Jordan Russell in 2006.

budzy · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:17 am **Posts:** 8128

I only saw him play a few games on TV for the ants this year so my opinion of him is fairly limited but I reckon he might be a fair way off adding something meaningful to the seniors next year. Looked very light on and a bit fragile when caught in heavy traffic which is fully understandable considering his age.
Can see him continuing to develop in the bullants for most of next year with the odd senior selection every now and then.
Just wondering peoples opinions on whether he should continue to develop in the ants or be exposed to senior AFL level week in week out to learn on the job?

Tractor Boy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:22 pm

budzy wrote:

I only saw him play a few games on TV for the ants this year so my opinion of him is fairly limited but I reckon he might be a fair way off adding something meaningful to the seniors next year. Looked very light on and a bit fragile when caught in heavy traffic which is fully understandable considering his age.
Can see him continuing to develop in the bullants for most of next year with the odd senior selection every now and then.
Just wondering peoples opinions on whether he should continue to develop in the ants or be exposed to senior AFL level week in week out to learn on the job?

Not a fan of week in week out, but maybe some stints in the ones might be the way go. If his form in the twos warrants selection for the firsts , then promote him , but promote him for 4 or 5 games in a row. Keep him in the squad irrespective of his games and game time and game form during these weeks.. At least this way there is a greater opportunity to learn and develop.

By having young players bounce in and out , IMO it not only effects there current form but doesn't really help develop or there confidence. Kids need stability.

Give them a stint and then have a one on one with them, giving and getting some feedback. A game here and there doesn't give you a great overview.

But thats me. Thats how i would look at developing the kids.

keogh · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:36 am **Posts:** 6460

needs anothern year in the magoos.Does need to bulk up and was surprised he basically played in defence all year.Needs to bulk up for a number 9 pick with big wraps i was slightly disappoined,but still too early to tell.Hope he doesnt end up like Massie

Blue Vain · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:35 am **Posts:** 18061

He is still a kid adjusting to life in another state, away from family and friends.
I like the way he approaches his footy.
He has recognised that AFL football requires a huge increase in opponent accountability and discipline.
He works on trying to shut down his opponent before creating play and Mitchell tested him by putting him on the opposition best players most of the time.

Give him time. He has learnt the defensive side of AFL football and when he concentrates on creating play and being offensive, his game will go to another level.
He will make a top running HBF at worst.

A lot of young footballers just go out and try and play footy and get found out in the AFL. They dont have an understanding of developing a role and developing their game.
Jordan is well down the track.

Elwood Blues1 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:10 am **Posts:** 4827

Bit like Kade Simpson. was ..good skills but plenty of physiical development and confidence required..make a good wingman with his height and pace...
Centreline for the future should read something like this:

Walker Blackwell Russell

I think Russell will make it, hope he doesnt get discouraged if he doesnt get many senior games next season and want out back to SA

Humpers · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:28 pm **Posts:** 4958

Should have we taken either Monfries, Egan or Meyer ahead of him? It seemed that most "experts" prior to the draft last year rated these players above Russell.

I guess time will tell, however it is frustrating to see these players all show something in their first year whilst Russell is playing a defensive role with the bullants.

phoenix johnson · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:58 pm

Egan = Soft.
There's something I don't like about Monfries. Can't quite put my finger on it though.

I think we made the right decision. I agree with Elwood re: the Simmo comparison. We just have to give the kid time and ease him into it. As we haven't had too may first round picks over the past few years, and seeing the results other teams have had with theirs, we automatically assume that our first round pick will command a spot in the starting 18 within his first two years of being in the system. Doesn't work like that. They have to adjust to the system, iron out any kinks in their game plan and then start showing a bit of consistency.

I get the feeling that Blackwell and Russell will both peak at the same time and become very good players for us in the future.

billc3 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:41 pm **Posts:** 4629

Pagan's style is to play kids and let them develop (with a few exceptions,
I'm sure Walkers debut forced his hand)
I remember in 2003 he was raving about Kade Simpson yet he was hardly given a go and then back to the 2s.

