Luke McPharlin

[Sal_Paradise]

I thought he was cooked and wouldn't possibly go on, I wonder if we had signed Frawley would he still be playing ?

I'll enjoy seeing Luke again in 2015, he did have a pretty solid start to the year last year, I still have some mental scarring about Rhys Stanley tearing him a new one but I think we can forgive him given the service he has given us. It's such a shame he has missed 2 finals series for us due to injury, reckon we would have gone at least a week longer in 2012 & 2014 had we had Luke in the team.

Almost no chance, I'd say.

Agree with the sentiment of a few. I'm not sure this is the right decision

 

[Wigarus]

I don't think its the best situation either but I think the club had 'recruit key position players' as part of their list management model and they have come to realise it is basically just not going to happen for Freo.

Extremely frustrating considering the likes of Collingwood, Sydney, Hawthorn, Geelong have all been able to recruit key position players easily over the last few years.

I don't believe that there are too many alternatives tbh, Pearce, Tanner and Silvagni all spent significant time out injured this year.

 

[Taylor]

Maybe they are putting Luke on the rookie list... :O

 

[Silent Alarm]

With the sort of guy that Luke is he wouldn't be doing it if he didn't think he could contribute.
Provided he is fit he provides great smarts, athleticism and all that experience to our back half.
I expect they will manage him, possibly not fly him as much and aim for him to have a big September for the last hurrah of the big 3.

This is what's saving me from total bemusement. He's an intelligent guy and has never shown any sign of selfishness or ill-thought. I can imagine this was a pretty long decision, probably dating back to the business end of the home and away season, so I imagine he's umm-ed and ahh-ed and decided this was a good option.

There isn't a huge issue with him taking a spot on the list, I imagine he isn't on much cash, and I can't imagine he'll play more than 8 or 9 games. Hopefully some of the young turks are blooded early and told in pre-season that it's up to them if they work hard enough. Between that and Dawson and Silvagni, the backline isn't in shocking shape.

My only issue is that I think the club is in a bit of a limbo. The Hawks are an impeccable side. They're not getting worse. They have depth, higher top-end talent, an awesome culture, and experience. I don't think you should concede on those merits, but you have to look at the age of Pav and Sandi (as well as Luke and Mundy) and realise it's a bit suss. You're in trouble relying on Fyfe. I just don't think this side has taken the 2012-2014 window it had. I think it's time for a rebuild or a massive, one-last tilt. It seems neither is happening.

 

[rgauci]

2015 Norm Smith medallist. Just needs to be managed appropriately. His season is 4 weeks long, next September.

 

[Wigarus]

This is what's saving me from total bemusement. He's an intelligent guy and has never shown any sign of selfishness or ill-thought. I can imagine this was a pretty long decision, probably dating back to the business end of the home and away season, so I imagine he's umm-ed and ahh-ed and decided this was a good option.

There isn't a huge issue with him taking a spot on the list, I imagine he isn't on much cash, and I can't imagine he'll play more than 8 or 9 games. Hopefully some of the young turks are blooded early and told in pre-season that it's up to them if they work hard enough. Between that and Dawson and Silvagni, the backline isn't in shocking shape.

My only issue is that I think the club is in a bit of a limbo. The Hawks are an impeccable side. They're not getting worse. They have depth, higher top-end talent, an awesome culture, and experience. I don't think you should concede on those merits, but you have to look at the age of Pav and Sandi (as well as Luke and Mundy) and realise it's a bit suss. You're in trouble relying on Fyfe. I just don't think this side has taken the 2012-2014 window it had. I think it's time for a rebuild or a massive, one-last tilt. It seems neither is happening.

We are in a rebuild. Rebuilds take ~10 years.

 

[Kunna17]

I dont mind it, he should be managed.
BUT if Silvagni or Alex Pearce performs then they should earn that spot, it shouldn't be 'Luke's a hero, so he gets the game' but 'Who's had the best year out of these 3'

 

[malpaso]

We are in a rebuild. Rebuilds take ~10 years.

You don't make finals in rebuild mode and given the way we've approached the draft and rookie list in the recent past I'd say we'll consistently be in finals contention.

