Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:32 pm  

I thought he was excellent today. For only an 18 year old to play like that is exceptional. Bit shaky under the highball and needs to work on his positional play, but he looks a cracking prospect. He certainly didn't disgrace himself today. Well done to the young man.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:34 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

I thought he was excellent today. For only an 18 year old to play like that is exceptional. Bit shaky under the highball and needs to work on his positional play, but he looks a cracking prospect. He certainly didn't disgrace himself today. Well done to the young man.

Is he a fullback?

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:36 pm  

St pete wrote:

Is he a fullback?

Yes. Fully expect Russell to be starting there next year and Sam Tomkins to move back into the halfbacks with Finch and Leuluai both leaving. He's all class

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:38 pm  

dirtbag83 wrote:

Yes. Fully expect Russell to be starting there next year and Sam Tomkins to move back into the halfbacks with Finch and Leuluai both leaving. He's all class

Can we have him on loan this year?

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:38 pm  

He's going to be very good indeed.

He was let down as much as anyone by the selections because him playing in a side alongside a Tomkins or an O'Loughlin would have made his task all the easier.

He's as strong as an ox with great pace and footwork. I'm confident he can nail the fullback shirt in time with Sam going back in the halfs.

That would be an electric combo.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:41 pm  

He was good in glimpses for me. With ball in hand he's strong, fast and hard to put down and showed plenty of enthusiasm. But he was shaky under the high ball and I'm surprised they didn't carry on peppering him after the first 2-3 they put up. To me he needed to be a couple of yards wider than he was when attacking as at times he seemed to be pretty much behind Finch when we was sweeping forward.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:42 pm  

I've said it for a while, he is better than Sam was at the same age. He needs to just keep progressing and he'll be a 1st team within the next two years.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:45 pm  

His potential was there for all to see today, an awesome prospect who looks a nailed on star once his game gets polished through coaching and experience. Also nice to see some decent link play and range of passing from Mellor at times, I'm sure he'll grow into a first team player provided he gets more chances.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:47 pm  

He was good in glimpses for me. With ball in hand he's strong, fast and hard to put down and showed plenty of enthusiasm. But he was shaky under the high ball and I'm surprised they didn't carry on peppering him after the first 2-3 they put up. To me he needed to be a couple of yards wider than he was when attacking as at times he seemed to be pretty much behind Finch when we was sweeping forward.

Can see he has lots of potential though.

Re: Russel! : Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:48 pm  

I actually thought he was poor!
Looked very unstable under the high ball, was poor defensively and seemed to lack any confidence!
I was very disappointed