Sam Blease

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

I was worried for a while, but the last 2 weeks have convinced me that Blease can play at this level.

I sat up high for todays game as opposed to the low level view my kids like, and you really get a feel for the better decision makers. Sure, Blease had a few dodgy disposals, but some of his ball use, which put us into an attacking advantage today was outstanding. Loving his dash and ball use out of the back half because it is an area we really lack in.

Might be a big chance for the rising star next year.

[Old Man Rivers 326]

I was worried for a while, but the last 2 weeks have convinced me that Blease can play at this level.

I sat up high for todays game as opposed to the low level view my kids like, and you really get a feel for the better decision makers. Sure, Blease had a few dodgy disposals, but some of his ball use, which put us into an attacking advantage today was outstanding. Loving his dash and ball use out of the back half because it is an area we really lack in.

Might be a big chance for the rising star next year.

Agree Entirely - He was very good again today.

The kid will be very important going forward.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

Has looked better at AFL level than he has at Casey.

Did some great things today. That run out of defense in the third quarter that nearly resulted in a Jurrah goal was probably the highlight of the game.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I was worried for a while, but the last 2 weeks have convinced me that Blease can play at this level.

I sat up high for todays game as opposed to the low level view my kids like, and you really get a feel for the better decision makers. Sure, Blease had a few dodgy disposals, but some of his ball use, which put us into an attacking advantage today was outstanding. Loving his dash and ball use out of the back half because it is an area we really lack in.

Might be a big chance for the rising star next year.

I new Blease could play, but my question was would he struggle with the congestion & trying to get through heavy traffic? While I realise he hasn't proven he can burst through congaestion, i've seen something to suggest to me that he's adaptable and he'll learn.

I'm very much relieved to see that he can develop in this current AFL gamestyle.

And I'm pleased he's prepared to do the heavy work as well. Get his hands dirty.

He's got a lot of work ahead, not the least of which will be continually getting his body right & ready for AFL.

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

I'm seriously seeing the potential now. Great speed and kicks those fast bullet passes that can slice through an opposition, combined well with Watts and Jurrah off half forward a couple of times. Needs to work on his accountability but that should come. Big preseason is a must!

[Deano74 156]

Blease is a Rhyce Shaw type in a Demon Jumper. Just what we need off half back.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

[dee-luded 2,959]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

Hmmn, he's got a lot to learn. But see the positives, he's got the usable weapons that matter and will learn to use them.

His discipline will be taught to him.

He'll learn.

[Great_little_footy_team 8]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

Agree he's shown alot the last 2 weeks but also agree with this to an extent. I think his biggest issue tonight was his fitness. He looked exhausted along the wing in the last quarter and that's the reason his chases were so sub standard.

Has alot to work on (fitness and accountability) but has shown he has what it takes to be a really damaging player!

[Jaded No More 68,974]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

He is lacking serious fitness. Was struggling to run to the bench.

Let's just cut the kid some slack. His run out of the pack was quite honestly the highlight of the night for me (yes, that's how bad we were).

He has great speed and a very good kick and we know he can get his hands on the ball, so that's a start. I don't think he will necessarily end up playing down back, but it's a good learning curve for him, and I think he did OK defensively.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

He is lacking serious fitness. Was struggling to run to the bench.

Let's just cut the kid some slack. His run out of the pack was quite honestly the highlight of the night for me (yes, that's how bad we were).

He has great speed and a very good kick and we know he can get his hands on the ball, so that's a start. I don't think he will necessarily end up playing down back, but it's a good learning curve for him, and I think he did OK defensively.

no doubt he is going to be a helpful player with his style, he was very lucky defensively, in the third quarter especially he left his man, i think it was edwards 100 m in space, all the defenders were looking around dumbfounded by how a player could get so far free, and morton ran hard yards from the wing to man him , then as the ball went out of bounds, luckily, edwards pushed up to the contest and blease slowly plodded up to him, and told morton to move off.

having said that i am a fan but i think if you cannot play 4 qtrs of football, and cannot chase in the last then vfl is where he should be playing

[H_T 3,049]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player (tonight), i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

Accurate assessment as far as I can see. Must be able to use the same speed to close down on opponents and work off the ball when required. Let's not forget he's coming from behind the eight ball as far as development goes in terms of AFL level. Essentially you're right and I'm sure it will be addressed.

[DeeSpencer 26,081]

Laid a good tackle in the third quarter on King, his defensive work isn't terrible. His accountability is no worse than Tapscott at this stage. If you look at the difference between him and Bennell in terms of accountability you understand the benefit of real preseasons and 30 odd more games.

He could be the sub again next week, followed by a full game against Port.

[diesel 420]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

There was at least one tackle where he was rewarded with a free. I suggest you judge him on the 3 or is it 4 games he has played? I don't think I have seen Aaron Davey lay an effective tackle this year!!

[Rogue 585]

Far from the finished product, but I'm as excited about Blease as I was when we drafted him (and that was a fair bit).

