Does Nick's future need to be discussed?

[Pinch Hitters]

A couple of interesting takes on whether Nick Riewoldt should go around next year. I for one probably lean towards the second opinion, do we really need to debate whether a veteran should go on whenever they have a bad game?

1. BIG DECISION ON NICK
Was wanting Nick Riewoldt to put two good games together. He was terrific against the Tigers the week before and more games like that one would mean a contact extension. But it wasn’t to be against the Bombers and with six games to play, Riewoldt hasn’t done enough - as yet - to command another year. You have to wonder if Luke Hodge’s declaration that he didn’t want to keep out a younger player out of the team resonated with the Saints great. The colossus forward was moved to a wing under Alan Richardson to accommodate the team’s young forwards and for the past two weeks has been used as a sort-of dummy forward. It worked against Rance, but not against Hurley and the anger from Riewoldt was for all to see. A role like that needs sacrifice, not frustration.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...s/news-story/6deb2bceafbe95164bac923ca33e2f8f

Dishonourable Mention 1: Deathriding stars
It is fair to say that Nick Riewoldt's performance against the Bombers was not up to the high standard to which we are all accustomed from the champion forward. As a result of this we have again been bombarded with media speculation about whether Riewoldt should carry on an 18th season. Whether Riewoldt should or shouldn't is beyond the point, it is mind numbing that each time a veteran plays a poor game, we are treated to the media rush to retire them off.

https://aussiefootyforums.com/news/sports/aussie-rules/afl-round-17-learned-liked-and-disliked/

 

[JiggsteR45]

A couple of interesting takes on whether Nick Riewoldt should go around next year. I for one probably lean towards the second opinion, do we really need to debate whether a veteran should go on whenever they have a bad game?


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...s/news-story/6deb2bceafbe95164bac923ca33e2f8f


https://aussiefootyforums.com/news/sports/aussie-rules/afl-round-17-learned-liked-and-disliked/

Give me a BREAK! [emoji35]


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[theprospect]

The media speculation around him disgusts me. I understand that at his age, he doesn't have a whole lot of football left in him, there is always some speculation with older players. But what makes me even more disgusted is the way it's being spoken about (Damian Barrett I'm looking at you), and the fact that it's our own supporters creating most of that noise. He's arguably the greatest player we've ever had, there might never be another one as good as him. It also just so happens that when he's going, he's still our most influential player. So why get rid of him?

If he thinks he can still be a strong contributor to the side, give him another year. It would be a smaller contract, but money shouldn't be an issue for him (or the club for that matter). If we were down the bottom of the ladder and needed to pump games into the kids, then it's understandable that he might needed to be moved on. North Melbourne did it with Brent Harvey. But their list needed to be rebuilt, and ours doesn't. We are a side that should be expecting to play finals - in order to do so, we need the best players at our disposal to be playing every week. Is Nick Riewoldt one of our best 22 players? Absolutely he is.

He has enough credits in the bank in my opinion that when he sits down at the end of the year with the club and they ask him, Nick, what are you thinking and he tells them boys, I want to go around the block one more time then they should not even hesitate in handing him a one year deal. He's one of the greatest of all time, the saying 'you don't know what you have until it's gone' is one that will hit St Kilda supporters and the AFL word like a tonne of bricks.

When he does hang up the boots, it will be an incredibly sad day. I just hope that it's on his terms and not the football club's.

 

[VDS66]

Whatever...

 

[CursingFijian]

 

[Geary Is GOAT]

The questions about whether or not he still has the ability to play the game is ridiculous. Calling him a "deathriding star" is disgraceful and completely wrong.

Having said that i don't think he should be offered another contract. At some point we have to move on and Nick being in the team keeps out one of McCartin, Bruce, Membrey, Battle or Marshall. At the moment most notably its been McCartin. I want to see these guys played and played together. They are the future.

In my eyes Nick is the greatest Saint to have ever played but i don't want to live in 2009. I want to prepare for and be ready for 2020.

 

[JSincsThighGap]

Nope.

He is a bit inconsistent but still playing good games. If paddy was doing half as well we would be over the moon!

He certainly deserves the opportunity to play out the rest of the year, if that is what he wants, and then discuss things about potentially going on next year.

Unfortunately this talk will get worse every time he doesnt quite look like his old self

 

[George]

C'mon mate, we get enough of this drivel in the media, we don't need to discuss it again here.

I think he'll play for one more year and I'll leave it at that.

 

[Plugger35]

One of the reasons Riewoldt has played on so long is to play finals again, if we don't play finals this year he deserves another chance next year.

It hasn't been his greatest year form wise and you wouldn't expect it to be at his age but it's still more than good enough to go around again.

Barring a serious career ending injury before the end of the season I'd be disappointed if he didn't go on one more year as I still think we need him.

The media speculation should have no baring on his decision either, those muppets only bring it up as they're desperate for stories to fill the news cycle.

 

[freebloke]

Transfer him to rookie list; pick him using the last rookie pick. Rookies no longer need to be upgraded to play under the new CBA.

 

[JG22]

Transfer him to rookie list; pick him using the last rookie pick. Rookies no longer need to be upgraded to play under the new CBA.

