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Ben Lennon
- Thread starter rinso17
- Start date
Re: FIGJAM...?
Lot of that " development " starts with recruiting the right people to be developed.
So blokes like Riewoldt or Rance or Rioli or Short or Grimes or Lloyd or Vlastuin or Markov etc etc just develop themselves into quality players yet every player that struggles to achieve better than moderate at the elite level is the fault of the coaches. Phhht.The Big Richo said:
Lot of that " development " starts with recruiting the right people to be developed.
Another marking forward will be very handy. His initial draft selection was quite reasonable given what was written at the time but perhaps not pick 12. He showed himself to be a good quality footballer with very good marking and foot skills.craig said:
In 2013 Draft Central http://afldraftcentral.com.au/2013/07/16/2013-draft-profile-ben-lennon/ said this about Ben "“In saying his athletic ability is a weakness, it isn’t to say he’s overly slow or has no endurance, it’s more a case compared to other midfielders, which is why he has found a position inside the forward fifty. Over time when he develops his endurance a bit more, he’ll no doubt push into the midfield and rotate with other midfielders and then push forward to hit the scoreboard. By far his more marketable characteristic is his overhead marking which, despite his 187cm and 79kg frame, he can mark like a power forward. Along with Billings, Lennon’s overhead marking is the best for a smaller player in the draft and in reality is better than some of the taller power forwards.”
So this shows his dilemma...marking was his main attribute in the U18's but against men in the AFL it's a different story. He's got good judgment but not tall enough and doesn't jump well enough. That jumping ability can be improved with explosive leg strength training and bounding etc. like triple jumpers do. And of course more confidence to attack the mark is part of it.
In 2013 Cal Twomey wrote this http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-02/19-days-to-the-draft-meet-ben-lennon "...with a standout performance on the MCG against Collingwood's VFL team. There he had 16 possessions, took six marks and competed well against senior opponents. An ankle injury just before the mid-year carnival threatened to ruin Lennon's campaign but he battled through and was named an All Australian forward." "Lennon showed his smarts as a midfielder and averaged 28 disposals over a five-week period for the Northern Knights. He finished with a season average of 25 touches for the Knights. STRENGTHS - Firstly, it's his foot skills. Over any distance Lennon is a terrific right-foot kick, pinpointing passes and directing the play with his ball use. Around goal that's a bonus, because he converts shots from any angle and loves to snap around his body. His marking is at the same level. Although not a key position size (189cm), Lennon marks and leads like a tall. Sometimes it looks like he has run too hard at a marking contest, but he slows down at last moment, protects the space in front and sticks the mark."
He realises he's got to improve in many areas and I hope he can stay healthy enough and maintain his desire to make it.
Some big wraps there from Cal, I think the most pressing issues for Lennon boiled down to athleticism.
3.20sec/20m - bottom 20%
standing vertical - bottom 10%
agility - bottom 5%
3km - bottom 25%
In other words, his vice like hands are nigh on useless if he can't get separation and/or outstretch his opponents. I'm racking my brain to come up with a comparable player and the best case scenario (unfortunately) is Kayne Pettifer.
3.20sec/20m - bottom 20%
standing vertical - bottom 10%
agility - bottom 5%
3km - bottom 25%
In other words, his vice like hands are nigh on useless if he can't get separation and/or outstretch his opponents. I'm racking my brain to come up with a comparable player and the best case scenario (unfortunately) is Kayne Pettifer.
Certainly not the scores you expect in a high draft pick which is why he has to work much harder to even get the ball so he can display his other skills, as you said. Kayne Pettifer is a pretty good comparision but Lennon will have to step up if he's going to get anywhere near Kayne's 113 games and 132 goals. I see Kayne is now having success as a pro boxer http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/extiger-kayne-pettifer-still-undefeated-in-boxing-ring-after-beating-paul-gould-on-danny-green-melbourne-card/news-story/ca633e5e81868c327a95a2820adf9f4d.bullus_hit said:
Reminds me of Justin Plapp (189 cm / 83 kg), good hands and a nice kick, not tall enough for Key Position, not fast enough for midfield.
tigermike said:
Interesting, I wonder if those who relentlessly bagged Kayne for being soft would be so brave to say that to his face.
bullus_hit said:Interesting, I wonder if those who relentlessly bagged Kayne for being soft would be so brave to say that to his face.
Good to see he's finally punching others in the head apart from his own.
bullus_hit said:Interesting, I wonder if those who relentlessly bagged Kayne for being soft would be so brave to say that to his face.
It's an Internet forum bully. Most things people post on here they wouldn't say to someone's face.... ;D
Gee Kayne looks old.
