2023 Player Reviews: #22 Blake Howes

[Demonland 71,622]

Date of Birth: 7 March 2003

Height: 191cm

Weight: 82 kg

Games CDFC 2023: 14
Goals CDFC 2023: 0

The versatile youngster is still very much a work in progress after two injury-interrupted seasons at the club that saw him close to AFL selection on more than one occasion. His chance should come next year.

[DeeZone 9,685]

Looking forward to seeing Blake Howes make his debut in ‘24 we could use his height, pace and ball use in the team. Like to see him build up to 86 - 88kg’s as well. Show us your stuff Blake.

[layzie 33,752]

Like Turner it's another case of the unknown of what he may be able to offer us because of injury. Really hope he gets a clear run at it because I do think he has attributes that could make a difference. 

[seventyfour 1,127]

The was very hyped about getting Howes with pick 39. In the 2021 mock drafts, Cal Twomey had us drafting him with pick 19 (where we took Van Rooyen) and ESPN had him going at 15. He was also apparently very close to debut in 2022.

A forgotten man, but could be the next James Jordon. He will be important to our depth, hopefully competing with the likes of Woewodin for spots.

[poita 3,896]

As a kid from my local area, I'm very keen to see Blake make it as an AFL footballer.

That said, uncertainty about his best position, some injury and development concerns, and perhaps a lack of urgency in his play mean that he still has a fair way to go to be pushing for senior selection in the early rounds.

 

[manny100 1,501]

A bit of time in the gym and injury free should him rise a level or 2.

Hard to put on much weight with his slim body type so probably around 3 kgs together with the strength a maturing body develops should be enough.

JVR just has to walk past a gym and he adds a couple of KGs of muscle. Suspect Kolt is the same.

[monoccular 17,413]

3 hours ago, manny100 said:

A bit of time in the gym and injury free should him rise a level or 2.

Hard to put on much weight with his slim body type so probably around 3 kgs together with the strength a maturing body develops should be enough.

JVR just has to walk past a gym and he adds a couple of KGs of muscle. Suspect Kolt is the same.

To my eye he looks similar in build to Judd McVee.  

[Go the Biff 3,414]

11 hours ago, poita said:

As a kid from my local area, I'm very keen to see Blake make it as an AFL footballer.

That said, uncertainty about his best position, some injury and development concerns, and perhaps a lack of urgency in his play mean that he still has a fair way to go to be pushing for senior selection in the early rounds.

 

Reckon he needs to be pushed out of his comfort zone. To date he's spent most games seagulling across half back picking up cheap possessions.  I'm not sure we're really developing him. Big year for the young fella 

[Diamond_Jim 12,549]

29 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

Reckon he needs to be pushed out of his comfort zone. To date he's spent most games seagulling across half back picking up cheap possessions.  I'm not sure we're really developing him. Big year for the young fella 

Good point

We need to be far more aggressive with our positioning at VFL level. It's not just about winning at that level

[MrFreeze 1,951]

Bit of a sink or swim year I feel for Howes. Everyone can see how he can fit into the team but we've decided to recruit similar players because he hasn't quite stepped up. 

[Fat Tony 5,220]

39 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

Bit of a sink or swim year I feel for Howes. Everyone can see how he can fit into the team but we've decided to recruit similar players because he hasn't quite stepped up. 

Howes has two years on his contract, so 2024 is probably not make or break.

He looks very classy at times in the VFL but he needs to get stronger and show a bit more desperation in the contest to be ready for AFL (which is probably also related to his lack of strength). I think he will make a good AFL player but he has a lot of competition, albeit B-grade competition on the flanks and wings.