An idea regarding Jordan Russell

[Beloved]

I know that there's a lot of pure hatered, if not, dislike, for the Blues Board's blame recipiant, Jordan Russell, and before I begin, I'd just like to remind you all that 2009 is a new season and bashing our players isn't going to get us anywhere.

That said, I was thinking about Jordy and where he would get a spot in our team seeing as the Midfield is overflowing, he struggles under pressure so the Backline is out of the question, and, let's face is, 4 goals and 13 behinds is hardly going to get him a spot in the Forward Pocket. Taking all of those factors into mind, I was thinking that we play him off of the Forward Flank? There's usually a lot of space created on both the Wings and Flanks when play is down one end, so if we could have Jordan stay on the Flank and not move to where the ball is like most Flankers decide (or are instructed) to do, it could give us a really big advantage going forward, as well as finally play Russ into a position that he could hold onto. As much as Blues posters on this forum like to think, Russell actually has a respectable disposal efficiency, sitting at 79% for 2008. Only on three occassions this year did Russell post under 70% disposal efficiency.

Now, playing off of the Flank, Russell would undoubtedly get the chance to run into and have a shot on goal if he's charging in all alone from 60-70m out. The best part about this is that if Russell's by himself, someone's either going to have to leave their man to come out and put pressure on Russ, or Russell's going to get closer and closer and nail the easiest of goals during play. Russell isn't too bad at kicking goal during play - mostly when he gets time to think about what could wrong does he screw up. To add to the plan, if someone comes off of their man to take on Jordan, and Fevola is being double teamed like usual, we'd be in a situation where we either have two men free or Fevola is in a rare one-on-one contest, in which Russell could either put it of for Fev, or put it over the head of the contest and allow him to run on and soccer the goal.

Thoughts?

 

[diesel1]

He did play half foward this year, and Ratts better not give him a free ride next year, whoever performs at VFL level consistently like Austin did, should get a gig. We are not going to carry passangers next year. Well i hope not

 

[celtic_pride]

Most of us don't hate Jordan Russell, we just think he's a soft mummy's boy, who keeps getting games he doesn't deserve ..

Also it's not as if he's a kid we're bagging, he's been in the system for 4 years now, and I think once a player has played over 50 games and hasn't shown much improvement, which JR hasn't, I think criticism of him is fair game ..

I just think they should just make him a run-with player/tagger, he should never ever play in the foward line again, he's set shot kicking at goal is awful..

And furthermore, I'm sick of everyone blaming Denis Pagan for JR's problems, Pagan has been gone 18 months, and I also there has been far more harsh/negative coaches in the past in the VFL/AFL then pagan.
Pagan was a teddy bear compard to the likes of David Parkin or Ron Barassi ...
JR wouldn't have lasted very long in footy if he played for a coach like Ron Barassi ...

Ratten should really look JR in the eye and tell him to harden the %$$# up ..
He's got the talent, but not the confidence or courage I believe that is required right now to succeed at AFL level.

 

[Beloved]

He did play half foward this year, and Ratts better not give him a free ride next year, whoever performs at VFL level consistently like Austin did, should get a gig. We are not going to carry passangers next year. Well i hope not

I know that Russell played from Half Forward, but it's more or less a tactic to get Russell settled into a position, like we did with Waite at CHB.

And Russell does play better than those at the Bullants waiting to crack the side - he wouldn't be selected otherwise.

 

[1 Million]

My family friend is a collingwood supporter who says that he would give neone in the Collingwood midfeild (except Swan/Pendles) for RUSSEL



Russel <----> Thomas

 

[jonoman89]

If Russell could kick a set shot then he'd be a very useful player up on the HFF flank. At the moment i can't see any position he could nail.

If he doesn't average a goal a game from the HFF, he'll definitely be getting the chop.

 

[HBF]

Good post EddieB.
I'm not sure if we collectively hate JR, more that he just frustrates the hell out of us. You can see that he has some talent, but it's just silly mistakes such as turnovers and missed shots on goal that makes him a target.

Yes he did take some steps in 2008, and if he can stamp out the issues that I have already mentioned, he could become a better player in 2009. Either way, 2009 is a big year in his footballing career.

 

[Beloved]

If Russell could kick a set shot then he'd be a very useful player up on the HFF flank. At the moment i can't see any position he could nail.

If he doesn't average a goal a game from the HFF, he'll definitely be getting the chop.

Well, nobody other than Fevola, Betts and Fisher who played over half of the season averaged over a goal per game. Why would Russell not getting over one per game see reason for him "getting the chop"?

 

[Sam The Doc]

If Russell could kick a set shot then he'd be a very useful player up on the HFF flank. At the moment i can't see any position he could nail.

If he doesn't average a goal a game from the HFF, he'll definitely be getting the chop.

true about the set shot,needs to get that right, but what people dont understand he wasnt in the side for his goals last season..he and fish were given roles which were drifting down the hff (2 kicks from goal), which created more space for fev which therefore brought about fevs 99 goals.although it worked at times, it was the usual unhealthy reliance on fev.so hopefully one of he and the fish will get a gig hanging around the 40-50m mark and get involved in the goals weekly!(but first both of them need to have a big preseason in their set shots)

 

[D_unit_Bluezz]

in my opionion we should keep russel, with the influence of judd he will improve, who knows he can be a late bloomer. Not every player shines at the start.

