Sam Blease

[stuie 7,374]

I'm known as one calling for Neeld to go at some stage, but it's pretty obvious Blease has gotten better since the start of 2012. That may or may not be Neeld's influence, but he has gotten considerably better. That doesn't mean he will get better every game, but overall he has improved.

Of course, in saying that, it's ironic he mainly runs one way while being coached by "Mr Defence" himself (so he says).

[Weedster 174]

I'm known as one calling for Neeld to go at some stage, but it's pretty obvious Blease has gotten better since the start of 2012. That may or may not be Neeld's influence, but he has gotten considerably better. That doesn't mean he will get better every game, but overall he has improved.

Of course, in saying that, it's ironic he mainly runs one way while being coached by "Mr Defence" himself (so he says).

No doubt Blease can play, but he needs to develop a hunger for the contest (something which is too common through our list unfortunately)

[dee-luded 2,959]

IMO Blease is trying too much, & running too far, & into trouble when the opposition in front cut him off, as he is slow to change step so he can balance to kick.

He's needs more of lateral step in his running technique.

he reminds me of a bambi version of Peter Matera.. but a lot to learn in a different game style.

Zoning cuts down the runners & they have to alter their ways, without the space.

IMO he needs to develop some change of direction in his runs, & to be quicker to get the ball onto his foot. or give off a handball, via drawing opponents & feed out the ball to a team mate.

.

Edited May 3, 2013 by dee-luded

[PJ_12345 1,098]

I'm known as one calling for Neeld to go at some stage, but it's pretty obvious Blease has gotten better since the start of 2012. That may or may not be Neeld's influence, but he has gotten considerably better. That doesn't mean he will get better every game, but overall he has improved.

Of course, in saying that, it's ironic he mainly runs one way while being coached by "Mr Defence" himself (so he says).

You'll credit Mark Neeld for the lack of improvement from players compared to them Dean Bailey's years, but you wont him for their improvement.

Interesting.

[Redleg 40,147]

Can't run. Will be a bit player at best unless we get our hands on some performance enhancing drugs.

Seems that way. Every time I see him he is stuffed after one burst. Clearly has lots of talent but apparently no engine at all. Hope he can develop one.

[Benson 254]

I agree with all the negative posts (although they may not seem negative to the publishers).

I think Blease will be a nothing player. I expect a whole lot more from a 22 year old with 24 AFL games, that has lost many years to major injuries... He should have a tank bigger than 2008 & 2009!

Edited May 3, 2013 by Benson

[stuie 7,374]

You'll credit Mark Neeld for the lack of improvement from players compared to them Dean Bailey's years, but you wont him for their improvement.

Interesting.

If players who are improving or are already very good go backwards, then yes I would usually blame the coach. But players who improve, especially when they've been injured, may have done it themselves or it could be through the coach, hard to know in every situation.

[Moonshadow 17,505]

I agree with all the negative posts (although they may not seem negative to the publishers).

I think Blease will be a nothing player. I expect a whole lot more from a 22 year old with 24 AFL games, that has lost many years to major injuries... He should have a tank bigger than 2008 & 2009!

Bazinga! There goes that sarcasm again Benson.

[Young Dee 1,303]

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure Tynan has played 1 or 2 games? that's hardly fair to judge him so harshly.... and Evans is playing the best footy of his career right now..

I think it is fair - he like so many other of our first year players have 25-30 touches in their first game and then seem to just never do it again or never improve. You can't say its not fair because he has only played two games - thats my point he like so many other first game/year players show potential and then just disappear. Evans, Tynan, Gysberts, Magner etc. all had great fist games and then just seemed to vanish. Then you have players like Scully and Trengove who had great first years and now are just fighting to stay in the team. And also Blease had that great patch last year and has not shown anything since.

My only explanations seem to be that the oppositions decide to tag them after a good first game or that it is just part of football and when they play their first game/year they have a real passion and desire to do well.

[jumbo returns 6,703]

What is it with Blease??

All reports in the pre - season pointed to a better aerobic capacity, he won some run throughs, was in the top 10 or something.

Whoever posted that stuff must have had beer goggles on.

[Chook 14,997]

If players who are improving or are already very good go backwards, then yes I would usually blame the coach. But players who improve, especially when they've been injured, may have done it themselves or it could be through the coach, hard to know in every situation.

No man is an island, stuie.

[Mad_Melbourne 872]

keep him in the twos, play him on the wing, dont let him play until he runs both ways, gives the first option (this could be running in space), and is willing to chase just as quickly as he is runs when he has the ball.

although they are different types of players, and not only due to him being a ranga but he has alot of bate about him, likes to run forwards and will be heaps quicker over 20m running into goal.

[Grapeviney 9,499]

What is it with Blease??

All reports in the pre - season pointed to a better aerobic capacity, he won some run throughs, was in the top 10 or something.

Whoever posted that stuff must have had beer goggles on.

My memory of those reports was that Blease was usually with the last group, so the best of a bad bunch. I could be wrong.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Can't run. Will be a bit player at best unless we get our hands on some performance enhancing drugs.

Even allowing for early injuries, his lack of an AFL tank after 5 years in the system makes you wonder about the mystical fitness regime we have at MFC.