I'ld say Russel and Blackwell are in the same boat...Hartlett will probably get a go also but didn;t really have a long go at the Ants to consolidate.

molsey · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:21 pm

I'm with BV on this one.

Russell has shown a heap in my book, notwithstanding the views of some anti-youth protesters. Fast, can generate space in an instant, and knows where the ball is going, his education in the back pocket would have taught him alot.

Big requirement is to slow down prior to kicking. He and Walker need to learn to do this. Russell kicks things too flat with his pace, Walker too airy. When these two mature together we'll have that zip out wide that we miss.

Russell is highly introspective and a thinker about his game. Lets hope some improved game time will lift his spirits a bit.

blu944 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:45 pm

Simpson was showing far more at this stage, he always looked like he'd be a gun as soon as put on some bulk. That said, always give these kids 4 years to show what they've got

Stefchook · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:36 am **Posts:** 8189

I'd like him to play in the seniors as much as possible next year.

I think sometimes it can be a little easier for players of his ilk to show their wares at senior level rather than reserves level. Reserves footy is much less skilled, and so there are far more contents. Senior footy is basically a game of keepings off, and if you've got some height, pace to burn and good skills, I reckon you've got a good chance of fitting in pretty quickly.

camel · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:42 pm

I'm liking a few of the posts in here. We're not a team going anywhere in a hurry, if Russell takes a bit longer to develop than we would like, so be it. We have plenty of time on our side.

phoenix johnson · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:52 pm

Exactly.

In fact I think a few people on the site are underestimating our chances of getting back to the top. I think with the young group of players we have at the moment, most of them have shown that they have what it takes to play at the top level. Add dedication and application to that, and we should have the makings of a good senior group of footballers in the next 3-4 years.

I honestly believe that our current group of "young guns" i.e Simmo, Carrots, Waite, Fisher, Betts, Thornton and Walker will lead us out of the mire that we are currently.

You could add the likes of the O'hAilpins, Hartlett, Russell, Raso, Smith and Blackwell to that list, but so far we haven't seen enough of them to make a proper judgement.

RoK · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:31 pm **Posts:** 295

From what i have read he wasn't in anybody's top 30 yet we took with our first round,i must admit i am scared yet hopeful.

phoenix johnson · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:58 pm

RoK wrote:

From what i have read he wasn't in anybody's top 30 yet we took with our first round,i must admit i am scared yet hopeful.

Matt Burgan had him going to us in his Phantom Draft last year.

CarltonClem · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:49 pm

Blue Vain wrote:

He has recognised that AFL football requires a huge increase in opponent accountability and discipline.

Obviously nobody taught Scott Camporeale this...

Anyhow, digs aside, I'm hopeful for JR, from what I saw at training, he was enthusiastic, had good pace and skills. Natural attacker and creator from what I gathered and if our more regular watchers say he's been playing more defensively to round out his game, that's a good thing. A 188cm guy who can play anywhere from HFF to wing, midfield and HF and even BP is very useful, particularly with such speed and good skills.

Teddy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:01 pm

blu944 wrote:

Simpson was showing far more at this stage, he always looked like he'd be a gun as soon as put on some bulk. That said, always give these kids 4 years to show what they've got

iirc simpson played 3 games in his first year for a total of nil possesions

dannyboy · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:03 pm

first year?

blu944 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:09 pm

Teddy wrote:

blu944 wrote:

Simpson was showing far more at this stage, he always looked like he'd be a gun as soon as put on some bulk. That said, always give these kids 4 years to show what they've got

iirc simpson played 3 games in his first year for a total of nil possesions

I'm talking about Bullants performances - He wasn't dominating games but he was showing flashes of brilliance which to me indicated he'd have something to offer the seniors once he became more man-sized

RoK · **Joined:** Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:31 pm **Posts:** 295

phoenix johnson wrote:

RoK wrote:

From what i have read he wasn't in anybody's top 30 yet we took with our first round,i must admit i am scared yet hopeful.

Matt Burgan had him going to us in his Phantom Draft last year.

PJ any one can shoot me down with fact's.

uuuuuummmmmm so get stuffed.

Jordan Russell in 2006.

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