Luke McPharlin

[Freomaniac]

Sting is about right. Firstly if he is given a good time to recover his injuries are probably overstated by media hungry for a story and pace wise he hasn't lost anything except in that St Kilda game when everyone had.

Silvagni obviously comes in for him going forward now but backups for next year are still thin given Dawson and Johnson are also getting on. Alex Pearce is the next in line and next is Smith but Smith seems injury prone (injured again on the weekend) and Vandeluer is not KPD height is he? For coverage in KPD stocks alone we would need to keep either Macca or Keps on for next year. This year - get him right and consider using him up forward in the finals to give some relief and separation to Pav.

Vandeleur is 194cm tall. That is easily Key defender height right there. Decisions need to be made for 2015 and beyond. I know it seems early But it seems that Smith and Alex Pearce will be our main key defenders and Vandeleur will be a back up key defender. Theres going to be changes in the next 2 seasons.

I got bagged out for saying McPharlin should retire so we can get games into Smith/Alex Pearce /Vandeleur for the next 2 seasons. Johnson has easily 2 good seasons left So does dawson. This might be forward thinking, But I will be satisfied if at the start of 2017, Any 2 of smith/Pearce/Vandeleur both have 15-20 games each under the belt as 21-22 year olds and Silvagni is still there. Last thing I want is to have an undersized and Inexperienced backline freo had in 2004-5.

As someone posted on here, I will be gutted if we win the 2014 flag and McPharlin doesnt get his medal. I know its a possible chance, If freo do make the grand final, I hope McPharlin has one good game left in him. If he cant run out of defence, chuck him up forward. Some teams have done random tactics and gambles on grand final day and won it.

 

[Freo Dr]

Ok thought Vandeluer was more like 190 cm. Funny now that with the advent of KPFs like Tippett and Taberner who are 200 cm it means a bloke 194 cm becomes a third tall defender and we will rely on Smith and Pearce who are closer to that height to take them in years to come.

 

[E Shed]

The idea of playing him at Full forward in the finals in the not without merit.

 

[Nickos66]

Jeez our KPB stocks are looking slim, we have SCOS as solid cover then it really falls away. Tanner can't get on the park half the year, every year. And Pearce & Vandy are skinny 1st year players. Alas, i've been saying it for a while now that he'll be the 1st to go of the big 3, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept that Macca is very near the end of his tether.

 

[Bicco]

Jeez our KPB stocks are looking slim, we have SCOS as solid cover then it really falls away. Tanner can't get on the park half the year, every year. And Pearce & Vandy are skinny 1st year players. Alas, i've been saying it for a while now that he'll be the 1st to go of the big 3, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept that Macca is very near the end of his tether.

Macca was constantly injured too in his first few years, maybe it bodes well for Tanner?!

 

[Kram]

Sad but put a fork in him, he's done.

IMO he won't work as a forward either.

 

[Freomaniac]

The idea of playing him at Full forward in the finals in the not without merit.

Its been proven he can be serviceable in the forward 50. 34 goals from 16 games back in 2004 proved he could cut it. The key word is that was 10 years ago when he was 22/23 years old.

Jeez our KPB stocks are looking slim, we have SCOS as solid cover then it really falls away. Tanner can't get on the park half the year, every year. And Pearce & Vandy are skinny 1st year players. Alas, i've been saying it for a while now that he'll be the 1st to go of the big 3, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept that Macca is very near the end of his tether.

Which why next season and Season after is important. At least Alex Pearce and Vandeleur have got one season of development under the belt. Both Johnson and Dawson are signed until 2015, But I can see both play until the end of 2016. As Stated, Freos key defender stocks will be known in the next 2 seasons when Smith, Pearce and Vandeleur get games from now until the end of 2016.

 

[Nodgey]

Elvis is missing from the back line more often than not now. Whether he retires this year or next is moot - we need to start planning now for a back line without him. So if he regains fitness, and that's a big if, I'd throw him forward. I'd start him forward and move him back only if necessary.

 

[pavsbootlace]

It's sad, but I've come to the conclusion that this will be his last year, and that he may have already played his last game.

The biggest issue I can see is that Silvagni seems to be a bit injury prone too. I'm hoping for a massive preseason from A Pearce and T Smith - opportunities will start opening up next year.

 

[beetz]

It's sad, but I've come to the conclusion that this will be his last year, and that he may have already played his last game.

The biggest issue I can see is that Silvagni seems to be a bit injury prone too. I'm hoping for a massive preseason from A Pearce and T Smith - opportunities will start opening up next year.

More than anything!

 

[Willsy82]

If I remember correctly, injuries were a big part in his early career, it's a shame that it looks that injuries will bring it to an end.

I'd love to know peoples thoughts on how he will be remembered once he hangs up the boots, for me, he would have to be close to our second best player our club has had, behind Pavlich obviously.

 

[estibador]

I'd love to know peoples thoughts on how he will be remembered once he hangs up the boots, for me, he would have to be close to our second best player our club has had, behind Pavlich obviously.

Yeah I think that's a fair call. Sandi probably the only other one in the argument at the moment.

Fyfe will be the clear #2 sooner rather than later though, and probably #1 not long after that.

 

[pokerspiv]

If I remember correctly, injuries were a big part in his early career, it's a shame that it looks that injuries will bring it to an end.

