AFL Player #26: Kaine Baldwin - Not offered a contract for 2025, thanks Kaine! 26/8

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 33, Zach Package

 

[Bombers36]

Baldwin has a very similar profile to Zach Reid;-

Reid - age:22, height:202, weight: 92, games:9, average - possessions: 8, marks: 2.9
Baldwin - age:22, height:193, weight: 98, games:8, average - possessions: 7, marks: 3.5

Baldwin slightly shorter and stouter than Reid - both horribly injury prone - lets hope 1 of them can get themselves right I'm backing in Baldwin..!!!

 

[fairbump_playon]

Baldwin has a very similar profile to Zach Reid;-

Reid - age:22, height:202, weight: 92, games:9, average - possessions: 8, marks: 2.9
Baldwin - age:22, height:193, weight: 98, games:8, average - possessions: 7, marks: 3.5

Baldwin slightly shorter and stouter than Reid - both horribly injury prone - lets hope 1 of them can get themselves right I'm backing in Baldwin..!!!

Both very talented

You just want to see them on the park

I keep saying it but Baldwin is a special talent. Fingers crossed he gets a shot.

 

[ant555]

Well timed for his availability. Ironically, now probably has to wait for a player to get injured if he wants to play AFL.

fairbump_playon reckons a club like North might pick him up. I'd add the Bulldogs since they're too silly not to play the obvious Naughton switch to defence. He'd be silly to say no.

Dogs could send him forward

 

[ghostdog]

Dogs could send him forward

Anything's possible with Crazy Bevo!

At least Balders might only have to run in a straight line

 

[Nicholas61]

If he gets and stays healthy I think he will sting more than Mass if he goes. Probably in here somewhere but from his draft profile:

"Baldwin is a physical key forward with terrific contested marking and the ability to impact further afield." - Michael Alvaro

"While some of his most eye-catching plays occur as he crashes packs and clunks big marks closer to goal, Baldwin is also capable of floating further afield and racking up plenty of possessions as a key link into forward 50.

The way in which he attacks the ball in flight and holds onto contested marks with his vice-like grip is truly special, making him one of the top pure markers among his peers - if not, the best.

Fresh off his first ACL recovery, Baldwin recorded a 20.8 Yo-yo test score during preseason, so just imagine the level he could get to with an extended run and some gametime."

 

[faible]

If he gets and stays healthy I think he will sting more than Mass if he goes. Probably in here somewhere but from his draft profile:

"Baldwin is a physical key forward with terrific contested marking and the ability to impact further afield." - Michael Alvaro

"While some of his most eye-catching plays occur as he crashes packs and clunks big marks closer to goal, Baldwin is also capable of floating further afield and racking up plenty of possessions as a key link into forward 50.

The way in which he attacks the ball in flight and holds onto contested marks with his vice-like grip is truly special, making him one of the top pure markers among his peers - if not, the best.

Fresh off his first ACL recovery, Baldwin recorded a 20.8 Yo-yo test score during preseason, so just imagine the level he could get to with an extended run and some gametime."

From memory, Baldwin was regarded as quite a good talent pre-injury. Strong hands, good endurance, good kick, footy smarts.

Given Reid's injury struggles we're not really any wiser as to which - if any - of these two might make it.

We've got Reid, Hayes and Baldwin and still probably need another 12 months of them on the list.

 

[Nicholas61]

From memory, Baldwin was regarded as quite a good talent pre-injury. Strong hands, good endurance, good kick, footy smarts.

Given Reid's injury struggles we're not really any wiser as to which - if any - of these two might make it.

We've got Reid, Hayes and Baldwin and still probably need another 12 months of them on the list.

Against Richmond in the Dreamtime match last year he took a couple of strong contested grabs on the wing that gave relief when we were under bombardment and were trying to clear from defense. Was surprised he was dropped after that match. Is a nice shot at goal as well as an excellent general kick. Given all this and he is entering physical prime (just turned 22) would like to see what he now has to offer forward with his vice hands given we are heavily stocked with defenders.

