Consider this..........

[HBF]

Was having a look at the clubs that have been in the mix for spots 4 - 8 in recent weeks, and decided to have a look at the status of their lists, and more importantly, how many "veterans" each of these clubs have on their list. You often hear footy people say that most players are in their real prime from ages 24-28, so I have taken a look at the players who turn 29 or older in 2009. Makes for some interesting reading:

Sydney

Peter Everitt (35)
Brett Kirk (33)
Barry Hall (32)
Michael O'loughlin (32)
Leo Barry (32)
Ben Matthews (31)
Jarred Crouch (31)
Adam Goodes (29)
Jude Bolton (29)
Craig Bolton (29)

North Melbourne

Adam Simpson (33)
Shannon Grant (32)
Brent Harvey (31)
Jess Sinclair (31)
Nathan Thompson (31)
Shannon Watt (29)

Adelaide

Nathan Bassett (33)
Tyson Edwards (33)
Simon Goodwin (33)
Andrew McLeod (33)
Rhett Biglands (32)
Brett Burton (31)
Michael Doughty (30)
Kris Massie (29)
Robert Shirley (29)

Collingwood

Shane Wakelin (35)
Scott Burns (35)
Anthony Rocca (32)
Simon Prestigiacomo (31)
Tarkyn Lockyer (30)
Shane O'Bree (30)
Brodie Holland (29)

St.Kilda

Robert Harvery (38) Retiring
Fraser Gehrig (33)
Max Hudgton (33)
Steven King (31)
Michael Gardiner (30)
Steven Baker (29)
Stephen Milne (29)

Brisbane

Nigel Lappin (33)
Daniel Bradshaw (31)
Tim Notting (31)
Simon Black (30)
Travis Johnstone (29)
Luke Power (29)

Richmond

Matthew Richardson (34)
Joel Bowden (31)
Nathan Brown (31)
Kane Johnson (31)
Troy Simmonds (31)
Greg Tivendale (31)

Essendon

Dustin Fletcher (34)
Scott Lucas (32)
Mal Michael (32) Retiring
Jason Johnson (31) Retiring
Matthew Lloyd (31)
Damien Peverill (30)
Adam Ramanauskas (29)

Now, when you consider that Carlton only have 3 players that turn 29 or older next year, you would have to think that our list would be in better shape than most of the teams listed in a year or two. I think this really proves that our footy club is on the verge of something pretty special, and even as soon as this year we might be playing finals footy.

For the record, our 3 players are:

Jason Saddington (30)
Heath Scotland (29)
Nick Stevens (29)

 

[Blueinblood]

Nice research HBF!
Sydney will struggle soon although they do have a great coach.

 

[Blue Dimension]

Nice research HBF!
Sydney will struggle soon although they do have a great coach.

I think you'll find that although Sydney are aging they have done a very good job in easing youth into their side this year and they still are in contention for a top 4 spot.

 

[griggisalegend]

For the record, our 3 players are:

Jason Saddington (30)
Heath Scotland (29)
Nick Stevens (29)

its pretty funny that apart from saddington, both those players play a rather important role in the midfield (even though scotlands got a big of a gig near the backline), and can easily be covered in the next couple of years when they retire.

 

[Blueinblood]

i wouldnt say easily but we have some options that can step up

 

[HBF]

its pretty funny that apart from saddington, both those players play a rather important role in the midfield (even though scotlands got a big of a gig near the backline), and can easily be covered in the next couple of years when they retire.

That's what I was thinking as well. Guys like Grigg and Browne could, given what they have shown thus far, go some way in replacing both Stevens and Scotland, when they do decide to hang up the boots. Reckon both these boys have at least 2-3 more years of good footy left in them.

 

[BlueBelle]

It will be interesting to see how the top 3 sides fare age wise....

 

[Dustyjackman]

Top effort, HBF.
Makes the future look pretty impressive as the boys turn into young men.

By the way, I'd almost give my left testicle to be able to dedicate the sort of time required to compile the list you have posted. Lucky bugger.

 

[as0l0]

*snip*
this really proves that our footy club is on the verge of something pretty special
*snip*

yes. football has never seen what is about to happen.

 

[Blu3_Boy]

I would assume Stevens and Scotland would have at least another 3-4 years ahead of them, there both in top form...

Excellent research HBF!

 

[Silvagnis]

Hawthorn's average age is on par with Carlton, yet they're the second best side in the AFL, have heaps of depth and a young forwardline with Buddy.

Consider that!

 

[Smell The Glove]

yes. football has never seen what is about to happen.

In fact, I'm pretty sure no-one has.

 

[Blueinblood]

Sydney

Peter Everitt (35)
Brett Kirk (33)
Barry Hall (32)
Michael O'loughlin (32)
Leo Barry (32)
Ben Matthews (31)
Jarred Crouch (31)
Adam Goodes (29)
Jude Bolton (29)
Craig Bolton (29)

Bolded players are very important and without them sydney would be last. They would want to draft well over the next few years

 

[thylacine60]

Sydney

Peter Everitt (35)
Brett Kirk (33)
Barry Hall (32)
Michael O'loughlin (32)
Leo Barry (32)
Ben Matthews (31)
Jarred Crouch (31)
Adam Goodes (29)
Jude Bolton (29)
Craig Bolton (29)

Bolded players are very important and without them sydney would be last. They would want to draft well over the next few years

No chance. The prop-ups have changed focus now and Sydney and Brisbane are back in cattle class with the rest of us sad originals. Welcome to reality boys.