Player Watch Jack Buller

[Bussie]

Buller played a role last night, he wasn't overly sighted, but neither was Cal Wilkie.
There's also the occasion of Buller's first game on the MCG, something that would be significant for any player. I'm happy to let him settle in and be a target.
At some stage, we'll have a forward line without Elliott and Membrey, West and Buller will easily fill those roles. The future is exciting, short term pain, long term gain.
With Hill not out there, replacing a small with a tall plays havoc with the opposition's defence, maybe we won't have to wait too long, someone could make a great decoy. Stats may not show the job that was actually done.

 

[manicpie]

Best 22 isn’t a strong word, it’s a description of the fact that he was getting a game in a strong Brisbane and Collingwood side.

You need to look stats of McStay’s second half of 2023 because he had more than 2 good games.

He was nothing more than a decoy for Brisbane. He had his best 7 games in his life at the back end of 23. He's not the first player to have a little purple patch. He's done nothing since. He's now the main target, which is what's important and he's useless. The sooner he's overtaken, the better we'll become. 7 games doesn't make a career. He's just not that good I'm afraid

 

[Bussie]

I don't think Tim was rubbish. If had kicked straight he would have had 3 and at least he was leading and taking marks.
I wasn't even sure if McStay was even out there for a lot of the game.

And going back and having a shot, even after a couple of misses. Shows some character.

 

[granniewolf]

I’d give Dan a break. He’s battled a couple of injuries in the preseason, then come out round 0 and had an impact on the game. He has a good aerial game, and can kick long goals. He’s still v important for us.

In my opinion he's not dependable and I wonder if he hangs back at times due to not wanting to get another injury.

 

[Kappa]

Every single forward was basically rubbish last night, so not sure why we expect a kid playing his tenth game or whatever to be any better.

Give him a few games to settle. And a better, more predictable and clear midfield system.

Having said that, very poor hands. I hope that's just nerves.

It wasn’t just his hands, his decision making and ball use was very very bad.

Needs some vfl games to get confidence I reckon, no need to rush games into him. We can easily play West or just Mcstay Menbrey and a more mobile forward line. If he plays like that against the crows it could cost us the game

 

[domus]

It wasn’t just his hands, his decision making and ball use was very very bad.

Needs some vfl games to get confidence I reckon, no need to rush games into him. We can easily play West or just Mcstay Menbrey and a more mobile forward line. If he plays like that against the crows it could cost us the game

He did seem to flat hand the pill in the air and didn't look like clunking one last night, but he crashed packs and put his body on the line. I'm sure he can mark. Leppa spent a whole season tracking him. Just keep playing him as long as he presents, causes spillage and doesn't fly in the same contest with McStay or West. He has to get a chance to build confidence and belief. He'd never been on the G before last night and is suddenly playing in front of 82K with nowhere to hide.

 

[TW Sherrin]

I don't think Tim was rubbish. If had kicked straight he would have had 3 and at least he was leading and taking marks.
I wasn't even sure if McStay was even out there for a lot of the game.

Membrey was the same guy from 2025. Low possession high impact.

Last night his shots were from 50m instead of 30 - 40m. that was the difference.

 

[Bianconeri]

He was nothing more than a decoy for Brisbane. He had his best 7 games in his life at the back end of 23. He's not the first player to have a little purple patch. He's done nothing since. He's now the main target, which is what's important and he's useless. The sooner he's overtaken, the better we'll become. 7 games doesn't make a career. He's just not that good I'm afraid

He’s not that good but he’s also bat as and as you make him out to be.

 

[jimmy35]

He’s willing but looked a bit lost. Shitty game to play a forward as against the superflood coach. Big Dan and Billy were quiet as well. Members didn’t do a lot but could’ve kicked 4 which would’ve been match winning.
I’m in the keep playing their big fella camp for a while.

 

[TradeDraft]

Buller played a role last night, he wasn't overly sighted, but neither was Cal Wilkie.
There's also the occasion of Buller's first game on the MCG, something that would be significant for any player. I'm happy to let him settle in and be a target.
At some stage, we'll have a forward line without Elliott and Membrey, West and Buller will easily fill those roles. The future is exciting, short term pain, long term gain.
With Hill not out there, replacing a small with a tall plays havoc with the opposition's defence, maybe we won't have to wait too long, someone could make a great decoy. Stats may not show the job that was actually done.

and I dare say the biggest he has played in front of ever

 

[TradeDraft]

He was nothing more than a decoy for Brisbane. He had his best 7 games in his life at the back end of 23. He's not the first player to have a little purple patch. He's done nothing since. He's now the main target, which is what's important and he's useless. The sooner he's overtaken, the better we'll become. 7 games doesn't make a career. He's just not that good I'm afraid

Because he been pretty much Injured since then

 

[manicpie]

Because he been pretty much Injured since then

He was exactly the same at Brisbane. Really average key forward. He doesn't lead or provide a target down the line, let alone take marks and kick goals. I don't know what you see in him. We're not winning the flag with Dan at ff. Compare him to the genuinely good sides key forwards. Can't wait for West and McCarthy to come on.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

I don’t want to say it because I think he’ll get better as the season goes on and kick a few for us. Some of his contest work resulted in goals (McStay and Steele)…

…but I just finished the replay and he showed some traits that makes me think he’d be a good defender.

