Give my boy some love.

Incredibly underrated and rarely beaten and continued his fine form this year.

Fantastic performance

Hard job playing the 3rd/mid size key defender and he's doing bloody great

🍆

Who was the poster that said Howes was VFL level? Absolutely no idea. Even before this game you could tell how good Howes is. He even has an an amazing slight hand and does the little things so smooth and doesn't panic. Absolute rock down back.

Has put on some strength and looks a lot better 1 v 1. He's come a long way since the Harley Reid spanking

He has been extremely good for us this season, I gave him a pump up when he re-signed last season but there was apart of me wondering if I went a bit early. Looks to have more levels to go to as well which is exciting.

Great post. Howes had another excellent game today v Suns.

Sometimes people get blinded by stats. Howes did his role perfectly. He shutdown his opponents and did some very important defensive tackles and spoils. 👏👏👏

Like, Sparrow, Kolt, Salem, Langers, JVR, Sharpie, Rick etc.... they are playing with a new lease of life.

I too appreciate Blake Howes.

Looks like we have a few players who without going fully into the frantic attack style are capable of staying calm and steady and acting decisively within all that noise and chaos. Priceless.

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great).

He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic.

There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game.

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

Really rate him, and he will only get better. Calm, composed and good ball user.

23 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great).

He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic.

There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game.

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

Please, Long kicked +40 goals as a medium tall last year and Lombard is a highly rated young player

Understated and very very good. What I am loving about our backline is it is a true TEAM defence, where it is not necessary for any one player to be BOG or clocking up stats. Howes is a pure example of this. I like his calm assurance. And to think he has a lot of growth and improvement ahead.

He has taken McVee's spot and hasn't missed a step really.

52 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great).

He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic.

There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game.

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

52 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great).

He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic.

There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game.

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

52 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

12 disposals (ok), 5 intercepts (solid), 120m gained (meh), 16 pressure acts (great).

He’s lifted his defensive application, pressure and tackling and looks like he belongs out there (far less fumbles) but let’s be a little realistic.

There’s a lot of gears to go through if he’s going to be either a great back pocket or hopefully even more than that by adding an attacking/intercepting game.

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

The only realistic part of this post is you continually finding little ways to pot him at any cost. We know you have a history to hating on him.

Shut down Jack Higgins in round 1 who is a quality small forward of the game.

Had to play on a much taller Jye Amiss snd beat him comprehensively in round 2.

Shut down Will Hayward who has been a solid player for Sydney for the last 8 years.

Keep hating, hes doing his job exactly how King wants too and hes now officially in Melbourne's best 23.

I haven't rated him in the last due to him with ball in hand and that's improves this year, he is still a little slow and safe with ball but I think that will improve.

16 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The only realistic part of this post is you continually finding little ways to pot him at any cost. We know you have a history to hating on him.

Shut down Jack Higgins in round 1 who is a quality small forward of the game.

Had to play on a much taller Jye Amiss snd beat him comprehensively in round 2.

Shut down Will Hayward who has been a solid player for Sydney for the last 8 years.

Keep hating, hes doing his job exactly how King wants too and hes now officially in Melbourne's best 23.

Higgins had 2 no scores too from shots inside 50, but our team defence against St Kilda was poor especially in the first half.

I agree he made some nice efforts against Amiss.

Blind Freddie could handle Hayward right now.

He’s looking like he belongs at AFL level, which is nice, I’m happy for him and for us to have another steady member of the side.

But it’s year 5 and I’m not sure back pocket in a fairly heavy zone defence is all that difficult.

If he starts adding more consistent intercepting and rebounding I’ll be happy to praise him.

To me he has gained composure.

Does his job and then quickly looks forward.

Been very solid

So glad this thread was made.

I said in the gameday thread at half time that he was my most impressive takeaway from the first half. Held his own in 1v1s and bodied up well but also made some great decisions when he had it. Really happy with his place in the back 6 right now but even more stoked he's getting the credit he deserves.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Ben Long/Gulbin/Lombard aren’t exactly a line up of all star small forwards.

Eh?

Long is one of the best in the game with 40 goals last season - crucial to their side

Other two are very impressive too

Howes was very good today I thought

Still a rookie.

Kept his clangers down to a bare minimum (2). 5 intercepts, 4 one percenters, no turnovers @ 100% DE and 80% game time. Solid as today.

Back of shoulder pressure was great. Played the percentages without trying to thread too many needles and bite off more than he can chew with disposals, which he's sometimes been guilty of in the past.

Starting to ratchet up his smarts, finish, decision making, tank on the rebound run and 2nd efforts at ground level.

Really looking forward to seeing him develope and add a few more strings as the year unfolds.