Despite the occasional brain fade JR is solidifying his spot in the team with improved performances. He's maturing into a excellent player and leader.

Walkers journey this season is a journey I'm most interested in. Finally, an injury free year to really assess what he's capable of. He needs more strings to his bow than just the ability to run. He has hardness and intensity but need to complete his work effectively.

Both are equally important to our side but they need to be consistently better finishers for us as a team to be more effective.

Wow, fickle much?

Early last year people complaining that Russell seemed undroppable regardless of how shite he was. Lo and behold, he played week in week out, grew in stature and confidence and he has finally arrived.

Why not with Walker? Okay, he has been around longer than Russell but has been in & out of the team due to injury for much of his time here. Give him a defined role and enough time to get that same rythm and confidence in his game and he will deliver.

+1 Good post!

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

You could easily swap Walker's name for Simpson and Waite who waste their touches, yet rarely get criticised (if not at all) for their poor disposal and missed targets.

Walker has a lot in common with Waite...

As a fourth year player, Walker was playing better footy than Russell before he broke down.

I'm just glad to see Walker get through games in one piece.

JR easily, for now anyhow

JR has a settled role, and his kicking has improved markedy

Walks due to injuries hasn't settled yet, and his usage isn't as good as JRs right now

Walks can run and run, and is tough, and is quick, and is versatile, so hopefully once he settles into a position his usage will improve

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

Russell is ahead of Walker at the moment, Walker imo last night look not up too the AFL level. It's a damn shame.

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#23: Lachlan Henderson

Give walker 22 games. Will be smashing them. Confidence is a beautiful thing.

From my vantage point high in the Great Southern stand I must agree with this. He did so much unrewarded running and busted a gut. So important in the modern game and a vital member of our best 22. Yes it was a bit "heart in the mouth stuff" when he had the ball but with his extended payoff over the past couple of years, he needs consistent game time. His decision making seemed rushed so with more game time that should come on ok. Will be fascinating the watch.
Loved Jordan's dash and run!

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

At the moment yeah, but Walker has had serious injuries which has stalled his development. I voted for Russell purely on current form. You get Walker up and going which he will, then my vote may change. I like them both, that's the most important thing.

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1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!

Agree with other posters that we must do a JR with Tex and let him settle in, FFS.

With Aussie nowhere in sight , what happens if Jamo goes down? If this happened, I'd be putting Tex back there and ask him to play tall, very much like what he did in his first few years. Could really help him consolidate in the side. He can play anywhere (and has!), why not?

Shocking time for this poll. Walker's barely played much in 2 years and even then his return in 2008 after injury was outstanding. Bit hard to expect that again a 2nd year in a row as you can only miss so many pre-season and half-seasons. Be much smarter waiting.

Funny, we drafted Russell he was described in this exact role he's playing. Took us all this time to put him there.

Took all this time for him to grow into the role.

Anyone who expected Tex to hit the ground running after basically 2 years out of the game was kidding themselves and begging to be disappointed.

Lets wait and see where he is in Round 12 after hopefully an uninterupted start to the season.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Both good players.

3 years ago Walker was one of our top 3 players.
Injury has hindered Walker's form whilst Russell has played non stop during that injury period.

I thought Walker was OK against the Tiggers...not his brilliant best though.

I expect Walker to be the better of the two, but for now, Russell is easily ahead of Walker on form imo.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Russell has become a good player by solid work ethic.....Walker has more talent but could do well to follow JR's mature outlook both on and off the field...

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Think Walker's work ethic is pretty @#$%&! solid EB.

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STURDYISM!!

Suppose its a tick for the match committee as they have stuck by him and its now paying off. Some of us would have axed Russell after his 2nd season.

I wasnt pointing the finger at AW's work ethic either during the game or at training but just pointing out that JR has become a regular senior player due to his work ethic and honing of skills...JR doesnt have the athletic capabilities of AW to fall back on and has had to improve his attack on the footy and nous on the footy field.
I think JR is a more mature individual and that when AW matures we will see a much better player....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

This is Walkers 7th season as an AFL footballer. Its time we stop looking at him as a 'developing' player. The gap between him and Cooney is scary.

Unfortunately the gap between number of games is greater - 136 versus 88 - that's 2+ seasons of footy.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

I see your point but the gap between Cooney and everyone else in that darft is cavernous.

Lets ee what he is like now his shoulders are right (touching wood.............. now)
(Walker - Our Gumby?)