 

[WanderingDude]

I don’t want to say it because I think he’ll get better as the season goes on and kick a few for us. Some of his contest work resulted in goals (McStay and Steele)…

…but I just finished the replay and he showed some traits that makes me think he’d be a good defender.

Insert my loud scream here. Just arrived and not even left foot prints in our forward line yet.

 

[sr36]

He was exactly the same at Brisbane. Really average key forward. He doesn't lead or provide a target down the line, let alone take marks and kick goals. I don't know what you see in him. We're not winning the flag with Dan at ff. Compare him to the genuinely good sides key forwards. Can't wait for West and McCarthy to come on.

He's too reliant on contested marks. Too slow on the lead without the craft of Membrey and very little ground level game. I was seduced because some of his clunks are just such strong clunks, but never going to be reliable when you're not huge without much of a leap and relying on contested marks against AFL defenders.

 

[WanderingDude]

The pre-pies McStay had a reputation as a link high half forward connection player. The forward positions were Daniher and Hipwood. At Collingwood post injuries he doesn’t perform that role.

 

[cityslick1]

In my opinion he's not dependable and I wonder if he hangs back at times due to not wanting to get another injury.

He’s still getting confidence back in his body. Three weeks ago the guy was in the rehab group, doing only minor drills and looking like a 25/75 chance of playing round 1. & He was our only key forward to kick a goal on the weekend. He does not shirk a contested situation, and I think you’ll see him clunk more in the coming weeks, as his confidence and fitness improves.

 

[magpiewarrior]

Guys, there seems to be 2 different conversations going and referring to player as “he” doesn’t necessarily help.
However, this thread is about Buller not McStay, so how about taking the “McStay” convo to the McStay thread?

 

[LuckyLee]

To think that Gold Coast had the luxury of leaving out two quality key forwards in Jed Walter and JUH in their opening round demolition of the Cats. Walter was a No.3 pick and JUH a No.1.

(Oh, and they had a newly-minted Brownlow Medallist sitting in the stands, too.)

Meanwhile, we've been rummaging around in the bargain barrel again, looking for a decent second-hand 2-wood to replace the old broken one that we had to throw out.

Good luck, Jack! Good luck, Charlie!

 

[Jen2310]

To think that Gold Coast had the luxury of leaving out two quality key forwards in Jed Walter and JUH in their opening round demolition of the Cats. Walter was a No.3 pick and JUH a No.1.

(Oh, and they had a newly-minted Brownlow Medallist sitting in the stands, too.)

Meanwhile, we've been rummaging around in the bargain barrel again, looking for a decent second-hand 2-wood to replace the old broken one that we had to throw out.

Good luck, Jack! Good luck, Charlie!

Tbf, Walter was suspended.

 

[LuckyLee]

Tbf, Walter was suspended.

Ah, good point, Jen! I'd forgotten that.

They didn't seem to need him though. Or JUH. Or Rowell. Their list depth/quality is almost comical.

 

[Vicky Park]

He was nothing more than a decoy for Brisbane. He had his best 7 games in his life at the back end of 23. He's not the first player to have a little purple patch. He's done nothing since. He's now the main target, which is what's important and he's useless. The sooner he's overtaken, the better we'll become. 7 games doesn't make a career. He's just not that good I'm afraid

I may be wrong, but I’m getting the impression you’re not a Dan fan.

Re Buller, I must have missed aspects of his game while watching it live. Because he played better in the replay. He’s a competitor, and if he can build on that by taking marks and kicking goals - you know, the stuff forwards are meant to do - then he will be good enough while we wait (crossing all fingers and toes) for West and McCarthy to come on.

 

[VinnieB]

 

[VinnieB]

I may be wrong, but I’m getting the impression you’re not a Dan fan.

Re Buller, I must have missed aspects of his game while watching it live. Because he played better in the replay. He’s a competitor, and if he can build on that by taking marks and kicking goals - you know, the stuff forwards are meant to do - then he will be good enough while we wait (crossing all fingers and toes) for West and McCarthy to come on.

Yep, inexperienced key forward plays his first AFL game for new club and doesn’t light it up. Who would have thought…..

 

[BillyElliott]