OFFICIAL Blake Ayshford [Discussion]

[citizen_cub]

I have NEVER rated Blake Ayshford. I thought he was alright, "solid" without being spectacular but that was close to the best game ive seen from a Tigers centre since McGuinness vs Dragons (Rd 2, 2001).

His really coming on, that fend is very good.

Can't believe you've never rated him. I remember when he made his debut back in '09 against the Broncos and he scored a try on debut. He, for mine looked potent in the backline almost immediately and played a key role in our success towards the back end of '09\. Had to be our rookie of the year that year.

 

[citizen_cub]

Not to mention his HUGE improvement in defence. I remember last year against Canberra in round 4 when he was really exposed on the right edge. Came back the next week against the Cowboys and shut down Willie Tonga the whole game, gave him nothing.

He hasn't looked back since then.

 

[Vicious]

Ayshford has had two blinders in a row and if he played like that on a consistent basis he would establish himself as an elite player and would put himself in the frame for rep jerseys.
BUT his first 12 round this season were average at best with atleast 3-4 shockers, his game against Brisbane marking up on Hodges was terrible to say the least.
He proved he is capable in last seasons finals series and again over the past two weeks, he now needs to back this up week after week and particularly in some of our big upcoming games against some of the best centres in the game.

 

[CocaCola]

What Ayshford is doing now is why I was shocked to read peoples opinions of him on here.

The kid has looked like a champion since he debuted and just continues to improve.

+1

He has always been breaking the defense lines with good solid runs. Dont know why people think todays game was any different. His speed is also deceptive because he is tall & has that long stride.

He was M0M ahead of marshall imo

 

[senexx]

You've been blind then mate :laughing:

Ayshford has been improving week in, week out. Why someone with 14 first grade games worth of experience is playing centre for NSW over someone like Ayshford is beyond me

That was my thought after watching the televised game, worthy of an Origin Centre.

 

[mike]

What Ayshford is doing now is why I was shocked to read peoples opinions of him on here.

The kid has looked like a champion since he debuted and just continues to improve.

His defence was questionable but he worked on it and it got better. He is now reaping the rewards. Great game Blake.

 

[Snowy]

How tall is he? Hope he keeps up this form, great game Blake!

 

[Moh]

What Ayshford is doing now is why I was shocked to read peoples opinions of him on here.

The kid has looked like a champion since he debuted and just continues to improve.

His defence was questionable but he worked on it and it got better. He is now reaping the rewards. Great game Blake.

His defense was average in parts - but he always showed that he can defend and defend well. He still has that in him, he's just a lot more consistent now.

 

[Yossarian]

You've been blind then mate :laughing:

Ayshford has been improving week in, week out. **Why someone with 14 first grade games worth of experience is playing centre for NSW over someone like Ayshford is beyond me**

While ive been impressed with his last 3 weeks, his start to the season was nothing better than solid.

comments like that are a common misconception about how good our players are.

I think Kul's comments are more aimed at NSW selectors. If we were talking about Ayshford against Gasnier, Jennings etc I'd be inclined to agree with you but they picked Will Hopate for christ's sake. If Ayshford was playing for Manly he'd be wearing sky blue on Wednesday.

 

[tig_prmz]

Aushford's competing against Gasnier, Idris and Lyon.

Idris > Ayshford.

My problem is they picked someone who has no experience at centre over someone like Josh Morris who has played his whole life at left centre.

IDK why people want Ayshford at left centre for NSW when I would even have Moltzen at left centre over Aushford at Tigers.

Ayshford's ability is holding the ball on his right and fending from left, he can't do that at left centre.

 

[Aubanon]

I am continually impressed by this kids strength. He has twigs for legs yet has excellent drive when hitting the ball up. Very rarely gets driven back, always managing to punch his head over the advantage line. Excellent core body strength.

What Blake needs to do is realize how gifted he is, and put in performances like he has done over the last two weeks - rather than be content with Lawrence taking all the offensive responsibilities when we are playing at full strength.