 

[supportyourteam]

Was solid against Brisbane at the Gabba the week before as well. Must have a been close call. I thought Laverde and his shoulder would have come back through the VFL at the time.

 

[bombadeer]

He’s a beautiful kick, and I don’t think that is overselling it.

 

[Blind Turn]

Baldwin could still play an important role this year. Hayes and Weid are break glass type players but Baldwin, when fit, is a ready-made chess piece.

 

[yodellinhank]

Against Richmond in the Dreamtime match last year he took a couple of strong contested grabs on the wing that gave relief when we were under bombardment and were trying to clear from defense. Was surprised he was dropped after that match. Is a nice shot at goal as well as an excellent general kick. Given all this and he is entering physical prime (just turned 22) would like to see what he now has to offer forward with his vice hands given we are heavily stocked with defenders.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Defender Kaine Baldwin has suffered a setback after pulling up with some ankle soreness following training last week.
Further investigation showed a minor irritation of his previous navicular bone stress injury, meaning he will need to briefly deload before ramping his training up again in the coming weeks.

 

[ghostdog]

Ugh. Traino is supposed to live.

 

[Call Me Cake]

That'd be it for the contract extension you'd think.

 

[Nicholas61]

For some reason doesn't feel like a surprise

 

[cAsEy_18]

It sucks, I love the guy - but this is the sort of thing that ends the line ball call between getting delisted or not.

Hope if he does he forks out a good career for himself at a place like North.

 

[Duckworth]

It sucks, I love the guy - but this is the sort of thing that ends the line ball call between getting delisted or not.

Hope if he does he forks out a good career for himself at a place like North.

why would you wish that on anyone?

 

[Nicholas61]

This guy has been without luck. Can clearly play, unlucky to get dropped last year, returns in last match slips and gets knocked out 3 minutes in by Cameron's hip. Had a very good PS then blows his foot up. If it turns around elsewhere there will be a few of us barracking him on.

 

[Blind Turn]

You wouldn’t delist him based on what he’s shown and what else there is around as depth. Weid goes before him if he doesn’t make firsts this year.

 

[bombreys]

You wouldn’t delist him based on what he’s shown and what else there is around as depth. Weid goes before him if he doesn’t make firsts this year.

At some stage, you’ve just got to let them go. 2 games a year just doesn’t cut it. Especially with how many KPP’s we have that don’t play. It’s harsh, and I hope he gets picked up somewhere else, but it has to be done

 

[ant555]

Some blokes just have no luck.

 

[Nicholas61]

Have faith Brad, he has the make up of a champion - one more year.

 

[Blind Turn]

At some stage, you’ve just got to let them go. 2 games a year just doesn’t cut it. Especially with how many KPP’s we have that don’t play. It’s harsh, and I hope he gets picked up somewhere else, but it has to be done

It doesn’t ’have to’ be done. He’s young enough, knows our system, and has traits worth persisting with. He also has no trade value and you’re only going to replace him with a speculative pick anyway. He has value to us as depth. Why simply discard him for his own chance at a new start when it gains nothing for us and actually creates a deficit in our list?

 

[cAsEy_18]

It doesn’t ’have to’ be done. He’s young enough, knows our system, and has traits worth persisting with. He also has no trade value and you’re only going to replace him with a speculative pick anyway. He has value to us as depth. Why simply discard him for his own chance at a new start when it gains nothing for us and actually creates a defect in our list?

Because you have to delist 3 spots. And as much as many of us could argue that there are 3 more obvious choices - the fact is a guy who is out of contract who hasn't nailed down a best 22 spot and spends a majority of his time in the rehabilitation group is going to be in trouble.

And this is coming from a guy who likes Baldwin.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

I feel like if you're injured for 4 years, you probably get delisted no matter who you are. Especially someone who has only played a few games.