Dont get me wrong l think its great he has improved, but reading the posts you would think hes a great player and hes not. He played good on a few defensive matchups though during the season, l will give him that. But he has got a long way to go to make it to a A Grade player in the AFL.

If you want to look at the stats of 2010, he just made the top 10 at the club.

He only edged out Fev by 37 possessions and Kruzer by 14 possessions.

I hope he becomes an A Grade player at the club. But he is still a B/C grade player in my books.

The reason I ask is that I've watched all the 2nd half season games and all bar 5 from the first half, and I cannot remember Russell's bout of the kick in Blues. I remember vivdly Johnson's 4 goal assists to the Doggies from his kick ins.

I think the better Carlton developed as a team, the better Russell became, or he was one part of the improvement.

No doubt imo Russell was the real standout in the last 6 rounds. His ability to create run along with Bower from the backline and ability to break lines with his pace was one reason for our revival. He's also a beautiful kick in those games too.

I think he got his shit together and everything seemd to click for him at age 22. Not bad for a kid who is definetely blossoming.

Surely if you went to 17 games you would have seen the signs that Russell has improved, especially after being dropped to the Bullants. I did.
A lot of others in the football public, including callers of the game discovered the coming of Russell in the last 6 games.

Have a close look to his last 6-8 games, I'm sure you'll be surprised. He definetely played like a tough top 10 player. Bloody good kick nowdays, and was very impressive at training 2 weeks ago.

I expect more improvement because he's still young at 23 in 2010.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

The reason I ask is that I've watched all the 2nd half season games and all bar 5 from the first half, and I cannot remember Russell's bout of the kick in Blues. I remember vivdly Johnson's 4 goal assists to the Doggies from his kick ins.

I think the better Carlton developed as a team, the better Russell became, or he was one part of the improvement.

No doubt imo Russell was the real standout in the last 6 rounds. His ability to create run along with Bower from the backline and ability to break lines with his pace was one reason for our revival. He's also a beautiful kick in those games too.

I think he got his shit together and everything seemd to click for him at age 22. Not bad for a kid who is definetely blossoming.

Surely if you went to 17 games you would have seen the signs that Russell has improved, especially after being dropped to the Bullants. I did.
A lot of others in the football public, including callers of the game discovered the coming of Russell in the last 6 games.

Have a close look to his last 6-8 games, I'm sure you'll be surprised. He definetely played like a tough top 10 player. Bloody good kick nowdays, and was very impressive at training 2 weeks ago.

I expect more improvement because he's still young at 23 in 2010.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

If you consider he played games in the Ants, those stats stack up quite well AND I think the best thing to go by is his 6th in the B&F, once again a remarkable achievement considering he was dropped. He was actually the top vote getter for the club from rounds 14 onwards in the B&F which shows his value, at least in the minds of the MC.

_________________
You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

Yeah i agree hellas, well said.

_________________
When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way!

Give the guy a break. His first half of the year was poor but to his credit after being dropped he came back a much more determined, confident and exciting player. If he can finish top ten in our b and f under those circumstances, maybe its not implausible for him to do even better this year.

While I agree its a bit premature to label him a potential A grader, I'd be happy to settle for consistent B grade - we still need plenty of them!!!

Definitely in our best 18 right now.

_________________
Go Baggers...

And he was in the ants for a reason i guess.

Im not doubting that he has improved this season, but he has to improve a lot more if he wants to be a A grade player for the club. I still think he is a B/C grader at the club.

If your only praising for his improvement last year, then fine. But, if your saying theres not a lot more for JR to improve on then thats where l have a beef.

Thats all. Carlton needs atleast 6-8 A Grade players if we are going to be a premiership team.

Yeah agree, best 18

But B&F top ten does not mean much at all. Didnt teague, lance carrazzo win the B&F.

His performance in 2009 was excellent. This thread is about discussing how we hope his performance in 2010 will be even better.

I will more than settle for him being a consistent B grader....whats wrong with that ?.....u think premiership players like Peter Dean, Earl Spalding, Jimmy Buckley ,Fraser Brown etc were not vital even though not A graders ?

You say his performance was excellent? but im just saying he needs to improve a lot more.

His core skills are good, but if he can handle himself better under pressure, make better decisions, kick goals instead of behinds 95% of the time and tackle better , he will be a lot better.

Jimmy Buckley not an A grader??????? Kidding, aren't you?

A B&F and 3 premierships not good enough for you?

_________________
Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

Jimmy Buckley was definitely A Grade. In my opinion he edges out Sheldon and Ashman (big call I know) as the best of our famed mosquito fleet. Tough, uncompromising and very talented, at his best he was very very good.

_________________
Go Baggers...

Buckley in any other jumper would be hailed as a great of the game - for us we was just another premiership player

_________________
This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

It was actually an errant handball from Judd that came very low at his feet. JR got down low and one grabbed it without breaking stride. He then straightened up, put two lengths on his opponent with some devastating acceleration and proceeded to nail it from 50. It was probably one of the most exciting bits of play for the year for me. I've waited a long long time for JR to take the game on like that and finally, in the pressure of his first final and in a game where others were fumbling he decided to really back himself, with devastating results. Players that can accelerate, run and carry and then dispose of the ball in a clean manner are the matchwinners in today's football. To me, JR looks set to become just this type of player for us.

_________________
You want the flame? Give us the marbles!!

Yeah, think you're right. But the last six games, inc the final, his kick ins were very good, and I thought they were excellent at the Gabba (check the replay). For most of the season we had been crying out for someone to be able to deliver it from the kick-ins.

lots of guys played in 79,81,82....Mark McLure an A grader also ?.....Buckley can have a B&F get together with McKernan, Carrazzo and Teague , .....JB was a very good player but not a superstar....not a genuine A grader like a rob Harvey, Nathan Buckley, Chris Judd, Brent Harvey, Andrew McLeod, Michael Voss, Kouta, Tim Watson kinda way....Jimmy did play for Vic but wasn't a walk up start like the best mids of the time....

Jim Buckley was an A grader.

Tough, uncompromising and highly skilled in Aussie Rules.

His record speaks for itself.

Jim Buuckley wasn't beaten whether he played forward, midfield, or even when he was underdone and playing in the BP coming back from hammies, he still starred....and kicked the ball 60m.

I don't know what people are talking about considering him as a B Grader.

Back in 79-82 players who played at A level were paid that. Whether it was in brown paper bags or not is irrelevant.

@#$%&! he was good to watch.

How many B graders started playing footy at 15 or 16.....in the seniors?

Get you heads out of the sand. I know it was a long time ago, but for me it was just yesterday.

Sure age and the piss caught up to him, but even till his last breath at senior level he was considered as a star and a match winner.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

So tell me this.

People don't rate JR and people don't rate Dale Thomas. Yet Thomas would be considered a definate starter in Collingwoods best 22 and JR not to ours.
As players who are often under the spotlight i think JR would offer more to either side.

So top 10 pick or not JR is a great acquisition to our list, he gives us options all in the one player.

So lets move on bout JR .....

_________________
I know a little secret. And i'm not sharing.

The thing is, Buckley played in a time when people watched footy, enjoyed themselves and weren't pretentious enough to debate whether a player is A grade, B grade or C grade.