![C4[2]Yo`DooR](https://www.bigfootycontent.com/avatars/m/21/21849.jpg?1724656646){kind=avatar}
- Dec 18, 2005
- 17,630
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- GAVROI MOUNIA... GAMW TON PIRAEA
Hey everyone,
Now, I normally don't like to be a negative poster - and I especially don't like cutting down or being harsh on young players who try hard and have had to do it tough in what has been a struggeling side since 2002 with no real leadership .. and yes its still the early days of season 2008 and our romancing period of having Ratts at the helm and our influx of new recruits is still ongoing, however ....
After watching the replay of the Carlton vs. Freo exhibition match in South Africa, last night - It became apparant to me that surely now, even the most pro-Wayne Hughes fans (Hello Gilly1972
) must acknowledge that the selection of Jordan Russell at pick #9 in 2004 was a drafting disaster.
In what was retrospectively fairly solid draft - we can at least take solace in the fact that we weren't alone in botching our first round pick: Egan (Collingwood, pick #10), John Meesen (Adelaide, pick #8), Adam Thompson (Port Adelaide, pick #11), Danny Meyer (Richmond, pick #12), Andrew McQualter (St. Kilda, pick #17), Ryan Willits (Port Adelaide, pick #19). However, I beleive that punting on Russell so early in the draft could be the biggest drafting blunder our side has ever made.
Now I know what you're thinking: "But C4, surley selecting Luke Livingston at #4 in 2000 was a bigger disaster, given the output??".
I strongly disagree, on the basis that prior to the 2000 draft - Luke Livingston was an impressive CHF/FF for both Kerang and the Bendigo Pioneers, before we destroyed his career by grooming him to play soley as a defender to account for the loss of Silvagni. Livingstons draft camp results were outstanding and he was highly touted to be a top #5 selection. As far as I'm concerned, no one can throw stones at the decision to select Livingston at #4. Russell however, is a different kettle of fish; on the basis that he was never spoken all that highly of within the SANFL or even pre-draft, Russell was almost a smokey selection, given that he probably would have been available come the 2nd round (again, no one knows for sure).
Russell might have bulked up considerably since his recruitment - however, the fact is - he just cannot play football, and since season 2005 I've yet to see Jordan do anything to even suggest he may make it as a firm contributer (like all first rounder selections should be) to our side. One performance that springs to mind, is his blanketting job on guys like; Luke Power, Brent Harvey (although Harvey still managed to kick 4 goals that game) etc, however, with the emergence of Ryan Jackson from the rookie list and his fantastic efforts on the likes of Robert Harvey, I feel that Jordan's fate has been sealed and his contribution to the side is that as such; i can't even find a place for him on the bench in our 'best line up'.
Whilst a lot of you may think I'm being harsh on him, I will acknowledge that YES: he has had to do it tough in a side with which previously had no leadership, no results and no direction. He's also had to play under a narrowminded game plan devised by a senile old man who refused to beleive that the game had passed him by. However, now even with a new coach and an entirely new game plan along with an influx of class, leadership and prosperity into our beloved club - It is apparant to myself atleast, that Jordan still lacks what it takes to contribute firmly to our side, week in-week out.
Personally, in 2006 when Jordan decided to stay at Carlton, I was quite happy. Back then I felt that he still could add a whole lot to our side, but since then given the changes to our club - I have formed an opinion that unless he has a stand out (or break out) year - come October/November, he will be surplass to requirements.
One school of thought that can be undertaken for those watching Jordan throughout season 2008, is that given the changes to our club; he could be to looked at as a 'new recruit' so to speak, this could be justified by the years under Pagan being wasted years and have little to no impact on his own personal development (besides knowing where the benches were at various grounds).
Would Jordan Russell have come under so much scrutiny if he had been a 2nd/3rd round selection? - who knows ? Would the fact that he looks lost on the ground and has no real set position for our side be overlooked?
But one thing is for sure; I hope the boy proves me wrong.
Now, I normally don't like to be a negative poster - and I especially don't like cutting down or being harsh on young players who try hard and have had to do it tough in what has been a struggeling side since 2002 with no real leadership .. and yes its still the early days of season 2008 and our romancing period of having Ratts at the helm and our influx of new recruits is still ongoing, however ....
After watching the replay of the Carlton vs. Freo exhibition match in South Africa, last night - It became apparant to me that surely now, even the most pro-Wayne Hughes fans (Hello Gilly1972
) must acknowledge that the selection of Jordan Russell at pick #9 in 2004 was a drafting disaster.In what was retrospectively fairly solid draft - we can at least take solace in the fact that we weren't alone in botching our first round pick: Egan (Collingwood, pick #10), John Meesen (Adelaide, pick #8), Adam Thompson (Port Adelaide, pick #11), Danny Meyer (Richmond, pick #12), Andrew McQualter (St. Kilda, pick #17), Ryan Willits (Port Adelaide, pick #19). However, I beleive that punting on Russell so early in the draft could be the biggest drafting blunder our side has ever made.
Now I know what you're thinking: "But C4, surley selecting Luke Livingston at #4 in 2000 was a bigger disaster, given the output??".
I strongly disagree, on the basis that prior to the 2000 draft - Luke Livingston was an impressive CHF/FF for both Kerang and the Bendigo Pioneers, before we destroyed his career by grooming him to play soley as a defender to account for the loss of Silvagni. Livingstons draft camp results were outstanding and he was highly touted to be a top #5 selection. As far as I'm concerned, no one can throw stones at the decision to select Livingston at #4. Russell however, is a different kettle of fish; on the basis that he was never spoken all that highly of within the SANFL or even pre-draft, Russell was almost a smokey selection, given that he probably would have been available come the 2nd round (again, no one knows for sure).
Russell might have bulked up considerably since his recruitment - however, the fact is - he just cannot play football, and since season 2005 I've yet to see Jordan do anything to even suggest he may make it as a firm contributer (like all first rounder selections should be) to our side. One performance that springs to mind, is his blanketting job on guys like; Luke Power, Brent Harvey (although Harvey still managed to kick 4 goals that game) etc, however, with the emergence of Ryan Jackson from the rookie list and his fantastic efforts on the likes of Robert Harvey, I feel that Jordan's fate has been sealed and his contribution to the side is that as such; i can't even find a place for him on the bench in our 'best line up'.
Whilst a lot of you may think I'm being harsh on him, I will acknowledge that YES: he has had to do it tough in a side with which previously had no leadership, no results and no direction. He's also had to play under a narrowminded game plan devised by a senile old man who refused to beleive that the game had passed him by. However, now even with a new coach and an entirely new game plan along with an influx of class, leadership and prosperity into our beloved club - It is apparant to myself atleast, that Jordan still lacks what it takes to contribute firmly to our side, week in-week out.
Personally, in 2006 when Jordan decided to stay at Carlton, I was quite happy. Back then I felt that he still could add a whole lot to our side, but since then given the changes to our club - I have formed an opinion that unless he has a stand out (or break out) year - come October/November, he will be surplass to requirements.
One school of thought that can be undertaken for those watching Jordan throughout season 2008, is that given the changes to our club; he could be to looked at as a 'new recruit' so to speak, this could be justified by the years under Pagan being wasted years and have little to no impact on his own personal development (besides knowing where the benches were at various grounds).
Would Jordan Russell have come under so much scrutiny if he had been a 2nd/3rd round selection? - who knows ? Would the fact that he looks lost on the ground and has no real set position for our side be overlooked?
But one thing is for sure; I hope the boy proves me wrong.
