Mark Blake - the new number 1 ruck at Geelong?

[Sttew]

I watched the Cats last week and was impressed with the form, particulalrly second half form, of Mark Blake, son of Rod. The way he palmed the ball to the midfilelders with precision reminded me of his dad. If only he could kick. Putting that aside, though, with King seemingly a week to week proposition, is Blake the new number 1 ruck at Geelong?

 

[CF]

I watched the Cats last week and was impressed with the form, particulalrly second half form, of Mark Blake, son of Rod. The way he palmed the ball to the midfilelders with precision reminded me of his dad. If only he could kick. Putting that aside, though, with King seemingly a week to week proposition, is Blake the new number 1 ruck at Geelong?

King is still our no 1 ruckman IMO , but Blake is closing in on him. King has this season to salvage his footy career and it will be good for him to have Blake breathing down his neck as a bit of added motivation.

 

[jess_555]

King is still our no 1 ruckman IMO , but Blake is closing in on him. King has this season to salvage his footy career and it will be good for him to have Blake breathing down his neck as a bit of added motivation.

I totally agree with Catman. Catman are you half cat half human? Back on the topic of Blake... I think he has improved SO MUCH over the last 2 years. It's great having him in the seniour team freeing up Kingy and Otto to do the goalkicking. Maybe Kingy has had his day?

 

[catswhiskers]

Anyone expecting King to play a major role this year or in future years is dreaming. His body language suggests he's had enough and has no desire to push himself. A trade for a highish pick at years end is probably the best we can hope for (if he is not totally shot in the body). Maybe a last chance with another club is what he needs.

Blake is improving rapidly. He will improve further with regular long stints on the ball. He provides some hope.

We must get another two ruckmen on the list next year. Preferably one with some time in the system and a youngee. There should be a reasonable number to delist/trade at years end even if we go well.

 

[Big Nasty]

I'm sorry but King will retire this year. Blake's tap work is awesome for an up and coming ruckman, and even though his disposal aint great its something he will improve on. King In his prime would dominate any ruckman today, however his body has taken a beating and It's just not up to todays standards.

 

[Rustybugles]

Blake was better last week than I've seen in the past - still has a lot to work on but King looks gone for all money - runs like a wounded giraffe - sad to see, but we'll have to rely on Blake. People talk about West but I've only seen him once playing for Gippsland Power - do not know what progress he's made - anyone know?

 

[thegerman]

I'm sorry but King will retire this year. Blake's tap work is awesome for an up and coming ruckman, and even though his disposal aint great its something he will improve on. King In his prime would dominate any ruckman today, however his body has taken a beating and It's just not up to todays standards.

Can King sign that contract to end his career now !!!! Please !!!!

King should by seasons end, if stunted by injury, claim the insurance cash and save up room for Geelong to utilise his not so hard earned cash to buy another player in the trade period, as he is surely at the end of his playing days.

 

[ablett5]

rate him as ruckmen ,but will he kick the goal to get us in to the grand final

 

[CF]

funny thing is that this time last year Blake was being bagged for being a dud, and now he is being touted as our no 1 ruckman.....ironic

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Ottens is the No 1 ruckman @ Geelong by some margin...even a fit King runs second on talent and effectiveness. Blake will only wind up the No 1 ruckman this year if the other two arent fit to play...having said that Blake's improvement is steady and if it's anything like the old man he could be a key player for us in the next 2-3 years.

 

[Big Nasty]

funny thing is that this time last year Blake was being bagged for being a dud, and now he is being touted as our no 1 ruckman.....ironic

Well maybe Geelong supporters aint gonna sit around and accept cr@p so lightly anymore. The only player that I've seen willing to fight for his career Is Gardiner, and as for Blake you can't deny his tap work.

 

[catswhiskers]

Ottens is the No 1 ruckman @ Geelong by some margin...even a fit King runs second on talent and effectiveness. Blake will only wind up the No 1 ruckman this year if the other two arent fit to play...having said that Blake's improvement is steady and if it's anything like the old man he could be a key player for us in the next 2-3 years.

