Well we, blooded another youngster today, unfortunately I was in and out so didnt catch the entire game.

How did you rate Buckleys first game?

From the bits I saw he seem to link up well with his team mates and looks a likely type.

Wasn't bad in his debut... Not at all.

At times early on he looked a bit lost at the pace of the highest level, but he'll pick that up as he gets more games in the seniors. Seemed to get more comfortable as the game wore on. Fluffed a couple of kicks, but overall seemed to have tidy disposal, a real nice turn of speed and is a very good height for a midfielder. Not as 'outside' as has been suggested, won a bit of contested ball and overall didnt look out of place in AFL.

Didn't get to see him in an overhead contest, but i'd imagine his height will hold us in good stead in the future, ie. Midfielder with the ability to push forward and stretch a defence with, or go back and play taller than he is. Overall, did look like a very likely type, and will get better with time. Didnt set the world on fire like Ricky P did with his debut, but wasnt our worst today. Just a nice, solid debut

Like all of us here, Bucks has been a mad Dee's supporter forever... and he lived THE DREAM today. Debuted on the G against an old rival in Carlton, and got to sing the Grand Old Flag after it all... How sweet it is! Really exciting day for him.

Congrats to the young man!

Showed good awareness and looked for team mates. Not a huge impact on the game but a very sound debut.

Defiantly a solid first hit up, showed a bit which if he can continue with it means he will belong at AFL level.

there was a fair amount of pressure on him with his very own shirtless cheer squad.... who were those seemingly mental guys?

He (Buckley) played pretty well for a 1st game- will improve no doubt

there was a fair amount of pressure on him with his very own shirtless cheer squad.... who were those seemingly mental guys?

Saw those guys to, very funny , a friend of mine asked one of them and they said that they are his good mates. Good on the kid, looks like a player.

Buckley was more than fair to good... he was OK..not brilliant like Ricky Was..but ok. he got lost in the pace on occasions, but that will come good as he is more exposed... he seems to think a bit !!

what i seen of him he was OK was as good as ricky but looks to be a very handy player to have .. i would think he will improve as he gets more experience...

I was pretty happy with Buckley's performance on the weekend. Not the best but definately not the worse.

What I really liked was when he got the ball in the open he would run 15 meters then kick the ball another 50 into the forward line.

That is exactly what Melbourne need.

I am just thinking of the best play in the world. Wheatley kicks it out from full back to Buckley in the open on half back flank and plays on taking a bounce then kicking it long into our forward line where he hits Sylvia on the chest for an easy goal.

But that is just wishful thinking

I don't see much of Buckley as I only see Sandy sparingly on ABC and live in rural Victoria, I was wondering how quick is he actually? I don't mean in terms of 20m sprint times, but in comparison to other AFL players.

im pretty sure he is as quick as brett deledio

I went to the game and watched him really closely. He was getting to the right spots, just not getting as much ball as he should have. The team didn't have confidence in him (as he's a first gamer), and therefore didn't pass it to him when they should have. Much like what happened with Sylvia in his early career. I think Buckley showed he has really smooth hands in traffic, and has pretty good pace to boot for someone his size. If he can get used to the speed, keep up the fitness, and gain the confidence of the rest of the team, I believe he could make it as a midfielder, back pocket, or tagger.

Well Sylvia only had 1 touch on debut, so I'll be more interested to see how he develops, I reckon he could be a future player...

I think Buckley showed he has really smooth hands in traffic, and has pretty good pace to boot for someone his size.

Agree. I thought his handball in close was great for a first gamer.

Would much prefer to see him and CJ playing out the rest of the year instead of Brown and Ward once some players come back from injury.

Would much prefer to see him and CJ playing out the rest of the year instead of Brown and Ward once some players come back from injury.

Hmm, Maybe have a look at the tape of Wards last two games, he's been outstanding (I watched the Essendon game last night), and Brown was in

our best 3 last week too. These guys, while much maligned, are playing pretty good footy right now, knowing their spots are up for grabs. If you were

to pick a side on form now, rather than a mix of form and reputation, these guys would be picked ahead of say, a Brock Mclean.

CJ to me is definitely playing for his career also, I thought his hesitation at times last week was costly, but it does take a couple of games to get used

to the pace again at AFL level after playing Sandy for so long.

For what its worth, I think Buckley struggled with the pace at times, quite often just two steps behind where he was supposed to be, but otherwise presented

himself well and his posession delivery was very good, he's got a pretty decent leg on him.

Hmm, Maybe have a look at the tape of Wards last two games, he's been outstanding (I watched the Essendon game last night), and Brown was in

our best 3 last week too. These guys, while much maligned, are playing pretty good footy right now, knowing their spots are up for grabs. If you were

to pick a side on form now, rather than a mix of form and reputation, these guys would be picked ahead of say, a Brock Mclean.

CJ to me is definitely playing for his career also, I thought his hesitation at times last week was costly, but it does take a couple of games to get used

to the pace again at AFL level after playing Sandy for so long.

For what its worth, I think Buckley struggled with the pace at times, quite often just two steps behind where he was supposed to be, but otherwise presented

himself well and his posession delivery was very good, he's got a pretty decent leg on him.

Going on ability right now yes Ward and Brown are better, but they're going to be 31 and 30 y/o next year. It's time we built for the future.

Going on ability right now yes Ward and Brown are better, but they're going to be 31 and 30 y/o next year. It's time we built for the future.

I agree with the sentiment, but probably not the specifics.

I can see Ward playing alongside CJ and Buckley for the rest of the year. I'm not so sure about Brown, and I don't think he has a future at AFL level beyond 2007.

I agree with the sentiment, but probably not the specifics.

I can see Ward playing alongside CJ and Buckley for the rest of the year. I'm not so sure about Brown, and I don't think he has a future at AFL level beyond 2007.

Agree that Brown's finished at the end of the year...however thats not to say Brown's not AFL standard, because he certainly is. Just a little off the pace.

Ward will be there for 2008. You can't delist everyone. Plus he's been one of our more consistent players this year.

Ward will be there for 2008. You can't delist everyone. Plus he's been one of our more consistent players this year.

Spot on. There's zero chance of Ward being delisted, he's played nearly every game this year.