Whats the problem with this guy??
I remember he was mentioned plenty of times in regards to Collingwood possibly drafting him in 2013. We went with Scharenberg and Freeman at picks 6 and 10.
Ben Lennon was pick 12. And that was considered a big bargain at the time.
He is currently 21 years old. Is 188 cm tall and plays as a half-forward/midfielder.
He looked good as a youngster and had pretty big wraps about him as a possible top ten recruit.
3 years latter and what went wrong?
I know at the start of his career, he had a knee injury which required surgery. But he still managed to get back in time for a mid season debut.
He played 16 games over his first 2 seasons, six of which he started as sub, and 3 where he left the game as sub. So its hard to make a good call when so many games do not provide us with full game stats.
However, in his third and current season, Lennon has only played 3 games. Rounds 3, 4 and 21. Now its reported that shoulder, concussion and ankle problems were a part of the lack of games this year, but is there more to it then that?
Im lead to believe he has exceptional skills by foot and is a fantastic mark of the ball. This is from his 2013 draft profile on afl.com.au:
And also this: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. Circumstances prevented him from spending more time in the midfield but towards the end of the season he found the opportunity and excelled. He's combative (60 per cent of his possessions at the carnival were contested), he has spring in his legs, demands the ball and wants to be a part of the action.
Has there been any signs of a negative attitude or lack of commitment shown by Lennon? Have Richmond not put enough into this guy? Is AFL football too hard and fast for him? Is his engine simply not big enough? Or has he just been drafted by the wrong club?WEAKNESSES
The question on Lennon was whether he could be a full-time midfielder at AFL level. He hasn't had huge chances to show his stuff in that area of the ground, but made the most of it in that patch from July through to September for the Knights. He can still work on his endurance and his defensive running.
He was linked to Carlton last year, so they might have a sniff again this year.
Anyway, here is my big question(s);
1. Can this guy become someones Jack Gunston?
Or 2. Is he simply just Ben Lemmon?
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