Football Department Review

[Gointocarlton]

I don't know if Russell is any good. He came with massive raps, supposedly the best in the business. I think it's worth bearing in mind that many come to our club with fine reputations, and leave with those reputations either dented or in tatters. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone across Board, executive, coach, player who bucks that trend.

Too many people in the industry vouch for him being the best in the business. Remember he is dealing with humans, flesh and bones not machines made of a metal and the game is quicker than ever before. Injuries are on the increase across the industry, not just at our club. There is nothing in the world Russell could have done to prevent injuries to Cripps (on the weekend), Charlies knee, Docs knees, Govs ankles, SOS shoulders, every one of Chandelier Marchbanks injuries etc. You could argue some of the soft tissues could be related to training load management but if you look at the players they have happened to, most are players with questionable preparation and training standards. "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee". I'd be staggered if the review found issues with Russells credentials, methods or handling of our S&C and injuries.

[jeza]

Hard to find excuses for Russell regardless of reputation. A guy like McGovern - he has clearly been mismanaged. Curnow, Marchbank, Silvagni, Cunningham, Kreuzer, etc.

Its a long long list of players he hasn't been able to keep on the park.

[jeza]

Too many people in the industry vouch for him being the best in the business. Remember he is dealing with humans, flesh and bones not machines made of a metal and the game is quicker than ever before. Injuries are on the increase across the industry, not just at our club. There is nothing in the world Russell could have done to prevent injuries to Cripps (on the weekend), Charlies knee, Docs knees, Govs ankles, SOS shoulders, every one of Chandelier Marchbanks injuries etc. You could argue some of the soft tissues could be related to training load management but if you look at the players they have happened to, most are players with questionable preparation and training standards. "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee". I'd be staggered if the review found issues with Russells credentials, methods or handling of our S&C and injuries.

Wow... you're a LOT more forgiving than me.

Rehab is on Russell. Whether its SoS shoulder or Gov's back/hammy issues. He is rushing them back and not rehabbing them properly. Whatever it is he's hardly going to be missed.

Barker froze out Dow and Kennedy. Barker (lovely bloke) but I am not sure he had the faintest clue what he was doing.

[PaulP]

There are rumours around that those players are being rushed back at Teague's insistence, because he desperately needs wins, going against Russell's advice.

[Gointocarlton]

Hard to find excuses for Russell regardless of reputation. A guy like McGovern - he has clearly been mismanaged. Curnow, Marchbank, Silvagni, Cunningham, Kreuzer, etc.

Its a long long list of players he hasn't been able to keep on the park.

Clearly mismanaged? Gov worst enemy is Gov, they dont call him brackets for nothing. Marchbank gets injured taking the bins out. Silvagni is too courageous for his own good, ditto Kruze. Charlie's injury is as tricky as they come, ask Adam Cooney.

[Gointocarlton]

Wow... you're a LOT more forgiving than me.

Rehab is on Russell. Whether its SoS shoulder or Gov's back/hammy issues. He is rushing them back and not rehabbing them properly. Whatever it is he's hardly going to be missed.

Barker froze out Dow and Kennedy. Barker (lovely bloke) but I am not sure he had the faintest clue what he was doing.

We talking Russell or Barker? No qualms with your assessment of Barker.

[Gointocarlton]

There are rumours around that those players are being rushed back at Teague's insistence, because he desperately needs wins, going against Russell's advice.

Well if that's found to be correct, that's on Lloyd, Teague and the MC, not Russell.

[PaulP]

Well if that's found to be correct, that's on Lloyd, Teague and the MC, not Russell.

Yes, no doubt.

[Thryleon]

There are rumours around that those players are being rushed back at Teague's insistence, because he desperately needs wins, going against Russell's advice.

You are the first to tell that rumour from where I sit.

[DJC]

There are rumours around that those players are being rushed back at Teague's insistence, because he desperately needs wins, going against Russell's advice.

Williams and Martin are both playing injured.  Williams has his ankle re-strapped (and probably jabbed) at least once a game and Martin is on one leg.  High profile players, brought in by the current CEO and footy manager and payed overs (as you have to), can't be out injured or membership numbers will suffer.

Russell has an unenviable job with the pressure he must be under to get players back on the park, for the wrong reasons.  Hopefully, the reviewers will pick up on that and recommend that Russell be free to decide on player availability on fitness grounds alone.