We may be forced to delist him thanks to list-cloggers like Bell and PJ who are safe for next year.

Perhaps we can rookie list him.

We may be forced to delist him thanks to list-cloggers like Bell and PJ who are safe for next year.

Perhaps we can rookie list him.

Who says they're safe for next year?

It's not obvious how fast he is, since he's quite chunkily built.

Surely that's his stand-out positive attribute. As you say, kicking isn't his forte and that's where the concern is for me.

He showed he was able to work on his accountability after being dropped, which was good, and he takes the game on. However, it's no use if you can't use it.

Buckley's sometimes bad disposal is overplayed here

We'll have to agree to disagree.

Who says they're safe for next year?

Contracted players very rarely get paid out, so unless we get a trade for them they're going to be on our list next year.

"kid was a shining light in 2008. out injured all season, is just getting back fom injury and people call for head. ridiculous".

Couldn't agree more, Jackie M. I'm sure he has something really special.

But Rhino's right, he's in the mix to be de-listed, since the footy dept. does not have the same high opinion that we do of him, his contract's finishing, and the improvement of McKenzie and McNamara means that someone else has to go.

It would be so unfair to get rid of him after his promising '08, when he's been a victim of over-training(as I think O.P. is) and unable to consolidate his improvement this year.

I take some heart that he was named in the full squad for the firsts last week(before the paring). Perhaps(I hope) ,I'm wrong about the footy dept.

I thought his effort for Casey on Sat. was very encouraging.

I have so much admiration for his creative, line-breaking play ,that I almost hope he's NOT promoted in case he makes us win!

The boy has real talent. I'm amazed that not everyone can see it.

Someone once wrote on here or ology that they'd spoken with Bailey at some function about Buckley and Bailey said, "he could be anything". I wouldn't worry about the footy dept not rating him. I reckon he's a gem. Pace, strength and invention. I see him, Sylvia, Jones, Morton, Scully and Blease as being our midfield core in the next couple of years.

I see him, Sylvia, Jones, Morton, Scully and Blease as being our midfield core in the next couple of years.

One clearly injury-plagued season - after he was a favourite to win our b&f halfway through last year - and McLean's stocks have dropped dramatically.

Mad to even think about booting the kid. Can't hit targets? Apart from Davey. Jurrah and Grimes who else in the team can? Every other player kicks it 3 feet over or ten feet in front of the target. At least Buckley has the balls and skill to take on the other team and if he turns it over it will be 50 meters down the field rather than 10 meters sideways. I think he will be a very good 15th chosen in the Demons finals team of 2011.

Agreed.

Someone once wrote on here or ology that they'd spoken with Bailey at some function about Buckley and Bailey said, "he could be anything". I wouldn't worry about the footy dept not rating him. I reckon he's a gem. Pace, strength and invention. I see him, Sylvia, Jones, Morton, Scully and Blease as being our midfield core in the next couple of years.

I think he meant 'plumber, gardner, banker', only joking, the kid's ok.

There is no way way Buckley has the foot skills to play as a linkman, you need elite kicking for that whereas his has been absolutely disgraceful. He seems to have no defensive side to his game either. If he is going to make it anywhere it has to be as a midfielder, I highly doubt it though.

Sadly for Bucks I think he is one of those types lots of clubs drafted a few years ago that have athletic attributes but cannot actually play football and because of this will end up on the scrap heap.

Wasn't he a pick in the 50s or something? So no great loss really.

I believe Bailey sees something in this kid as us more astute football watchers do. We traded off a player with elite foot skills knowing Buckley would be his replacement, if not for OP this year I'm sure we would all be singing his praises, for christs sake we all gave Sylvia 6 years

I believe Bailey sees something in this kid as us more astute football watchers do. We traded off a player with elite foot skills knowing Buckley would be his replacement, if not for OP this year I'm sure we would all be singing his praises, for christs sake we all gave Sylvia 6 years

:D

If you're talking about a direct swap, we picked up Grimes with that pick.

If you're talking about role, even Buckley's most ardent supporters haven't suggested he's a keeper because of his elite foot skills.

:D

If you're talking about a direct swap, we picked up Grimes with that pick.

If you're talking about role, even Buckley's most ardent supporters haven't suggested he's a keeper because of his elite foot skills.

Indeed, indeed.