Changes for Round 11 v Carlton

[TheBloods]

This is a highly relevant thread for the select few on here who want to dismiss Blakey for good, as opposed to understand he's going through a bad trot.

Adam Goodes had one really good season (Rising Star) in his first four to five. He was seen as an inconsistent talent for much of it. Legend has it the one time Richard Colless intervened in a selection decision was to stop him being dropped in 2002. Soon after, Eade left and Goodes flourished.

I'm not saying that to bag Longmire, though think Blakey would benefit from being settled into a role for a while to help him get back to basics. I'm simply making the point sometimes players with all the talent in the world take a bit of time to get it all right at AFL level.

Its not about if Blakey is done for good , hes signed til 2024 so weve got 3 years to figure that out ! Its about the here and now and right now he is NO GOOD so he shouldnt be playing! If he learns his lessons and earns his way back in then good for him but he should be forced to do that like others before him , he is not the chosen one

[stevoswan]

Listening to Horse's press conference: McInerney will be back in; Fox is out due to the eye and Melican sounds like he's back in.

AFL site's Martin Pegan may have it about right then.

Verdict: Melican and McInerney in for Fox and Clarke. Wicks to start as medical sub.

I'd be fine with these changes......and Wicks gets more of a rest as sub than (potentially) playing a full game in the two's.

[stevoswan]

Its not about if Blakey is done for good , hes signed til 2024 so weve got 3 years to figure that out ! Its about the here and now and right now he is NO GOOD so he shouldnt be playing! If he learns his lessons and earns his way back in then good for him but he should be forced to do that like others before him , he is not the chosen one

Again, I agree with this. Those calling for Blakey to be dropped is not 'kicking him while he's down', in reality it may be a timely reality check for his ego and a strong message that he has to work on his game and actually earn selection. In the long run, he will be a better team footballer.....and a truer Blood.

[Ludwig]

The problem with Blakey is that he's played nearly every game in the seniors since he came on our list, but hasn't improved at all. We all expected that he would improve, simply because that's the way it usually happens, but in Blakey's case, he goes from week to week playing the same as he did in game 1.

I'm sure he's not the first case of this type and we must have folks at the club who have some experience on turning these things around. He has the traits of a good player, but it just hasn't translated on the field yet.

He started with the Swans in 2019 when we were a weaker team than we are now and there wasn't much competition for spots, so he was given and easy ride in the seniors. It doesn't seem like this did any good for his development.

I agree with the others who think he needs to spend some time in the reserves to work on his game at the direction of our development coaches and measure his progress by his improvement at VFL level.

The journos following the Swans never suggest that Blakey gets dropped. They all think he's a star.

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Carlton update: Plowman guilty and will miss the match. I thought it was a harsh call. He seemed to be going for the ball. Hopefully Holman gets off.

[MattW]

The problem with Blakey is that he's played nearly every game in the seniors since he came on our list, but hasn't improved at all. We all expected that he would improve, simply because that's the way it usually happens, but in Blakey's case, he goes from week to week playing the same as he did in game 1.

I'm sure he's not the first case of this type and we must have folks at the club who have some experience on turning these things around. He has the traits of a good player, but it just hasn't translated on the field yet.

He started with the Swans in 2019 when we were a weaker team than we are now and there wasn't much competition for spots, so he was given and easy ride in the seniors. It doesn't seem like this did any good for his development.

I agree with the others who think he needs to spend some time in the reserves to work on his game at the direction of our development coaches and measure his progress by his improvement at VFL level.

The journos following the Swans never suggest that Blakey gets dropped. They all think he's a star.

O ---------------------

Carlton update: Plowman guilty and will miss the match. I thought it was a harsh call. He seemed to be going for the ball. Hopefully Holman gets off.

Agree with all of this; if anything, Blakey's skills and composure have diminished since debut.

It seems like his instinct is to go for a big play (long goal/lairy assist), and he's being coached to look for a more simple team play, but he's stuck in two minds and not playing on instinct.

It's like he needs to be re-programmed to play team-first football.

Agree re journalists; I was surprised there were no questions about his performance at today's presser.

[TheBloods]

Again, I agree with this. Those calling for Blakey to be dropped is not 'kicking him while he's down', in reality it may be a timely reality check for his ego and a strong message that he has to work on his game and actually earn selection. In the long run, he will be a better team footballer.....and a truer Blood.

Suddenly i am not the hater you think i am when i post something critical of a player that you agree with. Interesting ....

- - - Updated - - -

The journos following the Swans never suggest that Blakey gets dropped. They all think he's a star.

