I find it much easier to be pessimistic and sceptical all the time.

Some Melbourne supporters really need to loosen up and not take everything (including that which is written on fan forums) so seriously. As DA said, football is about entertainment first and foremost.

I find it much easier to be pessimistic and sceptical all the time.

Some Melbourne supporters really need to loosen up and not take everything (including that which is written on fan forums) so seriously. As DA said, football is about entertainment first and foremost.

Indeed. Whilst some of this talk may be considered premature, you cannot help but put Jurrah in this bracket. Some may be waiting for further proof or even milestones to be achieved to reach such status. I know we've already got a star, even if it is in the making. Based on what I've seen I have enough evidence IMO.

As of late last season - Jurrah was/is now our single most influental player (see the St Kilda game for proof). Right now he is right on the cusp of stardom (or should that be "elite").

But having said that - in case I fall foul of the grumpy old fuddy-duddies here I had better just say something like "he is a good young player with potential, IF he does a full preseason and remains injury free and doesn't do drugs and applies himself fully and improves his ability to run and carry and applies plenty of frontal pressure...". I think there's enough disclaimers there in case it doesn't come to fruition as planned and so that shouldn't upset the football department too much.

Star.

your average draftee has already had several years of high standard training and facilities at their disposal, and many have commited themselves to maintaining the mental and physical levels required from a young age, by the time they reach the AFL they are already professionals

Jurrah hasn't had any of this, so it is perfectly reasonable to suggest his rate of improvement will be well beyond what you normally expect... which is scary and wonderful

Jurrah is not a star. He is a long way from it. 'Star' is not just talent and a few good games. Star means a lot more. Does he have (oh no oh no ohno ) 'potential'? Bloody obvious, BUT taking that step to be a star is a big one and very very few players take it and hold it. Luke Ball is a nice example.

Right now LJ is a great story and wonderful for the club and us supporters. That's all we have now and we get to enjoy how the story unfolds.

What is the criteria for a "star" exactly ?

What is the criteria for a "star" exactly ?

some extracts of meanings:

*An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.

*Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something: a star researcher; a star figure skater.

*To present or feature (a performer) in a leading role.

I reckon he might cover a bit of that ground

some extracts of meanings:

*An artistic performer or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged.

*Outstanding or famous, especially in performing something: a star researcher; a star figure skater.

*To present or feature (a performer) in a leading role.

I reckon he might cover a bit of that ground

Agree.

edit: Therefore yes.

Therefore no.

He has played full forward for the bottom team - averaging two goals and 12 touches. That is hardly a "superior performance" nor is it "outstanding"

Christ, some of you are easy to satisfy. BY the same token, Robbo would be a 'superstar'.

Christ, some of you are easy to satisfy. BY the same token, Robbo would be a 'superstar'.

He must be elite, isnt he?

Therefore no.

He has played full forward for the bottom team - averaging two goals and 12 touches. That is hardly a "superior performance" nor is it "outstanding"

Those components are questionnable hotgod, you're quite right. Correct.

However, some of the feats we have witnessed from him I would consider "outstanding" or a better term to use, "breathtaking"

I'm not sure we can well dwell on his stats to determine if he is star quality just yet. I think the star quality is in his ability. So far he has only been spoon fed game time.

Yes he has played full forward for short bursts. He has also played other positions.

Christ, some of you are easy to satisfy. BY the same token, Robbo would be a 'superstar'.

No...not easily satisfied at all. Robbo had some gifts...mainly aerial but certainly not a rounded game. He lack any defense really . sort of..if at first he didnt grab it ...then its all over red rover. Luckily for us and him many stuck

Throw all your stats out and open your eyes. The sheer manner in which he ( jurrah ) can combine 2-3 actions in a seamless display is rungs above most players.. His inane ability to read the flight of the ball and just effortlessly ( seemingly ) pluck it out of the air. The ability to one moment be 25m off the ball and the next invading some backman's face almost willing him to offer up the ball. None of this can be noted as a stat.

Some people can just walk on a stage and own it.. It might be their first performance or 1000th...it matters not..its theirs; they stand out. Thats exactly what Jurrah did and does, hes a cut above.

Not just my opinion but that of a great many and a lot of the football writing brigade.

if its not yours...fine... as Im sure fellas like Rude Boy and the such who know him well are having a quiet chortle to themselves.

You are easy to satisfy and don't get the subtlety of the argument. Liam Jurrah has shown a lot but that just makes him a potential. Remember how we thought about Brock Mclean at the endof '06? Or Ball at the end of '05? Robbo has done more for longer than Jurrah. He has proved himself in good teams and in bad - it will be one of Robbo's greatest achievements that he did so well when we were terrible and won games off his own boot. Jurrah has done a tiny fraction of that to date.

As for stats, what are you talking about - I haven't used any? And combining movements, well so can I but I'm a star only in my own living room. And dominating a stage - well so what! It is repeated performances at the highest level that prove the point and he's not done it (nor has he had the time yet).

I do not care about anything but perfomance. Jurrah may be a star, could be, should be BUT he isn't yet. Perform at a high level for several years, win games off his own boot and beat opponents that are bigger, faster, older and then he's getting close.

seems many just cant fathom any difference between the connotations between accomplished champion and star, or star quality. They are different. One can be the other, but you dont need to be a seasoned veteran to be a star. It CAN be there from day one. If you dont subscribe to this...then thats fair enough..some of us do.

Talk about going round in circles

What makes a star is a subjective opinion. In my books, a star player is someone who people go to watch play. That's star power, and Liam already has it in spades. Is he Melbourne's best player? Certainly not, but I reckon he's already the Demons biggest star.

What makes a star is a subjective opinion. In my books, a star player is someone who people go to watch play. That's star power, and Liam already has it in spades. Is he Melbourne's best player? Certainly not, but I reckon he's already the Demons biggest star.

I reckon he's a star too RudeBoy. How bright he shines from now on is anyone's guess. Really looking forward to our teams performances in 2010.

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seems many just cant fathom any difference between the connotations between accomplished champion and star, or star quality. They are different. One can be the other, but you dont need to be a seasoned veteran to be a star. It CAN be there from day one. If you dont subscribe to this...then thats fair enough..some of us do.

What rot. A star is a star - not a thrill, not a showpony, not attractive. 'Star quality' can be brief and unfulfilled. As for vague definitions, well let me tell you that a star in footy is not a friggin attraction - unlike a circus freak or prima donna. A star plays at the highest level and wins games. If you really want to get all excited about a handful of games and a good story, well great. Knock yourself out. But it is quietly still the case that LJ is no star of the MFC. Not yet.

Next the campaign will begin to make him captain. God save us.

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Haha, I've never felt the desire to quote myself...but I'm feeling it now

What rot. A star is a star - not a thrill, not a showpony, not attractive. 'Star quality' can be brief and unfulfilled. As for vague definitions, well let me tell you that a star in footy is not a friggin attraction - unlike a circus freak or prima donna. A star plays at the highest level and wins games. If you really want to get all excited about a handful of games and a good story, well great. Knock yourself out. But it is quietly still the case that LJ is no star of the MFC. Not yet.

Next the campaign will begin to make him captain. God save us.

Is Cyril Rioli a star?

Liam Jurrah, whether a star or not, will form part of a young forward line that will pose many challenges for opposition backs in the 2010 season. I can't wait to see the development of Jack Watts - and quick entries into our forward 50 that will give these young blokes opportunities to become stars. Jurrah and Watts will live or die depending on the accuracy of our delivery from the mid field. Maybe this is where we need new stars!

Is Cyril Rioli a star?

No