View Full Version : Prior Retires
Cant seem to find anything about this elsewhere but i heard this morning that he's also retired.
Pity cos i was pretty happy when we picked him up but the way things are now, he doesnt have much chance of breaking into the team...
Good luck to him
Hmm... we might not need to delist many players now.
we dont supposedly, according to the AFL website :)
Lynch has also been promoted to our main squad
Originally posted by iceman
Lynch has also been promoted to our main squad
Yep! He deserves to be there, he's been preety good this year!
brampta
31 Oct 2002, 15:36
Originally posted by iceman
Cant seem to find anything about this elsewhere but i heard this morning that he's also retired.
Pity cos i was pretty happy when we picked him up but the way things are now, he doesnt have much chance of breaking into the team...
Good luck to him
dang
he was a good honest player
Prior retires; Lynch elevated
Gary Stocks
westcoasteagles.com.au
11:28:14 AM Thu 31 October, 2002
Experienced defender Michael Prior has joined the ranks of retired West Coast Eagles players, announcing his decision this morning.
With Prior deciding to retire after a fine career with both Essendon and West Coast, the club did not need to de-list any of its players in the lead-up to today’s deadline which forced clubs to submit lists of no more than 34 players to the AFL.
His decision came after fellow defender Greg Harding yesterday decided that his body could not handle the rigours of AFL football after earlier decisions by Mark Merenda and Richard Taylor that they would not continue.
That takes the senior list to 35 with the elevation of rookie Quinten Lynch to the main squad.
Lynch started the 2001 season as a rookie but was promoted because of a long-term injury to Chad Morrison. The powerhouse forward made the most of his opportunity, playing 11 games, including the elimination final defeat by Essendon.
Prior, like Harding, Merenda and Taylor, came to the West Coast Eagles through the trade week late in 2000 when the club sought experienced players to buy some time for a developing young list. Unfortunately, he was the victim of a knee injury in a round seven match against Port Adelaide, which brought a premature end to his season.
Prior worked his way back and played two games in 2002, but struggled for the form which made him a strong contributor in 81 games with Essendon, his stint with the Bombers also ruined by a knee injury.
While the 29-year-old veteran had his injury problems after joining West Coast he did manage to play in his first senior premiership when he played an important role in East Perth’s WAFL triumph over arch rival West Perth.
And he aims to continue with the Royals next season.
“I just felt like the injuries were taking a toll and it was becoming more and more difficult to get myself in the shape required to play AFL football,” Prior said. “I’d like to continue playing with East Perth, though.
“I have some interests I would like to pursue both in and outside of football and I’m really looking forward to the future.”
With those four players retiring and Lynch elevated to the primary list it means West Coast has three draft selections at 26, 41 and 57 and the recruiting staff have been working diligently to plan their strategy for the annual player ballot on November 24.
Essentially, the changes to the 2002 squad are that Merenda, Prior, Taylor and Harding have retired, Ashley McIntosh has been added to the veteran list, while Daniel Chick, Damien Adkins and Lynch are additions to the senior list.
that leaves collica and seira as the only 'senior' players recruited under ken judge.
i like prior. sad to see him go.
daddy_4_eyes
31 Oct 2002, 16:47
Now if only Siera could join them. I like the guy, and he'd probably be on the fringe of our best 22 when fully fit, but I'd prefer if the club played youngsters before him.
Anyone see St Kilda's delistings? Not many surprises, but Cranage was delisted. Not the best player in the world, but certainly not delist material. St Kilda's justification was that they are putting together a young team that will be playing as a team for a decade, and would therefore prefer to play a youngster ahead of Cranage.
Goldenblue
31 Oct 2002, 18:49
Sad for Prior.
One recruit I would have loved to see play a lot more games in the Blue and Gold.
Still, we are free now of the ones we needed to delist, though I wondered if Seira is still worth holding onto.
eagleskickass
1 Nov 2002, 01:58
Seira and prior were unlucky to do there knees, but Prior more so. He had just about cemented his spot when he did it again, and from there never got back to form.
Good luck Prior, great to have had u play for the mighty Eagles!
larrikin
1 Nov 2002, 02:14
Good luck in your future ventures Michael, your service to our club has been valued and we hope you have a better run in the future than your knee gave you at West Coast.
eagleskickass
1 Nov 2002, 02:35
Has he retired from footy or Just AFL ie is he gonna suit up for East Perth still??
I remember hearing we had picked him up and being really happy, could have been real good had it not been for the knee.
Goldenblue
1 Nov 2002, 11:19
Originally posted by eagleskickass
Has he retired from footy or Just AFL ie is he gonna suit up for East Perth still??
Wants to play for the Royals next year.
Siera should be given some more time to prove himself. I think he could be preety good if he gets some form happening. Who knows, If the unbelievable happens and Gardi and Cox both go down with knees we will need him to ruck for us Id say. Seaby wont be up to rucking for whole games just yet.
larrikin
2 Nov 2002, 02:55
Originally posted by carlyp
Siera should be given some more time to prove himself. I think he could be preety good if he gets some form happening. Who knows, If the unbelievable happens and Gardi and Cox both go down with knees we will need him to ruck for us Id say. Seaby wont be up to rucking for whole games just yet.
No, but McDougall and Gaspar would both play in the ruck before Seira.
I do, however, hope they give Seira a chance this year. He provides a good honest contest up forward.
Leaves room in the cap to draft another experienced player.
I hear that Winston Abrahams will do some training with WCE
GoEagles
2 Nov 2002, 19:37
Originally posted by Frodo
I hear that Winston Abrahams will do some training with WCE
I'd rather take Allessio.
Abraham would be too big a risk - being out of footy for almost 2 years, coming back from a knee injury and reports that he was lazy and missed training & recovery sessions
larrikin
3 Nov 2002, 00:09
Originally posted by GoEagles
I'd rather take Allessio.
Abraham would be too big a risk - being out of footy for almost 2 years, coming back from a knee injury and reports that he was lazy and missed training & recovery sessions
No way we'd want Allessio, he's a big, slow, lazy hack (who can kick straight). Abraham would be worth the risk if he shows the commitment over summer IMO.
Hope you don't mind me saying a few words.
I was a big fan of him when he was at Essendon, always though he could have been a great footballer when given the chance, and it was unfortunate he had such a bad run with injuries over his career.
I actually didn't mind him being traded as I thought that with our list being so strong at the time he would struggle to come back and it would be better to try his luck at West Coast where it was more likely he could cement a senior spot. That wasn't to be though with him succuming to injury again. Would like to wish Michael all the best in his retirement.
Bad luck for Prior...but he was never gonna break into our backline with the emergence of Hunter and Green and the return of Read and Morrison. Hope all goes well for him in the future.
As for Seira, I hope he gets a few games next season. Always provides a contest and IMO is one of better options behind McDougall at CHF.