#47,#11 Jarryd Blair

[thompsoc]

Listen Jackcass.
You must watch a different game to me.
Yes Blair got a few handballs whilst on the ball.
But he doesn't run to the next contest or to the next one after that.
There was a perfect example yesterday. Varcoe made it to 3 contests in row Blair made it to the first and stood there watching the next 2.
Football 2016 is all about run and spread and Blair can't do this.
In fact our side is short on this.

[swoop42]

Well, they would be this season's usual suspects - Blair and Moore 5 kicks, Jesse and Howe 6, Greenwood 7 (although he laid 13 tackles), Crisp 8. Varcoe, Toovey and Fasolo can probably be excused (Varcoe coming back from injury, Toovey because his job is to stop the opponent, not get the ball and Fasolo because he plays in a very low-possession area of the ground).

Langdon will finish near the top of the Copeland again, on his form so far - but he seems to be something of a whipping boy on here. He's been in the top couple of Collingwood players two weeks in a row, so at least that's quietened down a bit.

I remain as ambivalent about Blair as ever - he is a wonderful trier and I take no pleasure in the prospect of him losing his spot in the team but he's barely had a kick in the last two weeks, not scored a goal this season and hasn't been credited with a goal assist. In fact, he hasn't even kicked a point since round 1. Whatever else he brings to the team, that can't be allowed to continue. It would be different if his hard work was creating opportunities for the Didaks, Thomases etc - but there is no-one in the front half of the field who is capable of taking advantage of his hard work, hence that hard work is (quite literally) pointless.

I've been saying it for several seasons - Collingwood doesn't kick enough goals and, because of the decline in genuine forward quality, the team can't kick enough goals. It isn't just about system - the 'Pies had virtually the same number of inside 50s as Melbourne but there is no-one down there capable of making a goal out of a half-chance. That's why a player like Krak was so very valuable when he was on song - he wasn't a target - he was a guy who kicked 35 goals a season when the targets didn't get the ball. Didak, in addition to his many other creative qualities, was similar in that respect. The ability to make something out of absolutely nothing is critical to successful forward play. Process won't (and simply can't) do it. Some players make something out of nothing by getting the ball when, all things considered, they shouldn't. Some players do it by consistently converting difficult chances. We don't have enough players on our list who can do either or both of those things.

While I agree with your sentiments on paper at least you'd think that Elliott, Fasolo, Broomhead, Sidebottom and Varcoe can all provide the creativity we seek in a smaller forward.

Young Crocker projects as being someone who can help in this area in the future.

Hopefully Daicos and Brown can prove to be worthy of selection at draft time.

Surely Howe will start to perform up to expectation at some stage and he and Moore can prove to be consistent aerial threats with a lot of x factor.

Really what we could do with is more quality indigenous talent on the list.

[Big T]

Blair is laughable to watch. It's like Buckley is taking the piss.

[inxs88]

^ I am not blaming Blair for the result yesterday but his form is poor
Yes a number of other players are also poor
No getting rid of Blair will not mean a premiership
I said drop him not delist him if he gets his form back in the VFL promote him

Broomhead played well in the VFL and could be his replacement
Sinclair kicked a goal unfortunately has concussion

I thought he should have been dropped after the game last week but he got a reprieve. Was better this week, in fact thought he was one of the catalysts for us getting back into the game when he went into the midfield but I'd still let him have a run in the VFL to find some footy and form. Broomy is the perfect replacement although he doesn't bring the same level of defensive intensity, he can be an offensive weapon and has the happy knack of kicking goals.

Hang on, hang on, hang on!! You're the Chairman of the "keep Jarryd Blair in the seniors Action Faction" Jackcass! I could cut and paste 20 plus posts on your behalf to this crusade!

[September Zeros]

^ I am not blaming Blair for the result yesterday but his form is poor
Yes a number of other players are also poor
No getting rid of Blair will not mean a premiership
I said drop him not delist him if he gets his form back in the VFL promote him

Broomhead played well in the VFL and could be his replacement
Sinclair kicked a goal unfortunately has concussion

I thought he should have been dropped after the game last week but he got a reprieve. Was better this week, in fact thought he was one of the catalysts for us getting back into the game when he went into the midfield but I'd still let him have a run in the VFL to find some footy and form. Broomy is the perfect replacement although he doesn't bring the same level of defensive intensity, he can be an offensive weapon and has the happy knack of kicking goals.

Hang on, hang on, hang on!! You're the Chairman of the "keep Jarryd Blair in the seniors Action Faction" Jackcass! I could cut and paste 20 plus posts on your behalf to this crusade!

There's a big difference between wanting him retained in the seniors and looking at the bigger picture.

I've gone on record multiple times saying I think Blair is an average footballer at best. He's too small and doesn't impact the score line enough regardless of his gritty effort and the fact he helped us to a flag.

Pause while that sinks in to so thicker skulls.........


But Sinclair is out this week, Cloke possibly, and maybe Reid. So let's say broomy comes in for Sinclair, maybe Wills or even cox for Cloke? (Gault got concussed) and Frost?? (Who was terrible) for Reid. Who comes in for Blair. Crocker?

