I think that most of you are on the mark - he looks eager rather than timid. One thing that did surprise me on Friday night was when he did that t/o and the Tigers got a goal no one (and I mean no one - not even the runner) other than Murphy (in his 3rd game) went to him. What is that all about????? Where is our so called leadership group encouraging the kid??????

that after game last week Russell was in hospital after Croads elbow to the head and stayed in overnight - so for those who think he is scared think again and a courageous effort to play on friday
Please be patient he has only played 3 games -
Lets support our young players and dont denigrate them when the full story iis not known
After Friday night the season is gone so Russell Setanta Blackwell Kennedy all need plenty of game time

Good post frank.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

To me, he seems a long way off. I personally doubt he will make it.

I do not think he finds the ball enough, I don't think he is composed enough with the ball, and I don't think his foot skills are good enough.

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"Carlton's most loyal, their bruised and battered egos now seemingly a bad dream, drank beers, murdered pies and cheered every time Judd touched the ball."

3rs game in and in reality has not played a full game. What has he played a total off? 100 odd minutes. Fot those who write him off, give him that close to 2 full games, or close to, and see how he goes. Can not be judged on what he has shown so far

jluzza, i was sitting on that wing and watched russell for quite some time following that turnover. yes, murhpy was the first player to give him an encouraging word, but atleast 3 or 4 other guys did the same including stevens.

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Go Blues

Yeah i remember seeing when he got hit by Croad, Kouta and a few others were around and did nothing!!!!!!!
Compare that to a team like Brisbane where i remember at the start of the year Wayde Mills gave away free kick to Russell Robertson in the NAB Cup and Copeland, Voss and Michael came to defend him and tell him to stick at it.

Its hard starting out as a young player in a team like Carlton who has no leadership.

I read the same article that Frank would be referring to. With an ex player suing the club over alleged negligence by the medical staff, it probably doesn't hurt his case to be able to refer to a concussed 19 yo wandering aimlessly around the Telstra Dome car park looking for his car.

What is worse, the same player driving home in a concussed state.

If my son was drafted (and particularly sent interstate), I would hope the club had a bit more concern for his welfare.

Frank is absolutely spot on - there are probably 11 to 12 blokes on our list not up to it, we must maximise the game time of our youngsters. In other words forget about those who are not a long term proposition.

Especially Setanta, he has all the athletic attributes, just needs the education, playing in the 1sts will fast track his education.

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Get comfortable being uncomfortable

I reckon the club will select the bext possible side for the next two weeks against the Pies and Bombers, and unless win win both (highly unlikey you'd think) then they'll start to think about developing some players in the firsts.

Give the kid a break, he did no worse than plenty of others in their third game, who have gone on to have v good careers in th AFL. Give him at least 10 games this year and leave the judging to next year.

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Number 17 - come on down!

It seems we're not the only club that accuses an inexperienced player of costing them the game!

Geez, why didn't we get the great Monfries? (I'm not bagging him but basking in the irony)

http://www.bomberblitz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24962

To think that we could be worse than Essendon* fans...

The internet forum Essendon* fan is actually pretty objective with their footy, I live in Ascot Vale so I have a fair idea on the day to day Essendon* fan, and I'd like to say that I wouldn't give them as glowing an appraisal.

Andrew Walker didn't do anything much in his first two years (except his debut) and is only now truly arriving as an AFL player.

Look at the players picked after Russell in the 2004 draft:

pick #10: Chris Egan - playing VFL. Talented but soft.
pick #11: Adam Thompson - playing VFL/struggling to get a kick for Port
pick #12: Danny Meyer - playing VFL
pick #13: Mathew Bate - had a solid debut on the weekend, however is a "man child" already weighing around 90kg without as much upside as Russell.
pick #14: Angus Monfries - skilful & tough but also slow and short. Has had more opportunity than Russell playing in a stronger and more experienced team.

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There is no footy god

Certain posts in this thread remind me of the great Simmo thread of last year. I'm personally quite willing to give the boy at least until his 4th or 5th game before I jettison him into the abyss

Russell may not be ready but surely we carlton fans should be able to see the benefit of giving him a go. On friday he can't be accused of not having a go ... if anything his over-eagerness cost him a couple of frees - although i'd seen similar indiscretions unpunished by richmond players throughout the night

Give him - and some of the others - time. It may be a harsh call but playing the youngsters will probably cost us a few games in the short term but their development will help us long term. For those wanting to criticse the coach and MC lately about not thinking ahead, surely they can see we are giving chances to unproven players ahead of those we've already seen many times before.

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In WADA we trust

Play him on Thomas this week.

i like that match up,

walker on tarrent or didak?

Tarrant - he's the only one with the pace and mobility to go with him. That leaves Kouta (he's done it well in the past) or Livo on Rocca and Thornton for Fraser.

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In WADA we trust

Haha, I've actually been pleasantly surprised at the tone of the posts in this thread. I expected it to be a bit ugly and am pleased that most people are seeming to grasp the concept that kids need time and experience. With this comes a greater understanding and ability to cope with the speed of the game, a greater number of experiences to call on, and probably most importantly, greater strength of confidence.

Denis was right in his post match interview … we're on the right track.

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