Bucks on Pebbles for 2009

[Bay Pie]

Listening to the 3AW pre-game show, Bucks was asked about Pebbles and where he was up to, if he'd play this year and what he thought about next year.

Bucks basically said he wont play this year, no surprise there, but questioned whether he should go on next year.

He said that the game has changed so much. 4/5 years ago he would just our body his opponents and take contested marks with his size and strength. Not many players of his type in the game anymore as most forwards are now quite mobile.

He said Pebs provides good contested marking but defenders who aren't that big have learned to position themselves better and, while smaller, have good core strength through the hips etc which allows them to stay in the contest. If he doesn't mark it the ball rebounds quickly.

He finished by saying the Pies have a big decision to make on his career next year.

I believe he will stay on for the final year of his contract but got the feeling Bucks thought the game has passed Pebbles, like Licca last year.

Sad but true.

 

[Bloben]

i'd imagine we will learn about rocca and wakes, presti and burns in the next week or two. Mick will move straight into list management mode and will discuss his plans with each of them this week. I think rocca will stay, so will burns and to be honest i would even consider keeping wakes and presti but i guess one must go.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

MM confirmed that only one of our "senior defenders" will go on next year. Based on selection in the last two rounds, you'd have to think it's Presti who will be retained.

Burns pulled out of the St. Kilda game after feeling tightness on warming down after training. Sounds like the actions of a man who's pulling the plug. I hate to think so, but the HUN is reporting it as likely that he'll retire.

Pebs has stated that he'll go on, and we know how important MM considers him to be to the team. I think he'll go on for 2009 only.

Holland and Lonie must surely both be gone due to inability to get on the park and play footy.

 

[Shellz]

I reckon the HUN have no idea he's retiring. Burns is injured (would have played next week though) and old... short on stories? I know Burns might retire let's go with that one.

One of Presti and Wakes are going, wish they could both stay purely so we could rotate between them. Keep them both fresher and in case one gets injured.

Rocca's going no where. He'll be there. Don't you guys worry.

 

[kevind]

MM confirmed that only one of our "senior defenders" will go on next year. Based on selection in the last two rounds, you'd have to think it's Presti who will be retained.

Burns pulled out of the St. Kilda game after feeling tightness on warming down after training. Sounds like the actions of a man who's pulling the plug. I hate to think so, but the HUN is reporting it as likely that he'll retire.

Pebs has stated that he'll go on, and we know how important MM considers him to be to the team. I think he'll go on for 2009 only.

Holland and Lonie must surely both be gone due to inability to get on the park and play footy.

If we cannot perform miracles with recruiting in the coming months i.e getting both Kerr and Cousins, or at least 2 top quality midfielders, without selling the farm, I cannot see us being a serious challenger next year.

And given that Rocca, Presti, Wakelin, Burns,Holland and Lonie have had little effect on the performance of the side over the last few weeks, is it not better, given the lack of the above scenario, to retire them all this year? May bring some severe short term pain, but would fast track development of several younger players and take enormous pressure from our salary cap.