Acres

[Killa]

I was of the opinion that Blake was a required player

His assets were his size and skills - and particularly his involvement in scoring chains with his disposal skills

The one negative was his lack of overhead marking ability and something I viewed he needed to work on to make him a very dangerous player, particularly when pushing forward

So I questioned why he was sent back to WA, and Fremantle, when we could have just as easily retained him

The reason given was that the Club thought a move back home would assist him as an individual and as a footballer

Now he returns to Melbourne, to Carlton

It is now water under the bridge - and you don’t always get things right (look at NAB and Essendon FC) - but I will have a gentle dig at the powers that be

I know what the response will be!!

[Scollop]

Blake was one of my favourite players when he was playing for the Saints and I’ve watched him closely this year.

He is actually good mark for his size and weight but he doesn’t get that much opportunity to contest in a pack mark situation. One on one he is very good.

His strengths are his running, his size and his ability to use his his body to win contested footy and to restrict the opposition from getting clearances out of congestion (again with his sizeable frame and his awareness in tight).

Acres decision making is hit and miss. His disposal skills are average at best. He still has a tendency to go the long bomb instead of trying to hit up a team mate on the lead.

It’d be interesting to see a comparison of his efficiency when kicking the ball inside 50 versus some of the other Freo mids. I think when a player kicks the footy over 40 m the data states it is an efficient kick, but I beg to differ if all you have done is hand it straight back to the opposition.

[cwrcyn]

A solid cog in the machine, but not a playmaker. If only he knew how to maximise that incredible physical strength he has.

[silverhalo]

Far too injury prone

[Life Long Saint]

That's two clubs now that have considered him surplus to requirements.
He's a player that I wanted to really succeed. His size suggest that he should be a midfield beast. He's not. He's a handy player and a good depth player. Like so many players.

[Yorkeys]

Down hill skier. Will fit in at Carlton. Not so much with Longmuir's idea of desirable qualities.

[bangaulegend]

He was happy at St.Kilda we moved him on & I know for a fact he wanted to stay we told him his prospects of playing senior football at St.Kilda were remote so you might want to explore your options . Pretty much threw him in as a sweetner for the Hill trade when we didn't have to .Typical St.Kilda, you always rely on us to f--k up even when we don't have to

[The_Dud]

Just one in a growing line of stuff ups we’ve made in recent years.

[saintkid]

Just one in a growing line of stuff ups we’ve made in recent years.

Totally agree. He will surprise some here that knock him at the Blues next year.

[ausfatcat]

Far too injury prone

That and he would tease, do some great stuff and then follow it up with some shocking stuff. Did that in the second half of the year with Freo as well after good first half.

[bangaulegend]

Far too injury prone

That and he would tease, do some great stuff and then follow it up with some shocking stuff. Did that in the second half of the year with Freo as well after good first half.

In their 2 finals appearances this year Acres was very good IMO

[Devilhead]

Someone posted on BF that he said the culture at Freo was better than the culture at St Kilda?

Culture in terms of what?

Or maybe it was just standard response from a player spurned

[mad saint guy]

Would comfortably be in our best 22. Dumb move to trade him out for no reason. I wouldn't have been against bringing him back but he's also far from being a saviour.

[The_Dud]

Far too injury prone

Played 20 games this year and 18 last.

[spert]

Was a better player in a better team with better coaching at Freo and will perform in a similar way at Carlton. He is not the inspirational player type, more a solid role-player who was Richoed at StK and didn't get enough work put into his development.

[D.B.Cooper]

Blake was thrown is as steak knives as part of the Hill deal to Freo & hasd been traded to Carlton for a future 3rd round pick despite enjoying his best season as an AFL player at a time he should be at his peak.

I think this sums up his value from the perspective of the two clubs he has represented at AFL level and shows that supporters probably over value his contribution.

[IluvHarvey]

He had a very good year and a great finals series.
So..... why were Freo so happy to let him go?
I don't know the answer but it appears that 2+2=5 on this one

[bangaulegend]

He had a very good year and a great finals series.
So..... why were Freo so happy to let him go?
I don't know the answer but it appears that 2+2=5 on this one

IMO they needed to off load a few to afford Jackson & keep Lobb

[Sainternist]

He looked really solid with Freo this year. Definitely odd that the Dockers didn’t show any signs they were unhappy to accommodate his request for a trade. A shame he’s now at Carlton. Would have been funny if we got him back. Then we could have had the last on Freo from back when they took Heath Black back from us.

Anyway, best of luck to Blake. But not too much luck for when he plays us!