Blake Ayshford

[you_know_who]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8288563

 

[alien]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8288563

why is this in the toyota cup section??? :stuck_out_tongue:

 

[you_know_who]

I put in the wrong sector by mistake

 

[alexaki]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ayshford gets the Tigers player of the year award….**he would get my vote**....a model of consistency and reliability all year!..I dont think any center has played over him this year...and that includes some of the big name players such as Idris, Morris and Cooper!

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Topic moved.

 

[Spartan117]

Article referenced above

**<big>Ayshford in spotlight for Tigers' NRL run</big>
By David Beniuk - 18:43 AEST Mon Aug 22 2011\
\**

Wests Tigers centre Blake Ayshford says stepping up in the absence of Test star Chris Lawrence is the secret to his scintillating NRL form.

Ayshford bagged a double in the Tigers' impressive 31-12 disposal of Parramatta at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday, shrugging off Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne with ease to get his second.

The rangy 23-year-old plays on the opposite side to Lawrence, who will be sidelined until the finals with a hamstring injury, but has been determined to make the Tigers' right side attack as lethal as their left.

He says he grabbed the extra responsibility when Lawrence was sidelined for three months with a dislocated hip.

"When he was out injured the first time, I took it upon myself to step up a bit," Ayshford told reporters on Monday.

"He's the go-to man and I sort of had to fill a big void in the backline.

"Yesterday was just some lucky handles but I've tried to step my game up with Chrissy on one side to try and have two strike weapons."

Ayshford's form has been a major part of the Tigers' charge towards the top four with six straight wins, but he said he still had a way to go.

"I'm still a bit inconsistent with some defence. I'm in and out of games a bit," he said.

"I've had a couple more highlights than other years which I'm proud of but there's still a long way to go."

The arrival of Joel Reddy from Parramatta next year will mean a battle for centre spots at the Tigers and Ayshford admits he has thought about the possibility of a return to the back row, where he played as a junior.

"I spoke to the coach about that," he said. "The back row may be (my position) in the future.

"Hopefully, I'll stay in the centres for the next couple of years. I really want to cement a spot there.

"But if it means I have to move to the back row for the team, then that's what I'll do."

The Tigers are likely to be boosted by the returns of internationals Lote Tuqiri (quad) and Gareth Ellis (groin) for Monday night's clash with Gold Coast at Campbelltown.

Veteran forward Todd Payten, who will play his last regular season home game for the club against the Titans, said the side had taken confidence out of Sunday's win without Ellis.

"Everyone stepped up in Gareth's absence," he said.

"Along with Chris Heighington and Bryce Gibbs, he's been our forward leader and consistently our best for a number of weeks now and to have him back this week is certainly a good thing."

 

[whoneedstherapy]

I hope Ayshford stays in the centre's for the next few years. I think he has done a stellar job and whilst he still has the pace, strength and remains awkward to tackle i think he will be great for us.

 

[tigerbenji]

I agree 100% Ayshford has to stay in the centres, his pace is good & his defence is good as well, & i am sure he will keep up the good work.

 

[cunno]

Jo Blake has certainly found his nitch at the Wests Tigers he is going great expect another big one on Monday night.

 

[Rambo2714]

I agree , week in week out he has risen to the task at hand . He consistently defended well and his attack has been reasonable .

One thing that did alarm me was , when ayshford resigned he was quoted as saying something like " I'm not one of the elite centers in the game " . Although it is true statement and shows that he is level headed , grounded, etc which are good attributes . I think he would be better served with a bit of arrogance , IE Chris Lawrence .
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[Tiger_Tomato]

I agree , week in week out he has risen to the task at hand . He consistently defended well and his attack has been reasonable .

One thing that did alarm me was , when ayshford resigned he was quoted as saying something like " I'm not one of the elite centers in the game " . Although it is true statement and shows that he is level headed , grounded, etc which are good attributes . I think he would be better served with a bit of arrogance , IE Chris Lawrence .
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How is lawrence arrogant?? You've got me miffed on that one. I think our centres, both being in their early 20s, are the most excting in the game.

 

[underdog]

I agree , week in week out he has risen to the task at hand . He consistently defended well and his attack has been reasonable .

One thing that did alarm me was , when ayshford resigned he was quoted as saying something like " I'm not one of the elite centers in the game " . Although it is true statement and shows that he is level headed , grounded, etc which are good attributes . I think he would be better served with a bit of arrogance , IE Chris Lawrence .
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I'm glad he's got a level head though.

The intercept try he scored in the semi final last year vs the roosters showed what a level head can do under pressure - despite being pulled down short by Carney, he showed a calm predisposition when it came to grounding the ball, crucial time of the game in front of a sellout SFS Crowd

As opposed to Matt Utai vs the Panthers in the first five minutes spilling his lollies over the tryline.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Ayshford has shouldered a lot of responsibility this year given our left fringe has been in tatters for about 80% of the season. He, Fults, Lui and Utai have taken on a lot and turned our right edge into just as dangerous an attacking option as our left has been previously. Can't wait until our left edge is intact because we will be lethal on both sides of the field and we will have our opposition on their toes all game.

 

[matty_tiepie]

Ayhsford has been great for the past couple of years actually but seems to be getting a few more raps for his form this year. probably as people have said because lawrnece has been out for a large part of the year and Blake is seeing alot more of the football. When he first came to first grade people were bagging him saying he is to slow and cant break the line. Well how things can change

 

[Hbom]

After this year, that Bonstonker guy is going to have to update his youtube clip for Blake. I reckon it might double in length!

 

[TurnStyle]

what an excellent attitude he has. feet firmly on the ground and a very pragmatic and objective view on himself.

a few weeks back in the "controversy corner" thread i said that although i am a big fan, i wanted a bit more out of him with regards to his attacking play (e.g.; line breaks and tries). well i certainly can't ask for anything more now!

as for the arrogance thing and CL, i don't see either as arrogant at all. big difference (although sometimes a fine line) between arrogance and confidence and what a great young centre pairing we have in him and CL.