Topped the goalkicking with 40 goals and produced touches of brilliance mixed in with some moments of disappointment.

The thing we sometimes forget with the Warlpiri Wizard is that he has played just 35 games at the elite level and is still learning to come to grips with the game's nuances such as the need to exert more pressure on opponents when they have the football.

Liam Jurrah continue to improve and become more consistent with greater experience.

Games MFC 2011 18 MFC Total 35 Goals MFC 2011 40 MFC Total 81

Games CSFC 2011 1 Goals CSFC 2011 3

I'd like to see Jurrah rotated through the midfield.

A few people on Demonland suggested trading him.

Has elements of his game that need to be worked on, no doubt. His year looked good on paper despite many being somewhat disappointed. The sky's still the limit here, can't wait to see what he can produce in '12.

A talented cat at times. Given his unique background and non AFL upbringing, he can oscillate between sublime to looking disinterested. A definite challenge for Neeld. Not the out and out star posters were proclaiming after half a dozen games. Definitely a must keep but I hope we can switch him on.

As you say - a very special talent who has given us glimpses of sheer brilliance: Neeld's challenge is to get real consistency from him.

He could turn out to be a superstar, or alternatively, just a passing meteorite.

Question- do we have some sort of indigenous welfare / liason person on the staff? Someone who is widely respected, like Wheels for example, could surely be a great stabilizing influence on some of these young fellas, especially when they experience emotional or family separation / distance issues. I seem to remember reading about someone in that role, though can't remember if it was maybe at AFL or possibly another club. Is Wheels still even living in Melbourne?

He is doing pretty well.

40 goals is a good return and kicked two or more goals in 13 of his 18 games.

Always finds a way to contribute to the scoreboard.

He is doing pretty well.

40 goals is a good return and kicked two or more goals in 13 of his 18 games.

Always finds a way to contribute to the scoreboard.

Well said.

In his first 2 seasons he played with such flair and creativeness that had pretty much never before been seen. I just hope that style of play isn't being coached out of him.

I just hope the stuff at home sorts itself out as this must be a major worry and distraction.

With a KPF to take the spotlight off of Liam Im hoping for a great year in 2012.

As Watts, Howe, Petterd etc improve Jurrah will become an absolute wepon. Even more so if we land Mitch Clark.

A 3rd of 4th choice defender will not stand a chance on the Jurrahcane!

81 goals in his 1st 35 games, with heaps of development to come. A new game plan. I can't wait!

Overall LJ was good in 2011, but he didn't blow us away with the regular feats of brilliance that filled his highlight reels in 2009 and 2010. I'm pretty certain that RudeBoy said during the year that LJ was being asked to play a different (more disciplined ?) role within the team structure, and it certainly seemed to me that he didn't have the 'freedom' to play with the natural flair that thrilled us in his first two seasons. I suspect he might have struggled a bit with the changed role, and maybe he was even down a bit on confidence at times (which would not be at all surprising given his background). If my suspicions are correct, setting the right parameters for LJ's game in 2012 will be important. He has so much to offer and I would hate to see his natural talents stifled.

IMO 2011 was a 'consolidation' year for LJ. If all involved (our new coaches, fitness staff and LJ himself) get it right, and with an ounce of luck, he will scale new heights in 2012 and beyond.

PS Rudeboy: Please correct me if I've misrepresented you. Thanks.

Edited October 14, 201113 yr by Deeoldfart

A few people on Demonland suggested trading him.

Ludicrous suggestion, I must say!

The kid is a natural, which is his gift, and at AFL level, also his problem. Because he grew up playing such a natural, uncoached game style, it will take him longer to adjust to what is required at AFL level. I really feel that Bailey went about LJ in the wrong way (no info, just a feeling) as his game has slowly gone down, not up. He will be one who I think will benefit greatly from our new coaching staff and FD structure. Not yet an out and out star, but if managed correctly, a shoe in for the future.

Why not open him up? He's best at floating around and doing his thing, as well as being his most dangerous. Cut him loose - get the others around him to be more team oriented, but let him play something of a self-oriented game. Let him play to his strengths, let him fly for pack marks and take his magic moments, because that's how he's used to playing, and will build his confidence thus getting more out of him.

Do that, coupled with some work on the defensive side of his game (his run and tackle) and he'll be unstoppable I think.

