First to 100 games - Menzel, Buckley, Docherty or Graham?

[Kensa Carter]

From The Age's 'Live AFL blog with Rohan Connolly'

Who's the first to 100 games for Carlton- Menzel, Buckley or Graham?

• Hi Ali, Very good question. I can't understand why Graham hasn't played more, liked him from his very first intra-club games last year. At a pinch, I'd say Menzel given his head start, while midfield duties week in, week out may take more of a physical toll on Buckley, but really good to see Carlton come up with some genuine young talent as a group for the first time in a while.​

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...an-connolly-20140428-37crx.html#ixzz30Ak9Oxjs

-I'm thinking Graham myself. Kid has the work-rate and the attitude. Big bodied, and no signs of injury so far. I think once he cements his place, whenever it is, he won't float in and out of the side.
-Connolly raises a fair point. Buckley's slight frame is a bit of a concern for the crash and bash of the midfield.
-Menzel's LARS has me worried. The longest lasting LARS in the AFL is 3.5 old. If it goes, he'll likely go hamstring, which means 9-12 months off.

What do you think? Show your workings.

 

[HARKER]

What a clever question form a clever guy.........

I hope it's Menzel for the obvious reasons (don't want to see him go down with a knee) and that Graham and Buckley follow with 93 and 95 respectively.

 

[Dramoth]

I reckon that it will be Buckley. Now he is in there, you will have to knock him out to get him out of the side... and even then, you might have to put him in a pine box to try and stop him from running out with the rest of the boys.

 

[BM123]

Menz. Supreme talent.

*touch wood

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[HBF]

Bucks.
Even though he came in late, reckon he's probably a lock in our best 22 just ahead of Menzel and then Graham.
With the retirements of Scotland, Carrazzo and Judd on the horizon I can see Bucks maintaining his spot.
A small running defender that can do into the midfield is the type of player we don't have alot at our club.

 

[jaymasha]

In a perfect world, they'd all play their 100th game at the same time.

In a grand final.

That we win.

But I can see Buckley playing 100 first.


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[AB_Blue]

As long as they all get there I'm
Happy. Future leadership group?

 

[I bleed Blue]

Menz.

\thread

 

[BALKAN]

Menzel Washington

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Gut feeling says Buckley.
Graham has been told that there's aspects of his game that he needs to work on, so he's being given more time in the 2s to develop that. Menzel's knees do worry me and I feel like there might be a slightly more conservative approach to his playing time than to Buckley's.

Also, Buckley rules.

 

[Styxx]

I know he had a hiccup, but are we lightly pessimistic Troy winds up like his brother?

 

[thylacine60]

don't get that

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

I know he had a hiccup, but are we lightly pessimistic Troy winds up like his brother?

No, but I think a conservative approach in this instance may be warranted. What's the point in pushing him too hard, too fast? As Kensa Carter mentioned in the original post, LARS seems to have an expiry date and it's worth our while to be aware of that.

 

[Blueboys]

Buckley IMO

 

[etsal1]

They'll all get there.

Not fussed who is first.

 

[thylacine60]

Menzel is the worry, injury-prone and too slight. Wouldn't expect to see him on our list after next year unless he really starts to show something.

 

[Aphrodite]

zeeCFC have you seen this thread!

 

[Aphrodite]

Menzel is the worry, injury-prone and too slight. Wouldn't expect to see him on our list after next year unless he really starts to show something.

etsal1 hates this post.

 

[thylacine60]

zeeCFC have you seen this thread!

He started it.

 

[Aphrodite]

He started it.

Zee is Kensa Carter!

 

[etsal1]

Menzel is the worry, injury-prone and too slight. Wouldn't expect to see him on our list after next year unless he really starts to show something.

only you.

 

[etsal1]

I was just trying to be fair, we all know Menz has this in the bag

 

[blues4flag]

Barring injury, I'd say Menzel is the only guarantee to even play 100 games at his stage. Buckley looks likely to reach the milestone but I think the hype perhaps exceeds the reality at the moment. Graham is still an unknown. Despite his standout performances in the VFL, he still isn't getting a game, even when with the 6 changes we made this week.

Sorry for being a bit of a downer but we are generally optimistic creatures and we are prone to getting carried away at times.

 

[BM123]

Barring injury, I'd say Menzel is the only guarantee to even play 100 games at his stage. Buckley looks likely to reach the milestone but I think the hype perhaps exceeds the reality at the moment. Graham is still an unknown. Despite his standout performances in the VFL, he still isn't getting a game, even when with the 6 changes we made this week.

Sorry for being a bit of a downer but we are generally optimistic creatures and we are prone to getting carried away at times.

Buckley's suits the hype to me.

Graham will be a good replacement for Mclean long term but I don't think he will be the first to 100 games.

 

[blues4flag]

Buckley's suits the hype to me.

Graham will be a good replacement for Mclean long term but I don't think he will be the first to 100 games.

He's good but the praise he was receiving at half time here exceeded his performance. I think a lot of those who watched the game on TV might have been duped by Eddie's effusive praise. The first goal he setup was excellent but Eddie mixed him up with Gibbs (who set up another goal with a sweeping handball off the HBF) and attributed to Buckley a few times throughout the call.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited by what he's done so far but he's still in the honeymoon period of his career where we're willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and gloss over any of his mistakes.