Like many, I was very excited to watch Russell's great last half and particularly his last quarter where he started to show vast improvement. Loved his pass to Simpson off his left showing great composure in a pressure situation.

Talk has been he doesn't get enough of the ball, so I thought I'd see how he compared to two other top ten draft picks, Andrew Walker and Colin Sylvia.

Here's what it looks like:



Walker had a sensational year last year, regularly gathering well inside 30 possessions and lifting his game to a new level, but at similar experience his average disposals were very similar to Russell's and both slightly below Sylvia.

If not for injury Walker would be rocketing up the charts further.

Let's hope with some more confidence Russell can join him. He's certainly headed in the right direction.

Sorry verbs, but he's got a long way to go. Maybe you could do the graph on contested possessions and clanger % because that's the area of his game that lets him down. Many players get uncontested footy and use it a hellofalot better than JR does.

To give him credit, his decision making was 100% better in the last last Saturday, let's hope this continues.

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On the way UP, or on the way US?

Geez bit hard there Duke - Russell is fast becoming on of the hard nuts in the team his attack on the footy and player with the footy has been up there with the best . He is getting better and better with every game - I only wish Wiggens and Sporn had been at the same level at his age they would have been top footballers by now. Remember you cant make a clanger if you haven't got the ball

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Russell is setting a trend off the ball as well, can lay a great tackle and will always make sure he puts a shepard on. You could tell he was hungry in the Port game.

His average disposal is up by 3 on last year or a bit over. I'm sure his tackling stats would be up as well. I check it and get back to y'all.

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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!

Great last quarter you mean

Perspective

He had to do something eventually didnt he

Who was his opponent
where was the ball virtually all of the last quarter
Where did Russell play

Very lucky to be playing at all

Overall a disappointment
Had to produce something

Lets not fall into the trap of pumping up players for 20 minutes of footy which was all our way

flower Hell

I dont want to become a club which has names on lockers that are only there because

the club was shit
the list management were dumb

Houlihan is there already
Good on Russell for finally showing something for a whole quarter

But he still has question marks all over him with his kicking and decision making


Its like the Wiggo argument

You play 90 odd games you are going to some good things

Still reckon Wiggo should be delisted at the end of the year



I dont want to become a Richmond which allow the likes of Tivendale and Bowden collectively play 450 odd games.

Lets she Jordan play consistent footy for the rest of the year and play well when the team is struggling

Bit premature Verbs

He, he, he...

I always love the way you stir the pot Verbs!

As you know, I was ready to start burning Russell-effigies at three quarter time on Sunday. Then came THAT last quarter! I was pleased Ratts singled him out for his performance in that quarter too. Anyway, the stats look nice, and I hope they continue their upward trend.

Tackle stats are up. 2006: 2.1/game, 2007: 3.1 2008: 3.6.

I think his involvement in free kicks; whether for or against is up also.

For me, this means he is getting more involved in the game - from a contested ball perspective.

I think he is improving - slowly though, but I reckon that's alright. Hey, but that's me!

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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!

LADIES & GENTLEMEN!

Whoever had the prevlidge of watching the game against Port on Sunday night will agree with what I am about to say.

If Jordan plays the way he played in the last quarter against Port for 4 quarters consistency then you would have to agree that he is on the way up!

Can anyone fault his last quater against Port/

He grabbed a couple of marks put his body on the line and made some good decisions!

Jordan has the attributes to be a good player!

Ive also noticed when Jordan goes in hard for the ball we play better as a collective aswell!

However he is still very inconsistent!

They say you're only as good as your weakest link, thankfully JR played well in the last quarter on Sunday. It's true, had he not, we wouldn't have won.

If he plays like that every week, we'll be a better side, if he doesn't, he should go.

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AVERAGES

Possessions
2007 10.5
2008 13.8

Tackles
2007 3.1
2008 3.6

Marks
2007 3.9
2008 5.8

Bloody Hell.......................... I don't want to seem like the "Glass half empty" guy but you have to remember............

HE PLAYED ONE GOOD QTR.

The rest of his game was nothing short of crap.

HE cost us 2 of ports 8 goals. That's 25%! Look at it that way.

He's last qtr was as good as any i have ever seen from him (VFL level included) and looked like (dare i say it) and elite player.

Far to many times this year i've seen him miss absolute sitters, sometimes just 20mtrs from goal on the slightest of angles, when we are in a crucial moment. 4 goals from 40 games says it all.

Don't get me wrong, just cause i'm not a fan doesn't meen i don't want to see him sucseed. Quite the opposite. I'd love to see him establish himself as a regular starting 22............

But let me ask you this.............

If Walker / Houlihan / Hadley were fit................ would you choose JR over them?

If he didn't have that last qtr..................... would you pick him this week?

Again............. GREAT last QTR.............Deserves another selection for this weeks game. But he has to start doing basic football stuff like kick goals & hit targets which he has not done.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

It was an exceptional quarter, but his improvement is overall and regarded by the club. It is clear by his stats

Virgin Blue, I believe has supported this argument. I think we should let it rest a little, our criticism of him, for the time being, but that's my opinion.

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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!

Well done Jordan and keep it up!!!!

And the answer is.... not the forward line.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I think he has shown a fair bit this year, his problem is among his good work there is still a lot of rubbish.

But his good looks very good if you ask me.

Ratts played a bit of footy and I trust his judgement. He said after the port game how pleased he was with the young ones and singled out Jordan for a great second half on the 1 o'clock news. They are developing resolve as our young ones when they make a mistake, instead of hanging their head, they get straight back on their bike. He has faith in them and they will continue to repay his trust.

DITTO.

One good quarter in almost 40 games has not changed my opinion of him.

Indeed - and you never know maybe even radio commentators will actually learn your name.

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill