I think in today's training report BV.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Blackers has lots of deficiencies but footskills arent one.
He would be in the best 5 ball users at the club.

Easily.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Unfortunatley, these days that isn't saying a lot...

No doubt at this end, but the comments are coming through the training section by the look of it. Perhaps they're playing with his kicking style much like the talk about bentick in the 2005 pre-season?

It's getting better Steve.
The kids coming into the club are lifting the standards.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I've been to about 6 sessions this pre season and he's as silky as ever.
His style is basic but bulletproof.
If 95% of our squad could kick like Blackers, we'd be in far better shape.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

Must admit I only saw a couple of VFL last year but little Blackers really caught my eye. He didn't dominate but everything he did had a touch of class. Just looked like a footballer who could step up.

Blackwells kicking is fantastic. In a VFL game at Punt Rd last year he gave a fantastic example of his ability to find someone in space. He took a mark if I remember correctly close up against the boundary on the Punt Rd side wing. I was directly behind him but had the advantage of being elevated up on the hill. I looked down to the forward line to see what may be the next target and it quickly became congested. It was a classic time to just bomb it long to the big bloke and hope we win the next contest. Well, thats how it appeared anyway....

Justin Davies made a hard lead from the pocket to the flank and Blackwell hit him on the chest with a pin point 45-50 m pass that had absolutely no margin for error....

It was outstanding and therefore stuck in my mind. In fact it and Setanta's first goal were about the only highlights of that day.....

check this article written by Chris Judd about his "perceived kicking weakness" http://westcoasteagles.com.au/default.a ... eid=229568

Quote "Before I got drafted I went through the usual interview process with different clubs. One of the questions I got asked was “What do you want to work on to improve your game?â€

Setanta's first goal in the AFL I should say ( getting in before some nit picker comes along to point out that Setanta wasn't playing at Punt Road that day)...

Blackwell doesn't have a raking kick, but he hits targets, and that's all that counts. Stab-like passes are fine when the occasion demands, but most players would prefer to be able to run to a well-flighted pass.

And his vision and judgement about options are spot on.

Watched a heap of VFL last year.Blackwell is in direct competition with Bentick and Murphy for that prized position in the guts.Small in stature and not much muscle so its gunna be tough.
On the occasions i watched him last year his standout feature was his ability to extract it in heavy traffic and to give off with pinpoint accuracy by hand or foot.Cant believe he has gone backwards skillwise.Extremely puzzling to me.Got the rest of the week off from the salt mine.Hopefully will get a chance to get along to training.Will check it out myself and let you guys no how i see it.Surely he hasnt lost that skill ? He was Diesel like at times such was his extraction and vision.

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All my dangerous friends

I think that sums it up Mick.
One poster watched him in a training session and made an observation. Perhaps Blackers had a bad day but going by the support for his skills in this thread, I dont think there's any concern.
I've been to several sessions this pre season and his skills are a standout.

I think we should hit this on the head here, once and for all.
Blackers has deficiencies but his kicking isnt one of them.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

I'll ask the obvious questions then

1. What are Blackwells deficiencies? Which ones can/cant be worked on?
2. Can we carry murphy, blackwell and bentick in the same team? If not then I presume it will come down to a choice between blackwell and bentick.
3. Assuming that is the case perhaps a few people can write up a comparison between the two players - pace, ball winning ability, fitness, skills, etc. Who would be the better player atm (I presume bentick is more advanced)? What about in say 5 years time? (ie when both have mature bodies)

thanks in advance

I'm not sure how you can compare the two and I don't believe they would be both vying for the same spot. Bentick is your classic in and under type. If I had to compare him to anyone, it would be Ratten. To answer your question about where he will be in 5 years time? Look at Rattens career. Improved with each year as he gained confidence. Bentick is a leading tackler. Smart player. Has realised that to survive he needs to do more than just tag. He's a work horse. Trains to run all day. Possibly the strongest player at the club pound for pound. Is difficult to push off the ball once he is over it. Has vision. Was a leader at the Cannons. Was also a specialist at the stoppages at under 18 level and is quickly becoming one at AFL level also.

Blackwell? All I see is a very skinny kid. Very light on. I see him where Simpson was 5 years ago. Has a long way to go to build muscle. I wouldn't think he would be in contention yet until he builds that muscle. At senior level, with a light frame, will find it difficult.