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

There was at least one tackle where he was rewarded with a free. I suggest you judge him on the 3 or is it 4 games he has played? I don't think I have seen Aaron Davey lay an effective tackle this year!!

i agree but i never commended Aaron Davey for his chasing and tackling, also, yes he did lay a tackle and get a free kick, but that was only because he was jogging after his opponent to the ball, still one chase and one tackle, and i counted at least 5 where he chased, or jogged after his opponents, i dont doubt his ability, rather his application and fitness

[titan_uranus 25,043]

I don't share the same unbridled enthusiasm, as I'm worried about his defensive capabilities.

However I see genuine talent there and he's definitely worth persisting with, especially when he develops a stronger fitness base.

[Pennant St Dee 13,305]

did you guys watch the match, sam blease is a one way player, i do not mind him playing on the wing, but his lame attempt of chases in the last quarter were effectively what gave them two goals. its all well and good for a player to run fast when he has the ball, it is an entirely different matter when the same player who has obvious speed, jogs after opponents, i suspect viney will spray him in the after match meetings

Demonland all over look for the negative, f#%k me you wouldn't want to be suicidal and read this site. Has been one of the positives in the last 3 weeks, todays game was frenetic pace the quality wasn't up to the top sides but effort was there from both sides. Blease wasn't alone struggling to run out the game from both sides. I don't think he was jogging because he couldn't be arsed, I believe he honestly had nothing left. Do you recall Boomer Harvey outrunning a crows youngster last year in the 4th. Couple of pre seasons into these kids and they will run out games better

[jayceebee31 761]

These last two games have given Sam great confidence showing he can make it and with a huge pre season he will mix it with the best.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Demonland all over look for the negative, f#%k me you wouldn't want to be suicidal and read this site. Has been one of the positives in the last 3 weeks, todays game was frenetic pace the quality wasn't up to the top sides but effort was there from both sides. Blease wasn't alone struggling to run out the game from both sides. I don't think he was jogging because he couldn't be arsed, I believe he honestly had nothing left. Do you recall Boomer Harvey outrunning a crows youngster last year in the 4th. Couple of pre seasons into these kids and they will run out games better

sure, lets settle for mediocrity, because that really does wonders for a footy club, im not nearly suicidal, merely pointing out his lack of desire to chase, or his inability to run out the match then. i would take dan nichloson playing over him, due to the fact he will chase, and run out the full match! sam blease has a ton of ability, and like i said im not doubting his ability, but rather his defensive game

[dee_star 63]

Love his run and dash. Looking forward to seeing him play more midfield and half forward

[Old Man Rivers 326]

sure, lets settle for mediocrity, because that really does wonders for a footy club, im not nearly suicidal, merely pointing out his lack of desire to chase, or his inability to run out the match then. i would take dan nichloson playing over him, due to the fact he will chase, and run out the full match! sam blease has a ton of ability, and like i said im not doubting his ability, but rather his defensive game

Thats it MM - lets just focus on the negatives & tear the kid apart in game No.3

No doubt his defensive game needs some work however his attacking potential is massive & will be a serious weapon.

Given you have just wrapped up the spoon this weekend in Ultimate Footy are you sure you should be giving coaching advice? :-)

[davey_magik 1]

For those who are [censored] on his defensive work - This can be taught. You can't teach the pace and skills he has.

Quietly excited about Blease .

[Pennant St Dee 13,305]

sure, lets settle for mediocrity, because that really does wonders for a footy club, im not nearly suicidal, merely pointing out his lack of desire to chase, or his inability to run out the match then. i would take dan nichloson playing over him, due to the fact he will chase, and run out the full match! sam blease has a ton of ability, and like i said im not doubting his ability, but rather his defensive game

So we've just sacked a coach who's game plan was flawed and 4 years past it's use buy date. We are way behind the 8ball on our structure and changes have been made but you can't turn it around in 5 weeks. It's not about settling for mediocrity,we have to see if some of these kids form at Casey translates to AFL and who can move forward to where we want to be.

I don't think it was a lack of desire to chase I think it was a lack of having the tank to do it, had it been early on that would be a different story. Blease was good today showed he can make it at this level. As others on the thread have said, needs a good preseason and a good base, but I now believe I can see why he was regarded so highly by some recruiters

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Thats it MM - lets just focus on the negatives & tear the kid apart in game No.3

No doubt his defensive game needs some work however his attacking potential is massive & will be a serious weapon.

Given you have just wrapped up the spoon this weekend in Ultimate Footy are you sure you should be giving coaching advice? :-)

bit of a strike below the belt there, but i will cop that haha, yeh i forgot to edit my team this week, meant i had one player not playing and i lost by 3 kicks sooo silly mistake.

but still, it was just annoying to me from the stands that he did the head shake chase, twice in the last, and they got two goals out of it? again it is definitely a fitness thing, but no doubt he will cop a spray from it! i would much rather him playing on a wing or fwd flank instead of the backline so he doesnt have to watch his opponent!