Ben Lennon

[Rfc4Ever]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

That's not good, that happens to me because my ball drop is rubbish

I cannot doubt Lennon's skills.

I saw him up close last year where he was assisting with the local Relay for Life.

People were paying $$$ to throw gridiron balls into wheelie bins from around 30-35 metres away.

Lennon was helping out by giving the missed (no-one got theirs inside the bins AFAIK) balls back to those about to test their luck for $$$.

He was kicking the balls (and these are awkwardly shaped balls to kick like a footy) drop punt style & hit every single person on the chest no worries - I was amazed at his skills and proudly announced to my fundraising group that this guy will be something special for the Richmond footy club.

Yes, it was only a medium distance, but he has a beautiful kicking style (even though it wasn't a footy) and just didn't look like missing a target.

 

[brucerfc]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

I saw a lot to like at VFL level last year and he racked up some good numbers at times. No, he does not appear to be blessed with pace but running capacity can be improved over time with a lot of hard work and a pre-season or two under your belt, (Anthony Miles anyone!). Unfortunately, If I am not mistaken, Ben has had 2 interrupted pre-seasons. Year 1 a minor knee op/scrape and this year a hip operation which if you listen to Talking Tigers on the Richmond website, Brendan Lade said was worse than the club had expected. Come on people give a second year player a break, it was only 2 years ago at the draft table that people were crossing fingers & toes that Ben lasted till our pick.

 

[billyb#40]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

In his first game in 2014 he kicked it like Deledio
The opposition then works out it needs to pressure him to reduce his effectiveness
Development time required but the talent is there

 

[yandb]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

I had another look at the replay and found that he was very effective on the day with only one shank. Overall I was happy with his performance. Will be a regular senior player by next season.

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Pleased with his progress, still hoping he'll eventually make the transition to the midfield similar to Ryan O'Keefe. I have full confidence in his ability to do so however the tank still needs some significant work, both Lennon and Vlastuin will be excellent case studies in our ability to match fitness levels with pure footballing ability.

 

[Brodders17]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Pleased with his progress, still hoping he'll eventually make the transition to the midfield similar to Ryan O'Keefe. I have full confidence in his ability to do so however the tank still needs some significant work, both Lennon and Vlastuin will be excellent case studies in our ability to match fitness levels with pure footballing ability.

ryan o'keefe was a comparison i was wondering about. 'slow' good sized hff w/ good skills. o'keefe became a very good lead up hff then a mid. hopefully lennon follows the same path.

 

[wigglyworm]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

His midfield stints in the VFL produced good numbers as far as I can remember. He can get the ball if you put him in a position that doesn't depend on others. I recall his junior days also produced good numbers when played in the midfield however he was predominately playing flanker roles back and forward.

 

[spook]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

He had excellent numbers in the VFL. Began with 26 on debut against eventual premiers Footscray, followed by 20, 26, 17, 20, 21, 25, 19, 2, 28, 24. That's an average of 20.7, which improves to 22.6 if you discount the 2-possession game in which I assume he was injured early (can't remember but he didn't play the next week so safe assumption). They're good numbers. He finds the ball no worries. Uses it very well. I see him as a Goddard type, and it took BJ a few years to come up to speed. He'll be a good player.

 

[nikolasmia]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

He had excellent numbers in the VFL. Began with 26 on debut against eventual premiers Footscray, followed by 20, 26, 17, 20, 21, 25, 19, 2, 28, 24. That's an average of 20.7, which improves to 22.6 if you discount the 2-possession game in which I assume he was injured early (can't remember but he didn't play the next week so safe assumption). They're good numbers. He finds the ball no worries. Uses it very well. I see him as a Goddard type, and it took BJ a few years to come up to speed. He'll be a good player.

not bad for a first year player

 

[turk-d-tiger]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Play him Midfield in 2015

This is not our premiership year and let him learn his trade in the VFL all year until he deserves earns his spot in the seniors

We need him to be our stevie Johnston type player that spends 30%-35% midfield and 60%-65% Foward

Has to get 20 posessions and 1-2 goals a game

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

I see him as a Goddard type, and it took BJ a few years to come up to speed. He'll be a good player.

Good comparison, I recall much angst about his prospects in year 1 & 2, then everything started to click. One thing is for sure, Lennon has a lethal shoe on him, wouldn't be surprised to see him spend some time as a rebounding defender in the short term.

