Doug Barwick - Why did he leave?

[BLPC08]

Was just having this discussion with my old man. He believed Doug was disgruntled with Parko and fell out of favour with a few of his team-mates. I was under the impression it was money related. Anyone able to fill me in on the exact reason for his departure ??

Interesting stat, he kicked 35 goals in his first 7 games of his final year at the roys; however he was dropped to the ressies by years end.

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

I always thought it was $$$.

 

[Barwick17]

Didn't agree with a few things going on - not everyone stood by his side that should have - hello Collingwood!

 

[Roysforever]

As I've written in another thread.....

Player loyalty was extremely high during the 1980's and this reflected in great on-field team spirit. Paul Roos marvels at this club attribute in his autobiography. Nonetheless Roosy does lament one particular individual who opted for the dollars. His disgust is reinforced by refusing to state his name or team contribution throughout the book - I suggest this player would be Doug Barwick. Sadly Doug would not be the last financially motivated number eleven.

 

[Last of the Roys]

As I've written in another thread.....

Player loyalty was extremely high during the 1980's and this reflected in great on-field team spirit. Paul Roos marvels at this club attribute in his autobiography. Nonetheless Roosy does lament one particular individual who opted for the dollars. His disgust is reinforced by refusing to state his name or team contribution throughout the book - I suggest this player would be Doug Barwick. Sadly Doug would not be the last financially motivated number eleven.

While that might be true, at the end of the day Roos did the same thing.

At the time when Roos left I was absolutely gutted with his decision. However, for any of our players that left it is reasonably understandable given how our Club's finances / future were constantly under question, even back in the '80's. And when you have a family / future of your own to consider - it is hard to stay loyal to a Club that is disintegrating around you.

I have long forgiven Roosy and basically all of the others.

 

[BLPC08]

Although I haven't read Roos' book, I find it very surprising that he would openly criticise other players who left purely for the money. I wouldn't have thought Roosy had a leg to stand on.

Doug was a top footballer, however his final year at the roys (1987) was very up and down. As mentioned, my old man (whom has been a long time follower of the roys and attended many family days/club functions over the years) was under the impression that Barwick was distant from the playing group and looked as though he didn't want to be there. Parko dropping him to the ressies may have been the last straw.

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

I have long forgiven Roosy and basically all of the others.

Maybe Roos was talking about his best mate Alistair Lynch?

 

[Mr Ripper]

Didn't Dougie play on after breaking a wrist or thumb or something that year? Form certainly deserted him after that brilliant start!

 

[lihei]

....to win a premiership medallion??

 

[Fat Pizza]

Barwick has justified his decision to leave by saying Parkin was playing him at full forward & he didn't see much of a future for himself in that position. He could be successful there as a pinch-hitter, but not long-term. If other teams worked out a strategy to cope with his speed, the goals would dry up & he'd be dropped to the 2nds.

Doug wanted to play across half forward & the midfield. In those positions, he played a very similar style to Mick Conlan & it was rare for the 2 of them to fire in the same game. He thought he'd be a better player, if he was the only player of his type in the team.

The extra money offered by Collingwood would have helped him make the decision.

I don't think Roosy's move was motivated by money. He was being paid plenty at Fitzroy & his future would have been assured after his retirement, due to the high esteem he was held in by the whole football community. I think it was more about seeing how well he could play, without having the distractions of the constant crises at Fitzroy & having to represent the playing group to all & sundry. He has also said that the closeness & culture of the Fitzroy players from earlier years had been eroded by the mid-90's to the extent that it didn't feel like the same club he had enjoyed playing for.

Some have criticised Roos for not working harder when he was Fitzroy's captain to convince his teammates to stay with the club, but I don't think anyone can criticise him for how he prepared himself for matches & how he gave everything in every game he played.

 

[Wayne_Izard]

DB was one of my fav ever players at Fitzroy...

remember him leading the VFL Goalkicking after 7 rounds and looked on track to get 80-100 goals that year.

also was at VFL park for the last game of the year and couldnt believe he was on the bench in the reserves at that stage

good on him winning a premiership in the finish