Nathan Buckley
stua...@postoffice.sandybay.utas.edu.au
okay, so maybe I'm being hasty in writing this guy off, but has Buckley
been of any worth to Collingwood this year. Fair enough he did well in the
Foster's Cup and in the match against St. Kilda, but in the games where
there has been some real pressure he seems to have fallen away.
Take the game against North on Friday night, Buckley had a picnic in the
first half when the 'Pies were well on top, but when the match was up for
grabs in the third quarter his output was minimal and was exemplified by a
dropped mark inside North's fifty which was put through for another Kanga
goal. Another example is the fourth quarter in the match against Essendon
(the Maggies lost by three points remember) when Buckley failed to provide
any real drive and completely botched two passes to Rocca which a player of
his quality should put right on the full-forward's chest. No doubt he'll
come through with a best on ground against Hawthorn this weekend, but I
can't help but see that his output under pressure is significantly poorer
than when Collingwood are on top. I'd be interested to hear other views on
this subject.
Stuart M.
CONSTANTINE FRANTZESKOS
>From: stua...@postoffice.sandybay.utas.edu.au ()
>Subject: Nathan Buckley
>Date: 24 May 1994 02:20:45 GMT
Stuart, what can I say? I agree with you whole heartedly. Nathan Buckley
is a champion when the 'Pies are on fire, but when the pressure is on, he
does not perform to the same degree.
I think the problem lies with the fact that he does not spoil nor does he
tackle with the ferocity that has been the trademark of the tough
Collingwood team this year. Why? Who knows... maybe he believes that in
tackling, he would not be there to take the ball when it comes free, leaving
it to someone else to do the hard work and then disposing of the ball
himself.
Regarding his passing, though, he has great skills with the ball. It has
not been often that I have seen him screw up a pass, whether to Saverio
Rocca (who often runs *under* passes), or to any other member of the
Collingwood team. His disposals indicate a good read of play, and it is not
often that he passes to a player under pressure, unlike other, similarly
inexperienced Collingwood players: Hassall, Butcher - even Fraser pulls off
some shockers occasionally.
I think there has been a lot of pressure on his performances, with his
arrival at Collingwood being similar to that of that famous fuckwit
limpwristed Barry Mitchell. We just have to give Buckley some time, and
some experience and he will be the future of Collingwood.
DUNSTALL BITES NOBS
Con Frantzeskos.
Brett Patrikeos
>Stuart M.
I agree that Buckley has not lived up to his potential so far this season
but I thought on Friday night Leigh Matthews did not help the situation at
all. Up until 1/2 time, Buckley was well on top of Swass and had kicked 2
very nice goals. This was why Pagan moved Swass to the forward pocket..it is
there that someone else should have picked up Swass and left Buckey to play
midfield where he belongs.
Moving one of the very few avenues to goal that the Pies have down to the
back pocket was not a good move and only increased the pressure on Buckley
who is no doubt under more pressure than most players in the league.
I just hope that Matthews learned from Friday night and stopped trying to be
so defensive with players that are better suited to making the play.
Brett.P.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
suburbia.apana.org.au
Suburbia Public Access Unix - 24 Hr Internet Connection - +61 3 596 8366
===============================================================================