I agree that Ottens is our best ruckman- by a long way. Thats why we should see him doing a lot of forward 50 rucking. He can create goals here especially if the opposition ruck stays back with Blake. BUT he is also our best FF by a long way. Either Blake steps up or Nath or Hawkins steps up to release Otto for the ruck. ATM the most likely scenario is for Blake to step up.

 

[The Hulkster]

Look i'm not a big fan of King. But i do think Mark Blake is a good up and coming ruckman. His ruckwork is good he just needs to improve a bit around the ground.

Also Trent West CAN PLAY. I have seen him a bit in the 2's and i think he will be a player, and in the next few years him and Blake will make a pretty good combo.

As for King well time is running out young man, you better do something or you career is gawn.

 

[rocky17]

sorry to spoil the party guys but Mark Blake will never be a dominant ruckman for Geelong. He has a good technique when jumping for the ball but doesn't win the hitout the majority of the time, and when he does only 5% of the time is it an effective hitout.. meaning that one in twenty of his hitouts actually finds a team-mate

He also can't kick the ball to save himself, and actually he looks to scared to even attempt to kick it. it's cringeworthy when he has the ball and needs to make a disposal. on more than one occasion this has resulted in a turnover and opposition goal.

The only reason Geelong drafted him was due to the simple fact he is Rod's son and is very tall. At the time the experts were all saying John Meesen was the better prospect at Falcons and we could have easily drafted him as a bottom ager, if he didn't injure himself this pre season he would've played the majority of the season with Adelaide.

Basically Blake is a dud and i can't believe how many people are riding him home when he has delivered NOTHING.

 

[geelong32]

i like blake, very green but IMO he will turn out to be a good player. And we will have to get used to him. Ottens is clearly our best ruck option and when rucking he has played his most consistant footy for the cats imo. But we need him in the goal square this year or until hawkins and n.ablett have time to develop. Therefore with king breaking down every other week, our only option is Blake in the ruck. West as a second year player i doubt would be in the coaches minds.

 

[catswhiskers]

sorry to spoil the party guys but Mark Blake will never be a dominant ruckman for Geelong.

I don't expect Blake to be dominant either. But he will provide a contest and will improve with game time. Remember for the last few years we have played with a King playing at 40% whether injured or unwilling, an underdone Street or the ruckman we traded to Sydney (name escapses me). Only when Ottens rucked did we look good.

Blake at 100% and Ottens at FF is an improvement on past years.

 

[CF]

sorry to spoil the party guys but Mark Blake will never be a dominant ruckman for Geelong. He has a good technique when jumping for the ball but doesn't win the hitout the majority of the time, and when he does only 5% of the time is it an effective hitout.. meaning that one in twenty of his hitouts actually finds a team-mate

He also can't kick the ball to save himself, and actually he looks to scared to even attempt to kick it. it's cringeworthy when he has the ball and needs to make a disposal. on more than one occasion this has resulted in a turnover and opposition goal.

The only reason Geelong drafted him was due to the simple fact he is Rod's son and is very tall. At the time the experts were all saying John Meesen was the better prospect at Falcons and we could have easily drafted him as a bottom ager, if he didn't injure himself this pre season he would've played the majority of the season with Adelaide.

Basically Blake is a dud and i can't believe how many people are riding him home when he has delivered NOTHING.

But Blake has delivered something. He has shown consistant improvement which is all we can ask. Rucks usually take around 3 years to develop and Blake is on track in that regard. If he continues to develop how he has over the last year I think he will become a decent ruck in the future. I know you doomsayers will disagree with me. But the kid has talent he just needs experience and further development.

 

[The Hulkster]

Meesen has shown NOTHING at senior level yet. Blake has so only time will tell. Plus Meesen old man is a ******** so he can stay away from Geelong thanks.