Simon Buckley....jury's out

[jumbo returns 6,537]

Not sure - looks to move okay but poor decision making and poor skill execution seems to cost him and the team.

He's missing that inate ability to know whether there's an opponent nearby and seems to get caught out quite often. I know it's up to other teammates to talk around him but he looks slow to me. I don't think he's made the next step.

Jury's out...thoughts?

[rpfc 27,623]

Slow?

He's dumb with the footy but give him his due; he is quick and has a long kick on him.

As Danny Frawley says "he just needs to lower his eyes a bit and go shorter."

At least he was bold and willing to take them on, others should follow his lead as we looked most dangerous when we were running and sharing from half back.

[beelzebub 22,282]

I must confess the lad frustrates the hell out of me.. but hes coming along, just not quite how we'd all like. Once he stops being erratic with disposals he might come good !! or he might not. Time will tell.

[Rogue 585]

He needs to work harder and be more accountable.

I'm not that fussed about his errors with the ball atm - at least he's taking the game on.

[Little Goffy 12,767]

I keep feeling, more than seeing, that there's a resemblence to Daniel Ward.

Lots of initiative, but makes mistakes with it. Will be interesting to watch.

[The Emblem 1]

Slow?

He's dumb with the footy but give him his due; he is quick and has a long kick on him.

As Danny Frawley says "he just needs to lower his eyes a bit and go shorter."

At least he was bold and willing to take them on, others should follow his lead as we looked most dangerous when we were running and sharing from half back.

Sit him down and make him watch replays of how Marty Clarke goes about it ...rarely wastes a disposal.

[Travman 0]

In the current environment I'll take his occasional errors in the spirit of backing a young player who's trying to learn to run and carry at this level. Having said that, I can't remember a less interested player when the ball is in the opposition's hands. If he can't develop a defensive side to his game then he'll never cement a spot in the team.

[Nasher 33,166]

Easily the most frustrating player on our list at the moment. Has leg speed but doesn't use it well defensively. Breaks the lines better than anyone then follows it up with a helicopter to CHF where there are three opposition players standing.

There's plenty to work with there as he knows how to get the ball, and he has fantastic leg speed, but his use of the ball and defensive work just has to get better. Apparently his work ethic on the track is as good as anyone's, so he's every chance to improve. I really hope he does.

[Real Demon 232]

He's a kid making his way, and learning the game........postitives far outweigh the negatives.

[jumbo returns 6,537]

I must confess the lad frustrates the hell out of me.. but hes coming along, just not quite how we'd all like. Once he stops being erratic with disposals he might come good !! or he might not. Time will tell.

The general discussion is that Buckley will improve, I'm not that convinced. Will he survive the cull that's expected at the end of the year? Hasn't got a defensive bone is his body. You're right, '59, only time will tell.

[Jarka 767]

Buckley I think will be one of those players who are the 'icing on the cake'. We can't expect him to rely on him right now, but when our midfield develops more he'll be a handy player.

[Guest MFC4Life]

Buckley I think will be one of those players who are the 'icing on the cake'. We can't expect him to rely on him right now, but when our midfield develops more he'll be a handy player.

Possibly and here's hoping. Similar to how Travis Johnstone is playing at the moment in Brisbane. Trapper had 32 touches and 2 goals on Saturday night but how many of those possesion were hard-ball gets?

[mo64 5,240]

He reminds me of a young David Wojcinski. He has flaws that can be ironed out over time, and definitely worth perservering with. I hope Bailey doesn't make him the team scapegoat by dropping him every 2nd week.

[issarab 0]

He Posses Explosive PACE but like a lot of younger Players his decision making changes midstream he needs to work very hard on his skills as Mark Williams ex Sandy described him an excellent prospect and will be an elite player is he works hard.