He's a potential star - he just needs to realize it.

 

[TIGERDAVIS]

I love Aysh and think he is a star! Impresses me all the time! he is such a great runner of the ball! He has to be in the sky blue ASAP!!

 

[Yossarian]

Aushford's competing against Gasnier, Idris and Lyon.

Idris Ayshford.

My problem is they picked someone who has no experience at centre over someone like Josh Morris who has played his whole life at left centre.

IDK why people want Ayshford at left centre for NSW when I would even have Moltzen at left centre over Aushford at Tigers.

Ayshford's ability is holding the ball on his right and fending from left, he can't do that at left centre.

Lyon isn't playing SOO anymore… Personally I think the whole left/right centre thing is overhyped. If you're good enough you can play both - what makes you think he can't hold the ball in his left arm and fend with the right? Have you seen him try and fail?

 

[Michaelson]

Just like to add to the chorus, Blake was inspirational today. That try he set up after Marshall passed it 10 metres behind him was something to behold. Not only did he make the initial break, but then waited until the perfect moment to get rid of the ball and threw a precision pass to cap it off.

I haven't seen enough of the earlier season matches to judge because I was overseas for a while, but on the back of his form this week and last he looks pure class to me. Hopefully it's more than just a purple patch!

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

I am continually impressed by this kids strength. He has twigs for legs yet has excellent drive when hitting the ball up. Very rarely gets driven back, always managing to punch his head over the advantage line. Excellent core body strength.

Agreed!

I've said this a few times… he's one of those blokes, who's hard to tackle... but noone can seem to figure out why! haha

 

[stryker]

During the second half of 2010 he was very impressive. Who'll ever forget when he dragged himself out of his hospital bed to score a length of the field intercpet try against the roosters in the semi?

He started the season this year on fire as well. Then the injuries hit and he was a casualty of Sheens trying to improvise the backline. Recently he has found form again and if left to work on his game will be a vital cog in our tilt come september.

He really looks hard to tackle - a bit like Dugan and makes good meters on most runs. I'm a big supporter of his and was very happy to see the way he played today.

 

[tig_prmz]

Aushford's competing against Gasnier, Idris and Lyon.

Idris Ayshford.

My problem is they picked someone who has no experience at centre over someone like Josh Morris who has played his whole life at left centre.

IDK why people want Ayshford at left centre for NSW when I would even have Moltzen at left centre over Aushford at Tigers.

Ayshford's ability is holding the ball on his right and fending from left, he can't do that at left centre.

Lyon isn't playing SOO anymore… Personally I think the whole left/right centre thing is overhyped. If you're good enough you can play both - what makes you think he can't hold the ball in his left arm and fend with the right? Have you seen him try and fail?

Broncos.
OK he was defending against Hodges, but it wasn't him himself on that night.
I'm not making a big deal out of it though, Stuart is. My problem though as I said is picking Hopoate over someone like Morris who has been tried and tested at that level.
IDK how right Stuart is about the importance of playing left, right or centre.
Ayshford is good, but not better than Idris, Morris and Gasnier.
Give him time and experience, then he will be hard to hold.
He has some growing still to do and needs some little adjustments, and I'm not quite sold on him setting up his winger.

 

[happy_tiger]

Yeah I thought he seemed to be struggling with a crook ankle for a few weeks after Broncos game But has been dynamite last few weeks . Well done Blake

 

[redemption]

i said after the first warriors game that ayshford should play origin but got slammed

i think he's a better overall player than hoppa too. howeverr it's the blues loss.

The way he handled Inglis in the first Souths game showed he was able to make the step up if required!!

And for those who said he was slow & crap - shame on you!!!

 

[boonboon]

I think Blake has had a really good season perhals a slow period when he had a bad ankle and was swapped to the left but those would slow anyone down. His main weakness remains though his inability to pass to his winger, i think a lot of it stems from holding the ball in his right hand which works great for him to bust through and also in getting the gall away on the inside but it removes his outside ball option