If you find it so hard to watch then I don't think you're cut out for watching our great game. Fact is Russell played well last week (as did Bower) and still he can't get a break.

Russell has proven ability to show he's capable of being in our best 22 - he definitely played well enough last week to keep his spot in the side & hopefully it will give him the confidence to keep playing good football as well.

Haters gonna hate.

I agree Russell OVERALL played well last week. He cops a bad wrap because some of his turnovers are damaging on the way back. But, guess what? He had 83% disposal efficiency last week. 3rd highest in the team (Marc Murphy by comparison was under 50% DE, but 2/3ds of Murph's possessions were contested and under pressure. Only 1/4 of Russells were contested).

8 marks (3rd highest) - 2 contested (2nd highest). 1 clanger (which did result in a goal to the opp), a few clearances...

He had a good game. Even without the stats based purely on observation, Russell contributed. He deserves a fair go. He would not have been one of those Ratten was referring to afterwards as disappointing.

For crying out loud, we played against a TAC team last week. Did you guys see Russell against Freo??? Stop kidding youselves, the guy has been given as much time to develop as Jobe Watson has at Essendon*, look at where both are now.

We had 7 of our best 22 out last week & he was OK, he'd be around 25-30 on our current list....the geezer never takes the game on, always leaves it to others to do the work & makes SO MANY mistakes.

1 good year out of 9 is a very poor return, some of you folk here need to get out from under the rocks youve been dwelling under.

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'The Carlton people are spirited & I'm the same as them, they have life in them, they have humor, they're arrogant, they're cocky & they're proud. And that's what I want my team to be.'

Another poor post.

What was wrong with Russell's game againts Fremantle?

JR didn't take the ball and kick it to blind space like Armfield. 20 touches, eight marks, 80% disposal efficiency, three one per centers, one clanger and four tackles. Working his way back into form after a rough trot with injury last year. Is an attacking backman when he's in form.

The pea heart you referred to crunched Pavlich after going back with the flight and putting his body on the line to spoil.

I don't understand the comparison to Watson who has two seasons on Russell.

Does JR have to be an A grader and our captain to get a game?

I guess the players are under that rock after they kept Russell in the leadership group.

I'm looking fwd to seeing a true Carlton game this week rather than the carp we had to endure last week. All I want is 100% aggression at the ball (and ball carrier) and to see us get our " running " game going again. Do this and we win comfortably.

We'll soon see.

One thing Russell doesn't do is shirk a contest.

Some of our "better rated" draft picks are known to do so.

He is not an all australian player, never will be. But I believe he can contribute to the overall team.

Sometimes his best and his worst are glaring, so if he can close that gap, he will be a handy member of the group.

I'd prefer him over Nick Maxwell, for instance.

No one would dare suggest we do something for the benefit of the club and trade Gibbs would they?

Something that would benefit the club =/= trading Gibbs

Given it's a Monday game is the 22 finalised today or tomorrow ?

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Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

For the Saints. Fisher withdrawn from squad and replaced by Tom Ledger.

22 named on Saturday arvo

Cheers Stamos

_________________
Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love

Fisher has been omitted but no other names mentioned.

But Russell is not Jobe Watson...!
I believe Watson is a key midfielder for Essendon* Bombers, whereas Russell is an athletic Carlton utility.

They are at different clubs, play different roles in different teams. They come from different families and they don't even share the same haircut or birthday!

But you're right, Aaron Joseph is certainly no Marc Le Cras!

Russells style of play is overly tentative. He plays as if he is scared to make a mistake. If people dont see this I dont know whether they are confusing Russell with another player or are genuinely taking the mickey.

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Carlton. Yes, Carlton are into the grand final!!!
- Drew Morphett, after 1999 prelim final

Who cares about russell! Talk about the game ya DUDS! BLUES BY 21

Yeah, like trading GIBBS

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What he/she said.....

Blues by 86 points.

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Go to http://www.snoutslouts.org/ for a look at the mighty GFC...

Just to start something.

I say play Russell forward this week.

That should balance things up.