Blake Acres

[terry smith rules]

It occurred to me on Saturday watching him against a player of a similar size in Fyfe

Obviously Fyfe is elite, so hard to compare the two but...

It seems to me that Acres lacks urgency , is this a lack of fitness, but do we ever seem him exhausted, do we ever see him make two or three efforts in a row?

I think someone asked on the forum does Acres have the most smothered kicks in the comp.... urgency?

Fyfe on Saturday was willing himself to contest after contest

I watch Patrick Cripps and his ability to hit a contest at speed is unbelievable, Acres ?

For his size he should be imposing himself, he doesn't have to be in and under, but big tackles and breaking tackles for a start.

[St Chris]

Acres will always be subjected to this sort of "critique", because he looks lazy. Dal Santo had the exact same issue - when things were going good, it was all "natural and easy, nice to watch" etc, but when things aren't great its lazy and, as per the OP, lacks urgency.

I call it the "Mark Waugh Complex".

You say it's hard to compare the 2, but it's not really. A quick look at Footywire suggests these 2 are very easy to compare at around the 50 game mark. The year Fyfe hit 50 games (2013), he averaged 24.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 0.7 shots at goal each week. This season (Acres played game 50 a couple of weeks ago), he averages 23.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 1.5 shots on goal each week. Keep in mind, in Fyfe's 50 year season Freo was runner up, and we're gonna be bottom 4.

They are also the exact same height and weight. If Acres manages to hold on to the occasional contested mark, there's no real difference between the 2 at the same stage of their careers. The challenge to Blake is to maintain the same upwards trajectory and get to that elite level.

Acres is the least of our issues IMO.

[saynta]

Acres will always be subjected to this sort of "critique", because he looks lazy. Dal Santo had the exact same issue - when things were going good, it was all "natural and easy, nice to watch" etc, but when things aren't great its lazy and, as per the OP, lacks urgency.

I call it the "Mark Waugh Complex".

You say it's hard to compare the 2, but it's not really. A quick look at Footywire suggests these 2 are very easy to compare at around the 50 game mark. The year Fyfe hit 50 games (2013), he averaged 24.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 0.7 shots at goal each week. This season (Acres played game 50 a couple of weeks ago), he averages 23.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 1.5 shots on goal each week. Keep in mind, in Fyfe's 50 year season Freo was runner up, and we're gonna be bottom 4.

They are also the exact same height and weight. If Acres manages to hold on to the occasional contested mark, there's no real difference between the 2 at the same stage of their careers. The challenge to Blake is to maintain the same upwards trajectory and get to that elite level.

Acres is the least of our issues IMO.

Good stats, and as the coach would say, very pleasing.

[bigcarl]

Acres will always be subjected to this sort of "critique", because he looks lazy. Dal Santo had the exact same issue - when things were going good, it was all "natural and easy, nice to watch" etc, but when things aren't great its lazy and, as per the OP, lacks urgency.

I call it the "Mark Waugh Complex".

You say it's hard to compare the 2, but it's not really. A quick look at Footywire suggests these 2 are very easy to compare at around the 50 game mark. The year Fyfe hit 50 games (2013), he averaged 24.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 0.7 shots at goal each week. This season (Acres played game 50 a couple of weeks ago), he averages 23.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 1.5 shots on goal each week. Keep in mind, in Fyfe's 50 year season Freo was runner up, and we're gonna be bottom 4.

They are also the exact same height and weight. If Acres manages to hold on to the occasional contested mark, there's no real difference between the 2 at the same stage of their careers. The challenge to Blake is to maintain the same upwards trajectory and get to that elite level.

Acres is the least of our issues IMO.

With those stats and what we believe he can become, it’s extraordinary that he isn’t considered for a similar role to what Fyfe does. Richo prefers Armitage, Steele, Dunstan and Ross in his best clearance midfield

[saynta]

Acres will always be subjected to this sort of "critique", because he looks lazy. Dal Santo had the exact same issue - when things were going good, it was all "natural and easy, nice to watch" etc, but when things aren't great its lazy and, as per the OP, lacks urgency.

I call it the "Mark Waugh Complex".

You say it's hard to compare the 2, but it's not really. A quick look at Footywire suggests these 2 are very easy to compare at around the 50 game mark. The year Fyfe hit 50 games (2013), he averaged 24.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 0.7 shots at goal each week. This season (Acres played game 50 a couple of weeks ago), he averages 23.5 touches, 4 marks, 3.7 tackles and 1.5 shots on goal each week. Keep in mind, in Fyfe's 50 year season Freo was runner up, and we're gonna be bottom 4.

They are also the exact same height and weight. If Acres manages to hold on to the occasional contested mark, there's no real difference between the 2 at the same stage of their careers. The challenge to Blake is to maintain the same upwards trajectory and get to that elite level.

Acres is the least of our issues IMO.

With those stats and what we believe he can become, it’s extraordinary that he isn’t considered for a similar role to what Fyfe does. Richo prefers Armitage, Steele, Dunstan and Ross in his best clearance midfield

Ross, Steven and Dunstan more often than not.

[bigcarl]

All of whom I rate very highly. There’s a certain sameness with Dunstan and Seb, though. I do think Seb is better that what he’s been showing.

