he will play in 2 weeks

One thing that comes to mind is that the club were aware of what they were doing - knowing there were some compromised drafts coming up, knowing that we had a few years before our 'window' opened. I think they may have been very smart in taking the risk that they did - take bottom age players with real potential, let them develop under the radar and have them 'in stock' so we can ease through the crappy drafts of GCS and GWS. Have a stacked rookie list to call from and elevate rookies in the same boat.

It looked like a strategy then - and it may or not pay off. Some of these kids have been injured, completing schooling, and simply transitioning from boys to men. If we get a good percentage of them to play to potential, then it will be an awesome list when the window opens.

So lets see.

I think your pretty right.

I also think we could not afford to draft instant types, as we new we had to harvest a couple of drafts early picks,,, to become a good side.

I say the list management has been first class, but we won't know how much for another 2 - 3 years. I think we've done really well, from watt I see.

Watts, Blease and Strauss

That draft is paying off massively

You would have to be kidding compared to the year before and the year after.

You would have to be kidding compared to the year before and the year after.

I'd say he is!

he will play in 2 weeks

You have got to be taking the [censored]?

Petterd, Newton, Strauss, Maric, Warnock, Joel Mac are all in front of him with Scully/Jordie to come back in.

he will play in 2 weeks

Tell him he's dreamin

I've been shouted down about this before and probably will again but I fear this kid will miss his chance. A player with his main assets being pace and kicking breaking your leg will obviously hamper ones development. I know he was bottom age when drafted but how long do you persist 4-5 years ? I will bet my left one he won't debut this year. Shout at will.

You'll buy me a beer when he debuts this year steamin??

I've been shouted down about this before and probably will again but I fear this kid will miss his chance. A player with his main assets being pace and kicking breaking your leg will obviously hamper ones development. I know he was bottom age when drafted but how long do you persist 4-5 years ? I will bet my left one he won't debut this year. Shout at will.

Showed once in the Casey v Port game that he still has turbo speed when he went for a run from half back into he centre square. Finished off the run with a nice short pass to Cook.

I've been shouted down about this before and probably will again but I fear this kid will miss his chance. A player with his main assets being pace and kicking breaking your leg will obviously hamper ones development. I know he was bottom age when drafted but how long do you persist 4-5 years ? I will bet my left one he won't debut this year. Shout at will.

We're gonna need proof of you giving up your left one when he does debut this year. You may as well start practising singing falsetto.

I've been shouted down about this before and probably will again but I fear this kid will miss his chance. A player with his main assets being pace and kicking breaking your leg will obviously hamper ones development. I know he was bottom age when drafted but how long do you persist 4-5 years ? I will bet my left one he won't debut this year. Shout at will.

It will be off to the church choir for you mate, Start singing some Bee Gee's to get in the mood!!

you also dont need to be a genius to write a sentance that acuratly describes his talent.

Elite is a term which gets used far too regularly IMO. Blease is "talented" & "promising", but Elite? not for me

I really don't think the term 'elite' is used regularly at all. By supporters then yes, possibly? But by those in the know and those with an actual understanding of the game? Hardly.

Don't fall into the trap of categorizing supporters and media personalties as 'experts' because it sure seems to be what you're doing. Clearly those working within football departments who've seen him actually play in the TAC have recognized that his skills and abilities are in the 'elite' category, in that particular competition. Give the kid a break. Will these skills transpire over into the AFL?

I sure hope so

MFC website has a great article on Sam Blease.

Link

Having seen some of the footage of his TAC cup footy, and then also seeing him live, it is clear that Melbourne were very pleased to get him at pick 17. Injury has waylaid him by one year, but like Watts he was 17 at the time of drafting and MFC are prepared to wait and give him time to develop. His delivery inside 50 is one of the main reasons he was drafted.

It looks like Blease has exactly the skill set we so desperately need: pace, and skill on both sides of his body. He is an elite run-and-carry player, and now we have to asses if he can bring those skills into AFL standard football. However, due to his great natural play, it looks like he hasn't done much work on the defensive side of his game and this is the major focus of his development at Casey.

I reckon both he and Strauss will be trialled in 2011, especially if it is clear come round 16 that we cannot make teh finals.

Thoughts?

I think he will get a game about mid season,either as an attacking half back or wing.Having seen him at Casey though like his style when he gets the ball, the problem though is he doesn't get nearly enough of it, neither does he take enough marks. He will need to improve on these things to get promoted. Hopefully he may be able to become another Jordon gysberts ie only average at Casey, but dominant in the seniors.