You are spot on ! When he re signed the headline on the AFL site was "Swans lock away three young guns, including Nick Blakey"

WTF does he get mentioned by name over the other two ? He's shown less than either ! FMD

[liz]

Carlton update: Plowman guilty and will miss the match. I thought it was a harsh call. He seemed to be going for the ball. Hopefully Holman gets off.

Gee, I thought I'd lost the plot - or Christian/Hocking had lost the plot - when I saw the vision of that incident in the context of the suspension. I was certain it would be thrown out in minutes by the tribunal.

[Ludwig]

Gee, I thought I'd lost the plot - or Christian/Hocking had lost the plot - when I saw the vision of that incident in the context of the suspension. I was certain it would be thrown out in minutes by the tribunal.

After listening to the commentary on AFL360, my understanding is that if Plowman would have punched O'Meara in the head, it would have been deemed to be contact in a marking contest and a free kick, but not an MRO incident.

[liz]

After listening to the commentary on AFL360, my understanding is that if Plowman would have punched O'Meara in the head, it would have been deemed to be contact in a marking contest and a free kick, but not an MRO incident.

That was the gist of Robinson's argument. Of course, Plowman might have broken his hand or O'Meara suffered a broken jaw or cheekbone (and still likely concussion), but at least it would have been "brave".

I'd be spewing if one of our players was suspended for that. I'm none too happy as it is, because I don't particularly rate Plowman as a player - he does plenty of dumb things (skills wise) - so I'd much prefer he were in the Carlton team this weekend.

[Ludwig]

One of the most dangerous actions in the game is the knee to the back of the head in a marking contest. There's no call for duty of care in such cases. Having taken most of the remaining violence out of the game, the marking contest remains sacrosanct and anything goes.

I don't want to see the marking contest change, but I'm just waiting for a serious injury to occur in a 'legal' incident and see what kind of hell will break loose.

[stevoswan]

Suddenly i am not the hater you think i am when i post something critical of a player that you agree with. Interesting ....

Never said you're not a hater but I'll agree with what I agree with and disagree on what I don't, it's as simple as that. You write on RB, I'll disagree a lot.

[rb4x]

I note that Sam Reid who was initially out for two weeks has already missed four weeks and is now downgraded to a TBC. Usual service seems to have resumed for Sam.

[Swanny40519]

I note that Sam Reid who was initially out for two weeks has already missed four weeks and is now downgraded to a TBC. Usual service seems to have resumed for Sam.

Yes I read that this morning as well.

Poor Sam - just as he was playing a couple of good games the old problems flare up again. Hope he can get back on the field before too long.


But it will be interesting to see what happens at the end of the year with him.

How long is his contract - what year does it finish ?

[Ludwig]

I note that Sam Reid who was initially out for two weeks has already missed four weeks and is now downgraded to a TBC. Usual service seems to have resumed for Sam.

I noticed that too. Last week he was listed at 1 week on the AFL master list, along with Melican. I thought it unusual that Sam was completed omitted from last week's medical video and report, as though he didn't even exist. When we get to the Sam Who? stage, it definitely means trouble. Now Longmire mentioned that Melican was in full training, but nothing about Sam. I'm expecting a negative medical update on Sam today.

[Roadrunner]

The problem with Blakey is that he's played nearly every game in the seniors since he came on our list, but hasn't improved at all. We all expected that he would improve, simply because that's the way it usually happens, but in Blakey's case, he goes from week to week playing the same as he did in game 1.

I'm sure he's not the first case of this type and we must have folks at the club who have some experience on turning these things around. He has the traits of a good player, but it just hasn't translated on the field yet.

He started with the Swans in 2019 when we were a weaker team than we are now and there wasn't much competition for spots, so he was given and easy ride in the seniors. It doesn't seem like this did any good for his development.

I agree with the others who think he needs to spend some time in the reserves to work on his game at the direction of our development coaches and measure his progress by his improvement at VFL level.

The journos following the Swans never suggest that Blakey gets dropped. They all think he's a star.

----------------------

Carlton update: Plowman guilty and will miss the match. I thought it was a harsh call. He seemed to be going for the ball. Hopefully Holman gets off.

Blakey has actually regressed compared to his first season. It is up to the coaches to help him recover confidence and form. I’m sure he knows that he’s been a passenger in the team for a while and needs to earn his spot as there is a bit of competition now, as you say.

A stint in the resides in a forward/ wing role is the remedy, as it is much more likely that he will improve there, rather than in the first team. Horse and colleagues need to work with him, as he offers so much potential, but at this stage that is all it is- he contributes next to nothing to the team!