As you said, it is an open forum.

You're also clever enough to be able to distinguish the difference between constructive criticism and "out and out bagging". One of those methods of critiquing a player, any player, is welcomed. The other, not so much.

I won't patronise you, if you offer me and the mods the same courtesy. Sound fair?

Russell's efforts on Sat were good in terms of tackling and keeping MCLeod's effect on the game to less than the previous week where he ripped Freo apart.


There are 2 downsids to Russell's game

At times when he has had to go for the ball he hasnt gone hard enough and thats a fact not an unfair criticism. Once a player is labelled as soft he has that stigma for a long time even if he does change his game in this area.

Carlton have too many soft players. its a fact that Stevens , Houlihan , Gibbs, Russell have this tag. Talk to any knowing supporter and this is confirmed. And guarenteed these players would be told every week by opposition players particularly in the Josh Carr mould.To change that player needs to keep their eyes on the ball and not deviate off the line. A guy like Kreuzer has stacks of courage. His eyes are firmly on the ball and his body goes with it. Russell needs to develop it by peforming a few courageous acts. I saw Didak drop and easy mark on Anzac day . He dropped it because he took his eyes off the ball expecting contact. He is older than Russell. Lets hope Jordan doesnt have the same reputation as Didak has. But Russell has to earn that respect by doing it. 9 tackles on the stats sheet doesnt mean your courageous.

The second problem he has is he panics when he has the ball. To kick into the man on the mark tells me he is thinking too much about actually kicking the ball and putting too much pressure on himself. Hopefully someone will have a productive word in his hear. The right thing said at the right time might be all Russell needs.

The fact is turnovers kill ya these days..In the third quarter last Sat
Gibbs Kreuzer turn over in defence
Grigg Russell miss "certain goals
Add in Chamberlian's goal and there is the Crow's winning margin.


The question has to be asked

When do you cut russell from the list
IMO there is probably 8 to 10 you would delist before Russell so he would be spared the hangman's noose for 08
But if he doesnt improve these 2 areas of his game he will definitely be gone in 09. He would have had enough chances by then.

As you said, it is an open forum.

You're also clever enough to be able to distinguish the difference between constructive criticism and "out and out bagging". One of those methods of critiquing a player, any player, is welcomed. The other, not so much.

I won't patronise you, if you offer me and the mods the same courtesy. Sound fair?

Neither Budzy or myself have abused him personally...

Grrofungers post raised what I perceived to be a potential grey area in terms of what is and isn't acceptable criticism of a TC sponsored player by the general TC usergroup.

My question was well intentioned and if you or others deemed it 'patronising' I apologise for that.

I think the term 'incessant' is a bit over the top. Neither Budzy or myself have abused him personally, and most have done no worse than has been delivered to Ackland or Lance.

Nobody should get personal to anyone, players, officials (accept Libba) or posters (accept.......no don't worry). But we should be able to give our opinions on a professional footballer who takes the field every week. If you have issues with posters going over the top, pull them up as individuals, but don't make the rest of us who have an opinion feel like we can't share it with others.

guilty consience? my post was directed at the entire board no-one specifically - and there was incessant tripe the days after the loss

OI!! I'm a fan of JR!

That's my point - don't attack the entire board for a few who can't control themselves. 'incessant tripe' is as much an over-reaction as those you accuse.

I have no guilty consience - I'm completely at peace .

ok i'll name names next time

i wasnt going to start nit picking and the general concesus and feel of the board in the wake of the adelaide loss was anti JR and full of JR bashing

If you're at peace and have nothing to worry about then why are you worried?

i stand by my opinion that the board was experiencing vast amounts of incessant tripe towards JR

you guys are missing the point and no im not overly sensitive

constructive criticism is fine and you are more than entitled to your opinions - great have them, good on ya

But some of the stuff towards JR was rubbish and offered nothing at all

i cant wait until brownlow night this year to hear demitrispew reading out
J. Russell Carlton 3 votes
i reckon you will get that once this year

Fisher hitting the post with a soda.
Fevola having a snap and ignoring an open Fisher.
Murphy missing a target inside fifty.
Judd getting run down by Johncock and not kicking the ball long.

That would sap your teammates energy more than a Russell miss.

There's your winning margin.

I wouldn't label Russell soft when he ran back with the flight to spoil Hird last year and we cleared the ball.

He won the ball well against Port last year and didn't shirk the contest when Cornes and Wilson were coming at him.

He just sidestepped them and hit the target.

Something funny Blueworld?

You disagree?!

JR is improving, and he is having a fair dinkum crack. Isn't that all we ask from our players, from Chris Judd through to Michael Shields?

They're shocking statistics that tell absolutely nothing. Murphy wins the ball in contested situations and is often under pressure from multiple midfielders.

Russell gets mainly un-contested possessions with little to no pressure and turns it over. There's a reason why Murphy is considered class, and to this point, Russell isn't.