 

[StingBitten]

We ain't winning any flags from 'key position recruits'.

The Class of 2008 was massive for us; time for the Class of 2014.

 

[Nickos66]

We are in a rebuild. Rebuilds take ~10 years.

You don't hear of too many consecutive top 4 finishing teams declaring they're in a 'rebuilding phase'.

 

[electricfeel]

I'm sure he will be managed and will only play ~10 games or so next season. I also felt that it was time to move him on but now is the time to start putting games into Tanner Smith and Alex Pearce (if they can get on the park...) and Silvagni becomes more permanent.

 

[Wigarus]

You don't make finals in rebuild mode and given the way we've approached the draft and rookie list in the recent past I'd say we'll consistently be in finals contention.

You don't hear of too many consecutive top 4 finishing teams declaring they're in a 'rebuilding phase'.

We started our rebuild in 2007 / 2008. 2008 drafted players don't start until 2009 so they are 5 years in the system. The reality is that we had a few stars that were worth retaining and luckily we had a real crack the last couple of years with Pav, Sandi etc. but it hasn't come off. This rebuild, which we are still in will not be complete for a few years at least.

Premiership teams aren't put together in 5 seasons.

 

[Nickos66]

We started our rebuild in 2007 / 2008. 2008 drafted players don't start until 2009 so they are 5 years in the system. The reality is that we had a few stars that were worth retaining and luckily we had a real crack the last couple of years with Pav, Sandi etc. but it hasn't come off. This rebuild, which we are still in will not be complete for a few years at least.

Premiership teams aren't put together in 5 seasons.

I think absolute terms generally aren't used or acknowledged by the clubs, so I doubt they'd refer to the club as being in a 'premiership window' or 'rebuilding phase'. But I very much disagree that the club would consider itself being both..

 

[Steinfreo]

This is what's saving me from total bemusement. He's an intelligent guy and has never shown any sign of selfishness or ill-thought. I can imagine this was a pretty long decision, probably dating back to the business end of the home and away season, so I imagine he's umm-ed and ahh-ed and decided this was a good option.

There isn't a huge issue with him taking a spot on the list, I imagine he isn't on much cash, and I can't imagine he'll play more than 8 or 9 games. Hopefully some of the young turks are blooded early and told in pre-season that it's up to them if they work hard enough. Between that and Dawson and Silvagni, the backline isn't in shocking shape.

My only issue is that I think the club is in a bit of a limbo. The Hawks are an impeccable side. They're not getting worse. They have depth, higher top-end talent, an awesome culture, and experience. I don't think you should concede on those merits, but you have to look at the age of Pav and Sandi (as well as Luke and Mundy) and realise it's a bit suss. You're in trouble relying on Fyfe. I just don't think this side has taken the 2012-2014 window it had. I think it's time for a rebuild or a massive, one-last tilt. It seems neither is happening.

I agree. I think we should clean out either half way through next year if things arent going well but defiantly the year after. Would be nice to have a few top 5 picks around fyfe and hill when they are about 28.

It shits me about port they are where they are now partially because they were consistently shit for consective years.

 

[Wigarus]

I think absolute terms generally aren't used or acknowledged by the clubs, so I doubt they'd refer to the club as being in a 'premiership window' or 'rebuilding phase'. But I very much disagree that the club would consider itself being both..

Well the club has openly stated that they started a rebuild in 2008. They have openly referred to other teams that have been in similar rebuild situations or that we have based our model on and that they are 10 year operations (or longer).

The fact that we got to a grand final last year doesn't mean that they abandon their rebuild plan and throw everything at winning a flag next year, they have consistently referred to our list management model and drafting players. Outside perception of us being in a window aren't going to change that.

 

[Nickos66]

Well the club has openly stated that they started a rebuild in 2008. They have openly referred to other teams that have been in similar rebuild situations or that we have based our model on and that they are 10 year operations (or longer).

The fact that we got to a grand final last year doesn't mean that they abandon their rebuild plan and throw everything at winning a flag next year, they have consistently referred to our list management model and drafting players. Outside perception of us being in a window aren't going to change that.