It's an option but not sure it's the right way to treat a champ.

We offered Fisher the same thing last year, he wasn't interested.

 

[freebloke]

It's an option but not sure it's the right way to treat a champ.

We offered Fisher the same thing last year, he wasn't interested.

Different rules. On the rookie list, one has to be upgraded. Not anymore under the new CBA.

Expect this to be new norm across the league where a number of players on 1 year deals are moved to the rookie list coz no upgrade rules for rookie list A.

 

[NarklesHelmet]

No, no it doesn't.

 

[#gosaintas]

Sign him up for next year and just keep Paddy at Sandy

 

[Kildonan]

Actually - this is a discussion forum - discuss away
Whatever we say here has little effect on his actual decision-making and probably reflects the wider community (only from the perspective of people who care).

 

[JG22]

Sign him up for next year and just keep Paddy at Sandy

Not sure it's the way to go. We've been keen to make hard calls on McEvoy, Dal, BJ etc.

Pad coming into 4th year needs senior footy, Roo coming to the end.

 

[Roadto2018]

Love him maybe more than life itself, and will be inconsolable for weeks after he finishes up, but unfortunately the end of the season is the right time for that to happen. We need to play Paddy, if we don't, and he leaves, our forward line looks a lot weaker going forward. Is having Roo (who hasn't been the same this year for the most part) for an extra season worth hurting us big time going forward? I don't think so. Would give us a little bit extra for the last 4 weeks as well, assuming we lose the next 2 and need to win all 4 to make finals.

 

[Pardon me]

I'll back him in, never write off a champion

Still stands.
If he gets asked "do you honestly believe you have it in you to have go another year?" and there is discussion around this years performance - if the answer is an emphatic "Yes" from Roo and the discussion outcome is positive enough to warrant the clubs acceptance of said performance level then it's a no brainer.

Obviously he will be managed every X amount of games, obviously he will be told that Paddy (or whoever) needs development in that role - but if he agrees and both parties *want* to continue next year then watch out.
Roo for charlie, norm smith and the most emotional premiership speech ever.

 

[St Kilda Death]

For me if he wants to go again, he goes.
Not consistently up to his past standards but still a high level AFL chf/wing.
Would a game in any teams 22.
(Name one if u think otherwise.)

Paddy got a problem?
Well if your so good and you cant force your way into a team past this 35yo cripple than how good are you?

 

[St Kilda Death]

Not only plays at a high level by any other standards but still has the ability to tear a game apart.
Eg maddies match or rd23 last year.

 

[pebblesofsand]

It's an option but not sure it's the right way to treat a champ.

We offered Fisher the same thing last year, he wasn't interested.

Rookie listed or main list doesn't matter next year unless you are Cat B or international.

If Nick plays on next year I think the club should be specifying its under a "transition to retirement" option. ie you will get games only of your form warrants it and post mid season - only if your form warrants it and if we are in finals contention. If he's happy to accept that - a new one year contract.

"The rookie list minimum wage will now increase to $71,500 per year, and Category-A listed rookie players (those taken in the rookie draft) will be eligible to play senior football in 2018 without needing to wait for an elevation to the senior list.

Clubs will still be required to list 4-6 Category A rookies, to make a total of 44 combined with the required 38-40 senior listed players.


They will also be allowed to list as many as three Category B rookies (rookies signed internationally, from another sport, or through other unique circumstances), but are not required to have any if they do not wish to."

 

[Roadto2018]

For me if he wants to go again, he goes.
Not consistently up to his past standards but still a high level AFL chf/wing.
Would a game in any teams 22.
(Name one if u think otherwise.)

Paddy got a problem?
Well if your so good and you cant force your way into a team past this 35yo cripple than how good are you?

The issue is is that if Nick plays on, we're never going to play Paddy over him, even if Paddy is kicking 10 a week in the VFL, can you ever imagine them playing Nick in the VFL? No. And playing them both (along with Bruce and Membrey) doesn't work as we always look for Roo no matter what and must drive Paddy crazy. Nick finishing is the best thing for everyone, if he goes on another year and Paddy leaves because he's either playing VFL or not getting the ball kicked to him in the AFL because we kick it to Roo every single time, then unless we win the flag in 2018, there'll be melts galore and so there should be.

 

[One 2 Roo]

I am of the view that the club is finalising it's trading plans before being able to commit $$ to both Roo and Joey. It will sort it's self out, although it would be nice not to have the distraction as we lead into finals.

One thing that I am certain of, is that Paddy needs to play seniors next year - and Roo's signing should be completed on the premise that he does not keep Paddy from playing senior footy. Get him past 50 games, and he will explode in Jon Patton style.

 

[#gosaintas]

Not sure it's the way to go. We've been keen to make hard calls on McEvoy, Dal, BJ etc.

Pad coming into 4th year needs senior footy, Roo coming to the end.

Sorry, I was kidding.

Hodge did it right. Clubs in good hands and he was getting a spot ahead of Hawthorn's youth and he could see he wasn't the future.
Roo is holding us back in his quest for another finals series.

 

[Joffaboy]

Does it need to be discussed? Yes.
Who should be discussing it? Certainly not the nobody nuffies on an hysterical and bi polar football supporter forum.