Future of Stephen Paxman?

[blackdiamond]

Its a question you don't really like to ask, Paxman has been a great servant to our club since crossing to our club and becoming part of our inaugural team, but the question will have to be answered before the 2002 season commences.

What is the future of Stephen Paxman?

He turns 31 in December and in the eyes of many probably only has a year left in him. Now that it is realised that he has to have a full knee reconstruction and will miss at least the next seven months do you think he will retire or be delisted?

If he is able to come back after his knee reconstruction it is probably fair to say he won't be able to jump as much and although it may take seven months before he can play again it will take him some time to get back some confidence with his knee in the SANFL. If we look at the Shane Bond knee injury as an example it may not be worth it, for Bond his bonus is that youth is on his side. I think there is more of a downside to this than an upside which is very sad.

One thing that maybe in Paxmans favour is that he is part of the veterans list. However when is the next man in line, Gavin Wanganeen, eligible to be on this list. Only two players can be on the veterans list and if Wanganeen is eligible this may be just enough cause to delist Paxman to free up some space on the salary cap.

Port may have to chase one of the Holland boys or Sean Wellman to fill the post or perhaps Scott Bassett might finally get his chance to cement his spot.

Personally I would love to see him come back, he and Meady have held the defence beautifully. However at the end of the day whether it is right or wrong it has to be the right decision for the Port Adelaide Football Club.

What do you think?

[Port01]

I would say it will be left up to Paxman himself.

If he thinks he can be valuable to the team next year, then I don't think the club will get rid of one of their real on-field leaders just yet.

If he decides to retire after Port win the flag, then I hope he feels enough of a part of it to go out on a high, and not a low.

[Grave Danger]

He may be back in about 7 months, which wouldn't be too far into next year except he'd miss the pre-season - that would put him behind the eightball - but I reckon they'll give him the chance to see how he goes next year.

It probably means Port will concentrate even more on picking up a key defender in the trading period. Packo's injury means they need a 'ready-made' rather than a developing defender - someone such as Shane Wakelin perhaps...?

[Macca19]

April is his due back date. In my opinion Paxman has lost a yard of pace already, and a knee recon and this age isnt gonna help the matter. Altho he has been fantastic for us this year, and in the past, i cant see him getting back.

Packo has been one of our greatest leaders at the club. But having said that, and this may sound really bad but its not meant to...if i could of chosen one man to get an injury and miss the finals it would of been Packo....for the reason that his spot is not that hard to fill. We have Wakelin, Bassett, and maybe even Thurstans that could fill the gap now left by Packo. Other positions would of been harder to fill. Im very sad that Packo has got a long term injury, but at least its not Matty or Tredders.

What i dont want...is to see Packo do what Bondy has done, come back and then get hamstring troubles or do his knee again.

We have had real bad luck with legs and knees in the last few years. Matty, Wilbur, Bondy, Lade x2, French x2, Morgan, Thurstans and now Packo have all either done there knee or broken a leg. And that is in the last three years!!

In the end its Packos choice and we must stand behind him no matter what he decides. If he decides to retire - then we shall remember him for his great games at Full Back (remember Brisbane in 97 in the dying seconds with that save!!!)...if he decides to continue on, then we must get behind him and support him as much as possible.

Onya Packo!!!

[carb70]

It was really disappointing to see Paxman get injured in the last game before finals. If anyone deserved to play in this finals series, it was him. Especially after a long career and being with the Power since day one and mainly because of all those years at Fitzroy playing in those losing sides. Infact when he got injured the ball should of been at the other end of the ground, The only reason the ball was in his area is because of a poor umpiring decision against Matthew Primus for holding the ball. The ball was knock free when the player tackled Primus so the common sense decision should of been play on, but then again umpires and common sense don't go together.

Anyway now that we have lost Paxman, who will come into the side for him?. Will they go for Basset who's last game for the team was infact the last time Port played in Brisbane or will the go for a smaller type player like Poulton or Cornes?.

[Macca19]

Originally posted by carb70
Anyway now that we have lost Paxman, who will come into the side for him?. Will they go for Basset who's last game for the team was infact the last time Port played in Brisbane or will the go for a smaller type player like Poulton or Cornes?.

I would say Bassett. Altho Toby Thurstans really did train the house down last night. But i would go for Bassett

[Grave Danger]

Scott Bassett it is - the only change. He played a darn good game in the 1999 SANFL Grand Final, so let's hope he's a 'big game player' - he's certainly got a perfect opportunity over the next few weeks to (finally) make his reputation at the Power...

[carb70]

Yes this is Bassett's big opportunity, lets hope he makes the most of it. The next few weeks could deciece whether he stays at the club next year or not.

The team looks good apart from Bishop at FB. I don't think Bishop is a key position defender he is more of a running rebounder. I just don't think he is physical enough to stop a key forward. We could be in a bit of trouble if Brisbane's key forwards start to get on top of our defence.

Hopefully they start Wakelin on Lynch and either Bassett or Bishop on Bradshaw. Then again if we get on top in the midfield we won't have to worry about Brisbane's key forwards.