he is making a few more errors.....still well in front, but the gap is closing...

[clarky449]

How many games has he played

[InkerSaint]

I always found him a bit suspect.

He won me over with his performance against the Hawks in R16 last year. Riewoldt did the heavy lifting but it was Blake that swung the momentum (and added 3 goals to boot).

Mr Selleys All Gaps indeed.

[kosifantutti23]

I love the Blake.

[Statsman]

My concern is when we get back Dempster, Clarke and maybe,couldbe,maynotbe Max, where do we utilise him. I think he would be a perminate pine specialist, pinch hitter.

I don't think Dempster, Clarke or Max are any threat to Blake's position in our side. He's locked in at CHB and will only lose that job if Maguire makes it all the way back to his top form. When Max returns it will be at the expense of Dawson. While Zac hasn't done anything wrong, he's no Max Hudghton. Dempster and Clarke are not key defenders, so they won't be taking Blake's spot either. Blake at CHB frees Fisher to play a more attacking role running off half back. He's also a handy insurance policy in case a ruckman goes down, as we saw the other week with King.