 

[FitenFitenWin]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

He had excellent numbers in the VFL. Began with 26 on debut against eventual premiers Footscray, followed by 20, 26, 17, 20, 21, 25, 19, 2, 28, 24. That's an average of 20.7, which improves to 22.6 if you discount the 2-possession game in which I assume he was injured early (can't remember but he didn't play the next week so safe assumption). They're good numbers. He finds the ball no worries. Uses it very well. I see him as a Goddard type, and it took BJ a few years to come up to speed. He'll be a good player.

Nice work spook. The times I saw him play in the VFL he impressed me. A lot more than some of the others I'd gone to look at - like McIntosh and O'Hanlon. Then again he was a much higher draft pick than either of those to - so it's what you'd expect. I hope he'll get some decent game time this year.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

I think he is a lock for Round 1.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

He had excellent numbers in the VFL. Began with 26 on debut against eventual premiers Footscray, followed by 20, 26, 17, 20, 21, 25, 19, 2, 28, 24. That's an average of 20.7, which improves to 22.6 if you discount the 2-possession game in which I assume he was injured early (can't remember but he didn't play the next week so safe assumption). They're good numbers. He finds the ball no worries. Uses it very well. I see him as a Goddard type, and it took BJ a few years to come up to speed. He'll be a good player.

Scoops first rule on the path to success for a first year player is, "Find the ball consistently at VFL level."

Lennon passes with flying colours. Year two is about glimpses at AFL. 8 touches in a quarter here or there, couple of 20+ touch games, flashes of class at AFL level. And one moment that makes him look top shelf.

 

[mrposhman]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Good comparison, I recall much angst about his prospects in year 1 & 2, then everything started to click. One thing is for sure, Lennon has a lethal shoe on him, wouldn't be surprised to see him spend some time as a rebounding defender in the short term.

I reckon you will be right there bullus. His kicking would be a good asset coming from the back line. Maybe he will replace Newman in the starting lineup off half back this year.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Pretty sure young Ben did most of the kick ins against the Doggies last week, obviously not quite the same pressure as a match for points but certainly means they trust the kids hoof. Wouldn't surprise at all to see him play back half in the Newy role this year. Easier to read the play coming into the back half then create the play forward while still finding his feet as a player, teach him defensive accountability as required all across the ground nowadays, plus utilise his quality ball skills coming out of defence to help set up forward thrusts.
Round the kids game out, get miles under his belt then unleash him where he can hurt teams when he's all grown up.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Interview with the young fella up on the club website. Seems he had a sneaky little hip fracture niggling him late last year.
Surprisingly after a pre season n ready to start this year he's got the serious chubby face still happening.
Been learning his defensive roles off Newy at the moment n hoping to go midfield eventually. Was just thinking, he's a similar height to Bowdo, still a tad lighter at this stage. Smooth mover n polished ball user, with a bit of experience n smart decision making could make an excellent distributor coming out of the back half.

 

[Carter]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Pretty sure young Ben did most of the kick ins against the Doggies last week, obviously not quite the same pressure as a match for points but certainly means they trust the kids hoof. Wouldn't surprise at all to see him play back half in the Newy role this year. Easier to read the play coming into the back half then create the play forward while still finding his feet as a player, teach him defensive accountability as required all across the ground nowadays, plus utilise his quality ball skills coming out of defence to help set up forward thrusts.
Round the kids game out, get miles under his belt then unleash him where he can hurt teams when he's all grown up.

that he was, often into that stiff northerly.

got good distance too considering the conditions. lovely action.

 

[MrRuss]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Of course, draft a bloke, then turn him into another defender!

 

[TigerMasochist]

Re: Welcome to tiger land Ben Lennon

Of course, draft a bloke, then turn him into another defender!

Just in case you n others are a bit confused over sending mids n forwards back. There are a couple of very simple points of explanation.

Elite junior footy such as the TAC teaches the players very few defensive skills. The junior comps are all about free flowing open attacking footy, they are actively discouraged from defensive zoning n flooding to enable the youngsters to develop their skills n flair.
AFL footy is an entirely different beast with coaches being ruthless on players being in exactly the right spot at the right time to enable control of the game.

It's also far easier for young players stepping up from junior grade footy to elite level to read the pace, timing n flow of the game when they are playing from the defensive half of the ground where the game is coming straight to them, rather than having to create n time the opportunity and turn play around.
Long ago, coaches were simply concerned with creating a defensive contest, scrubbing the ball forward n hoping your forwards would either win the ball or force it to an incoming rovers advantage.
Think you'll find that most of the genuinely successful sides for quite some time have had brilliant defences to support their mids n set up attack. If the back half not only holds up but " creates " as well you've a reasonable chance at success.