 

[The Cranium]

Leave JR alone, I have a picture of him under my pillow......

 

[av76]

Think it a mental thing with JR. He's a big unit, who is a true athlete with good skills...Ratts and co wouldn't persist with him otherwise...they are not stupid. He just needs some confidence.

Add some more kilos over the preseason and he will be a very imposing figure. Already, he showed signs with his tackling and aggression in some of our close games last year. some more meat on his bones and some more of that physical aggression, and he will believe he belongs...then the those shots on goal will suddenly start going through the sticks. When he doesn't have time to think, his skills are actually quite good. Not everyone has the inate self belief of a Judd or a Murphy unfortunately...

HFF or a tagger would be his ideal positions I think.

 

[doh its me]

Good post EddieB.
I'm not sure if we collectively hate JR, more that he just frustrates the hell out of us. You can see that he has some talent, but it's just silly mistakes such as turnovers and missed shots on goal that makes him a target.

Yes he did take some steps in 2008, and if he can stamp out the issues that I have already mentioned, he could become a better player in 2009. Either way, 2009 is a big year in his footballing career.

As you say he has some talent but he seems to improve incrementally, not huge steps at a time,patience is the key to this guy,steady improvement bit by bit over the next couple of years may see him develop late like Wiggo,there are others who do not have the tools to make it like Bentick that we should be more concerned about.

Its just going to be hard to slot JR into the team, however there are always injuries that need to be covered.

FWIW I think he is pretty safe for another 2 years unless we get a decent offer at the trade table.

 

[len_jet]

Leave JR alone, I have a picture of him under my pillow......

are you a bottle of moisturiser and tissues on the beside table man or an old sock/rag under the bed type of man cranium?

 

[CarltonFan]

has anyone mentioned his 4th quarter against Port Adelaide at AAMI yet?
man that was awesome football, made up for every other quarter of football he has played in the AFL.

 

[Blue Dimension]

I still think his best game was the game against Port at TD in 2007. It was his most impressive performance (imo) as he ran through the midfield and broke the lines off half back.

I still think he should be played as an attacking HBF'er (even though most won't agree with me)

 

[jonoman89]

Well, nobody other than Fevola, Betts and Fisher who played over half of the season averaged over a goal per game. Why would Russell not getting over one per game see reason for him "getting the chop"?

Russell rarely ventures anywhere but his HFF flank. If you can't nail a goal with 70% game time at HFF you aren't up to scratch.

Other players offer more than Russ does. Wiggo takes big marks and can set up play, and can also tag. Eddie applies pressure and kicks freak goals. Russ is useful tagging HB's out of the game, but other players can do that.

I hope Russ can nail a spot next year, he has talent - that there's no doubt. He just can't find his feet.

 

[jonoman89]

true about the set shot,needs to get that right, but what people dont understand he wasnt in the side for his goals last season..he and fish were given roles which were drifting down the hff

Fish marks the ball though and dictates play. Russell doesn't take contested marks and is only useful with the one-two handballs to support midfielders running forwards.

 

[Salaryman]

Geee, this hasn't been done before !!

Another JR thread is just what this board needed

 

[Big Red is back]

He plays like a robot at this stage I am not expecting him to be in our best 25 next season. Hope I am wrong

 

[4blues]

My family friend is a collingwood supporter who says that he would give neone in the Collingwood midfeild (except Swan/Pendles) for RUSSEL



Russel <----> Thomas

Can someone explain this post to me, i really dont get it? Ive read it so many times but cant make sense of it, Thanks.

 

[Stubba1]

This thread says more about the posters than it says about JR

 

[krayfesh]

I've already locked in Russell for the Brownlow next year.

He obviously works best as an offensive tagger. Pick up the opposition's best rebounding defender and go nuts on him. Plus, he's big enough and quick enough to cause havoc once he gets his head right.

You can't deny that his field kicking is for the most part, gold.

 

[gbatman]

Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing him having an attacking role in the center. He's powerful, strong, solid and fast. He is also a great tackler and I have no doubt he will be much improved this year.
He would be handy in replacing Judd or someone like that in midfield rotations. He isn't a a great definsive player so the tagging roles he has had there he has struggled.

So I think an attacking on baller is the role for him with spells at half forward.

 

[Blueboys7]

Now, playing off of the Flank, , or Russell's going to get closer and closer and nail the easiest of goals during play. Russell isn't too bad at kicking goal during play - mostly when he gets time to think about what Russell would undoubtedly get the chance to run into and have a shot on goal if he's charging in all alone from 60-70m out. The best part about this is that if Russell's by himself, someone's either going to have to leave their man to come out and put pressure on Russcould wrong does he screw up. To add to the plan, if someone comes off of their man to take on Jordan, and Fevola is being double teamed like usual, we'd be in a situation where we either have two men free or Fevola is in a rare one-on-one contest, in which Russell could either put it of for Fev, or put it over the head of the contest and allow him to run on and soccer the goal.

Thoughts?

Am i missing something here?? I think there is a little thing called a half back flanker that would man up on russel. Therefore 'foiling' your whole plan about russel being alone picking up easy kicks and being able to run inside the fifty to kick an 'easy' goal....I dont get it?