Maybe redeploy one of them to the wing or the ruck or down forward to fill one of the various holes Blake has been asked to plug.

Point is Richo’s got to try things. And if they don’t work after a decent trial, try other things

[bergsone]

Acres gives that impression,its the NDS style,cant help thinking how good in a top side he could be.Havent seen the best of Blake yet imo

[in for the long haul]

A big wrap for Blake. Does look like he’s in 2nd gear sometimes but reminds me a bit of David Reece jones or , dare I say , Nicky Winmar. Expect some big things in the next couple of seasons.

[in for the long haul]

A big wrap for Blake. Does look like he’s in 2nd gear sometimes but reminds me a bit of David Reece jones or , dare I say , Nicky Winmar. Expect some big things in the next couple of seasons.

[parkeysainter]

Acres will become the A grade and AA we have been craving for. He is still very young. Remember that Saints fans.

[Toy Saint]

........Richo prefers Armitage, Steele, Dunstan and Ross in his best clearance midfield

Suggest we need to change this up a bit.....or a lot........Jack Steven often starts in the middle.....

Armitage is probably spent.

Black Acres should drift through the middle, as well as Jade Gresham and possibly Jack Billings.

Add Long, Coffield, Hunter Clark and the new boy Phillips.

[Spinner]

It occurred to me on Saturday watching him against a player of a similar size in Fyfe

Obviously Fyfe is elite, so hard to compare the two but...

It seems to me that Acres lacks urgency , is this a lack of fitness, but do we ever seem him exhausted, do we ever see him make two or three efforts in a row?

I think someone asked on the forum does Acres have the most smothered kicks in the comp.... urgency?

Fyfe on Saturday was willing himself to contest after contest

I watch Patrick Cripps and his ability to hit a contest at speed is unbelievable, Acres ?

For his size he should be imposing himself, he doesn't have to be in and under, but big tackles and breaking tackles for a start.

Ageee with this. Fitness is his strength but lacks urgency. Light years away from Fyfe and Cripps in terms of quality.

[perfectionist]

... Light years away from Fyfe and Cripps in terms of quality.

Dunno about that. He's the sort of player who, in a GF when at his peak in about five years time, will get 30 possessions and a medal. The only thing stopping him is about 15 teammates.

[Teflon]

He’ll probably ask for a trade at our rate

[desertsaint]

not sold on tne acres hope. he has the physical goods certainly - but appears to lack the determination of dunstan or the football smarts of billings. Fyfe has an abundance of all three. Comparisons with dal are also off - dal had silky skills, acres doesn't - different type of player. If he wants to succeed - well you can't change footy smarts overnight, but it can come with experience, and he can simply dig in like dunstan does and give it his all. every time. hoping he does and becomes a very good footballer.

[Jacks Back]

I really like 8cres as a player but he does seem to get a lot of the 1-2 possessions (handball to a guy, run past him, get it back and kick it).

[Spinner]

... Light years away from Fyfe and Cripps in terms of quality.

Dunno about that. He's the sort of player who, in a GF when at his peak in about five years time, will get 30 possessions and a medal. The only thing stopping him is about 15 teammates.

Not sure if this post is serious. Why just one GF? Why not make it 10 in a row...

Fyfe is just about the best player in the competition, Cripps just about the best young player in the game.

21 teammates at the moment don't stop Cripps... not sure why that's ever been an excuse anyways.

[bigred]

Acres will become the A grade and AA we have been craving for. He is still very young. Remember that Saints fans.

This.

Just needs more time.

Gonna be a beast.

[Scollop]

Ladder drills help develop speed and agility so hopefully he is using one on a regular basis

[Linton Lodger]

Play him in the Ruck I say!

[stonecold]

Play him in the Ruck I say!

Gets more possies than both Bill and Tom, less hit outs than Bill, but about the same as Tom, well effective ones anyway!!!!!

[SuperDuper]

will take off next year as a 23 year old...

[saint-stu]

not sold on tne acres hope. he has the physical goods certainly - but appears to lack the determination of dunstan or the football smarts of billings. Fyfe has an abundance of all three. Comparisons with dal are also off - dal had silky skills, acres doesn't - different type of player. If he wants to succeed - well you can't change footy smarts overnight, but it can come with experience, and he can simply dig in like dunstan does and give it his all. every time. hoping he does and becomes a very good footballer.

I really hope everyone else is right, but I agree with you desertsaint. I really don't see it. He's a good player, but no where near fyfe.

I still think Billings has the most potential but needs to toughen up mentally and would like to see more intensity when he doesn't have the ball.

[saint-stu]

not sold on tne acres hope. he has the physical goods certainly - but appears to lack the determination of dunstan or the football smarts of billings. Fyfe has an abundance of all three. Comparisons with dal are also off - dal had silky skills, acres doesn't - different type of player. If he wants to succeed - well you can't change footy smarts overnight, but it can come with experience, and he can simply dig in like dunstan does and give it his all. every time. hoping he does and becomes a very good footballer.

I really hope everyone else is right, but I agree with you desertsaint. I really don't see it. He's a good player, but no where near fyfe.

I still think Billings has the most potential but needs to toughen up mentally and would like to see more intensity when he doesn't have the ball.

[Jacks Back]

He is out for 4-6 weeks with the groin. Buggar!