It's all good and well to hang our poor form on one player week after week, I expect nothing less from nicks. But when you do it at least offer an alternate player and the reason why.

Blair will lose his spot in this side eventually, make no mistake. But the circumstances have to fit. We need all the experience we can get and we have multiple problems across every line.....not just in Blair's position.

I know some here are desperate to be feel vindicated by the loss of Blair, I know some feel the need to remind everybody that Blair is an average footballer week after week in case it's their one shot at actually being right for once. But take a step back, outside your infactuation with Blair failing and look at the bigger picture.

Ask Thomsoc......he'll blindly tell you I'm a Blair supporter.......I'm not. I just don't whinge about his inclusion every week because there a bigger fish to fry.

Jackcass IMO has argued in a similar vein.

[John Wren]

^ broomhead wouldn't come in for sinclair, blair maybe.

[thompsoc]

The lollipop brigade have slightly changed their tune over the last year or 2.
It has gone from he plays his role, to he will go one day when the next batch comes thru.
This ignores the fact that he really isn't up to AFL standard, and has not been for the last 3 or 4 years.
Lets have a look at some of the players delisted or left over the years such as K Martin. Yes, probably not up to standard but I guarantee he would have kicked more goals than Blair.
I look at Ferguson, Close and others in the VFL and I believe they are just as capable as Blair. Maybe Jack Blair is as good as his brother.
The reason myself and others have harped on this is that it is obvious he is ordinary at best and that he offers nothing, nothing going forward.
Good luck to him playing 120 games and getting a day and night premiership and making plenty of money out his limited ability.
He can hold his head up high and say I did far better than the key board warriors on Nicks.
But he is still a dud to me.

[E]

The lollipop brigade have slightly changed their tune over the last year or 2.
It has gone from he plays his role, to he will go one day when the next batch comes thru.
This ignores the fact that he really isn't up to AFL standard, and has not been for the last 3 or 4 years.
Lets have a look at some of the players delisted or left over the years such as K Martin. Yes, probably not up to standard but I guarantee he would have kicked more goals than Blair.
I look at Ferguson, Close and others in the VFL and I believe they are just as capable as Blair. Maybe Jack Blair is as good as his brother.
The reason myself and others have harped on this is that it is obvious he is ordinary at best and that he offers nothing, nothing going forward.
Good luck to him playing 120 games and getting a day and night premiership and making plenty of money out his limited ability.
He can hold his head up high and say I did far better than the key board warriors on Nicks.
But he is still a dud to me.

This begs an interesting question.

What does it mean to be "not up to AFL Standard"

He was good enough to play in a premiership team in his very first year on the senior list at Collingwood. And he beat out a pretty good group of players (including Leon Davis - an all-Australian) to make the team.

Actually he is in the best 22 of the ONLY premiership team Collingwood has had in the past 25 YEARS!!!!!!

Not up to AFL standard. Give me a frick'n break.

[thompsoc]

What does it mean to be "not up to AFL standard"
Very simple to answer that one.
Go watch his last 4 matches.
And second would any other AFL Club pick him up if he was delisted?
You know and I know that he wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting picked up.
Plenty of players get delisted and not get picked up by other clubs. So by definition they are not up to AFL standard.

[E]

What does it mean to be "not up to AFL standard"
Very simple to answer that one.
Go watch his last 4 matches.
And second would any other AFL Club pick him up if he was delisted?
You know and I know that he wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting picked up.
Plenty of players get delisted and not get picked up by other clubs. So by definition they are not up to AFL standard.

Ahhh, so your definition of "AFL standard" actually excludes about one-third of the players who play AFL footy on a regular basis (including players who are good enough to make the best 22 of a premiership team).

Don't you really mean to say that Blair is not a star. Say that and I think everyone will agree.

but c'mon man, don't just make crap up!!!!!!

[HAL]

Yes I know. Who told you that?

[King Monkey]

I'm ready to drop him and bring in Ben Kennedy...... oh wait.......

In all seriousness, Blair has been nowhere near as effective at his role this year so far than he has been in previous seasons.
The change to our "forward/defensive structures" hasn't helped him in that regard.
Broomhead must be very very close to taking his place this week if De Goey holds on to his.

[didick]

I'm ready to drop him and bring in Ben Kennedy...... oh wait.......

In all seriousness, Blair has been nowhere near as effective at his role this year so far than he has been in previous seasons.
The change to our "forward/defensive structures" hasn't helped him in that regard.
Broomhead must be very very close to taking his place this week if De Goey holds on to his.

Hi KM, what changes have been made to our "forward/defensive structures" have you observed? Are you talking about the MM to NB change? Or changes made through Bucks' tenure alone? I personally haven't observed any differences in Bucks' approach in the last couple of years.

Cheers

[Bob Sugar]

Play him in the ruck!!! (Just joking Bucks, don't go getting ideas now)

[thompsoc]

Play him in the ruck!!! (Just joking Bucks, don't go getting ideas now)

Well Bobby the opposition wouldn't expect that!
Maybe the first sight of a new game day tactic that Bux has delivered in 5 years.