For quite a while Jordan has been a sticking point in the middle east. A country that splits opinions, beholden to the West yet ingratiated with the East or at least the Islam east.
Jordan Russell is a similar character.
After being taken Pick 9 in the 2004 draft the hopes of many Carlton supporters lay on his chest. Walker had already given a sign that he would be a superstar against the Eagles in his first game in 2004 That was a stamp of authority saying our first pick after the penalties was a good one.
Our second pick after Walker was Russell in 2004. Pick 9, you do not expect greatness, but you do expect something.
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But those who have lamented Jordan not being dropped over the last two years should really look at his output over four quarters. Not brilliant not terrible, week after week Jordan has avoided the ‘relegation zone’ of the last four players.
In that repect I have no problem with Jordan being kept in the side for 31 games in a row. In those 31 games he only finished in the last four 3 times, two of those times it was on the edge, 19th, the only time he finished deep in the relegation zone was round 9, 2009 when he finished 21st. After finishing 17th in round 10 nhe was then dropped, based on that evidence I do not think anti-Russell people have too much to whinge about. It might not be brilliant but his record was consistant over a season and a half.
He has certainly improved in 2009, but one form slump has meant being dropped from the team. That is the way it should be. I might not think he will make it long term, but at the moment, if he does get back in the senior team and improve again, he will be in for a lot longer than another 31 games. If he is, and he contributes positively to the team week in week out I will be a very happy Carlton supporter.
For more of this crap: http://www.navyblueblog.com/archives/158
Very basic summary - I don't think Jordan is up to it at senior level, but at the same time, he has been good enough to justify a 31 game unbroken streak. He was dropped plenty early in his career. He has only been dropped again once he has dropped into the relegation zone.
So some good fence sitting.