He's a fail at this stage and if his contract is up at year end he can find the door.

[spirit of norm smith 15,143]

Sam Blease needs 3-4 weeks at Casey. Agree play him on the wing OR fwd pocket and he must kick goals. He shows some brilliance.

Was drafted on the back of some flashy play like Strauss. One of BP's mysteries.

[dee-luded 2,959]

What is it with Blease??

All reports in the pre - season pointed to a better aerobic capacity, he won some run throughs, was in the top 10 or something.

Whoever posted that stuff must have had beer goggles on.

IMO, Blease only knows to put the peddle flat to the mat. then he runs too fast & out of room in todays footy.

He has to get smarter... & run to use the space he has, 'better',,, as Brent Harvey had to learn to do some years ago.

I want to see Blease learn to use his speed at differing tempos as he's on a run. Moderate speed, then change direction, speed up & carry, feed off, get it back, etc...

[dee-luded 2,959]

Sam Blease needs 3-4 weeks at Casey. Agree play him on the wing OR fwd pocket and he must kick goals. He shows some brilliance.

Was drafted on the back of some flashy play like Strauss. One of BP's mysteries.

I agree send him to Casey, but play him 'inside', to get him used to heavy traffic, & to change direction on the move. cutout the straight line running. zigzag blease please.

[rjay 24,593]

What is it with Blease??

All reports in the pre - season pointed to a better aerobic capacity, he won some run throughs, was in the top 10 or something.

Whoever posted that stuff must have had beer goggles on.

He got injured in the first practice match. He can't afford to miss any training or games, he needs all the work he can get to keep up with the lower group as far as match fitness goes.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I think it is fair - he like so many other of our first year players have 25-30 touches in their first game and then seem to just never do it again or never improve. You can't say its not fair because he has only played two games - thats my point he like so many other first game/year players show potential and then just disappear. Evans, Tynan, Gysberts, Magner etc. all had great fist games and then just seemed to vanish. Then you have players like Scully and Trengove who had great first years and now are just fighting to stay in the team. And also Blease had that great patch last year and has not shown anything since.

My only explanations seem to be that the oppositions decide to tag them after a good first game or that it is just part of football and when they play their first game/year they have a real passion and desire to do well.

While I get your point, I am 99% sure Tynan never got anywhere near 25/30 touches in either of his games. In fact, I remember him looking a bit out of his depth and being put back to Casey accordingly. And Evans is currently playing his best footy now with injuries behind him. I do agree with your sentiment but not really the examples.

[Ted Lasso 18,780]

His pace is an asset but unless he is full fitness there is really no use trying to play him through the middle like they did against the Lions, stick him in the forward pocket, he's sure to cause some headaches

[DeeSpencer 24,730]

I keep thinking of how some of his most promising footy was a brief run of games off half back in 2011 I think. Pace and straight running is often easier from behind the ball. And you just can't give up in the backline. Besides that I agree deep forward might be a fairer start for him and let him build fitness in the seniors before playing him up the ground.

I certainly agree with putting him right in the guts for Casey.

[demonchris 162]

I think it is fair - he like so many other of our first year players have 25-30 touches in their first game and then seem to just never do it again or never improve. You can't say its not fair because he has only played two games - thats my point he like so many other first game/year players show potential and then just disappear. Evans, Tynan, Gysberts, Magner etc. all had great fist games and then just seemed to vanish. Then you have players like Scully and Trengove who had great first years and now are just fighting to stay in the team. And also Blease had that great patch last year and has not shown anything since.

My only explanations seem to be that the oppositions decide to tag them after a good first game or that it is just part of football and when they play their first game/year they have a real passion and desire to do well.

I dont think Tynan had 25 touches in his first game. I recall he played round 1 last year and then was in the VFL for the rest of it. Which was good, allow him to find his feet. Evans has had a few injuries, but now he is returning and surpassing to that form he showed. Trengove, is harsh, 10 tackles last week. I don't really think he's fighting to stay in the team. We all know why Magner can't play.

[olisik 4,060]

Seriously this kid cant take a trick. Kicked our biggest bag of goals in years last year and now cant even get a game against a new recruit who struggles to get a touch (Toumpas) and a struggling Captain coming back from injury and cant even run the 100m in 30seconds (Trengove)

Why is he so out of favour? Bail, Rodan, Nicholson....all getting games ahead of him.

Not even named as an emergency

Edited May 16, 2013 by olisik

[PJ_12345 1,098]

Seriously this kid cant take a trick. Kicked our biggest bag of goals in years last year and now cant even get a game against a new recruit who struggles to get a touch (Toumpas) and a struggling Captain coming back from injury and cant even run the 100m in 30seconds (Trengove)

Why is he so out of favour? Bail, Rodan, Nicholson....all getting games ahead of him.

Not even named as an emergency

What are you on about?

Blease has played the same amount of games as Toumpas and Rodan; and one less than Nicholson...

Edited May 16, 2013 by PJ_12345

[Chook 14,997]

Bail, Rodan and Nicholson all possess characteristics that Blease doesn't. I'll agree that he should be given another crack soon, but those guys have what we need at this stage of our development. Of course it's worth noting that neither Bail nor Rodan will be in the team this week (Bail probably not and Rodan definitely not).