Saw the match today - and loved what I saw of him. Thought he outmarked woewoedin in the first quarter (had a free paid against him), did good work locking the ball in the forward line (2nd quarter which resulted in a goal I think), good vision (tapped the ball/assist to longmuir in the 3rd).

In terms of playing him in the 1's - I wouldnt mind giving him a taste every few matches just to see how he acquits himself. Not saying to play him week in week out and a fully game - but perhaps the last 5-10 mins of each quarter - for mine he doesnt look that much bigger than say a Farren Ray (yes I know he is smaller).

thoughts on his size? - what other AFL players are there that are similiarly small that have made debuts recently?

Blackwell will give himself every opportunity to play league footy cos even though he has 'short'comings.. like lack of size and speed.. he is very very very clever.
He is one step ahead of his opponents all the time...
Natural footballer but will need the right players around him to be effective.
You probably have to surround him with pace.

Has stacks of courage... (like his old man)

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I think the title of my thread wasnt the best - I saw enough today (first viewing of blackwell) to convince me that he can make it in the AFL (similiar to when I first saw waite in the VFL late in his first listed season). I guess I was referring to his size in terms of bulk and the amount of muscle that he still needs to put on before he is physically bulked

Farren Ray was used as a comparison as he is also fairly skinny but has played in and out of seniors since being drafted (something I think might be good for blackwell's development)

Blackwell will get a game just before the season finishes. about 3 games.

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Bang Bang.

My thoughts were if it was Collingwood versus Carlton and Blackwell lined up on Woewoful, Malthouse would send Woewoful to the goalsquare and leave them one out. Alas it was the bullants v willy.
From what I have seen he will try his best to make it and that is all you can ask once they get picked.

No he isn't too small amd will definitely play football at the highest level. Luke is only 2 centimetres shorter than Power and is a great reader of the play who knows where the ball is going. He can run unlike Brett Johnson and beat an opponent for the ball yesterday purely on knowing where it's going. There is always room for footballers who know where the ball is going and Denis was correct when he mentioned once the balls came out he looked like he belonged.

a la sam mitchell with crawford, bateman, harry miller ... etc?

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... an eagle flew out of the night. he was something to observe, came in close i heard a voice, bending stretching every nerve, had to listen had no choice ...

He'll probably loose a bit of speed as he bulks up so get him a sprint coach now.

I was struggling to think of a player like Blackwell and I think he'll end up as a half-forward like Shannon Grant who isn't a quick player. But a brilliant reader of the play,good skills and approximately the same height.

Reminds me of Campbell Brown. His leg speed was queried before he was drafted, and he really worked hard on that aspect and gained some pace.

So I guess it's not totally out of the question for him to get quicker.

Plus, as mentioned above, one doesn't totally have to be lightning quick to be a successful midfielder (although a certain level of pace is required, methinks).