How do we use Jordan Russell?

[CasuallyDressed]

johno played pretty well in the semi final.

i don't see somebody like russell or marley williams pushing him out of the side. williams does remind me a bit of johno though.

 

[T2B_]

I'm still on my little crusade for a defensive mid. I like the idea of Russell potentially developing as a hard tackling midfielder. But I haven't watched enough of him to know whether he is capable of doing this role. Does he have a good tackle count? good reactions, instincts in traffic? Is he fit enough to do a Ling-like run-with role? I reckon we drafted and traded very well this off season but still can't see anyone other than Luke Ball who can stick a consistent tackle at the first contest.

Watched the GF again a couple of times since Christmas. It seems to me that there was a trend with whoever played Hawthorn last year - if Mitchell gets the ball, you lose. Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith and the main reason seems to be he laid about 15 tackles, most of them seemingly on Mitchell. Who does that job for us? We don't have a spare ROK lying around but can we look to develop a hard bodied midfielder who can lock down on the opposition's key playmaker???

He averages something like 3.2 tackles over his career. That number probably won't set your world on fire, but I suppose it's not terrible either. He can get you almost 10 tackles on his day, but I dont know if he has the consistency you're looking for in that area.

Still, it's not the sort of role we used him very often in, so, he could be further developed there at the Pies. He certainly has the physical tools, there's never been any doubt there.

 

[loki04]

I'm still on my little crusade for a defensive mid. I like the idea of Russell potentially developing as a hard tackling midfielder. But I haven't watched enough of him to know whether he is capable of doing this role. Does he have a good tackle count? good reactions, instincts in traffic? Is he fit enough to do a Ling-like run-with role? I reckon we drafted and traded very well this off season but still can't see anyone other than Luke Ball who can stick a consistent tackle at the first contest.

Watched the GF again a couple of times since Christmas. It seems to me that there was a trend with whoever played Hawthorn last year - if Mitchell gets the ball, you lose. Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith and the main reason seems to be he laid about 15 tackles, most of them seemingly on Mitchell. Who does that job for us? We don't have a spare ROK lying around but can we look to develop a hard bodied midfielder who can lock down on the opposition's key playmaker???

Physically he is better equipped then either of Ling and O'keefe it's consistency that has been Russell's issue at Carltank.

Personally I think he will knock someone out of our best 22 if he gets an injury free run at it, there are potentially 4 roles he could fill with out over experimentation BP, HBF sweeper, Defensive mid and defensive forward.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Happy to sit in the fence and see how he progresses but theres plenty of upside.

 

[THATSGOLD]

I don't think there has been a year go by when someone hasnt written Johnson off. Each and every year he proves the doubters wrong. I'd back Johnson in to continue performing right up to retirement. He's just that sort of player, perenially underated yet consistent performer.

2012 wasn't his greatest year for obvious reasons. When he came back his finals series was poor. Whether his body holds up in 2013 unlike 2012 is the question.

 

[Quicky]

2012 wasn't his greatest year for obvious reasons. When he came back his finals series was poor. Whether his body holds up in 2013 unlike 2012 is the question.

True. If he is injury free I don't see why he can't keep going strong. I get the feeling many see him dropping away like O'Bree, Fraser and even Lockyer towards the end. I think he will continue getting selected and continue to perform.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Everybody drops away eventually. We are merely hoping that Johnno doesnt. Its guesswork really. Russell is a good pickup regardless, if only for depth.

Personally I think Tarks was unlucky to not be a premiership player. He didnt do an awful lot wrong, but Jarryd Blair jsut muscled his way into the side. O'Brees demise was swift but Ball was a specific recruit to replace him, and 2010 was his last season regardless. Fraser didnt suddenly fall away quickly, he'd struggled for a few years.

 

[rustyg70]

Watched the GF again a couple of times since Christmas. It seems to me that there was a trend with whoever played Hawthorn last year - if Mitchell gets the ball, you lose. Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith and the main reason seems to be he laid about 15 tackles, most of them seemingly on Mitchell. Who does that job for us? We don't have a spare ROK lying around but can we look to develop a hard bodied midfielder who can lock down on the opposition's key playmaker???

I have a feeling a Mr L. Ball will have a lot to say about this.

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

I'm an unapologetic Johnson fan. There are some interesting stats on Johnno in recent years. Greg Baum ran an article on him in 2010 or 11 which revealed that he gained more metres per game than Swan and hit more targets, this in the period when Swan was winning the Brownlow. I haven't done a breakdown on this but I'd be confident in saying that the games where Johnson plays (fit), Collingwood hardly ever lose. Don't know what it is about him but he just seems to provide really hard run out of the backline that drops away when he isn't there. I don't know why people never rate him, he has been an absolute Trojan for us over the long haul and it is only injuries in recent times that have held him back. Obviously he is unfashionable in his running style, appears to have no right foot and doesn't do anything flashy but come on!!! It is quite possible that he will start to decline this year (with age) but I would love to see him eke out one more good year and end it with a premiership.

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

I have a feeling a Mr L. Ball will have a lot to say about this.

Fair call. I'm a big Ball fan like everyone but same rules as Johnno. Now that he's nearing 30 I don't trust him to get through a full year unscathed. Obviously it would be great if he did. (touch wood). Would be good to see Josh Thomas step in to provide support this year. If he proves capable in the NAB Cup and VFL I reckon he should be thrown in against the lesser opponents to give Ball a chop out. Inside midfielders in the latter phase of their career should be managed for fatigue in the same way that ruckman are. Look at the way Geelong rotated their squad in 2011.

How does Thomas rate as a tackling, defensive midfielder? He is said to be explosive and reads the play well but can he defend? Judging by recent photos of him he now has some good size.