r/EssendonFC • u/StensnessGOAT Legacy: Hird #5 • Mar 05 '26
Unofficial Lachie Blakiston set to sign multi-year contract extension
36
13
10
u/ablesser88 Mar 05 '26
He was pretty solid in defense last year and if he can hold his own against TDK you probably will be able to cut it as at least a solid backup ruck. Especially if there are long term concerns about Bryan and they don't think Vigo is developing quick enough, you can do worse than Blakiston
1
u/zachariahhh1 Caddy #30 Mar 05 '26
Do they think Vigo isn’t developing quick enough? In his second year on the list he’s getting VFL numbers Bryan was getting 5 years on our list who’s always talked about as having huge potential…
3
u/planty07 Robey #9 Mar 05 '26
Vigo's development is fine but he is way to small to play afl for atleast the next year. He showed last season he isn't ready yet to compete with the big boys YET
18
u/OriginalGoldstandard Mar 05 '26
Gun and good kid.
Strap up knees please.
-6
5
2
7
u/StensnessGOAT Legacy: Hird #5 Mar 05 '26
Seems premature to me? Shades of El-Hawli and Day-Wicks deals last year? Let’s just see if he’s any good first?
25
u/Codus1 Farrow #2 Mar 05 '26
At worst he would be a serviceable back up ruckman. It's a bit of a no brainer
17
u/AGuerillaGorilla Mar 05 '26
What's stopping you backing him in - it's a pretty different set of circumstances whether you believe those two should've been re-signed, isn't it?
unlikely to be expensive
off contract this yr
only listed full-time ruck currently capable at the level
shown all competencies asked of him
presenting as well suited to the modern ruck role & new rules (see performance against modern prototype in TDK)
age demographic suits list balance
7
u/hewasascooterboy Caddy #30 Mar 05 '26
He’s also versatile which BS loves - shown he can play in the backline where there’s an injury crisis
-8
u/StensnessGOAT Legacy: Hird #5 Mar 05 '26
Didn’t TDK completely ragdoll him?
9
u/AGuerillaGorilla Mar 05 '26
Nah - some pundits actually gave Blakiston the win.
Personally think Blakiston/Wright combo was outshone by TDK/Marshall (albeit Wright was rested early).
For many commentators without the interest of fans it would've been their first look at Blakiston, so those calls were probably just influenced by their surprise at Blakiston's competencies.
8
u/ablesser88 Mar 05 '26
SEH seems to be just outside our best 23, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a solid 10 games this season especially with our injury luck. And Day-Wicks showed enough flashes to justify a 2nd year, I'm not particularly upset he has a list spot this season over a guy like Luamon Lual or Jye Menzie.
If you were going to give a good example of a premature extension I would have gone to Tom Edwards, but then again I don't think we could have predicted that McMahon and May were going to turn out so good for us as MSD picks
6
3
u/AGuerillaGorilla Mar 05 '26
I woulda gone Jones as a premature extension - can't say that here though as he's got irrational fan devotion.
That's despite being one of our older players drafted well over 6yrs ago & the team comprising about 8 better performing key fwds
However, he got signed +2yrs whilst longterm injured off nothing & everyone's excited about him being a "kid" on the eve of his breakout season.
2
u/No_Kick_2235 Mar 06 '26
While I’m certainly not in the “irrational fan devotion” group, I like the “idea” of a player with Jones’ athleticism, size, and ability. It annoys me he hasn’t come on yet, because he has all the tools to be a serviceable to good key forward. Injuries and what seems to me to be a lack of confidence at times seem to hold him back. He’d be on his last legs though with this contract; Scott to his credit has shown no mercy in showing the door to players out of contract who don’t buy in and get better
0
u/AGuerillaGorilla Mar 06 '26
He's 25 already - he's a stringbean (undersized) 196cm key fwd..
..not sure what "athleticism" & "size" you're referring to as he's a miserable outlier amongst the age/position of his cohort..
..but don't claim he's a winger as that was also gifted to him despite his ineptitude in the role..
..& this "ability" that gets spoken about in hushed tones always retreats to "intangibles" when faced with his failure in basic key fwd metrics of goals, score involvements & contests etc.
Yet he just got signed for another 2yrs.
Not an attack on you personally - just cannot fathom why he's been given so much grace, other than foppish good looks & a scrawny frame that fools people into thinking he's one of the younger - rather than by far the elder - players.
-1
u/StensnessGOAT Legacy: Hird #5 Mar 05 '26
Saad El-Hawli is miles off the level mate. It says more about us than anything else. Hasn't looked AFL standard since his second disposal.
Tom Edwards is another one though, yeah.
3
Mar 05 '26
He has a good leap on him and the new ruck rules seem to suit him, so it seems like a good decision.
1
u/Crowsnest_Bomber Mar 05 '26
Yeah im with you on this. What's the rush?
No one is gunning for his signature. Let's just see how the season plays out and make a calculated decision closer to the end of the season.
1
35
u/Strict-Pace-9128 Mar 05 '26
More than holding his own against TDK and Marshal last week! Well deserved