[beelzebub 22,282]

He'll be alright if his 'thought processes" can catch up to his ability

[demon222 0]

He is another halfwhit footballer that melbourne will keep for too long and then realise "Oh [censored]" what have we done this guy hasnt given us anything. There is no place for him in the melbourne team. He has the worst disposal in our team and turns the ball over every chance he gets.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Possibly and here's hoping. Similar to how Travis Johnstone is playing at the moment in Brisbane. Trapper had 32 touches and 2 goals on Saturday night but how many of those possesion were hard-ball gets?

TJ actually had a fair few hard ball get and laid 6 tackles, dont know wtf is goin on there. But you are right, they are icing on the cake sort of players.

[drdrake 3,049]

We have a senior player that has worse footskills then this bloke and we have a senior ruckman that makes extremely bad decisions. I like the way he takes the game on, he isn't going to be a superstar but he will improve and be handy.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,317]

Easily the most frustrating player on our list at the moment. Has leg speed but doesn't use it well defensively. Breaks the lines better than anyone then follows it up with a helicopter to CHF where there are three opposition players standing.

There's plenty to work with there as he knows how to get the ball, and he has fantastic leg speed, but his use of the ball and defensive work just has to get better. Apparently his work ethic on the track is as good as anyone's, so he's every chance to improve. I really hope he does.

Excellent post Nasher. His defensive game yesterday was non-existent and needs serious work but his offensive game yesterday was excellent. Good speed, good efficiency, improved decision making. I wonder how those that criticise his decision making and disposal rate it against Jones/McDonald/Moloney/Bartram? All four do not appear to get the same focus but in my opinion are far worse in both facets than what Buckley showed yesterday.

[Ewok 9]

I think he will make it. He could become a game breaker. Hopefully he will learn to make better decisions over the coming months.

I did notice a big difference in speed between defensive and offensive running however.... Needs to fix that.

Overall I'm still a fan.

[Lord Travis 10,247]

Possibly and here's hoping. Similar to how Travis Johnstone is playing at the moment in Brisbane. Trapper had 32 touches and 2 goals on Saturday night but how many of those possesion were hard-ball gets?

It was actually 3 goals. And he had 7 contested possessions, 4 clearances, and 6 tackles. But by all means keep bagging him and calling him a "front runner" etc.

I see Buckley as Daniel Ward mk2... but probably worse. He can run fast, and that's it. He's an athlete, not a footballer. He doesnt read the play well, makes poor decisions, has poor disposal, and doesnt defend at all. He has laid 1 tackles in his 3 senior games this year. If you want to count NAB cup matches, he's laid 3 tackles in 7 games. That is downright pathetic. Especially for someone of his pace who is around the ball often.

He either learns to defend, and fixes his disposal, or we get rid of him. An outside player who does nothing but attack ineffectively is the biggest liability possible on the footy field. He is of no use if he doesnt change his game.

[Guest MFC4Life]

It was actually 3 goals. And he had 7 contested possessions, 4 clearances, and 6 tackles. But by all means keep bagging him and calling him a "front runner" etc.

The sun's obviously doing him wonders up north.

[Lord Travis 10,247]

It's probably Lethals doing. He blasted him in the media a few weeks back and Travis has lifted since then. Without meaning to insult us, Brisbane have a good strong winning culture, where as we do not. If he doesn't perform up there, no more pat on the back better luck next week. It'll be a big 'wtf was that performance?! We're taking half your pay cheque for next week you dunce!'

[donny williams no 25 0]

Give us a break! This bloke has played what--70 games? Of course he hasn't and he gets the ball more than most. Stick with him--the other stuff will improve

He is another halfwhit footballer that melbourne will keep for too long and then realise "Oh [censored]" what have we done this guy hasnt given us anything. There is no place for him in the melbourne team. He has the worst disposal in our team and turns the ball over every chance he gets.

[bjgc 0]

I thought he showed some good signs on Sunday he definately wasn't the worst out there. He's not the smartest player going around but he's not the only one at Melbourne. I think the jury is out on the whole team TBH we haven't had a consistent player all year. I think Frawley is more of a worry he doesn't seem to have any idea.