I know this has been done to death, but has Blease actually lost any pace following the break?

I know this has been done to death, but has Blease actually lost any pace following the break?

Apparently not. His confidence is down and their is still pain associated with the break.

Just played his best game for Casey (From KC report)

Well done kid.

Was at the game today, this kid started off slow didnt see him during the first, can run got the pill in the second and can run and carry with the ball, and plays long and direct, speed is definitely an advantage. Seemed to move into the middle a bit more during the second, was back alot during the first, and the ball was only there for 2 points.... Continued this during the third and fourth quarter, ended up with 20 plus possessions today, if anyone still wants to write the kid off i will suggest they will have egg on their face!

Tends to walk alot when not in the contest, but i did hear daniel jackson say today that that is why swan is so hard to much on.... not saying that Blease is any swan just the similarity in that even good players walk when not at a contest.

MFC website has a great article on Sam Blease.

Link

Having seen some of the footage of his TAC cup footy, and then also seeing him live, it is clear that Melbourne were very pleased to get him at pick 17. Injury has waylaid him by one year, but like Watts he was 17 at the time of drafting and MFC are prepared to wait and give him time to develop. His delivery inside 50 is one of the main reasons he was drafted.

It looks like Blease has exactly the skill set we so desperately need: pace, and skill on both sides of his body. He is an elite run-and-carry player, and now we have to asses if he can bring those skills into AFL standard football. However, due to his great natural play, it looks like he hasn't done much work on the defensive side of his game and this is the major focus of his development at Casey.

I reckon both he and Strauss will be trialled in 2011, especially if it is clear come round 16 that we cannot make teh finals.

Thoughts?

Much was spoken about Strauss' kicking ability, but he just didn't get the ball to show us, and from all accounts hasn't progresed much this year.

I very much hope that we get a lot more from Blease - I haven't had an opportunity to see him at all.

Where and when do Casey play over the Easter weekend?

Much was spoken about Strauss' kicking ability, but he just didn't get the ball to show us, and from all accounts hasn't progresed much this year.

I very much hope that we get a lot more from Blease - I haven't had an opportunity to see him at all.

Where and when do Casey play over the Easter weekend?

Maybe start by reading today's reports

Much was spoken about Strauss' kicking ability, but he just didn't get the ball to show us, and from all accounts hasn't progresed much this year.

I very much hope that we get a lot more from Blease - I haven't had an opportunity to see him at all.

Where and when do Casey play over the Easter weekend?

Had 30 touches today at North Ballarat.

Good to se you're keeping up.

think he is next year, needs more fitness and confidence

cant see the advantage of him in the seniors atm

but best wishes to him and hope he gets consistency, just shouldnt be seniors for at least another 10 weeks

Anyone that thinks the club wouldn't be concerned by the 2008 "Superdraft" is in denial. Having 3 picks in the top 20 in a renowned draft is a significant advantage and for varying reasons those chosen have barely fired a shot.

It's too early to make declarations, but 2012 (their 4th) is a huge year for all concerned.

Anyone that thinks the club wouldn't be concerned by the 2008 "Superdraft" is in denial. Having 3 picks in the top 20 in a renowned draft is a significant advantage and for varying reasons those chosen have barely fired.

It's too early to make declarations, but 2012 (their 4th) is a huge year for all concerned.

Agree. I think Strauss would want 6 games at AFL level with some impact in those games this year, let alone 2012, as he has not suffered as Blease has.

I'm not sure of all this concern I hear about application with Blease. The approach he is taking coming back from such an horrific injury requires vigilance in his rehabilitation. If we see him at AFL level toward the latter parts of this year I think we will see some good things from him in 2012. His impacts on VFL games are becoming more spread across a game.

The other bloke, well, I'm not going there in this thread.

We can all see that Blease will be very good but I honestly don't think he's ready for the big time just yet. I'm worried about this selection.

I'm not worried at all - what's the worst that could happen?

He'll use his blistering pace to break lines.

I like the inclusion.

And don't expect to see him as the sub - I heard Scott West on the radio a few weeks ago talking about the substitue rule and 1st gamers, and apparently our club has decided to take the approach of never making a 1st gamer the sub.

The theory is that they would sit there on the pine, a bundle of nervous energy - better to get the nerves out of the way from the start, get a feel for it and then get into the game.

(that's not to say he won't be subbed off).

We can all see that Blease will be very good but I honestly don't think he's ready for the big time just yet. I'm worried about this selection.

Obviously the FD think he is .

Go Blease .... Have a great debut mate .