Simon Buckley is a gun - must get a Rising Star nomination

[Freak 100]

It’s great to be able to break the lines with pace, which Buckley has in spades. But his disposal is shocking.

I was talking to a recruiter last week and he said the team he works for does not draft players that can’t hit targets. As the game is as fast as ever, players should not be drafted who have great deficiencies with their disposal.

I don’t mind the club putting project players on the rookie list, but late draft picks such as Buckley and Bartram are showing why they are late picks with the way they kick the ball.

Being young should not be an excuse for consistently coughing up the ball when no pressure is being applied.

personally i dont think buckleys disposals are anywhere near as bad as what people are making out to be. it could be his decision making but not his actual kicking. His kicking is a hell of alot better than Bate's and Jones' thats for sure

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

personally i dont think buckleys disposals are anywhere near as bad as what people are making out to be.

Agreed.

[Geddy Lee 582]

A mate has bestowed the man his nickname of "Here We Go". Whenever he gets the ball, you say "Here We Go" and wait till he turns it over.

Love his running but couldn't hit the side of a barn, may learn, but isn't naturally skillful.

[Little Goffy 14,645]

Buckley has been getting smarter and more confident over the season.

Uses his pace better, not quite as predictable, not using at his first and only option.

Disposal improving, decisions getting better.

and for those commenting on his odd running posture, some TV commentators have decided it reminds them of Gerard Healy, for what it's worth.

[Yze_Magic 3]

32 touches today.

yes, poor decision making and disposal.

But the upside is huge.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I gave him five after the Brisbane win, and his hands were about double the size of mine... Buckets Buckley...

[tez 6]

32 touches today.

yes, poor decision making and disposal.

But the upside is huge.

The upside is he wont and does not deserve a rising star award

[Yze_Magic 3]

The upside is he wont and does not deserve a rising star award

That made sense.

[QueenC 74]

I like the kid, but I don't think a Rising Star nom is in his future......

But I do really respect the way he gets the ball, attacks the play and uses his speed to at least try and break the lines, it is something we see little of from this team. That being said there needs to be some serious work, polish and skill put into his disposal, and his decision making is also quite poor.

But there is a good upside if these aspects can be improved, which is something we have seen already by degrees this year.

[Freak 100]

I gave him five after the Brisbane win, and his hands were about double the size of mine... Buckets Buckley...

i always thought you were 10 years old. jk

[Little Goffy 14,645]

Well, it's really just Brad Dalziel and Simon Buckley left of the strong performers not yet to receive a nomination.

Both had 30 or more touches this week. I'm tipping Dalziell to get the nod for rnd 21.

But that really leaves just Buckley as a serious contender for the rnd 22 nomination - everyone else good has already been nominated!

(Apologies to Valenti & Maric)

I reckon with Buckley in rnd 22, we can get four nominations two years in a row, with the set of high '08 draft picks plus Petterd, Maric and Grimes all still being eligible, as well as the less talked-about players drafted in 07.

[Chook 15,022]

Well, it's really just Brad Dalziel and Simon Buckley left of the strong performers not yet to receive a nomination.

Both had 30 or more touches this week. I'm tipping Dalziell to get the nod for rnd 21.

But that really leaves just Buckley as a serious contender for the rnd 22 nomination - everyone else good has already been nominated!

(Apologies to Valenti & Maric)

I reckon with Buckley in rnd 22, we can get four nominations two years in a row, with the set of high '08 draft picks plus Petterd, Maric and Grimes all still being eligible, as well as the less talked-about players drafted in 07.

So it seems like we should get pretty good fairly soon, right?

[Red and Blue Flame 191]

I've been saying this for a while, I think Buckley is as explosive as Chris Judd. A kid I really rate. Versatile too!

i'm with you in saying, although it is early days

he is like judd..so many similaritiesavg 20+ possys and goes in hard and runs the lines well