300 games-A Lost Achievement

[hilly]

Does anyone else believe that the milestone of reaching 300 games will soon become a difficult possibility? For example, if a player is drafted at 18, with an average of 23 games a season thereafter (a big ask, considering development, injuries, form etc), relying on 1 final per year on average, by age 31 he will have played 299 games, and may have burned out after so many years of football. I'm not saying it will never happen again, just that it's likelihood will decrease.

 

[Mr Ripper]

With the ever changing landscape of AFL football, who knows what might occur with regard to lengthened or shortened seasons, the raising or lowering of the minimum draft age or further extensions on the interchange bench; all of which could have a dramatic effect on a player's shelf life.

Without studying any figures, I'd say players still seem to be playing to similar ages to what they were, say, 10 years ago. And there's always your freaks a'la Bradley, Blakey, Tucky et al who play on into their mid 30s and beyond.

I reckon the amount of players registering 300 games will continue at a similar rate to what we're used to.

 

[Grendel]

"Does anyone else believe that the milestone of reaching 300 games will soon become a difficult possibility?"

Hilly you ask as if it was an easy thing to achieve in the first place. Im with Mr.Ripper, it will continue to happen at about the same pace as previously. But i do think that the higher numbers of the 300 club (ie blokes playing more than 330+ games) will be a very very seldom seem thing (this he says with Braddles and Blakey both still running around! lol)

 

[hilly]

Originally posted by Grendel:
"Does anyone else believe that the milestone of reaching 300 games will soon become a difficult possibility?"

Sorry I meant does anyone believe it will become a MORE DIFFICULT possibility.

 

[McKenna for PM]

I would probably agree. Football is far more fast-paced today than it was twenty years ago. Career debilitating injuries are more common than they used to be, and there is far more pressure for players to return prior to a full recovery, thus increasing their chances of getting injured again.

 

[Darky]

In the past,players could often start their careers at age 16-18, and many would play until they were 34-35.
These days most don't break into senior sides until they are about 19-20, and most players retire these days when they are about 32, give or take a couple of years.
So with a long career these days being around 13 years, a player would need to average 23 games to get to 300 (299).
300 will be an achievable milestone for a long time, probably until a drastic change to the game is made such as a substantial shortening of the season, but with the strain placed on bodies by matches and training, it would be only a freak of 37-38 that could go on into the high 300s or further.

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Other bands play, Manowar KILL !!!!!!!!!

 

[Aussie_Roo]

I think it will become more difficult in years to come. AFL is an evolving game, and within 5 years or so it wouldn't surprise me ( don't want to be happen but realistically it could)if the following occurred:

* Club lists getting cut back further.
* Monies received from television rights
will reward the elite & good players say
Top 30 only.
* Draft Age will lower, and clubs will send
the kids to play with their affiliated
clubs to see how they develop (this is
already happening to an extent)prior to
them getting on the 'A List'

Footy is more than just a game these days, it is a business which generates big $$$. In the future, clubs won't be able to afford the luxury of keeping a rookie on their list for a couple of years until he develops because it will mean $$$. Therefore making it more difficult for players to reach 300 games.

 

[carb70]

Thats why playing 300 games is regarded as a major milestone because its so hard to get, but there will still be players who will reach it. Just take Craig Bradley for an example he played 5 seasons and 98 games for Port Adelaide in the SANFL and he still reached 300 AFL games. Today with the improved training schedules and better after game recovery programs who knows players might play for longer.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

only if they get recycled by carlton youth policy out da window down there lol.
cheers!