2009 Player Review - #1 Simon Buckley

[Demonland 72,185]

Simon Buckley – Simon played round one, but then unfortunately had hip issues, so he's now going to have some surgery. Similar to Daniel Bell, he had an interrupted season and when we got him right, he played some games at Casey and then broke down again. It was disappointing, because he played 14 matches last year and this was a really important year in his development. Unfortunately, it was stifled by injury - Sean Wellman on melbournefc.com.au

[deeflog 679]

i think its time to show buckley the door. unfortunately injuries hurt his progress this year, but i just don't think his skills are up to it

[gOLLy 401]

i think its time to show buckley the door. unfortunately injuries hurt his progress this year, but i just don't think his skills are up to it

That's a very early call.

[Guest]

We've got bigger hacks to delist. Give him another year to prove himself. If he can't then he'll be gone.

[WonnaJurah 5]

still has something to offer, will be needed in 22 when fit and firing

[DEES 0]

i think its time to show buckley the door. unfortunately injuries hurt his progress this year, but i just don't think his skills are up to it

ATM, i share the same opinion as you, it's a shame that buck's was injured this season, i hope he gets another year to prove himself, but if he gets delisted i wont see it as a surprise.

[Steamin Demon 392]

Give the kid a chance, Very early call. The kid has size and experience, can run and carry. IMO AT LEAST another year, Same goes for Belly.

[Viney Vidi Vici 148]

I remember the coaches, and many fans singing love to Buckley last year. He was a ball magnet and always was exciting, but possession usually sucked honestly. I reckon it's too early too delist him, but if he doesn't get the ball where its meant to then im not sure he'll stay.

[JJJ 1,284]

He is actually not a bad kick at all. His biggest problem can be cured with experience. He tends to play too 'fast' and runs himself into trouble and rushes his disposal as a result. Once he learns that he has the pace to break away and then steady he will become a better player and will find a role in the senior side.

I also think that players of his size, speed and power do not grow on trees and he should be persisted with.

[Whispering_Jack 30,102]

I like Bucks and you don't get too many linebreakers like him. His disposal was iffy last year but he didn't really get a chance to show us whether he'd improved it this year. Also, I don't know if the fact that he's going in for surgery after a season where he managed just one game is going to help his cause.

Assuming that he's uncontracted his future might well depend on the number of new players the football department wants to introduce in 2010 and the outcome of the trades.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Buckley is DEFINITELY not worth de-listing. The kid has massive pace and a booming accurate kick, he has kicked some incredible goals from outside 50. I can't wait until he gets back to 100% just to show the doubters what he's really about.

[rpfc 28,417]

If he is unlucky, he would be eligible for the RL I believe.

[Rogue 585]

Still young, but last we saw of him he was Ward-like.

Initially the biggest problem was his workrate but that improved after he was dropped.

However, his disposal is still a concern and unless that improves dramatically he's nowhere near best-22 in a few years (or we're nowhere near good enough).

Unfortunately for Buckley he might get cut when, if the contract situation for a few others was different, he might have hung on for another year.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I rate Buckley and always have.

The way he moves and breaks lines in Judd-like.

His long kicking is very good and still a very inexperienced footballer. Well worth keeping.

[Jaded No More 68,915]

Judd-like.

There is not even a remote resemblance between Simon Buckley and Chris Judd, except for the part where they both grew up as Melbourne supporters <_< . For one, Judd wins his own ball and can consistently make the right decisions and hit targets.

IMO Buckley will be lucky to survive the cuts, partly because he has not shown much, partly because he is injury ravaged, and partly because he is uncontracted and somebody has to go.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

There is not even a remote resemblance between Simon Buckley and Chris Judd, except for the part where they both grew up as Melbourne supporters

The way he runs with the ball and breaks lines is Judd-like.

[Ryan Dee 140]

I rate Buckley and always have.

The way he moves and breaks lines in Judd-like.

His long kicking is very good and still a very inexperienced footballer. Well worth keeping.