Overall LJ was good in 2011, but he didn't blow us away with the regular feats of brilliance that filled his highlight reels in 2009 and 2010. I'm pretty certain that RudeBoy said during the year that LJ was being asked to play a different (more disciplined ?) role within the team structure, and it certainly seemed to me that he didn't have the 'freedom' to play with the natural flair that thrilled us in his first two seasons. I suspect he might have struggled a bit with the changed role, and maybe he was even down a bit on confidence at times (which would not be at all surprising given his background). If my suspicions are correct, setting the right parameters for LJ's game in 2012 will be important. He has so much to offer and I would hate to see his natural talents stifled.

IMO 2011 was a 'consolidation' year for LJ. If all involved (our new coaches, fitness staff and LJ himself) get it right, and with an ounce of luck, he will scale new heights in 2012 and beyond.

PS Rudeboy: Please correct me if I've misrepresented you. Thanks.

I think that's a fair assessment DOF. I guess I'd perhaps also add that Liam suffers, like others have done, from his laconic style. To those who don't know him, his body language sometimes makes him look uninterested or lazy. Don't be fooled, along with his 40 goals this year he also laid over 40 tackles. Assuming a good run with injuries and perhaps a freer reign given to him by his coaches, he should have a stellar year in 2012. For a player with only 35 games under his belt, he has averaged more goals per game than any other Melbourne player in each of his 3 seasons with the Dees. Let him off the leash and let him do his stuff.

Liam Jurrah will get better with age, like a fine red wine....Mark Neeld will already know Liam, so i expect an interesting game plan in 2012 onwards.

Mitch Clarke's addition as a strong bodied forward marking option can surely only help release Liam from the shackles and allow him to show his brilliance.

He showed in his first season that he can stalk and attack defenders so he does have that there. Let's hope he fan find it again 2012 and beyond. The defenders were always looking around wondering just where he was when they had the ball. It was exciting to watch.

Edited October 15, 201113 yr by monoccular

Liam Jurrah will get better with age, like a fine red wine....Mark Neeld will already know Liam, so i expect an interesting game plan in 2012 onwards.

Mark Neeld doesn't know Liam, as he only joined Collingwood after Liam became a Demon.

Mitch Clarke's addition as a strong bodied forward marking option can surely only help release Liam from the shackles and allow him to show his brilliance..........................

I agree, and it's a mouthwatering prospect for us ...... but obviously not so for opposition defenders and coaches.

I think that's a fair assessment DOF. I guess I'd perhaps also add that Liam suffers, like others have done, from his laconic style. To those who don't know him, his body language sometimes makes him look uninterested or lazy. Don't be fooled, along with his 40 goals this year he also laid over 40 tackles. Assuming a good run with injuries and perhaps a freer reign given to him by his coaches, he should have a stellar year in 2012. For a player with only 35 games under his belt, he has averaged more goals per game than any other Melbourne player in each of his 3 seasons with the Dees. Let him off the leash and let him do his stuff.

Thanks for those insights RudeBoy. 'Let him off the leash' ... I love that notion.

. Cut him loose - get the others around him to be more team oriented, but let him play something of a self-oriented game.

Good idea. Let him play selfishly and let others make up for it.

Mark Neeld doesn't know Liam, as he only joined Collingwood after Liam became a Demon.

WYL knows better Rude Boy.....

Although I still have question marks on him it was obvious he was playing injured during the second half of last season. His great leap totally disappeared and he could never get off the ground in marking contests. Still he played reasonably well. He also needs the right people to get into his ears.

Edited October 16, 201113 yr by america de cali

With Clark in the forward line, Jurrah will get the chance to face the goals as the ball comes in and that is incredibly exciting.

Although he did play injured he was still able to think through situations and will occasionally out think his opponents. He is too clever around goals to push further up the ground. Leave that to Watts and Clarke. I think the forward structures will have a lot of options next year. Leigh will have his hands full. Only a good thing I reckon.

Good idea. Let him play selfishly and let others make up for it.

WYL knows better Rude Boy.....

No i made a mistake....I leave the above mantle to you Rhino.

Leigh will have his hands full. Only a good thing I reckon.

thats a point worth discussing.

Leigh Brown played as a 3rd tall alongside Dawes & Cloke. Perhaps this will assist him on working on a Clark / Watts / Resting Ruckman system for us? time will tell