I think under this logic or terminology though, technically a club never stops rebuilding, which seems to be at odds with the fan or supporter's interpretation of what a rebuild constitutes. Typically the supporter refers to a rebuild as an avenue for cutting the deadwood and making wholesale changes to the list, of which characteristically - we're far from doing, as referenced by not even having the required 3 senior list spots free yet for this years draft.

 

[Arcassius]

McPharlin is insurance. If Tanner, Pearce come on this pre-season and we can start blooding them, we have an extra season with McPharlin showing them the ropes and mentoring them while playing the odd game when his particular skills are required.

 

[malpaso]

The fact that we got to a grand final last year doesn't mean that they abandon their rebuild plan and throw everything at winning a flag next year, they have consistently referred to our list management model and drafting players. Outside perception of us being in a window aren't going to change that.

'Rebuild' by nature infers that at some point it is over. We are not in a rebuild anymore and have entered the kind of area that Sydney has been in for a while, adding to the list in any way shape or form and getting those additions to contribute whilst maintaining competitiveness.

 

[Unique Name]

Between Dawsons suspensions, Silvagni's kamikaze style spoils and Johnson/Macca's ageing bodies there will be plenty of opportunities for our younger defenders to crack a game.

Would be happy for Macca to miss the away games and rotate Silvagni, Pearce and Vandeleur on the away games depending on form and importance of the game.

 

[Patty_Moz]

St Kilda list management at its finest the old RTB special.

 

[beetz]

I don't like the idea of Luke going around again. He looked hampered all this year. Should bite the bullet, let Silvagni come in more regularly and begin developing one of the other kids.

Hope I am proved wrong though.

 

[estibador]

It shits me about port they are where they are now partially because they were consistently shit for consective years.

I have a lot of respect for what they've done personally.

While loser clubs like Melbourne have been busy crying 'woe is us, the expansion clubs are stealing all the talent', Port just quietly went about nailing all their draft picks even though they were consistently pushed down the order by GC and GWS.

 

[beetz]

I have a lot of respect for what they've done personally.

While loser clubs like Melbourne have been busy crying 'woe is us, the expansion clubs are stealing all the talent', Port just quietly went about nailing all their draft picks even though they were consistently pushed down the order by GC and GWS.

Couple of good trades didn't go astray i.e. Ebert, Shulz, Monfries, White...

 

[StingBitten]

Well the club has openly stated that they started a rebuild in 2008. They have openly referred to other teams that have been in similar rebuild situations or that we have based our model on and that they are 10 year operations (or longer).

The fact that we got to a grand final last year doesn't mean that they abandon their rebuild plan and throw everything at winning a flag next year, they have consistently referred to our list management model and drafting players. Outside perception of us being in a window aren't going to change that.

Doesn't a rebuild occur after a number of retirements though? If Pav, Sandi, McPharlin and a couple of other old timers called it quits I'd agree we would be in a huge rebuilding phase.

To the best of our knowledge Sandi could play another great year, Pav could contribute and our backline could function reasonably well with McPharlin being managed or even a backup to SCOS.

Technically we still have a (potentially) elite midfield - Fyfe, Barlow, Mundy, Hill and the emergence of younger players such as Neale, Crozier, Morabito, Sutcliffe etc the only player over the age of 28 in that group in Mundy.

With Sandi ageing our ruck stocks aren't exactly decimated with options in Griffin, Clarke and Hannath. Mayne, Ballantyne, Walters, Taberner/Apeness aren't exactly seeking the Pension anytime soon either.

In fact the only real concern is our backline - with next year McPharlin 33, Johnson 30, Duffield 30, and Dawson 29 - at least in this one area though Ross Lyon is fairly knowledgeable and I can't see our defence rankings slipping any lower than 3rd or 4th.

The key for us is grabbing a couple of solid young recruits and another viable forward option.

 

[estibador]

Couple of good trades didn't go astray i.e. Ebert, Shulz, Monfries, White...

Yeah they've had some luck in that regard too. Polec also fell straight into their laps.

But the bulk of their stellar young midfield (which is their strength imo) is the result of astute drafting.