Yes I agree. If he is up a going he would easily make our 22, which means he is worth keeping. Patients with this one.

[H_T 3,047]

Firstly if Buckley's hip is anything like Stevie J's, somone send him to Hobart asap. The doc in Hobart is a miracle worker.

Secondly, this time last year I was taken by Buckley's ability to break the lines (one of very few within the list) as has already been mentioned a squillion times so I'll go no further in that regard. He can kick a ball over to distance, to position is debatable. Yet, we've hardly seen him this season which is unfortunate. The memory of him doing what we describe is almost a distant memory now. I'm unsure of his future to be honest. I agree with JJJ's point that "players of his size, speed and power do not grow on trees and he should be persisted with."

With S.Buckley, it will come down to strengthening our list. Weighing up our current line up and our blend of midfielders. Their strengths and weaknesses and how many are delisted and recruited/traded/drafted. Line ball. I'll leave it to the third umpire.

[deanox 9,915]

as a young player the turnovers can be excused if we think that that aspect of his game can be improved or if he just needs time to settle. his pace is a weapon, and if other parts of his game are lifted he could be very valuable. i agree that it might come down to how many spots we need to free up. 3 gone already, i imagine they will want to turn over 5-6 spots on the list, and not sure if they are considering promoting any rookies.

if it came down to valenti (solid, reproducable, workmanlike but not nessecarily a match winner) versus buckley (unproven, great pace and potential to be damaging) for one position on the list, who would you choose?

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

I rate Buckley and always have.

The way he moves and breaks lines in Judd-like.

His long kicking is very good and still a very inexperienced footballer. Well worth keeping.

I think "Judd-like" is a huge call but I rate the kid too. I was hoping to see him tear it up this year and there are a bunch of players I would give the DCM to before I thought about him. I'd like to see a two year deal given to him and see if he can earn it. If we can give it to Newton then we can give it to him.

@ deanox: Buckley. I don't think Valenti is quite up to it IMHO.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Still young, but last we saw of him he was Ward-like.

Initially the biggest problem was his workrate but that improved after he was dropped.

However, his disposal is still a concern and unless that improves dramatically he's nowhere near best-22 in a few years (or we're nowhere near good enough).

Unfortunately for Buckley he might get cut when, if the contract situation for a few others was different, he might have hung on for another year.

Fair assessment. His lack of defensive skills and accountability also condemns him.

I think he's going to be delisted....even if he is Judd like.

MFC will make room for 6 players off the list. We have three off with three to go. Bartram, Miller and Buckley (or McNamara) look gone.

[JJJ 1,284]

I think he's going to be delisted....even if he is Judd like.

I hope not. A quick skim of our list reveals the following players that I think will not help us win a flag:

Bartram

Miller

Johnson

Dunn

Bell

Newton

Bail

Zomer*

Valenti*

Hughes*

Players like Buckley, Watts, Maric, Meesen, McNamara, Spencer, Blease and Strauss have either shown glimpses at senior level or were highly rated coming into the draft. People might think I am harsh on Bail but I have watched him train and play and I am yet to see why he was even drafted.

I have not added players like McDonald and Bruce etc because ability to play senior footy isn't their problem, age is. Plus, they may still be around in September 2011......

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Players like Buckley, Watts, Maric, Meesen, McNamara, Spencer, Blease and Strauss have either shown glimpses at senior level or were highly rated coming into the draft.

Big deal. Its what they do when they are drafted. And for mine neither Bucks or Meesen have done enough. Meesen has another year.

[DEES 0]

I also think that players of his size, speed and power do not grow on trees and he should be persisted with.

Sounds like morabito, except with him,you get a more skillful player and someone who could probably play forward/midfield/defence as opposed to bucks. If we pick up Morabito, then buck's will probably be gone for sure.

Edited September 15, 2009 by chief demon

[Mousey 47]

Huge fan of Bucks and would be very dissapointed if we just let him go!

Still young!

Still lots of room for improvement!

Has showed improvement !