I think he had osteitis pubis early in his career, before the AFL worked out what caused it. Obviously they worked it out because I haven't heard of an AFL player having it for years.

 

[Kram]

Any word on his future yet?

 

[Belnakor]

Any word on his future yet?

they still have a couple of months to decide?

 

[se17enteen]

If Frawley signs Luke will retire, he'll only go on if Frawley turns us down.

 

[strobe00]

I think he had osteitis pubis early in his career, before the AFL worked out what caused it. Obviously they worked it out because I haven't heard of an AFL player having it for years.

They still get it, but some guys get maintenance exercises and others get surgery to fix it I think... if it's a structural problem that is causing it.

 

[StingBitten]

I for one really hope Luke signs on for another year; even if it's at a reduced salary.

Often walks in Pav's shadow but he has been absolutely colossal for our club; was part of the team that got us into our first ever final, was second only to Pav in the forward line in the mid-2000's and was vital in us getting to our first Prelim. Deserves a spot in the All-Time AA squad as a Full-Back if you ask me and has only started to look a little shaky this year and late last year (he was pushing for another AA in 2013 before the Saints game).

What an amazingly handy back-up he would be for Silvagni/Frawley? Silvagni goes at 3000 miles a second which makes him great, but it also leads to him busting ribs or getting concussed and needing to heal up for every other week. Macca would provide a great back-up and can even be thrown in forward when needed; what an X-factor to have on stand-by!

 

[Silent Alarm]

I for one really hope Luke signs on for another year; even if it's at a reduced salary.

Often walks in Pav's shadow but he has been absolutely colossal for our club; was part of the team that got us into our first ever final, was second only to Pav in the forward line in the mid-2000's and was vital in us getting to our first Prelim. Deserves a spot in the All-Time AA squad as a Full-Back if you ask me and has only started to look a little shaky this year and late last year (he was pushing for another AA in 2013 before the Saints game).

What an amazingly handy back-up he would be for Silvagni/Frawley? Silvagni goes at 3000 miles a second which makes him great, but it also leads to him busting ribs or getting concussed and needing to heal up for every other week. Macca would provide a great back-up and can even be thrown in forward when needed; what an X-factor to have on stand-by!

He is a person though and you have to look at this as probably the best scenario. He'll be lucky to play another 12, 13 games in the AFL or even in the WAFL. The guy probably has enough money and some good contacts to get a decent job when he retires, he probably has kids, and he probably sees training and hanging around the club as simply not worth it – especially when you have young guys developing who could be stunted by Lukey staying around.

I personally think the guy is an absolute champion, one of the greatest WA-based AFL players and a serious asset for Freo as a player (he really could've been a five time All Australian) and person. I think he's even underrated by Freo fans. I don't want him to go and I'm not underplaying his performance or fobbing off his contribution. Poor pricks like that deserve a little more from their career. But you have to remember McPharlin's a pretty intelligent and rational person. I don't think he'll go on, it wouldn't make much sense.

 

[PapaJ]

I for one really hope Luke signs on for another year; even if it's at a reduced salary.

Often walks in Pav's shadow but he has been absolutely colossal for our club; was part of the team that got us into our first ever final, was second only to Pav in the forward line in the mid-2000's and was vital in us getting to our first Prelim. Deserves a spot in the All-Time AA squad as a Full-Back if you ask me and has only started to look a little shaky this year and late last year (he was pushing for another AA in 2013 before the Saints game).

What an amazingly handy back-up he would be for Silvagni/Frawley? Silvagni goes at 3000 miles a second which makes him great, but it also leads to him busting ribs or getting concussed and needing to heal up for every other week. Macca would provide a great back-up and can even be thrown in forward when needed; what an X-factor to have on stand-by!

Great in theory, really like the idea of Luke being a 'backup' rather than automatic starter - but that's a big call for the guy, to put himself through another pre-season, get himself all right physically, the mental effort etc. just to be a backup. Maybe he has that ability, a bit like Gia did for Doggies this year (though not as a sub, but similar mentality) and it could work, but it's going to be a significant mental shift for him to do that.

I picked 2014 being Luke's last season a few years back, and it's looking likely to me - if he goes one more then I'll be chuffed, but it could get ugly if he's blowing up every 2nd game and he could finish his career as a list clogger which is no way for a champ like Macca to go out.

EDIT: Having said that, champs like Elvis do have the benefit of the doubt IMHO. If he thinks he can go and wants to, then I'd still hail his praises even if it doesn't work out next year.

 

[theGav56]

Macca as back up to Silvagni.....not the way for a champ to end his career. How does he maintain his fitness and form? Chugging around for Peel*. Gawd no.

* not to mention at Peel I want Pearce, Smith and Vandeluer getting every possible game.

 

[Freo_4eva]

If he goes on (especially if Frawley is signed).. i would only play him exclusively as a forward.

But i don't think he will go on

 

[Kram]

Not sure about the forward thing, even at his peak he was only usually effective when swung there at some stage in a game, when starting up there he was often pretty ordinary.

 

[Freo_4eva]

Agreed.. the theory was often better than the practice, i guess my main point is if he is on the list next year i wouldn't have him playing in the backline ahead of the Silvagni/Dawson combo so he has to play forward if at all.

 

[Kunna17]

if he went on, and frawley played forward, we could use the old switcharooo very regularly.